Patents by Inventor Matthew D. Whitton
Matthew D. Whitton 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).
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Patent number: 8214116Abstract: A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Matthew D. Whitton
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Publication number: 20120101697Abstract: A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Adam J. Heisel, Christopher E. Whitney, Matthew D. Whitton, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Keith D. Van Maanen
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Publication number: 20120010046Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes a shift command module and an offgoing clutch control module. The shift command module commands an upshift of a clutch-to-clutch transmission when an engine torque is less than a predetermined negative torque. The offgoing clutch control module increases an offgoing clutch pressure above a predetermined apply pressure in response to the command. An offgoing clutch is fully engaged when the offgoing clutch pressure is greater than the predetermined apply pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Yacoub, Matthew D. Whitton, Craig J. Hawkins, Mark A. Schang, Robert L. Williams, Christopher Jay Weingartz
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Publication number: 20110295472Abstract: A control system for a transmission includes a pressure control module and a pressure adapt module. The pressure control module operates a hydraulic control system of the transmission at a target pressure during steady-state operation of the transmission. The target pressure is based on first and second learned pressures for different predetermined first and second torque ranges. The pressure adapt module selectively adjusts at least one of the first learned pressure and the second learned pressure based on a first pressure at which a slip condition of the transmission occurs. The first and second learned pressures define a learned pressure gain and offset. When adjusting the first and second learned pressures, the pressure adapt module limits increases and decreases in the learned pressure gain offset based on a predetermined pressure gain and offset. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David C. Webert, Todd R. Berger, Timothy R. Stockdale, Matthew D. Whitton
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Publication number: 20110275479Abstract: A control system includes a shift stage determination module and a clutch control module. The shift stage determination module determines a duration of a first power-on downshift when a second power-on downshift is requested, where a power-on downshift is a downshift of a transmission that occurs when an accelerator pedal is depressed. The clutch control module completes the first power-on downshift and selectively starts controlling the second power-on downshift before the first power-on downshift ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, Matthew D. Whitton, Robert L. Williams, Mark A. Schang
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Publication number: 20110251766Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission coupled to an engine by a torque converter includes a torque module and a first clutch control module. The torque module determines an input torque to the transmission based on an output torque of the engine. The first clutch control module adjusts an acceleration of a turbine of the torque converter during a down shift of the transmission based on the input torque. The first clutch control module adjusts the acceleration of the turbine by adjusting a first pressure of fluid supplied to an off-going clutch of the transmission based on the input torque. The first clutch control module adjusts the first pressure based on a mathematical model that relates a torque capacity of the off-going clutch, the input torque, and the acceleration. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Schang, Matthew D. Whitton
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Publication number: 20110183809Abstract: A transmission shift control system includes a transmission shift control module that executes an upshift or a closed-throttle downshift, a shift stage determination module, and a clutch control module. The stage determination module determines a stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift when a downshift is requested. The clutch control module determines a downshift type based on the stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift and selectively executes a downshift before the upshift or the closed throttle downshift is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Shashikanth Rangaraju, Robert L. Williams, Matthew D. Whitton
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Patent number: 7643925Abstract: A method for determining when in the course of a shift event an on-coming clutch gains torque capacity is provided. The method includes closed-loop controlling an off-going clutch to maintain a predetermined slip threshold by generating an off-going clutch pressure command, causing the on-coming clutch to engage during the closed loop control of the off-going clutch, generating a first derivative with respect to time of the off-going clutch pressure command, and using the first derivative to determine when the on-coming clutch gained torque capacity. A neural network method is preferably employed in analyzing the first derivative to locate a transition in the rate of commanded pressure indicative of off-going clutch release. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
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Publication number: 20090018735Abstract: A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
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Method and apparatus for adaptive control of closed throttle downshifts in an automatic transmission
Patent number: 7374513Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptively controlling a closed throttle downshift in an automatic transmission wherein a transmission aberration during a shift is diagnosed and corrected during subsequent closed throttle downshifts. The invention is carried out by monitoring transmission characteristics including input speed, output speed and shift duration during a closed throttle downshift, and identifying departures from acceptable patterns. Each type of departure calls for a particular remedy, and a suitable adjustment is calculated based on the times and/or the commanded pressures at certain times, the adjustment being implemented by changing one or more initial conditions for the next shift of the same type. The adjustments may have to be large to make a full or significant partial correction at the next shift. Conversely small increments may be necessary to avoid over-correction.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Matthew D. Whitton -
Patent number: 7212898Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mathematically calculating an optimal transmission input torque value for the inertia phase and the torque phase of a ratio change. Engine output is then altered by an amount necessary to change the actual value of the transmission input torque to the calculated optimal value of transmission input torque. The timing of the clutch elements during the power-on skip through neutral downshift is established by calculating delay periods for the off-going and on-coming clutches such that a predetermined desired shift time is met. The power-on skip through neutral downshift is thereafter adaptively controlled so that aberrations are diagnosed and corrected during subsequent downshifts. The invention is carried out by monitoring engine and/or transmission characteristics including input speed, output speed and shift duration during a downshift and identifying departures from acceptable patterns.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Robert L. Williams
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Patent number: 7056263Abstract: A transmission system includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a controller. The controller communicates with the first and second clutches and commands a gear shift. The controller calculates a torque phase time for the gear shift and determines a desired torque trajectory within said torque phase time. The controller determines on-coming torque values for the second clutch and off-going torque values for the first clutch to achieve the desired torque trajectory within the torque phase time. The controller calculates an on-coming clutch pressure based on the on-coming torque value, and an off-going clutch pressure based on the off-going torque value. The controller delays actuation of the first and second clutches to compensate for hydraulic delays.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Matthew D. Whitton
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Patent number: 6915890Abstract: A method for adaptively learning clutch volumes and fill level to compensate for build tolerances and clutch wear includes increasing a fill level of a clutch during an oncoming fill phase of a clutch to clutch transmission. A state of a regulator valve of the clutch to clutch transmission is monitored during the oncoming fill phase. Fill level of the clutch is adjusted before a next shift based on whether the regulator valve switches from a regulating state to a full feed state before elapse of a valid shift time.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Joel H. Gunderson
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Publication number: 20040116250Abstract: A transmission system includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a controller. The controller communicates with the first and second clutches and commands a gear shift. The controller calculates a torque phase time for the gear shift and determines a desired torque trajectory within said torque phase time. The controller determines on-coming torque values for the second clutch and off-going torque values for the first clutch to achieve the desired torque trajectory within the torque phase time. The controller calculates an on-coming clutch pressure based on the on-coming torque value, and an off-going clutch pressure based on the off-going torque value. The controller delays actuation of the first and second clutches to compensate for hydraulic delays.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton