Patents by Inventor Matthew Hancock

Matthew Hancock 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).

  • Publication number: 20240123994
    Abstract: A controller is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles, each axle having two wheels, and first and second propulsion units. The controller controls the first and second propulsion units to generate a combined torque with reference to a total requested torque. The controller is configured to: receive a torque request signal; receive traction signals indicating available traction at at least one wheel; determine a traction torque range defined by a maximum and minimum torque for at least one of the at least first or second propulsion units in dependence on one or more of the traction signals; determine a proposed distribution of torque between each of the at least first and second propulsion units with reference to the total requested torque; and determine a proposed torque to be generated by each of the at least first and second propulsion units in dependence on the proposed distribution of torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, David COPP, Lee ADCOCK, Alex PLIANOS
  • Publication number: 20240093613
    Abstract: A method (400) for coating a tip (106) of an aerofoil (100) is provided. The method (400) includes depositing a layer of nickel-based gamma/gamma prime chemistry (112) on the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100). The method (400) further includes depositing plurality of abrasive particles (114) on the layer of nickel-based gamma/gamma prime chemistry (112) to form a coating matrix (116). The method (400) further includes heating the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100) at a predetermined temperature in order to perform heat treatment of the coating matrix (116) and increase the strength of the coating (110) on the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Andrew HEWITT, Matthew HANCOCK
  • Patent number: 11904838
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means arranged to receive a speed signal (410) indicative of a speed of the vehicle and a status signal (470) indicative of a status of a coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, output means (340) arranged to output a coupling signal to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, and processing means arranged to determine (1210) a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle and to control the output means to output (1220) a coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state, wherein the processing means is arranged, in dependence on the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Jones, Blake Hemingway, Christopher Blakesley, Daniele Giovanelli, Matthew Hancock
  • Publication number: 20240051515
    Abstract: A control system (208) for controlling a power inverter (214) of a vehicle (10), the vehicle comprising a first torque source (202), the power inverter for an electric machine (216) coupled to the first torque source, and a second torque source (212), the control system comprising one or more controllers (300), wherein the control system is configured to: enable (412) the power inverter to transition from an active state to a standby state in dependence on the first torque source being inactive while the second torque source is active (400), wherein the standby state is configured to inhibit quiescent electrical current draw by the power inverter; receive information on which an activation condition depends, the activation condition configured to cause at least activation of the first torque source; determine (404, 408) that a predictive condition for a requirement of the activation condition is satisfied, in dependence on the received information; and request (410) the power inverter to transition from th
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Blake HEMINGWAY, Matthew HANCOCK
  • Publication number: 20240017706
    Abstract: A controller can be configured to receive an indication of a measured speed of a vehicle, and determine whether a gradient on which the vehicle is located is below a threshold gradient. The controller can also be configured to provide an output signal to cause a brake of the vehicle to be automatically applied to hold the vehicle stationary, based at least in part on: the received indication of the measured speed of the vehicle being below a threshold speed; and the determination that the gradient is below the threshold gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan BAKEWELL, Matthew HANCOCK, Oliver ROQUES
  • Patent number: 11794721
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller for controlling operation of at least first and second traction machines in a vehicle. The controller includes a processor configured to predict an operating temperature of each of said at least first and second traction machines for at least a portion of a current route. The processor determines at least first and second torque requests for said at least first and second traction machines. The at least first and second torque requests are determined in dependence on the predicted operating temperatures of the at least first and second traction machines. The processor generates at least first and second traction motor control signals in dependence on the determined at least first and second torque requests. The present disclosure also relates to method of controlling at least first and second traction machines in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex Plianos, Matthew Hancock, Marco D'Amato
  • Patent number: 11794744
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a creep speed control system for a vehicle having at least one electric motor for providing torque to at least one vehicle wheel. The system comprises an input configured to receive a current speed signal indicative of a current speed of the vehicle; a creep speed control module that is configured to activate when the current speed of the vehicle crosses a predetermined threshold above a creep speed target value; and, an output configured to, upon activation of the creep speed control module, send a creep speed control torque signal to the at least one electric motor to control the vehicle speed in dependence on the creep speed target value, wherein the creep speed control torque signal is limited to a creep speed control filtered torque value less than a creep speed control maximum torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew Hancock
  • Patent number: 11745708
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle, a system, a vehicle, a method, a computer program and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The controller is configured to receive an indication of a measured speed of the vehicle, and determine whether a gradient on which the vehicle is located is below a threshold gradient. The controller is also configured to provide an output signal to cause a brake of the vehicle to be automatically applied to hold the vehicle stationary, in dependence on: the received indication of the measured speed of the vehicle being below a threshold speed; and the determination that the gradient is below the threshold gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Bakewell, Matthew Hancock, Olivier Roques
  • Publication number: 20230271599
    Abstract: A control system (208) for enabling deactivation of vehicle creep in a vehicle (10) with an engine (202), the control system (208) comprising one or more controllers (300), wherein the control system (208) is configured to: enable vehicle creep (402) so that wheel drive torque can reach a first value greater than zero without a driver load request and without a brake request, wherein enabling vehicle creep comprises the engine (202) being active while connected to a vehicle wheel (FL, FR); monitor for a vehicle creep deactivation signal (404); and in response to the vehicle creep deactivation signal (404), inhibit vehicle creep (412) so that wheel drive torque cannot reach the first value without a driver load request, and wherein inhibiting vehicle creep comprises causing disconnection (414) of the engine (202), at least in part, from the vehicle wheel (FL, FR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Alex HARRISON, Gareth JONES, Matthew HANCOCK, Matt SULLIVAN, Olivier ROQUES
  • Publication number: 20230242982
    Abstract: A polynucleotide sequencing method comprises (i) removing a label and a blocking moiety from a blocked, labeled nucleotide incorporated into a copy polynucleotide strand that is complementary to at least a portion of a template polynucleotide strand; and (ii) washing the removed label and blocking moiety away from the copy strand with a wash solution comprising a first buffer comprising a scavenger compound. Removing the label and blocking moieties may comprise chemically removing the moieties. The first buffer may also comprise an antioxidant and may be used in a scanning buffer used during a nucleotide detection step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: ILLUMINA CAMBRIDGE LIMITED
    Inventors: Pietro Gatti-Lafranconi, Helen Sansom, Matthew Hancock
  • Publication number: 20230166714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for compensating for variable inertia in a vehicle powertrain, the method comprising: determining (404) whether a torque source (202) is coupled to a wheel (FL, FR), and applying (408, 410) a torque change in dependence on angular acceleration associated with the torque source (202), in dependence on whether the torque source is coupled to the wheel. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method, vehicle, system and computer software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew SULLIVAN, Olivier ROQUES, Matthew HANCOCK, William HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20230166746
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method (400) and to a control system (208) for controlling at least one electric machine (212, 216) of a vehicle (10) to support diagnostic testing of a vehicle system (30) comprising an internal combustion engine (202), wherein the method (400) comprises: controlling a torque output (420) of the at least one electric machine (212,216) to allow a vehicle drive torque demand (410) to be met while the internal combustion engine (202) is operated within at least one torque threshold (432) for the diagnostic testing or operated at a torque setpoint (438) for the diagnostic testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Marco D'AMATO, Ryan MCINTYRE, Samuel RIOS, Matthew SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20230166717
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for a vehicle, the method comprising: determining that a trigger condition is satisfied, wherein satisfaction of the trigger condition is dependent on a vehicle speed of the vehicle relative to at least one threshold speed, the at least one threshold speed having a value corresponding to is vehicle speed no greater than four metres per second; and based at least on the determination, controlling when a mode change between a first operating mode and a second operating mode is performed, wherein in the first operating mode the internal combustion engine is in a disconnected state not configured to provide tractive torque, and an electric machine is configured to provide tractive torque, and wherein in the second operating mode at least the internal combustion engine is in a connected state configured to provide tractive torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Olivier ROQUES, William HARRISON, Matthew SULLIVAN, Blake HEMINGWAY
  • Publication number: 20230166719
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide An electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means to receive a speed signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, processing means arranged to determine a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the speed signal, and output means arranged to output a coupling signal indicative of the coupling state to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Gareth JONES, Christina O'SULLIVAN, Ratheev KUMARI NAIR
  • Publication number: 20230166716
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a torque request for an internal combustion engine configured to mechanically couple to a first axle of the vehicle; determining a shortfall relative to the torque request, dependent on torque providable by the engine; and providing an output to control an electric machine to provide a compensation torque configured to compensate for the shortfall, wherein the electric machine is mechanically coupled to a second axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, William HARRISON, Olivier ROQUES, Matt SULLIVAN, Samuel RIOS
  • Publication number: 20230166720
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide An electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means (330) to receive at least one attribute signal (410-4X0) indicative of one or more attributes of the vehicle (100), output means (340) arranged to output a coupling signal (345) to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle (222), and processing means (310) arranged to determine (1310) a coupling state of the electric machine (212) to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the at least one attribute signal, wherein the processing means is arranged to control the output means to output the coupling signal (345) indicative of the determined coupling state, wherein the processing means is arranged to defer
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Gareth JONES, Blake HEMINGWAY, Christopher BLAKESLEY, Daniele GIOVANELLI, Matthew HANCOCK
  • Publication number: 20230166712
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system (200) for an electric machine (120) of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system comprising input means (230) to receive a torque communication signal (255) indicative of torque communication through a belt (130) associated with the electric machine, processing means (210) arranged to determine a torque limit for the electric machine in dependence on the torque communication signal and a first torque threshold, and output means (240) arranged to output a torque limit signal (245) in dependence on the torque limit to control the torque communicated through the belt associated with the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Gareth JONES, Blake HEMINGWAY, Christopher BLAKESLEY, Daniele GIOVANELLI
  • Publication number: 20230166711
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system 208 and method for controlling energy management of a traction battery 200 of a hybrid electric vehicle 10, the traction battery 200 configured to power at least one traction motor 212 coupled to an electric-only axle 213 of the vehicle 10 to provide all-wheel drive, the control system 208 comprising one or more electronic controllers 300, the one or more electronic controllers 300 configured to: determine a change of terrain mode and/or type for the vehicle and/or determine an increase in loading of the vehicle 10; select an energy management control strategy for the traction battery 200 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the determined change in terrain mode and/or type and/or the determined increase in loading of the vehicle 10, wherein the traction battery 200 is configured to supply power to the at least one traction motor 212 to provide torque to the electric-only axle 213 of the vehicle 10 to enable the vehicle 10 to operate in an all-wheel dr
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Riccardo FRACCHIA
  • Publication number: 20230166605
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means to receive at least one attribute signal indicative of one or more attributes (410, 420, 430) of the vehicle and an efficiency signal (440) indicative of selection of an efficiency-based driving mode, output means arranged to output a coupling signal to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, processing means arranged to determine (1510) a first coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the at least one attribute signal and to determine (1520) a second coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the at least one
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Gareth JONES, Blake HEMINGWAY, Christopher BLAKESLEY, Daniele GIOVANELLI, Matthew HANCOCK
  • Publication number: 20230159016
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for maintaining multi-axle drive capability in a vehicle, the method comprising: operating an internal combustion engine to provide a torque to a first axle of the vehicle, and to a first electric machine to generate electrical power; controlling the generation of electrical power by the first electric machine in dependence on a requirement for torque at a second axle of the vehicle; and operating a second electric machine to receive the electrical power generated by the first electric machine and provide the torque to the second axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Olivier ROQUES, Christina O'SULLIVAN, William HARRISON, Gareth JONES, Christopher BLAKESLEY