Patents by Inventor Rajit Johri

Rajit Johri 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).

  • Hybrid electric vehicle and method of control
    Patent number: 9440643
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a vehicle are provided. The vehicle may include a controller programmed to, in response to a change from a first to a second powertrain operating mode, operate an engine and electric machine to increase a state of charge target of a traction battery to increase propulsion torque available from the electric machine. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to a decrease in accelerator pedal position and a vehicle speed being less than a threshold speed while operating the powertrain in the second powertrain operating mode and the engine and electric machine are coupled via a friction element, decrease a pressure of the friction element to a first target pressure to decouple the engine from the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Systems and methods for driveline torque control
    Patent number: 9435432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a difference between estimated torque output of an active torque source in a driveline and actual torque output of the active torque source is mitigated via entering a driveline speed control mode. The methods and systems may be useful when switching between different driveline modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Vehicle battery power transfer limit management system and method
    Patent number: 9428178
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain including an electric machine and a traction battery. The vehicle also includes at least one controller programmed to, during a transmission shift event, cause the electric machine to absorb torque. The torque absorption causes current generated by the electric machine to charge the battery according to a predetermined power transfer schedule defining a charge limit. The controller is further programmed to permit the current to exceed the charge limit for a predetermined duration of time in certain instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Scott James Thompson, Chen Zhang
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20160236670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a motor are presented. In one example, the systems and methods include one or more speed control modes where torque output of a motor is adjusted responsive to different control parameters in the different control modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Clutch calibration for a hybrid electric powertrain
    Patent number: 9415760
    Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Daniel S. Colvin, Rajit Johri, Ryan A. McGee, Xiaoyong Wang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark S. Yamazaki, Ming L. Kuang, Marvin P. Kraska
  • Predictive engine pull up and pull down in hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9415773
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine configured to automatically stop in response to an engine stop request and automatically start in response to an engine start request include selectively inhibiting an engine stop request based on an anticipated duration of an expected decreased driver power command state to reduce occurrence of successive automatic stops and automatic starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Bernard D. Nefcy, Derek Taylor, Robert Wright, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Fault handling in an autonomous vehicle
    Patent number: 9406177
    Abstract: Data is collected during operation of a vehicle. A determination is made that a confidence assessment of at least one of the data indicates at least one fault condition. A first autonomous operation affected by the fault condition is discontinued, where a second autonomous operation that is unaffected by the fault condition is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • HYBRID VEHICLE AND DOWNSHIFTING STRATEGY IN A HYBRID VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20160214599
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, an engine disconnect clutch, and a transmission input configured to transmit power from the engine and electric machine to a transmission. The vehicle also includes a controller program to close the disconnect clutch and start the engine before downshifting in response to an anticipated transmission downshift in which a predicted speed of the transmission input after the downshift will be outside a predetermined speed range or a torque capacity of the electric machine will be less than a predicted required torque after the downshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Felix Nedorezov, Chen Zhang, Todd Mccullough, Rajit Johri
  • Methods and systems for restarting an engine
    Patent number: 9393950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque output of a motor is controlled to include a reserve torque for starting an engine that may be selectively coupled to the motor. Additionally, the motor torque compensates for disconnect clutch closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Francis Thomas Connolly, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri
  • Load-based vehicle operating control
    Patent number: 9358969
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine, both capable of propelling the vehicle. The electric machine is electrically connected to a high voltage traction battery. The state of charge of the battery can decrease if the battery is used to power the electric machine, and can increase if the electric machine supplies power to the battery via regenerative braking. Constraints are placed on the vehicle such that the battery operates within a preferred operating window, defined between minimum and maximum state of charge thresholds. At least one controller is programmed to alter the preferred operating window of the battery in response to various vehicular activities, such as when the vehicle is towing another object, or when the vehicle weighs above a certain threshold due to contents within the vehicle, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Affective user interface in an autonomous vehicle
    Patent number: 9346400
