Patents by Inventor Matthew Gibson Field

Matthew Gibson Field 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: 9079574
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with control of a motor vehicle powertrain having a transmission of torque-controlled type. The powertrain also has an engine which provides a controllable engine torque. The method involves determining a reaction torque requirement and an engine torque requirement suitable to create a desired wheel torque and also a desired engine acceleration. The engine torque and the reaction torque provided by the transmission are set accordingly. The invention is characterized by the fact that the aforementioned calculation involves estimating and allowing for vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Piers Burke, Matthew Gibson Field
  • Patent number: 8892315
    Abstract: A method for controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission is described. The method may include controlling a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) having rotary input and output members through which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged to exert upon its input and output members torques which correspond directly to the control signal. The method may also include determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Stephen William Murray, Matthew Piers Burke
  • Patent number: 8292781
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of operating a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an infinitely variable transmission and an engine. The transmission comprises a rotary transmission input coupled to the engine, a rotary transmission output coupled to the vehicle wheels, a variator which provides a continuously variable ratio (the “variator ratio”), and gearing for coupling the variator between the engine and the transmission output in such a manner that the ratio of transmission output speed to transmission input speed (the “reciprocal transmission ratio”) is a function of the variator ratio. The available range of variator ratios maps onto both forward and reverse reciprocal transmission ratios, and at a particular variator ratio (the “geared neutral ratio”) the transmission output is stationary despite its being coupled through the transmission to the rotating transmission input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Matthew Piers Burke
  • Publication number: 20120220425
    Abstract: A method for controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission is described. The method may include controlling a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) having rotary input and output members through which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged to exert upon its input and output members torques which correspond directly to the control signal. The method may also include determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Stephen William Murray, Matthew Piers Burke
  • Patent number: 8108108
    Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission of the type comprising a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) which has rotary input and output members though which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged such as to exert upon its input and output members torques which, for a given variator drive ratio, correspond directly to the control signal, the method comprising: determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Stephen William Murray, Matthew Piers Burke
  • Publication number: 20090076691
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with control of a motor vehicle powertrain having a transmission of torque-controlled type. The powertrain also has an engine which provides a controllable engine torque. The method involves determining a reaction torque requirement and an engine torque requirement suitable to create a desired wheel torque and also a desired engine acceleration. The engine torque and the reaction torque provided by the transmission are set accordingly. The invention is characterised by the fact that the aforementioned calculation involves estimating and allowing for vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: TOTOTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LTD
    Inventors: Matthew Piers Burke, Matthew Gibson Field
  • Publication number: 20090062065
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of operating a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an infinitely variable transmission and an engine. The transmission comprises a rotary transmission input coupled to the engine, a rotary transmission output coupled to the vehicle wheels, a variator which provides a continuously variable ratio (the “variator ratio”), and gearing for coupling the variator between the engine and the transmission output in such a manner that the ratio of transmission output speed to transmission input speed (the “reciprocal transmission ratio”) is a function of the variator ratio. The available range of variator ratios maps onto both forward and reverse reciprocal transmission ratios, and at a particular variator ratio (the “geared neutral ratio”) the transmission output is stationary despite its being coupled through the transmission to the rotating transmission input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Torotrak (Development) Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Matthew Piers Burke
  • Publication number: 20080027614
    Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission of the type comprising a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) which has rotary input and output members though which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged such as to exert upon its input and output members torques which, for a given variator drive ratio, correspond directly to the control signal, the method comprising: determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Gibson Field, Stephen William Murray, Matthew Piers Burke