Patents by Inventor Michael G. Fodor
Michael G. Fodor 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: 11097711Abstract: An electric machine and internal combustion engine are coordinated to provide traction control for an automotive vehicle. A propulsive torque limit is set by a controller during a loss of traction. When the machine torque limit is greater than the propulsive torque limit, the engine is pulled down. When the machine torque is less than the propulsive torque limit, the engine is pulled up. The controller coordinates the pulled up engine with the machine such that the engine is subordinated to the machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hai Yu, Michael G. Fodor
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Publication number: 20150298678Abstract: An electric machine and internal combustion engine are coordinated to provide traction control for an automotive vehicle. A propulsive torque limit is set by a controller during a loss of traction. When the machine torque limit is greater than the propulsive torque limit, the engine is pulled down. When the machine torque is less than the propulsive torque limit, the engine is pulled up. The controller coordinates the pulled up engine with the machine such that the engine is subordinated to the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: HAI YU, MICHAEL G. FODOR
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Patent number: 8398526Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes determining a desired clutch torque, a desired engine torque, a desired vehicle acceleration and a desired engine speed, determining a change in clutch torque and a change in engine torque with reference to the first and second errors and current operating conditions, applying to the clutch an updated clutch torque capacity whose magnitude is the sum of the desired clutch torque and the change in engine torque, and producing an updated engine torque whose magnitude is the sum of the desired engine torque and the change in engine torque.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Davor D. Hrovat, Michael G. Fodor, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow, Jahan Asgari
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Patent number: 8260513Abstract: A method for controlling creep in a vehicle having no transmission torque converter, includes operating an input clutch of the transmission at a desired clutch torque capacity, using a feed-forward engine torque to minimize the impact on the engine speed when additional load on the engine occurs from increasing the clutch torque capacity, producing a desired clutch slip by controlling engine idle speed, and achieving a desired vehicle speed by controlling the input clutch torque capacity.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew J. Shelton, Hong Jiang, Chunlin Liu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael G. Fodor
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Publication number: 20110288735Abstract: A method for controlling creep in a vehicle having no transmission torque converter, includes operating an input clutch of the transmission at a desired clutch torque capacity, using a feed-forward engine torque to minimize the impact on the engine speed when additional load on the engine occurs from increasing the clutch torque capacity, producing a desired clutch slip by controlling engine idle speed, and achieving a desired vehicle speed by controlling the input clutch torque capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Matthew J. Shelton, Hong Jiang, Chunlin Liu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael G. Fodor
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Patent number: 7998026Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes selecting a subject device that transmits torque between an input and an output, a providing a mathematical model of the subject device, such that the model employing only static relationships of engine speed and transmission input speed to a desired magnitude of torque produced by the subject device, using the model, the current engine speed and the current engine speed to determine the desired torque produced by the subject device, and adjusting the torque capacity of the clutch to the desired torque of the subject device determined from the model.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael G. Fodor, Davor D. Hrovat, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow, Jahan Asgari
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Publication number: 20110169323Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle powertrain includes holding the vehicle stopped on a grade by automatically producing wheel brake torque while driver demand torque is less than wheel brake torque, automatically releasing wheel brake torque when driver demand torque equals or exceeds wheel brake torque, and launching the vehicle using engine torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hongtei E. Tseng, Michael G. Fodor, Christopher J. Teslak, Bradley D. Riedle, Eileen A. Davidson
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Publication number: 20100105523Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes determining a desired clutch torque, a desired engine torque, a desired vehicle acceleration and a desired engine speed, determining a change in clutch torque and a change in engine torque with reference to the first and second errors and current operating conditions, applying to the clutch an updated clutch torque capacity whose magnitude is the sum of the desired clutch torque and the change in engine torque, and producing an updated engine torque whose magnitude is the sum of the desired engine torque and the change in engine torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Davor D. Hrovat, Michael G. Fodor, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow, Jahan Asgari
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Publication number: 20090186743Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes selecting a subject device that transmits torque between an input and an output, a providing a mathematical model of the subject device, such that the model employing only static relationships of engine speed and transmission input speed to a desired magnitude of torque produced by the subject device, using the model, the current engine speed and the current engine speed to determine the desired torque produced by the subject device, and adjusting the torque capacity of the clutch to the desired torque of the subject device determined from the model.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Michael G. Fodor, Davor D. Hrovat, Jahan Asgari, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow
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Patent number: 6804584Abstract: A method for determining road bank angle in a vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor (22) that generates a lateral acceleration signal. A yaw rate sensor (18) generates a yaw rate signal. A roll rate sensor (23) generates a yaw rate signal. A controller (14) coupled to the sensors calculates a first roll angle signal in response to the roll rate signal and calculates a second roll angle signal corresponding to a suspension reference roll angle in response to the lateral acceleration signal. The controller calculates a bank angle signal in response to the lateral acceleration signal, the yaw rate signal, the steering wheel signal and the speed signal. The controller sums the first roll angle signal, the second roll angle signal and the bank angle signal to obtain a final roll angle estimate.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hongtei Eric Tseng, Davorin David Hrovat, Michael G. Fodor
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Publication number: 20030182025Abstract: A method for determining road bank angle in a vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor (22) that generates a lateral acceleration signal. A yaw rate sensor (18) generates a yaw rate signal. A roll rate sensor (23) generates a yaw rate signal. A controller (14) coupled to the sensors calculates a first roll angle signal in response to the roll rate signal and calculates a second roll angle signal corresponding to a suspension reference roll angle in response to the lateral acceleration signal. The controller calculates a bank angle signal in response to the lateral acceleration signal, the yaw rate signal, the steering wheel signal and the speed signal. The controller sums the first roll angle signal, the second roll angle signal and the bank angle signal to obtain a final roll angle estimate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Hongtei Eric Tseng, Davorin David Hrovat, Michael G. Fodor
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Patent number: 5471386Abstract: A vehicle traction controller controls vehicle traction and directional stability by determining the rotational velocity of the vehicle. The rotational velocity of the vehicle is measured and compared to a predefined range. If the rotational velocity is outside of the predefined range, then a wheel torque value, which is indicative of a braking force to be applied independently of driver initated braking, is generated for each wheel which is on a side of the vehicle as determined by the rotational velocity. The wheel torque value is compared to a range of values, which is based on road surface friction, and altered if the wheel torque value is outside of the range of values. Wheel spin and skid control is employed to reduce wheel spin and skid.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Davorin Hrovat, Jahanbakhsh Asgari, Michael G. Fodor