Patents by Inventor Michael Edward Loftus

Michael Edward Loftus 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: 11210267
    Abstract: A method includes selecting, from a database, messages of a first electronic control (ECU) unit according to a specified datum that the first ECU is programmed to provide via a communications bus, generating a first file of the messages of the first ECU, sorting the messages in the first file according to a hierarchy that includes the specified datum, and outputting a third file describing a comparison of the first file and a second file that includes messages of a second ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Andrew Stephen Barrett
  • Patent number: 10882403
    Abstract: Systems or methods for testing performance of an isolation monitor for a vehicle having a high voltage traction battery electrical system isolated from a low voltage electrical system include a device for connecting to an isolation/leakage monitor under test. The device includes a current leakage bus, a current leakage array, and a current leakage destination with associated switching elements automatically controlled by a programmed microprocessor to introduce various leakage impedances to a second voltage source or ground and to evaluate performance of the isolation/leakage monitor under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Loftus
  • Publication number: 20200371997
    Abstract: A method includes selecting, from a database, messages of a first electronic control (ECU) unit according to a specified datum that the first ECU is programmed to provide via a communications bus, generating a first file of the messages of the first ECU, sorting the messages in the first file according to a hierarchy that includes the specified datum, and outputting a third file describing a comparison of the first file and a second file that includes messages of a second ECU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward LOFTUS, Andrew Stephen BARRETT
  • Patent number: 10605844
    Abstract: An isolation test system for a vehicle includes a communication interface, a current sensor, a plurality of impedances and a controller. The controller is programmed to electrically connect a selected one of the impedances between a traction battery of the vehicle and a low voltage subsystem of the vehicle. The connection creates a leakage path between the traction battery and the subsystem. The controller is further programmed to output a diagnostic status based on a current associated with the leakage path and a signal received via a communication interface indicative of an isolation fault between the battery and subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Alan Scarantino, Robert Leland Crandell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10516189
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a pair of electrical buses connected to terminals of a traction battery via a shared positive contactor and a pair of negative contactors. The system further includes a controller configured to, responsive to a request to close the contactors and a difference between voltage magnitudes of the buses being greater than a predefined threshold, actively discharge one of the buses to reduce the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Patent number: 10406937
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle charging method includes charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source, and adjusting the charging based on a predicted amount of charging generated when driving the vehicle from the external power source to a destination. The external power source is at a higher elevation than some point along the route to the at least one destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, John Proietty, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Perry Robinson MacNeille
  • Patent number: 10369897
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to send likelihood-of-success request, including vehicle state information. The processor is further configured to receive information representing likelihood of reaching route points, utilizing a current vehicle charge, along with effects on the likelihood based on one or more power utilization changes. The processor is also configured to interactively display the received information and receive power utilization change selection. Also, the processor is configured to calculate a new likelihood of reaching the points based on the selection and display updated information based on the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Michael Edward Loftus
  • Publication number: 20180134169
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a pair of electrical buses connected to terminals of a traction battery via a shared positive contactor and a pair of negative contactors. The system further includes a controller configured to, responsive to a request to close the contactors and a difference between voltage magnitudes of the buses being greater than a predefined threshold, actively discharge one of the buses to reduce the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Edward LOFTUS, Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH
  • Patent number: 9931960
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring voltage of a battery pack for an electrified vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle, include a battery having internal circuits that measure pack voltage and individual cell voltages, an electric machine powered by the battery to propel the vehicle via an external circuit that measures the pack voltage, and a processor programmed to publish the pack voltage to a vehicle network based on a first internal circuit voltage in response to a voltage differential among the internal circuits being less than a threshold and based on the individual cell voltages otherwise. The published pack voltage may be used by one or more battery or vehicle controllers to control various battery and vehicle functions including engine starting in a hybrid vehicle and battery charging and discharging, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Michael Edward Loftus, Xu Wang
  • Patent number: 9931949
    Abstract: A vehicle bus system includes a controller programmed to, after issuing a command to close first and second contactors, wherein the first and second contactors are arranged to share a first terminal of a battery, the first contactor is configured to power a first load when closed, and the second contactor is configured to power a second load when closed, initiate pre-charge of a second terminal of the battery in response to respective first and second voltages across the first and second contactors exceeding corresponding first and second closed-state voltage thresholds, and generate a notification and preclude initiation of the pre-charge in response to one of the first and second voltages being less than the corresponding first and second closed-state voltage thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Michael Schamber, Jianwei Li
  • Patent number: 9925884
