Patents by Inventor Matt Todd

Matt Todd 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).

  • Patent number: 7721834
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case in a motor vehicle driveline that includes by an engine controlled by a throttle having a variable position, and a transmission driveably connected to the engine for producing multiple ratios of the speed of a transmission input relative to the speed of a transmission output. The transfer case transmitting rotating power in response to an electric signal applied to a clutch. The method includes determining that the engine throttle position is less than a first reference throttle position during a period of predetermined length; determining that a speed of the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range; determining that the transmission is operating in a speed ratio greater than a reference speed ratio; determining that the engine throttle position is greater than a first reference throttle position; and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ramy Boctor, Ashok Rodrigues, Alan Dona, Matt Todd
  • Patent number: 7473209
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case clutch in a motor vehicle driveline controlled by an engine throttle having a variable position. The transfer case transmits rotating power to a primary power path and to a secondary power path in response to an electric current duty cycle applied to a coil that actuates the clutch. The method includes the steps of determining that a current vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed; determining that the engine throttle position is in a reference throttle position range; determining that a change in vehicle speed is greater than a reference change in vehicle speed; using a current magnitude of torque in the driveline to determine a desired duty cycle for the coil; and applying a duty cycle of the desired magnitude to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Todd, John A. Glab, Ashok Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20080039287
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case clutch in a motor vehicle driveline controlled by an engine throttle having a variable position. The transfer case transmits rotating power to a primary power path and to a secondary power path in response to an electric current duty cycle applied to a coil that actuates the clutch. The method includes the steps of determining that a current vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed; determining that the engine throttle position is in a reference throttle position range; determining that a change in vehicle speed is greater than a reference change in vehicle speed; using a current magnitude of torque in the driveline to determine a desired duty cycle for the coil; and applying a duty cycle of the desired magnitude to the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Matt Todd, John A. Glab, Ashok Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20070295548
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case in a motor vehicle driveline that includes by an engine controlled by a throttle having a variable position, and a transmission driveably connected to the engine for producing multiple ratios of the speed of a transmission input relative to the speed of a transmission output. The transfer case transmitting rotating power in response to an electric signal applied to a clutch. The method includes determining that the engine throttle position is less than a first reference throttle position during a period of predetermined length; determining that a speed of the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range; determining that the transmission is operating in a speed ratio greater than a reference speed ratio; determining that the engine throttle position is greater than a first reference throttle position; and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch for a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Ramy Boctor, Ashok Rodrigues, Alan Dona, Matt Todd