Patents by Inventor Paul Darnell

Paul Darnell 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: 10538232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery system (1) for a vehicle having at least one driven wheel. The vehicle recovery system (1) is operable to self-recover the vehicle from terrain having a deformable surface affording insufficient traction at the at least one driven wheel to mobilise the vehicle. A recovery controller (2) is provided to maintain at least substantially continuous rotation of said at least one driven wheel at a target recovery speed or within a target recovery speed range to increase the available traction at each driven wheel. The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a vehicle recovery system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Steve Liggins, Paul Darnell, Jason Walters
  • Patent number: 10513996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a verification module (118) for verifying accuracy of a controller (116). The controller (116) is arranged to generate a demand based on a first input and a second input. The verification module (118) comprises; a calculation module (120) arranged to calculate an expected demand; a correction module (122) arranged to calculate an error between the demand and the expected demand and modify the expected demand to reduce the error; and a limiter (136) arranged to limit the demand in response to the error being greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, John Birch, Ravindra Sabbella
  • Patent number: 10208689
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle in a smooth and progressive manner. Blending is delayed if the vehicle driver cannot detect that blending is taking place, for example, when the difference between a source map and target map is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Patent number: 10094317
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle so that step changes of torque output are avoided as accelerator pedal position is changed. Different blending rates are provided so as to reduce the blending time if driver demand is in the direction of torque change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Publication number: 20180274466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a verification module (118) for verifying accuracy of a controller (116). The controller (116) is arranged to generate a demand based on a first input and a second input. The verification module (118) comprises; a calculation module (120) arranged to calculate an expected demand; a correction module (122) arranged to calculate an error between the demand and the expected demand and modify the expected demand to reduce the error; and a limiter (136) arranged to limit the demand in response to the error being greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Paul DARNELL, John BIRCH, Ravindra SABBELLA
  • Patent number: 10081371
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between torque maps of a source propulsion of a vehicle. The method and system are particularly applicable to automatic selection of an alternative torque map in response to a change of vehicle operating condition, for example, a change of terrain. Blending may substantially avoid a step change in response of the source of propulsion as accelerator position is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Patent number: 10011262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a powertrain control system (1) for a vehicle. The powertrain control system (1) includes a torque limit calculator (47) for generating a torque control signal based (57) on one or more vehicle operating parameters. A torque request module (43) is provided for generating a torque request signal (45) and a torque control module (7) controls the torque applied by the powertrain. The torque control module (7) is configured to receive the torque request signal (45) from the torque request module (43) and the torque control signal (57) from the torque limit calculator (47) and to control the torque applied by the powertrain in dependence on the torque request signal (45) and the torque control signal (57). The present invention also relates to a control system; and a method of operating a powertrain control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: John Birch, Paul Darnell, William Rudman
  • Patent number: 9874159
    Abstract: In order to address turbo lag at altitude, a vehicle boosts output torque of an internal combustion engine with electric motor torque generated from a battery. The residual charge of the battery is increased at altitude to provide a sufficient reserve for the corresponding increase in turbo lag. The invention is typically applied to a parallel hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Paul Darnell
  • Patent number: 9849889
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle having different operating modes, and for each such mode a different characteristic of output torque and accelerator pedal position. The rise of output torque in response to a propulsion request is more or less delayed according to the instant operating mode. The invention provides for blending of the response to a propulsion request so that the delay is progressively varied between a source and target operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Mark Roberts
  • Patent number: 9682710
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising: a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each-of the vehicle subsystems in a selected one of a plurality of subsystem control modes, each of which corresponds to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle, automatic control means configured to select automatically the most appropriate one of the subsystem control modes, the system being operable in a manual mode in which a user may select a required subsystem control mode or an automatic response mode in which the automatic control means selects the most appropriate control mode, wherein when the system is operating in the manual mode and not when the system is operating in the automatic response mode, the subsystem controller is configured automatically to impose a first set of one or more prescribed constraints on an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels of a vehic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes
  • Publication number: 20170137036
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between torque maps of a source propulsion of a vehicle. The method and system are particularly applicable to automatic selection of an alternative torque map in response to a change of vehicle operating condition, for example, a change of terrain. Blending may substantially avoid a step change in response of the source of propulsion as accelerator position is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Publication number: 20170101951
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle in a smooth and progressive manner. Blending is delayed if the vehicle driver cannot detect that blending is taking place, for example, when the difference between a source map and target map is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Paul DARNELL, Elliot HEMES, Stephen STACEY
  • Patent number: 9610954
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle, the system being operable to activate a vehicle launch assist (VLA) function to prevent excessive wheel slip, when the launch assist function is active the system being configured to impose a set of one or more prescribed constraints on an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels of a vehicle, wherein the set of one or more constraints ere determined by reference to information or data in respect of an amount of wheel torque that may be applied before the amount of wheel slip exceeds a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Robert Bird, Paul Darnell
  • Patent number: 9555703
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for blending between torque maps of a source of propulsion of a vehicle. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly applicable to automatic selection of an alternative torque map in response to a change of vehicle operating condition, for example a change of terrain. Blending according to embodiments of the present invention may substantially avoid a step change in response of the source of propulsion as accelerator position is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Patent number: 9545926
    Abstract: A system and method for use with a vehicle to provide a vehicle launch assist (VLA) function that reduces wheel slip at lower speeds and to provide a fraction control (TC) function that reduces wheel slip at higher speeds. Each function affects operation of one or more vehicle subsystems that control at least one powertrain parameter. The VLA and TC functions operate in response to a driver accelerator request to generate a drive signal that controls torque delivered to at least one driven vehicle wheel. The VLA function generates the drive signal at a first value that limits the torque to below a requested torque value representing the driver accelerator request. The TC function generates the drive signal at a second value that limits the torque to below the requested torque value. And the control system outputs a powertrain drive signal based on the lesser of first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Robert Bird
  • Patent number: 9528449
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle in a smooth and progressive manner. Blending is delayed if the vehicle driver cannot detect that blending is taking place, for example when the difference between a source map and target map is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Publication number: 20160333810
    Abstract: A method and system for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle so that step changes of torque output are avoided as accelerator pedal position is changed. Different blending rates are provided so as to reduce the blending time if driver demand is in the direction of torque change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Paul DARNELL, Elliot HEMES, Stephen STACEY
  • Patent number: 9399396
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle so that step changes of torque output are avoided as accelerator pedal position is changed. The invention provides different blending rates so as to reduce the blending time if driver demand is in the direction of torque change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Stephen Stacey
  • Publication number: 20150239456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery system (1) for a vehicle having at least one driven wheel. The vehicle recovery system (1) is operable to self-recover the vehicle from terrain having a deformable surface affording insufficient traction at the at least one driven wheel to mobilise the vehicle. A recovery controller (2) is provided to maintain at least substantially continuous rotation of said at least one driven wheel at a target recovery speed or within a target recovery speed range to increase the available traction at each driven wheel. The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a vehicle recovery system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Liggins, Paul Darnell, Jason Walters
  • Publication number: 20150203119
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle, the system being operable to activate a vehicle launch assist (VLA) function to prevent excessive wheel slip, when the launch assist function is active the system being configured to impose a set of one or more prescribed constraints on an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels of a vehicle, wherein the set of one or more constraints ere determined by reference to information or data in respect of an amount of wheel torque that may be applied before the amount of wheel slip exceeds a prescribed value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Bird, Paul Darnell