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described to control the use of electrical power when charging a traction battery. A vehicle module can drive the contactor coils with two set-points for controlling the power into the contactor coils, namely, a travel or vehicle “on” set point and a charging, vehicle “off” set point. In use, full power is initially applied to the coils to guarantee immediate closure of the contactor. During charging and after closing the contactor, the power is set at the charging, vehicle “off” set point. The travel or vehicle “on” set point is higher than the charging, vehicle “off” set point. Using the charging, vehicle “off” set point reduces electricity consumption. The vehicle “on” set point is at a higher electrical level as it must maintain closure under worst-case vibration and shock conditions considering mounting location, contactor orientation, as well as other characteristics of the vehicle and contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Publication number: 20170374324
    Abstract: A vehicle including: sensors, processor(s) configured to: make a primary detection; list objects located within a calculated focus area; mark the listed objects as partially identified or fully identified; estimate velocities of the partially identified objects; select connected vehicles based on the estimated velocities; instruct the connected vehicles to: record the partially identified objects, electronically deliver the recordings to an address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Edward Loftus
  • Patent number: 9784780
    Abstract: A battery simulator can operate to provide different outputs. These outputs provide different characteristics related to how a device under test operates. In an example, a controller such as an electronic control module (ECM) or battery energy control module (BECM) can be tested. The battery simulator may provide different modes, e.g., a high current mode or a voltage change over time mode. A traction battery simulator may include a controller, analog output circuitry being controlled by the controller to output test current and test voltage, and switching circuitry connected to the analog output circuitry that has a first state and a second state. The first state is to provide an increased change in voltage over change in time relative to the second state. The second state is to provide an increased capacitance over the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Patent number: 9751427
    Abstract: A vehicle traction battery includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery energy control module (BECM) for charge-balancing the plurality of battery cells. The BECM is disposed within the vehicle traction battery and includes circuitry having at least one positive temperature coefficient component, such as a thermistor or silistor, connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells for thermal conditioning of the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Loftus
  • Publication number: 20170246959
    Abstract: A vehicle bus system includes a controller programmed to, after issuing a command to close a pair of contactors arranged to share a battery terminal and each configured to power a load when closed, initiate pre-charge of another terminal in response to voltages across the contactors exceeding corresponding closed-state thresholds, and generate a notification and preclude initiation of the pre-charge in response to one of the voltages being less than the corresponding closed-state threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Edward LOFTUS, Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH, Michael SCHAMBER, Jianwei LI
  • Patent number: 9713963
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to send likelihood-of-success request, including vehicle state information. The processor is further configured to receive information representing likelihood of reaching route points, utilizing a current vehicle charge, along with effects on the likelihood based on one or more power utilization changes. The processor is also configured to interactively display the received information and receive power utilization change selection. Also, the processor is configured to calculate a new likelihood of reaching the points based on the selection and display updated information based on the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Michael Edward Loftus
  • Publication number: 20170197518
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering brake energy via dynamic wireless power transfer. The system may include a first charging pad disposed at a first location of a road structure and configured to receive an electric power wirelessly from a contributing vehicle. The system may further include a second charging pad disposed at a second location of the road structure and configured to receive the electric power from the first charging pad and charge a receiving vehicle wirelessly with at least a portion of the electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Michael Edward Loftus
  • Publication number: 20170182909
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack is configured to power an electric machine that propels the vehicle. Cell balancing can take place in which electric energy from one cell is transferred to another cell to balance out the respective charges of the cells. The vehicle includes a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless key fob. A controller is programmed to inhibit the cell balancing for a user-defined time period that is initiated in response to the wireless signal being received by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Edward LOFTUS
  • Patent number: 9673653
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a high voltage traction battery for providing propulsion energy to the vehicle. A battery control module controls the operation of the battery, and also commands cell balancing out of or between cells of the battery to maintain a relative equilibrium of charge across a plurality of the cells. The battery control module is in communication with an interactive display in the vehicle or a communication device outside of the vehicle. A user can define a time period in which the vehicle is to enter a hibernation mode. During the hibernation mode, the battery control module inhibits cell balancing in the battery. Upon expiration of the user-defined time period, the battery control module enables cell balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Loftus
  • Patent number: 9612130
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having a battery-powered electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to display, on a geographical map, at least one contour line indicating an available driving distance from a current location. The distance of the contour line from the current location is based on energy stored within the battery and predicted energy consumption due to driving along each of a plurality of possible routes originating from the current location. The predicted energy consumption is updated based on energy depletion events that occur during driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Michael Edward Loftus, Perry Robinson MacNeille