Patents by Inventor Peter Douglas Kuechler
Peter Douglas Kuechler 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: 20220340154Abstract: A vehicle determines that a vehicle enhanced driving mode has been requested. The vehicle determines whether a condition for engaging such a mode has been met. Additionally, the vehicle offers a user-override, when the condition has not been met and the condition is a condition defined as over-rideable and responsive to override acceptance, engaging the requested driving mode. In other instances, the vehicle monitors mode usage against predefined maximum usage constraints, and may facilitate excess mode usage if constraints are exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Keith Weston, Derek Bier, Matthew Blake Tranter, Peter Douglas Kuechler, Brendan F. Diamond, Ryan O'Rourke
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Patent number: 11174940Abstract: A vehicle includes an powerplant, a manual transmission, and a clutch. A vehicle controller is programmed to automatically control operation of the clutch allowing the driver to shift gears by just operating the gear shifter. The vehicle also includes an input allowing the driver to override the controller and operate the clutch. The input is located on the gear shifter and is in electric communication with the controller. The controller is programmed to, inter alia, command the clutch to reduce clutch capacity responsive to receiving a signal from the sensor indicating grasping of the shifter.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Glenn Fodor, Patrick J. Curran, Matthew John Shelton, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Publication number: 20200200259Abstract: A vehicle includes an powerplant, a manual transmission, and a clutch. A vehicle controller is programmed to automatically control operation of the clutch allowing the driver to shift gears by just operating the gear shifter. The vehicle also includes an input allowing the driver to override the controller and operate the clutch. The input is located on the gear shifter and is in electric communication with the controller. The controller is programmed to, inter alia, command the clutch to reduce clutch capacity responsive to receiving a signal from the sensor indicating grasping of the shifter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Michael Glenn FODOR, Patrick J. CURRAN, Matthew John SHELTON, Peter Douglas KUECHLER
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Publication number: 20190329785Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The powertrain includes a powerplant. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a tip-in resulting in a powertrain torque direction reversal and upon obtaining a base value of a desired powertrain lash angle, adjust a powerplant torque schedule. The controller is then subsequently programmed to adjust the desired powertrain lash angle from the base to an adjusted value based on an observed powertrain lash angle that corresponds to a maximum powertrain acceleration during the tip-in.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Mary Catherine FARMER, Dennis Craig REED, Peter Douglas KUECHLER, Terry Gene FELDPAUSCH, Mitchell Thomas FINK
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Patent number: 10457291Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The powertrain includes a powerplant. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a tip-in resulting in a powertrain torque direction reversal and upon obtaining a base value of a desired powertrain lash angle, adjust a powerplant torque schedule. The controller is then subsequently programmed to adjust the desired powertrain lash angle from the base to an adjusted value based on an observed powertrain lash angle that corresponds to a maximum powertrain acceleration during the tip-in.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mary Catherine Farmer, Dennis Craig Reed, Peter Douglas Kuechler, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Mitchell Thomas Fink
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Patent number: 10106145Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and prior to an occurrence of backlash. The first control strategy is modified when backlash occurs during the first control strategy. The torque request is controlled with the modified first control strategy after another occurrence of a backlash predictor and before another occurrence of backlash.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Joshua Nicholas Dewalt, Mary Catherine Farmer, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Patent number: 10077042Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and before an occurrence of a backlash. Another step may be employed whereby the torque request is controlled with a second control strategy after the first control strategy and before the occurrence of the backlash such that a torque request level is below a highest torque request level obtained during the first control-strategy.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Joshua Nicholas Dewalt, Mary Catherine Farmer, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Patent number: 9926936Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to controlling a compressor. In one example, method of controlling a compressor comprises regulating a discharge capacity of the compressor via a control current supplied to a control device, holding the control current supplied to the control device at substantially zero amperes for a first duration, and stepping the control current from substantially zero amperes to a sustainable current that provides a sustainable level of a performance parameter of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Mike Rowland, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Publication number: 20170355360Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and before an occurrence of a backlash. Another step may be employed whereby the torque request is controlled with a second control strategy after the first control strategy and before the occurrence of the backlash such that a torque request level is below a highest torque request level obtained during the first control-strategy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Dennis Craig REED, Joshua Nicholas DEWALT, Mary Catherine FARMER, Terry Gene FELDPAUSCH, Peter Douglas KUECHLER
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Publication number: 20170355362Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and prior to an occurrence of backlash. The first control strategy is modified when backlash occurs during the first control strategy. The torque request is controlled with the modified first control strategy after another occurrence of a backlash predictor and before another occurrence of backlash.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Dennis Craig REED, Joshua Nicholas DEWALT, Mary Catherine FARMER, Terry Gene FELDPAUSCH, Dimitar Petrov FILEV, Peter Douglas KUECHLER
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Patent number: 9714620Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving boost response in a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include in response to a tip-out following a tip-in, when an exhaust catalyst temperature is within a threshold range, deactivating fuel injectors to the engine and increasing air flow to an exhaust turbine based on a desired increase in a turbine speed to maintain the turbine speed at or above a threshold speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Douglas Kuechler, Dev Saberwal, Kevan Bates, Trevor Losch, Justin Lesniak, Michael M. S. Simon
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Publication number: 20170122234Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving boost response in a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include in response to a tip-out following a tip-in, when an exhaust catalyst temperature is within a threshold range, deactivating fuel injectors to the engine and increasing air flow to an exhaust turbine based on a desired increase in a turbine speed to maintain the turbine speed at or above a threshold speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Peter Douglas Kuechler, Dev Saberwal, Kevan Bates, Trevor Losch, Justin Lesniak, Michael M.S. Simon
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Publication number: 20150251647Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle includes the step of reducing or otherwise modifying a response of the powertrain to accelerator pedal input from a standard powertrain response under certain circumstances, for example, when a position of the accelerator pedal is within a predetermined range and operation of the vehicle meets at least one criteria, including at least one criteria indicative of steady state powertrain operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Scott GEE, Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Jesse D.L. BRUNAIS, Peter Douglas KUECHLER
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Patent number: 9050967Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, automatic engine stopping is inhibited in response to a driver communicating a desire to not automatically stop an engine. The driver communicates intentions to allow or inhibit automatic engine stopping via a brake pedal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Mitchell Lyon, Andrew Clement Dame, Peter Douglas Kuechler, Alan Robert Dona
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Publication number: 20150148192Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, automatic engine stopping is inhibited in response to a driver communicating a desire to not automatically stop an engine. The driver communicates intentions to allow or inhibit automatic engine stopping via a brake pedal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Mitchell Lyon, Andrew Clement Dame, Peter Douglas Kuechler, Alan Robert Dona
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Publication number: 20140369803Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to controlling a compressor. In one example, method of controlling a compressor comprises regulating a discharge capacity of the compressor via a control current supplied to a control device, holding the control current supplied to the control device at substantially zero amperes for a first duration, and stepping the control current from substantially zero amperes to a sustainable current that provides a sustainable level of a performance parameter of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Mike Rowland, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Patent number: 8439796Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, De-Shiou Chen, Julia Helen Buckland, Suzanne Kay Wait, Matthew John Gerhart, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Publication number: 20120309589Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, De-Shiou Chen, Julia Helen Buckland, Suzanne Kay Wait, Matthew John Gerhart, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Patent number: 8241177Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, De-Shiou Chen, Julia Helen Buckland, Suzanne Kay Wait, Matthew John Gerhart, Peter Douglas Kuechler
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Publication number: 20110045948Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, De-Shiou Chen, Julia Helen Buckland, Suzanne Kay Wait, Matthew John Gerhart, Peter Douglas Kuechler