Patents by Inventor Robert C. Simon, Jr.

Robert C. Simon, Jr. 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: 9068517
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises an air control module and a spark control module. The air control module controls a throttle valve based on a first desired torque when the throttle valve is in an operable state. The spark control module controls spark advance based on the first desired torque and a second desired torque when the throttle valve is in a fault state. The throttle valve is maintained in a predetermined fault position when in the fault state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Paul A. Bauerle, Ning Jin, Todd R. Shupe, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9050903
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes generating a plurality of torque requests and associating each of the plurality of torque requests with one of a plurality of arbitration domains to form torque request sets associated with each of the plurality of arbitration domains. A first torque request set is arbitrated within a first of the plurality of arbitration domains to provide a first torque request. The first torque request is introduced into a second torque request set associated with a second of the plurality of arbitration domains. The second torque request set is arbitrated within the second arbitration domain to provide a second torque request. A torque source is regulated based on the second torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Donovan L. Dibble, Charles H. Folkerts, Joseph R. Dulzo, Thomas Magnusson, Magnus Wall, Emil Ritzen
  • Patent number: 9002550
    Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8731751
    Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 8560204
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 8538644
    Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., William L. Aldrich, III, Jun Lu, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Adam J Heisel, Ning Jin
  • Patent number: 8397694
    Abstract: A method of torque-based control for an internal combustion engine may include determining a desired airflow rate into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine during an engine start condition, determining a torque limit for a torque-based engine control module based on the desired airflow rate, and regulating engine torque based on the determined torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe, Mark D. Carr
  • Patent number: 8311721
    Abstract: A reserve torque system comprises a first module and a reserve torque module. The first module generates a first signal a predetermined period before an equivalence ratio (EQR) of an air/fuel mixture supplied to an engine is transitioned from a non-lean EQR to a lean EQR. The reserve torque module creates a reserve torque between when the first signal is generated and when the EQR is transitioned to the lean EQR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert J. Genslak, Edward Stuteville, Cheryl A. Williams, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8255139
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a pedal torque determination module, a driver interpretation module, and an actuation module. The pedal torque determination module determines a zero pedal torque based on a desired engine torque at a zero accelerator pedal position and a minimum torque limit for an engine system. The driver interpretation module determines a driver pedal torque based on the zero pedal torque and an accelerator pedal position. The actuation module controls at least one of a throttle area, spark timing, and a fuel command based on the driver pedal torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Klaus Pochner, Todd R. Shupe, Vivek Mehta, Ning Jin, Ronald W. Van Diepen, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Etsuko Muraji Stewart, Jun Lu, Enrico Tropschug, Jorg Bernards, Helmut Oswald
  • Patent number: 8214127
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a clutch cut off enable module and a torque control module. The clutch cut off enable module generates an enable signal based on a clutch engagement signal and an accelerator pedal signal. The torque control module reduces a spark advance of an engine to a minimum value and disables fueling of cylinders of the engine based on the enable signal. The minimum value is a minimum allowed spark advance for current engine airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jun Lu, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe
  • Patent number: 8195370
    Abstract: A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Charles H. Folkerts, Scott J. Chynoweth, David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 8116954
    Abstract: An engine control module comprises a torque control module, an engine speed (RPM) control module, and an actuator module. The torque control module determines a first desired torque based on a requested torque. The RPM control module selectively determines a second desired torque based on a desired RPM. The torque control module determines the first desired torque further based on the second desired torque when the engine control module is transitioning from an RPM control mode to a torque control mode. The RPM control module determines the second desired torque further based on the first desired torque when the engine control module is transitioning from the torque control mode to the RPM control mode. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on the first and second desired torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Scott J. Chynoweth, Todd R. Shupe, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Vivek Mehta, Ning Jin
  • Patent number: 8086392
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an oxygen (O2) sensor diagnostic module that diagnoses an O2 sensor and requests a minimum air per cylinder (APC). A throttle actuator module controls a throttle to adjust a mass air flow based on the minimum APC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110257854
    Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR., William L. Aldrich, III, Jun Lu, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Adam J. Heisel, Ning Jin
  • Patent number: 7894968
    Abstract: A method and system for regulating a drive torque provided to a driveline of a vehicle includes monitoring an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. An adjusted accelerator pedal position is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake pedal position and a drive torque request is determined based on the adjusted accelerator pedal position. Drive torque is generated based on the drive torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Stroh, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 7856309
    Abstract: A cold-start control system for an internal combustion engine includes a heat estimation module, a torque request module and a propulsion torque determination module. The heat estimation module determines an exhaust system temperature and estimates heat required to heat an exhaust system to a predetermined temperature. The torque request module generates a torque request based on the estimated heat. The propulsion torque determination module determines a desired engine torque based on the torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher A Gillanders, John L. Lahti, Louis A. Avallone, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Todd R. Shupe, Jaehak Jung, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7822528
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque request module, an immediate torque control module, an actuation module, and an expected torque control module. The torque request module generates an expected torque request and an immediate torque request. The immediate torque control module controls a spark advance of an engine based on the immediate torque request. The actuation module selectively reduces the expected torque request based on the immediate torque request and a spark capacity. The spark capacity is based on a difference between a first engine torque and a second engine torque, determined at a current airflow. The first engine torque is determined at a first spark advance and the second engine torque is determined at a second spark advance that is less than the first spark advance. The expected torque control module that controls a throttle valve area based on the expected torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20100242933
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an oxygen (O2) sensor diagnostic module that diagnoses an O2 sensor and requests a minimum air per cylinder (APC). A throttle actuator module controls a throttle to adjust a mass air flow based on the minimum APC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Jeffry A. Helmick, Richard B. Jess, John W. Siekkinen, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, JR.
  • Patent number: 7748362
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, a torque control module, a transient detection module, and a launch torque module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on a commanded predicted torque. The spark control module controls spark advance of the engine based on a commanded immediate torque. The torque control module increases the commanded predicted torque when a catalyst light-off (CLO) mode is active, and increases the commanded immediate torque when a driver actuates an accelerator input. The transient detection module generates a lean transient signal when an air per cylinder increase is detected while the CLO mode is active. The launch torque module generates a torque offset signal based on the lean transient signal. The torque control module increases the commanded immediate torque based on the torque offset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael S. Emmorey, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Cheryl A. Williams, Jon C. Wasberg, Eric Ferch, Craig M. Sawdon
  • Publication number: 20100116250
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak