Patents by Inventor Mark Steven Yamazaki

Mark Steven Yamazaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Step-ratio transmission control for a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9637114
    Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle discrete step-ratio automatic transmission shift strategy attempts to cause a speed of a motor to approach a target motor speed to increase fuel economy for a coupled engine when in hybrid mode. A controller shifts the transmission according to a magnitude of a driver torque demand, the current rotor or impeller speed, and whether the motor is consuming or producing current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Ming Lang Kuang, Rajit Johri, Daniel Scott Colvin, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9637109
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and an electric machine electrically connected to the battery. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to, during an inertia phase of a transmission shift from first gear to second gear at a constant accelerator pedal position while battery temperature is less than zero degrees Fahrenheit, alter a torque output by the electric machine to offset inertia torque transfer to a driveline to maintain constant acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang
  • System and method for managing hybrid vehicle regenerative braking
    Patent number: 9630626
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to selectively apply regenerative braking torque to decelerate the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to control a rate of change of a regenerative braking torque limit during a transmission downshift that occurs during a regenerative braking event based on a change in speed of an output shaft of the powertrain caused by the transmission downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Francis Thomas Connolly, Daniel Scott Colvin, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Controlled regenerative braking torque incrementing in hybrid vehicle downshift
    Patent number: 9616895
    Abstract: A controller and control strategies minimize shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift during regenerative braking by maintaining the transmission input speed substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing. The controller and the control strategies control the regenerative braking torque during a downshift occurring during regenerative braking in such a way that the transmission input speed is maintained substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing during a torque phase of the downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Inhibit engine pull-down based on past driving history
    Patent number: 9604635
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor that are both capable of powering the wheels. While a vehicle is being driven, the vehicle's driving condition data is monitored. The driving condition data can include steering wheel angle or position, accelerator pedal position, driver torque or power demands, or road grade or incline. The vehicle includes a controller with a specific control scheme to receive the driving condition data, and subject the data to a moving average or a weighted moving average. Based on the averaged driving condition data, the engine is inhibited from stopping under certain conditions to reduce the frequency of the engine turning on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jason Meyer
  • Powertrain control of a hybrid vehicle in park or neutral
    Patent number: 9604628
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. The engine, electric machine, and clutch are arranged along a common axis. At least one controller is programmed to execute various commands when the vehicle is in park or neutral and the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed. This enhances perceived vehicle reactions in response to accelerator pedal movement. To do so, the controller is programmed to control a rate of speed increase of the electric machine based on a rate of the depression of the accelerator pedal (e.g., “speed control”). Furthermore, the torque output of the engine is controlled to a target value irrespective of engine speed and engine torque is converted into electric energy via the electric machine (e.g., “torque control”). The rate of speed increase of the electric machine is altered when the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSITIONING BETWEEN CONTROL MODES WHILE CREEPING
    Publication number: 20170080918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Wei Liang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • INHIBIT ENGINE PULL-DOWN BASED ON PAST DRIVING HISTORY
    Publication number: 20170080923
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor that are both capable of powering the wheels. While a vehicle is being driven, the vehicle's driving condition data is monitored. The driving condition data can include steering wheel angle or position, accelerator pedal position, driver torque or power demands, or road grade or incline. The vehicle includes a controller with a specific control scheme to receive the driving condition data, and subject the data to a moving average or a weighted moving average. Based on the averaged driving condition data, the engine is inhibited from stopping under certain conditions to reduce the frequency of the engine turning on and off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Rajit JOHRI, Xiaoyong WANG, Jeffrey Allen DOERING, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Ming Lang KUANG, Jason MEYER
  • Regenerative-braking transmission downshift torque limiting
    Patent number: 9598085
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle powertrain is configured to provide a regenerative-braking torque limit on a transmission during a regenerative-braking downshift. The regenerative-braking downshift event has sequential boost, start, torque, inertia, and end phases. The transmission may be operated in absence of a regenerative-braking torque limit during the boost and start phases to recapture more energy. The transmission may be operated with a regenerative-braking torque limit during the torque and inertia phases to protect for an input shaft speed dip that may occur without the limit. The limit may be removed once the regenerative-braking downshift event is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Yanan Zhao, Scott J. Lauffer, Francis Thomas Connolly, Zhengyu Dai, Matthew John Shelton
  • Method and system for adaptive motor power loss estimation in hybrid electric vehicles
    Patent number: 9598071
    Abstract: A control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, a motor, and a transmission includes operating the powertrain according to a motor power loss term that is adapted based on battery power supplied to the motor, motor power output, and an estimated motor power loss such that the motor power loss term changes over time and converges to a constant value to thereby be indicative of actual motor power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Energy management control system
    Patent number: 9592817
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling energy distribution within a HEV powertrain are provided. A feedforward battery power value is generated in response to input indicative of a driver torque request. A feedback battery power modification value is generated in response to input indicative of actual battery power and the driver torque request. A battery power request is calculated based a sum of the feedforward battery power value and the feedback battery power modification value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Vehicle system and method for controlling torque delivery during transmission engagements with road grade and mass estimation
    Patent number: 9579991
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a torque output of an electric machine of an electrified vehicle based on estimated loads present during a transmission engagement of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Hai Yu, Bernard D. Nefcy, Felix Nedorezov, Wei Liang
  • Methods and system for transitioning between control modes while creeping
    Patent number: 9573579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Wei Liang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Torque Modulation in a Hybrid Vehicle Downshift During Regenerative Braking
    Publication number: 20170043760
    Abstract: A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barney D. Nefcy, Francis Thomas Connolly, Dan Colvin, Walt Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Dale Scott Crombez, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Hybrid vehicle and method of controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain
    Patent number: 9550488
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter and a controller. The torque converter includes an impeller and receives power from the engine and electric machine. The controller, in response to an absence of driver demanded torque and a difference between desired and estimated impeller speeds, adjusts a torque of the electric machine based on a difference between an estimated engine torque and a desired impeller torque in order to drive the impeller toward the desired impeller speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Method of transitioning among shift schedules
    Patent number: 9533677
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having a discrete ratio transmission shifts according to distinct shift schedules in various operating modes. For example, different shift schedules may be used for operating with the engine off, operating with the engine running, and regenerative braking. When the vehicle transitions from one mode to another, the new shift schedule may schedule a shift that the driver would not expect. To avoid annoying the driver, a control strategy inhibits the shift until either the old strategy would also schedule a shift or a customer event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Matthew John Shelton, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Methods and system for improving hybrid driveline operation
    Patent number: 9533673
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transmission gear shifting of a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods prepare the hybrid vehicle for conditions that may occur after a requested gear shift is performed. In one example, a motor speed that would occur after a downshift, if the downshift were allowed to occur, is determined and control actions may be taken in response to the predicted motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Matthew John Shelton, Felix Nedorezov, Todd McCullough, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A POWERTRAIN DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING
    Publication number: 20160375893
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may adjust one or more actuators in response to an estimated transmission input shaft speed that is determined from transmission output shaft speed. The one or more actuators may include a transmission clutch, the motor/generator, or a gear selection solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jason Meyer, Mark Davison
  • Torque modulation in a hybrid vehicle downshift during regenerative braking
    Patent number: 9493148
    Abstract: A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Barney D Nefcy, Francis Thomas Connolly, Dan Colvin, Walt Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Dale Scott Crombez, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • OPPORTUNISTIC CHARGING OF HYBRID VEHICLE BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160325737
    Abstract: A control system for a modular hybrid electric vehicle operates an internal combustion engine at a torque level above the driver demanded torque improving the engine's efficiency. A traction motor driveably connected to the engine is operated at a torque level such that the combined torque satisfies the driver demand. The traction motor torque is limited to avoid inefficient combinations of speed and torque at which the motor is inefficient. During idle operation, the traction motor is operated at a torque determined from a battery state of charge and the engine is operated to maintain a predetermined speed. If the engine speed drops below a threshold, motor torque is adjusted to reduce the load on the engine to avoid stalling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Christopher Alan Lear, Francis Thomas Connolly