Patents by Inventor Ming LANG

Ming LANG 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: 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
  • Patent number: 10518765
    Abstract: A stability control system for a vehicle that has an electric traction motor that provides torque to an axle through a differential. The traction motor responds to an instability event that is sensed by sensors on the vehicle by initially reducing the torque provided to the traction wheels to regain steering control. The traction motor then pulses increased torque in sequence with the application of braking force to provide enhanced direct yaw moment control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Hai Yu, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang, Anthony Mark Phillips
  • Patent number: 10513265
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, regenerative torque and torque of an electronically controlled differential clutch are adjusted to increase utilization of a vehicle's kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Joseph Jay Torres, Ming Lang Kuang, Lucian Lippok, Hai Yu
  • Patent number: 10486678
    Abstract: A table of engine torque correction factors is used to compensate for noise factors. In a hybrid vehicle, the motor is used to measure engine torque during periods of constant transmission input shaft torque. By comparing the measured input torque to the requested engine torque, a controller can update the table of correction factors to compensate for changes in the noise factors. A service procedure may be implemented that systematically provides the controller an opportunity to update many values in the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20190338842
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Peter James Barrette, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Corwin Stout, Jonathan Craig Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190337391
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having one or more controllers, at least two independently driven electric machines (EMs) that are each coupled to separate drive wheels, and controllers configured to generate a torque split ratio responsive to lateral acceleration and/or unequal friction coefficients detected during braking, and to generate electric power with the motors by regeneratively braking each wheel with unequal torques adjusted by the ratio, such that combined wheel braking torques do not exceed a total braking torque limit for the vehicle. In some configurations, the controller(s) generate the torque split ratio by a predetermined lookup table that maps a plurality of torque split ratios to lateral accelerations, the coefficients, and other parameters. Further arrangements include the controller(s) coupled with sensors that detect wheel slip and yaw rate, and responsive to a braking signal, the controller(s) disengage regenerative braking when the wheel slip and/or vehicle yaw are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ming Lang Kuang, Yanan Zhao
  • Publication number: 20190275994
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10399440
    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 permitted during conditions of wheel slip so that a greater portion of a vehicle's kinetic energy may be recovered and stored as electrical energy. Additionally, in some examples, the amount of regenerative braking is adjusted responsive to a torque of a differential clutch during wheel slip conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Xiaoyong Wang, Dale Scott Crombez, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10381228
    Abstract: An epitaxial process applying light illumination includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. A dry etching process and a wet etching process are performed to form a recess in the substrate, wherein an infrared light illuminates while the wet etching process is performed. An epitaxial structure is formed in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yu-Ying Lin, Ted Ming-Lang Guo, Chin-Cheng Chien, Chih-Chien Liu, Hsin-Kuo Hsu, Chin-Fu Lin, Chun-Yuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20190241171
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery, and at least one controller. The vehicle may further comprise a port for supplying power to a load external to the vehicle. The controller is programmed to operate the engine at a power level based on a difference between a battery voltage and a reference voltage such that a power output by the electric machine reduces the difference. The power level may define an engine operating point that minimizes fuel consumption. The operating point may be an engine torque and an engine speed. The power level may be further based on a state of charge of the battery. The electric machine may be operated to cause the engine to rotate at an engine speed corresponding to the selected power level. The difference may be caused by varying power drawn by a load external to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Wei LIANG, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Xiaoyong WANG, Rajit JOHRI, Ryan Abraham McGEE, Ming Lang KUANG
  • Patent number: 10369888
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain, an electric machine, a battery, and a controller. The powertrain is configured to transfer motive power to the electric machine to charge the battery during regenerative braking. The controller programmed to, in response to a decreasing demanded powertrain output torque, adjust a regenerative braking torque limit based on an anti-jerk torque schedule, generate an actual regenerative braking torque based on system constraints, and limit the actual regenerative braking torque to the regenerative braking torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Daniel Scott Colvin
  • Publication number: 20190217709
    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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Dale Scott Crombez, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 10336316
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, battery, torque converter bypass clutch, drive wheel, and controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge the battery via regenerative braking. The torque converter bypass clutch is disposed between the electric machine and the drive wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a negative drive wheel torque command during a regenerative braking event, adjust a closed-state torque capacity of the torque converter bypass clutch based on the torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Daniel Scott Colvin
  • Patent number: 10336334
    Abstract: A vehicle may include an engine selectively coupled to a motor and a transmission. The vehicle may include a controller configured to, in response to actuation of a brake pedal, command the transmission to downshift during a regenerative braking event based on a regenerative braking downshift torque. The regenerative braking downshift torque may be determined from a predicted brake pedal input rate. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be based on road grade, vehicle headway range and a driver history. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be classified as Low, Medium, or High. The regenerative braking downshift torque may also be determined from a predicted brake torque rate that is based on a predicted deceleration rate of the vehicle, a vehicle speed prediction and a road grade prediction within a future time interval that begins upon actuation of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 10315644
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Wei Liang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 10315506
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission to simulate a step-ratio transmission. The method includes increasing an output torque based on a modified accelerator pedal position in response to a corresponding virtual gear selection. An initial virtual gear is determined or selected from a predetermined finite number of available virtual gears based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and whether an upshift or downshift has been requested. The engine speed and engine torque are controlled to meet driver expectations of increased or decreased engine speed or vehicle output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allan Herrmann, Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee