Patents by Inventor Paul Stephen Bryan

Paul Stephen Bryan 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: 11535254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an accelerator pedal position exceeding a first threshold for a predetermined time period or a lateral acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a second threshold, transition the powertrain from a nominal driving mode to a performance driving mode. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the nominal mode, maintain a power output of the electric machine at a driver demanded power defined by the accelerator pedal position. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the performance driving mode, reduce a power output of the electric machine to less than the driver demanded power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allen Magolan, Zachary John Sinisi, Francis Thomas Connolly, Paul Stephen Bryan, Minku Lee, Jason Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20200391740
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an accelerator pedal position exceeding a first threshold for a predetermined time period or a lateral acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a second threshold, transition the powertrain from a nominal driving mode to a performance driving mode. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the nominal mode, maintain a power output of the electric machine at a driver demanded power defined by the accelerator pedal position. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the performance driving mode, reduce a power output of the electric machine to less than the driver demanded power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Allen Magolan, Zachary John Sinisi, Francis Thomas Connolly, Paul Stephen Bryan, Minku Lee, Jason Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 10519917
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of a temperature of a starter-generator exceeding a de-rated threshold, command the engine to start and disable engine automatic shut-off. And the controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of the temperature exceeding a disabled threshold, or the temperature exceeding the de-rated threshold and a traction battery discharge power being less than a threshold, command the engine to start and shed a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Josephine S. Lee, Mark Shields, Sassan Farahmand, Bastian Hartmann, Paul Stephen Bryan, Joseph Andrew Zamora
  • Patent number: 10286892
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, responsive to absence of a motor controller receiving communication packets for a predetermined time during a drive cycle, operating by the controller (i) an inverter to output voltage at a setpoint defined by an inverter terminal voltage at expiration of the predetermined time, and (ii) a motor coupled with the inverter to apply torque according to a change in the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Paul Stephen Bryan, Brian Francis Morton
  • Patent number: 10273895
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining whether or not an engine has stalled while a vehicle may be propelled via the motor/generator. In one example, an engine stall may be indicated responsive to a first estimated engine torque and a second estimated engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Joseph A. Zamora, Paul Stephen Bryan, Minku Lee
  • Publication number: 20180306157
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of a temperature of a starter-generator exceeding a de-rated threshold, command the engine to start and disable engine automatic shut-off. And the controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of the temperature exceeding a disabled threshold, or the temperature exceeding the de-rated threshold and a traction battery discharge power being less than a threshold, command the engine to start and shed a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Josephine S. Lee, Mark Shields, Sassan Farahmand, Bastian Hartmann, Paul Stephen Bryan, Joseph Andrew Zamora
  • Patent number: 9932914
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamad Mansour, Shunsuke Okubo, Carol Louise Okubo, Paul Stephen Bryan, Kenneth Frederick, Floyd Cadwell
  • Patent number: 9927776
    Abstract: An example method includes operating an electric machine to produce a torque output and a non-torque output. The method maintains the torque output and intentionally increases the non-torque output to produce a desired condition in an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Luedtke, Johnathan Andrew Butcher, Kent Hancock, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Paul Stephen Bryan
  • Patent number: 9638113
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle according to the present disclosure includes, in response to a drive motor being unavailable, commanding an engine power equal to the lesser of a first and a second power. The first power is sufficient to satisfy a driver wheel torque request at the current engine speed, and the second power corresponds to a maximum engine torque available at a target engine speed, where the target engine speed is selected to attain a desired battery state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Ming Lang Kuang, Paul Stephen Bryan
  • Patent number: 9631547
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a valve. A valve system is configured to direct coolant from an engine to a heat exchanger according to a difference between a temperature associated with the engine and a temperature associated with the heat exchanger. The valve system is also configured to direct coolant from the engine to an electric heater and to, in response to a heat demanded from the heat exchanger being greater than a heat capability of the electric heater, request the engine to run. A method is disclosed for controlling a valve to change from an isolation position in which the valve isolates coolant circulating through an electric heater and the valve from coolant circulating through an engine to a non-isolation position in which the valve directs coolant from the engine to the electric heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, Scott James Thompson, Wesley Burkman
  • Publication number: 20170072799
    Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system also indicates how close the engine is to turning on due to an engine on reason by displaying a proximity indicator representing a value associated with the engine on reason and a threshold demarcating values which cause the engine to be on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, Paul Stephen Bryan, Angela L. Watson, David L. Watson
  • Patent number: 9568894
    Abstract: A control system for a compressor is provided. The control system includes a controller and first and second control portions. The first control portion is configured to assess an actual temperature of an evaporator and a target temperature of the evaporator and to generate a first compressor speed command signal. The second control portion includes a pressure calibration value and is configured to receive a pressure reading of the climate system, to compare the pressure reading to the pressure calibration value and to generate a second compressor speed command signal. The controller device includes data and is configured to receive the first compressor speed command signal and the second compressor speed command signal and to transmit a control signal to the compressor for causing the compressor to operate at a commanded compressor speed based on the first compressor speed command signal, the second compressor speed command signal, and the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Stephen Bryan, Matthew D. Smith, William David Treharne, Susan Rebecca Cikanek
  • Patent number: 9506781
    Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system also indicates how close the engine is to turning on due to an engine on reason by displaying a proximity indicator representing a value associated with the engine on reason and a threshold demarcating values which cause the engine to be on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, Paul Stephen Bryan, Angela L. Watson, David L. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160304086
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Mohamad MANSOUR, Shunsuke OKUBO, Carol Louise OKUBO, Paul Stephen BRYAN, Kenneth FREDERICK, Floyd CADWELL
  • Patent number: 9415769
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle includes controlling a speed of an engine in the vehicle using a first engine speed control when an accelerator pedal position is less than a first predetermined position and a battery discharge limit of a battery in the vehicle is at least a predetermined discharge limit. The speed of the engine is controlled using a second engine speed control different from the first engine speed control when the accelerator pedal position is less than the first predetermined position and the battery discharge limit is less than the predetermined discharge limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Paul Stephen Bryan, Mohamad Mansour
  • Patent number: 9403427
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a hybrid vehicle in response to fuel and water dilution of engine lubricating oil. An engine oil dilution counter may be adjusted based on a number of engine hot starts and duration of engine operation above a threshold temperature. In addition, the counter may be adjusted if the engine is started to deplete stale fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Haladyna, Douglas Raymond Martin, Paul Stephen Bryan
  • Patent number: 9322378
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark J. Ferrel, Paul Stephen Bryan, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 9321327
    Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption of a compressor of an automotive vehicle climate system may include identifying an energy source providing energy to power the compressor and selecting an operating parameter of the climate system based on the identified energy source to control power consumption of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Susan Rebecca Cikanek, William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, Melinda A. Mack
  • Publication number: 20160090075
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle includes controlling a speed of an engine in the vehicle using a first engine speed control when an accelerator pedal position is less than a first predetermined position and a battery discharge limit of a battery in the vehicle is at least a predetermined discharge limit. The speed of the engine is controlled using a second engine speed control different from the first engine speed control when the accelerator pedal position is less than the first predetermined position and the battery discharge limit is less than the predetermined discharge limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Paul Stephen BRYAN, Mohamad MANSOUR
  • Publication number: 20160032880
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark J. Ferrel, Paul Stephen Bryan, Marvin Paul Kraska