Patents by Inventor Ming Lang Kuang

Ming Lang Kuang 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: 20210402877
    Abstract: A vehicle with one-pedal driving mode includes a first axle having a first electric machine configured to power first wheels and a second axle having a second electric machine configured to power second wheels. A controller is programmed to, in response to a request for one-pedal driving mode, map pedal positions of the accelerator pedal to speeds of the first and second wheels such that each of the pedal positions corresponds to a driver-demanded speed of the first and second wheels, and control one or more of the electric machine so that the vehicle is propelled according to the driver-demanded speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Ming Lang Kuang, Michael Edward Brewer
  • Publication number: 20210300316
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jason Meyer, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20210245751
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch. The estimated torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch is based on a combined inertia of a dual mass flywheel and the driveline disconnect clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Rajit Johri, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Thomas Scott Gee, Ming Lang Kuang, Kevin Ray Ruybal
  • Publication number: 20210221238
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery, a low-voltage power system, a DC to DC converter, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to accelerate the vehicle and to slow the vehicle. The traction battery is configured to deliver electrical power to the electric machine and to receive electrical power from the electric machine via a high-voltage bus. The low-voltage power system has vehicle accessories, an accessory battery, and a low-voltage bus. The DC to DC converter is configured to transfer electrical power between the high-voltage bus and the low-voltage bus. The accessory battery is configured to deliver electrical power to the vehicle accessories and to receive or deliver power from or to DC to DC converter via the low-voltage bus. The controller is configured to controller the transfer of electrical power between the high-voltage bus and the low-voltage bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaohong Nina Duan, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20210114605
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive a request to activate a vehicle, receive diagnostic data for one or more vehicle components from an activation component, arbitrate the request and the diagnostic data to identify an activation mode of the vehicle that is one of an unpowered mode, a power-up mode, or a fully-started mode, and instruct the activation component to activate one or more vehicle components associated with the identified activation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Douglas Malone, Daniel M. King, Yuming Niu, David Celinske, Scott J. Lauffer, Ray Siciak, John David Jorgensen, Jayeshkumar Ramani, Suvrat Jain
  • Publication number: 20210025365
    Abstract: A system includes a virtual-driver module, a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the virtual-driver module, a low-voltage battery electrically coupled to the virtual-driver module, a high-voltage battery electrically coupled to the DC/DC converter, and a computer communicatively coupled to the DC/DC converter. The computer is programmed to, in response to a request to start a vehicle including the virtual-driver module in a manual mode, the vehicle being in an off state at the time of the request, set a setpoint of the DC/DC converter at a first voltage; then perform at least one pre-drive test on the vehicle; and then set the setpoint of the DC/DC converter at a second voltage lower than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuming Niu, Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Douglas Malone, Daniel M. King
  • Publication number: 20210023960
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle includes a control module, a low-voltage battery electrically coupled to the control module, a high-voltage battery electrically coupled to the control module, an engine electrically coupled to the high-voltage battery, and a computer. The computer is programmed to, while the vehicle is in an off state, in response to a pending download to the control module, provide power to the control module with one of the low-voltage battery, the high-voltage battery, or the engine upon determining whether the low-voltage battery and the high-voltage battery have sufficient charge to power the control module for the download.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuming Niu, Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Douglas Malone, Daniel M. King
  • Patent number: 10814727
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during operating conditions where vehicle braking is requested. In one example, regenerative braking is allocated to vehicle wheels responsive to actual and estimated vehicle yaw. Additionally, friction braking torque is allocated to vehicle wheels responsive to requested braking torque and regenerative braking torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Dale Scott Crombez, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 10793124
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of electric machines each coupled to a laterally-opposing wheel to output a wheel torque. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to command a combined regenerative braking torque output of the electric machines based on a lesser of a braking torque limit of each individual electric machine. The controller is also programmed to command a regenerative braking torque from each electric machine to be within a predetermined torque threshold of each other in response to a yaw rate exceeding a yaw threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10773597
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle controller includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a plurality of energy cost functions. Each energy cost function is associated with a combination of candidate variables. The instructions further include selecting one of the plurality of energy cost functions as a minimum energy cost function, determining a combination of candidate variables associated with the minimum energy cost function, and controlling acceleration of a host vehicle according to the combination of candidate variables associated with the minimum energy cost function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Chen Zhang, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 10737700
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a step-ratio automatic transmission having clutches engageable to provide forward and reverse gears, an electric machine selectively coupled to the transmission, a main pump powered by the electric machine and supplying oil to actuate selected transmission clutches, a gear selector configured for selecting a transmission gear, and a controller configured to stop the electric machine when the gear selector selects park or neutral, to operate the electric machine in a speed control mode using a higher controller gain in response to the gear selector selecting forward or reverse while the electric machine is stopped until the electric machine and the main pump reach a first speed threshold to reduce engagement delay of at least one of the transmission clutches, and to operate the electric machine using a lower controller gain when the electric machine and the main pump exceed the first speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 10737680
    Abstract: An electrified axle system includes a pair of wheels, a super positioning torque vectoring differential coupled between the wheels, and a controller. The super positioning torque vectoring differential includes a traction motor and a vectoring motor. The controller operates the vectoring motor in speed control mode to reduce a speed difference between the wheels responsive to the difference exceeding a threshold, and operates the vectoring motor in torque control mode responsive to the difference falling within a target range and an accelerator pedal position achieving a value that depends on lateral acceleration associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Peter James Barrette, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Corwin Stout, Jonathan Craig Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10730393
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during operating conditions where vehicle braking is requested. In one example, regenerative braking is allocated to vehicle axles responsive to wheel torques of respective vehicle axles in response to an anti-lock braking system being activated. Additionally, friction braking torque is allocated to vehicle axles responsive to the anti-lock braking system being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, David John Messih, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Joseph Jay Torres, Stanley L. Bower, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10703215
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine mechanically coupled by a clutch. The powertrain also includes a torque converter configured to fluidly couple the electric machine to an output shaft. A controller is programmed to command a rotational speed output of the electric machine to the torque converter based on a predicted torque delivered across the clutch. The controller is further programmed to modify the command based on a difference between the commanded rotational speed output and an actual rotational speed output of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 10696164
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an autonomous braking request and a predicted average braking torque associated with the request having a magnitude less than a powertrain regenerative torque limit, brake the vehicle only with the motor according to a torque profile adapted from a most efficient torque profile of the motor so as to have an average value falling within a specified range of the average braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Zheng Liu, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10640102
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine coupled to a gearbox through a torque converter. The vehicle includes a controller programmed to command an engine torque and an electric machine torque to achieve a predetermined positive torque at the input of the torque converter when a driver demand torque at the torque converter input decreases to fall within a range between the predetermined positive torque and a predetermined negative torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Francis Thomas Connolly, Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Publication number: 20200079353
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations occurring during a transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle. Engine speed is controller during cranking and run-up to approach a transmission input shaft speed that is based on the future gear of the transmission shift. Engine speed is controlled via adjustments to spark, throttle, and/or fuel, to expedite engine speed reaching the synchronous speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Scott Thompson, David Oshinsky, Dennis Reed, Adam Banker
  • Patent number: 10569758
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle includes commanding a first electric machine to provide a compensating torque. The compensating torque is based on a calculated cylinder pressure. The calculated cylinder pressure is calculated using a dynamic model. The model has an initializing input of engine crank position and real-time inputs of measured speed of the first electric machine and measured speed of the second electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 10556497
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a current vehicle speed exceeding a first threshold, reduce a parameter indicative of state of charge (SOC) of the battery by an offset amount that varies with an amount of predicted distance for which a predicted vehicle speed profile is less than a second threshold to prompt charging of the battery to increased SOC values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Yanan Zhao, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Davison
  • Patent number: 10543832
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations occurring during a transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle. Engine speed is controller during cranking and run-up to approach a transmission input shaft speed that is based on the future gear of the transmission shift. Engine speed is controlled via adjustments to spark, throttle, and/or fuel, to expedite engine speed reaching the synchronous speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Scott Thompson, David Oshinsky, Dennis Reed, Adam Banker