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).

  • Patent number: 8214116
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20120101697
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20120010046
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Yacoub, Matthew D. Whitton, Craig J. Hawkins, Mark A. Schang, Robert L. Williams, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20110295472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Webert, Todd R. Berger, Timothy R. Stockdale, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20110275479
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, Matthew D. Whitton, Robert L. Williams, Mark A. Schang
  • Publication number: 20110251766
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schang, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20110183809
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shashikanth Rangaraju, Robert L. Williams, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 7643925
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20090018735
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 7374513
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 7212898
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Robert L. Williams
  • Patent number: 7056263
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 6915890
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Joel H. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20040116250
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton