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).
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Publication number: 20150346696Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Daniel Richard Luedtke, Johnathan Andrew Butcher, Kent Hancock, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Patent number: 9199635Abstract: A vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a traction battery, and a voltage boost converter electrically connecting the at least one electric machine and traction battery. The vehicle may further include at least one controller programmed to, in response to a request for drive mode while in a passive neutral mode, enable the boost converter and drive an output voltage of the boost converter to a predetermined target. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the output voltage achieving the predetermined target, enable the at least one electric machine and drive a current through the at least one electric machine to zero such that an output torque of the at least one electric machine is approximately zero; and in response to the current achieving approximately zero, increase the current through the at least one electric machine such that the output torque is greater than zero.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan, Carol Louise Okubo
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Publication number: 20150217755Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle in an Electric Vehicle (EV) mode that utilizes electric-only power to propel the vehicle. The controlling step may be based on a selection of a travel range reservation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Paul Stephen BRYAN, Thomas CHROSTOWSKI, Kent HANCOCK
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Patent number: 9079582Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a non-selectable-gear transmission having an electric machine mechanically coupled to the engine. The vehicle may have one or more controllers programmed to, in response to a request for passive neutral mode, pull-down the engine and inhibit engine pull-up while disabling the electric machine such that the vehicle coasts with minimal rotational inertia and electrical losses. The one or more controllers may be further programmed to, in response to a subsequent request for drive mode during the passive neutral mode, permit engine pull-up while enabling the electric machine such that the vehicle resumes drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Cusumano, Stefan Paul Pototschnik, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Publication number: 20150066260Abstract: A vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a traction battery, and a voltage boost converter electrically connecting the at least one electric machine and traction battery. The vehicle may further include at least one controller programmed to, in response to a request for drive mode while in a passive neutral mode, enable the boost converter and drive an output voltage of the boost converter to a predetermined target. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the output voltage achieving the predetermined target, enable the at least one electric machine and drive a current through the at least one electric machine to zero such that an output torque of the at least one electric machine is approximately zero; and in response to the current achieving approximately zero, increase the current through the at least one electric machine such that the output torque is greater than zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan, Carol Louise Okubo
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Publication number: 20150066261Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a non-selectable-gear transmission having an electric machine mechanically coupled to the engine. The vehicle may have one or more controllers programmed to, in response to a request for passive neutral mode, pull-down the engine and inhibit engine pull-up while disabling the electric machine such that the vehicle coasts with minimal rotational inertia and electrical losses. The one or more controllers may be further programmed to, in response to a subsequent request for drive mode during the passive neutral mode, permit engine pull-up while enabling the electric machine such that the vehicle resumes drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Cusumano, Stefan Paul Pototschnik, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Publication number: 20150066333Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Ming Lang Kuang, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Patent number: 8958936Abstract: A vehicle, a control system for a vehicle having a user interface, and a method of controlling a vehicle are provided. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to detecting a predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is re-enabled such that the vehicle is propelled by at least one of the engine and electric machine. In response to detecting an absence of the predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, David Crist Gabriel, Thomas Chrostowski, Scott James Thompson
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Publication number: 20150025721Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery pack, and at least one controller. If the controller detects that a temperature associated with the engine is less than a predefined value, it may request power output by the engine to increase such that the temperature increases to a threshold temperature if a state of charge of the battery pack is less than one hundred percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Scott James Thompson, Paul Stephen Bryan, Shunsuke Okubo, Elaine Y. Chen
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Patent number: 8903579Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The vehicle controller is configured to (i) in response to the user interface receiving input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, disable the engine such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine, (ii) in response to the user interface receiving input overriding EV mode, re-enabling the engine for a predetermined time period. A vehicle is provided with a controller. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to user power demand being greater than power available during the EV mode, a prompt is generated inquiring whether to override the EV mode. In response to user confirmation to override the EV mode, the engine is re-enabled to satisfy the user power demand.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Patent number: 8880290Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's acceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's acceleration behavior. The acceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future driving acceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the acceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff
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Patent number: 8738262Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's cruising speed behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's cruising speed behavior. The cruising speed behavior feedback can be used to coach future cruising speed behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the cruising speed behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff
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Publication number: 20140114513Abstract: A vehicle, a control system for a vehicle having a user interface, and a method of controlling a vehicle are provided. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to detecting a predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is re-enabled such that the vehicle is propelled by at least one of the engine and electric machine. In response to detecting an absence of the predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, David Crist Gabriel, Thomas Chrostowski, Scott James Thompson
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Publication number: 20140109872Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Angel Fernando Porras, William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, Scott James Thompson, Wesley Burkman
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Publication number: 20140114512Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The vehicle controller is configured to (i) in response to the user interface receiving input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, disable the engine such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine, (ii) in response to the user interface receiving input overriding EV mode, re-enabling the engine for a predetermined time period. A vehicle is provided with a controller. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to user power demand being greater than power available during the EV mode, a prompt is generated inquiring whether to override the EV mode. In response to user confirmation to override the EV mode, the engine is re-enabled to satisfy the user power demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Publication number: 20140114514Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle include a controller configured to, in response to a user command to delay electric-only operation of the vehicle, selectively operate an electric machine and an engine to propel the vehicle such that a state of charge of a traction battery electrically connected with the electric machine is generally maintained at a target value within a predefined range of states of charge. A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The controller is configured to (i) operate the powertrain in a charge deplete mode and a charge sustain mode, and (ii) in response to a user request, operate the powertrain in the charge sustain mode if the state of charge is within a predefined range of states of charge when the request is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Scott Crombez, William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, Thomas Chrostowski
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Patent number: 8682557Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's braking deceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's braking deceleration behavior. The braking deceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future braking deceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the braking deceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff
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Publication number: 20140058647Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ted Haladyna, Douglas Raymond Martin, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Patent number: 8583301Abstract: A control strategy is disclosed for regulating speed of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain that includes an electric motor and gearing. An electrical power flow path and a mechanical power flow path are established. Electrical power is coordinated with mechanical power to effect an arbitrated engine speed for a given power demand that will result in an acceptable noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristic for the powertrain and an acceptable powertrain efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shunsuke Okubo, Paul Stephen Bryan
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Patent number: 8502654Abstract: An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators, or both. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Scott Gee, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff