Patents by Inventor Pat Smithberger

Pat Smithberger 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).

  • Vehicle and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle
    Patent number: 7335131
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a vehicle including a transmission is provided. The method utilizes feedforward control by determining when a neutral transmission gear is selected, and adjusting an engine parameter to control the engine operation based on at least one predetermined condition when it is determined that the neutral transmission gear has been selected. The at least one predetermined condition includes having a value of a vehicle parameter, such as a battery state of charge, being outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pat Smithberger, Christopher Lear, Suzanne Stuber, Douglas Martin
  • VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE IN A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20070021265
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a vehicle including a transmission is provided. The method utilizes feedforward control by determining when a neutral transmission gear is selected, and adjusting an engine parameter to control the engine operation based on at least one predetermined condition when it is determined that the neutral transmission gear has been selected. The at least one predetermined condition includes having a value of a vehicle parameter, such as a battery state of charge, being outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pat Smithberger, Christopher Lear, Suzanne Stuber, Douglas Martin