Patents by Inventor Michael Paul Lindlbauer
Michael Paul Lindlbauer 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: 11225238Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source configured to provide drive torque, a front axle, a rear axle, and a transfer case configured to distribute drive torque from the power source between the front axle and the rear axle. The vehicle additionally includes a clutch arranged between the front axle and the transfer case. The clutch has a disengaged state and an engaged state drivingly coupling the transfer case and the front axle. The vehicle also includes a regenerative braking system configured to, in response to a braking request, provide regenerative braking torque to the rear axle. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a braking request and the clutch being in the disengaged state, control the clutch to shift into the engaged state to couple the regenerative braking system to the front axle and provide regenerative braking torque to the front axle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott J. Lauffer, Ashok E. Rodrigues, Dale Scott Crombez, Andreas E. Perakes, Filip Tomik, Kevin Kootsillas, Michael Paul Lindlbauer
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Publication number: 20160339779Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source configured to provide drive torque, a front axle, a rear axle, and a transfer case configured to distribute drive torque from the power source between the front axle and the rear axle. The vehicle additionally includes a clutch arranged between the front axle and the transfer case. The clutch has a disengaged state and an engaged state drivingly coupling the transfer case and the front axle. The vehicle also includes a regenerative braking system configured to, in response to a braking request, provide regenerative braking torque to the rear axle. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a braking request and the clutch being in the disengaged state, control the clutch to shift into the engaged state to couple the regenerative braking system to the front axle and provide regenerative braking torque to the front axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Scott J. LAUFFER, Ashok E. RODRIGUES, Dale Scott CROMBEZ, Andreas E. PERAKES, Filip TOMIK, Kevin KOOTSILLAS, Michael Paul LINDLBAUER
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Patent number: 9464601Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve of a fuel system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the fuel tank isolation valve via electrical pulses and tracking a position of the FTIV by counting each of the electrical pulses. When a vacuum is created in the fuel system, the method may include verifying the position of the FTIV based on resulting fuel system pressures.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bryan Bolger, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark W. Peters
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Patent number: 9457651Abstract: Systems are provided for a fuel system comprising an external refueling request switch accessible at or near a refueling door, thus enabling methods that may include initiating depressurization of a fuel tank responsive to an operator engaging the refueling request switch. The status of depressurization may be communicated to the operator via on one or more LED displays located either inside the refueling assembly or located at the refueling door. In this way, refueling requests may be initiated by a refueling operator, and by relaying the status of depressurization to the operator, any confusion on the part of the operator may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Bryan Michael Bolger, Herbert Thomas Meissner, Roman Schesnuk, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
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Publication number: 20160221436Abstract: Systems are provided for a fuel system comprising an external refueling request switch accessible at or near a refueling door, thus enabling methods that may include initiating depressurization of a fuel tank responsive to an operator engaging the refueling request switch. The status of depressurization may be communicated to the operator via on one or more LED displays located either inside the refueling assembly or located at the refueling door. In this way, refueling requests may be initiated by a refueling operator, and by relaying the status of depressurization to the operator, any confusion on the part of the operator may be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Bryan Michael Bolger, Herbert Thomas Meissner, Roman Schesnuk, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
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Patent number: 9388775Abstract: Methods and systems are described for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling. In one example, before refueling the fuel tank having a pressure above a first predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through a first valve to the first predetermined pressure and the first valve may be closed. Further, a second valve may be opened to further reduce the pressure to a second predetermined pressure, and if flow through the second valve is less than desired, then the first valve may be opened until the second predetermined pressure is reached.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bryan Michael Bolger, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark W. Peters
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Patent number: 9322378Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines capable of starting an engine are presented. In one example, one of the two electric machines is selected to start the engine in response to degradation of one or more vehicle components and an engine start request.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Karin Lovett, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark J. Ferrel, Paul Stephen Bryan, Marvin Paul Kraska
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Publication number: 20160032880Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines capable of starting an engine are presented. In one example, one of the two electric machines is selected to start the engine in response to degradation of one or more vehicle components and an engine start request.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Karin Lovett, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark J. Ferrel, Paul Stephen Bryan, Marvin Paul Kraska
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Publication number: 20150308389Abstract: Methods and systems are described for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling. In one example, before refueling the fuel tank having a pressure above a first predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through a first valve to the first predetermined pressure and the first valve may be closed. Further, a second valve may be opened to further reduce the pressure to a second predetermined pressure, and if flow through the second valve is less than desired, then the first valve may be opened until the second predetermined pressure is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bryan Michael Bolger, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark W. Peters
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Publication number: 20150122228Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve of a fuel system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the fuel tank isolation valve via electrical pulses and tracking a position of the FTIV by counting each of the electrical pulses. When a vacuum is created in the fuel system, the method may include verifying the position of the FTIV based on resulting fuel system pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bryan Bolger, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark W. Peters
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Patent number: 9026292Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Ted Haladyna, William David Treharne
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Patent number: 8977417Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Justin R. Badger, Angel Fernando Porras, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
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Publication number: 20150032307Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Ted Haladyna, William David Treharne
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Publication number: 20140114516Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Justin R. Badger, Angel Fernando Porras, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
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Patent number: 7699129Abstract: An accelerator pedal provides feedback to a driver of a vehicle indicating that an engine is about to be started. This feedback is associated with a threshold position of the accelerator pedal. The threshold position may be fixed and a pedal mapping curve fit to pass through the threshold position. The threshold position may vary and depend on a minimum of the motive power capacity of a battery and an activation power threshold of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Michael Paul Lindlbauer
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Publication number: 20090112382Abstract: An accelerator pedal provides feedback to a driver of a vehicle indicating that an engine is about to be started. This feedback is associated with a threshold position of the accelerator pedal. The threshold position may be fixed and a pedal mapping curve fit to pass through the threshold position. The threshold position may vary and depend on a minimum of the motive power capacity of a battery and an activation power threshold of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Michael Paul Lindlbauer