    Abstract: Data may be collected relating to autonomous operation of a vehicle. A first confidence assessment concerning whether the vehicle should operate autonomously may then be generated, and it may be determined whether the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. An alert may be provided via a user interface in the vehicle relating to ending autonomous operation of the vehicle if the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Doug Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • HYBRID VEHICLE INCLUDING A PREVENT POWERTRAIN GEAR HUNTING STRATEGY
    Publication number: 20160137182
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a controller. The controller is programmed to inhibit a scheduled transmission downshift and increase a torque of the motor for a specified period of time in response to a torque demand being greater than a maximum torque capability of the engine but less than a maximum combined torque capability of the engine and motor. Upon expiration of the specified period of time, the controller may permit the downshift to occur. The specified period of time may be based on a state of charge of a battery at a time when the torque demand exceeds the maximum torque capability of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Rajit JOHRI, Ming Lang KUANG, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Xiaoyong WANG, Wei LIANG, Jeffrey Allen DOERING
  • VEHICLE TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160137193
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine operatively coupled to a transmission and selectively coupled to an engine, and a controller. The controller, while operating the powertrain in an electric mode and in response to an accelerator pedal position initiating a transmission ratio change that results in a request to operate the powertrain in a hybrid mode and an engine start fault, outputs a cancellation request to cancel the transmission ratio change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: RAJIT JOHRI, BERNARD D. NEFCY, DANIEL SCOTT COLVIN
  • Vehicle torque control
    Patent number: 9327722
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine operatively coupled to a transmission and selectively coupled to an engine, and a controller. The controller, while operating the powertrain in an electric mode and in response to an accelerator pedal position initiating a transmission ratio change that results in a request to operate the powertrain in a hybrid mode and an engine start fault, outputs a cancellation request to cancel the transmission ratio change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin
  • Methods and systems for starting an engine while a vehicle is creeping
    Patent number: 9327721
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that is in a creep mode are presented. In one example, a torque converter lockup clutch is released and vehicle speed is closed loop controlled in response to a request to start an engine. The vehicle speed is controlled so that a torque disturbance related to closing a driveline disconnect clutch may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Scott James Thompson, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Cancelling creep torque in a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9327709
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine, both capable of propelling the vehicle. The electric machine provides creep torque to propel the vehicle at a slow speed or hold the vehicle when on an incline. At least one controller is programmed to cancel or otherwise inhibit the electric machine from generating the creep torque in response to a brake torque or brake torque request exceeding a calibratible threshold. The calibratible threshold varies based upon vehicle incline, vehicle mass, and/or vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • HYBRID POWERTRAIN SPEED CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160107633
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine mechanically coupled by a clutch. The powertrain also includes a torque converter configured to fluidly couple the electric machine to an output shaft. A controller is programmed to command a rotational speed output of the electric machine to the torque converter based on a predicted torque delivered across the clutch. The controller is further programmed to modify the command based on a difference between the commanded rotational speed output and an actual rotational speed output of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Wei LIANG, Rajit JOHRI, Xiaoyong WANG, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Ming Lang KUANG, Jeffrey Allen DOERING
  • CREEP COMPENSATION USING ROAD GRADE AND MASS ESTIMATION
    Publication number: 20160090006
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a torque output of an electric machine of an electrified vehicle during a vehicle creep condition, the torque output calculated based at least on a road grade estimate and a vehicle mass estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Hai Yu, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang
  • Messaging via vehicle steering wheel
    Patent number: 9290186
    Abstract: One of a condition affecting a vehicle and a planned action of the vehicle are identified. An instruction is provided to actuate movement of a steering wheel in the vehicle, wherein the movement is determined according to the one of the condition and the planned action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Louis Tijerina, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR STARTING AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20160059846
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations responsive to a heavy operator pedal tip-in. Engine torque and disconnect clutch capacity are controlled during cranking and engine speed run-up so as to provide excess torque to accelerate the engine to the motor speed and prepare the engine for elevated torque delivery after the engine connects to the driveline. At a time of connecting the engine to the driveline, the engine torque is transiently reduced to avert NVH issues related to engine speed overshooting or undershooting the target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang