Patents by Inventor Robert Douglas Shafto

Robert Douglas Shafto 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: 10099675
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel control module, a transmission control module, and a starter control module. The fuel control module selectively stops fuel delivery to cylinders of an engine while the engine is coupled to a transmission of a vehicle when an accelerator pedal is not depressed. The transmission control module selectively decouples the engine from the transmission while fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped. The fuel control module selectively allows the engine to stop while the vehicle is moving by not resuming fuel delivery to the cylinders when the engine is decoupled from the engine. The starter control module controls a starter to automatically restart the engine when the accelerator pedal is depressed after fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped and the engine is decoupled from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Shafto, Darrell W. Burleigh
  • Publication number: 20160115932
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel control module, a transmission control module, and a starter control module. The fuel control module selectively stops fuel delivery to cylinders of an engine while the engine is coupled to a transmission of a vehicle when an accelerator pedal is not depressed. The transmission control module selectively decouples the engine from the transmission while fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped. The fuel control module selectively allows the engine to stop while the vehicle is moving by not resuming fuel delivery to the cylinders when the engine is decoupled from the engine. The starter control module controls a starter to automatically restart the engine when the accelerator pedal is depressed after fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped and the engine is decoupled from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT DOUGLAS SHAFTO, DARRELL W. BURLEIGH
  • Patent number: 9322352
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stop-start module and a throttle control module. The stop-start module stops an engine when a driver depresses a brake pedal while an ignition system is on and the engine is idling. The throttle control module selectively opens a throttle valve when fuel injection in the engine is stopped while the ignition system is on based on engine speed and a manifold pressure within an intake manifold. The stop-start module starts the engine when the driver releases the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, Robert Douglas Shafto, James R. Yurgil
  • Patent number: 9249750
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stop-start module and a fuel control module. The stop-start module stops an engine and thereby interrupts an engine cycle when a driver depresses a brake pedal while an ignition system is on and the engine is idling. The stop-start module restarts the engine when the driver releases the brake pedal. The fuel control module, when the engine is restarted, selectively injects fuel into a cylinder of the engine as the cylinder completes the interrupted engine cycle based on an amount of crankshaft rotation corresponding to a difference between a position of a piston in the cylinder when the piston is stopped and top dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, James R. Yurgil, Stuart R. Smith, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 9022001
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle, includes a rockback detection module and a starter disabling module. The rockback detection module receives a crankshaft position signal from a bi-directional crankshaft sensor and selectively indicates that a crankshaft of an engine is rotating in a first direction based on the crankshaft position signal. The engine rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when the engine is running. The starter disabling module disables current to a starter motor when the crankshaft is rotating in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8972150
    Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a mode control module and an actuator control module. The mode control module selectively initiates an engine startup event when an engine startup command is generated. The actuator control module cranks an engine during the engine startup event, provides fuel to a first cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked, and selectively disables fuel to a second cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked. The second cylinder is after the first cylinder in a firing order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8892339
    Abstract: An engine system of a vehicle includes an engine torque module. The engine torque module determines an engine output torque profile including predicted torque outputs based on an accelerator signal and an engine state variable. A load control module determines a dynamic transmission load profile based on the engine output torque profile and an engine speed profile. The dynamic transmission load profile includes transmission loads as a function of engine speed during an auto-start of an engine. A compensation module generates a torque compensation signal based on the dynamic transmission load profile. An actuator module compensates for a change in a transmission load based on the torque compensation signal and during a transition of the engine from a cranking state to an idle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8855896
    Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes an auto-stop/start module and an actuator control module. The auto-stop/start module selectively generates an auto-stop command for shutting down an engine while an ignition is in an ON state. The actuator control module disables fuel to the engine when the auto-stop command is generated and closes a throttle valve to a predetermined throttle opening when the auto-stop command is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Publication number: 20140129117
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stop-start module and a fuel control module. The stop-start module stops an engine and thereby interrupts an engine cycle when a driver depresses a brake pedal while an ignition system is on and the engine is idling. The stop-start module restarts the engine when the driver releases the brake pedal. The fuel control module, when the engine is restarted, selectively injects fuel into a cylinder of the engine as the cylinder completes the interrupted engine cycle based on an amount of crankshaft rotation corresponding to a difference between a position of a piston in the cylinder when the piston is stopped and top dead center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, James R. Yurgil, Stuart R. Smith, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8694231
    Abstract: A control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a transmission load module, a target engine speed module, and an actuator control module. The transmission load module determines a load imposed on an engine through a transmission. The target engine speed module selectively determines a target engine speed during an engine startup event based on the load. The actuator control module controls at least one engine actuator based on the target engine speed during the engine startup event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8635987
    Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle, comprising: an actuator control module, a correction determination module, and a spark adjustment module. The actuator control module determines a target spark timing for a first time that is between a second time when engine cranking begins and a third time when a measured engine speed becomes greater than a predetermined engine speed after the second time. The correction determination module determines a spark timing correction for the first time based on a target engine speed and a measured engine speed. The spark adjustment module sets a spark timing for the first time based on the target spark timing and the spark timing correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130304362
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stop-start module and a throttle control module. The stop-start module stops an engine when a driver depresses a brake pedal while an ignition system is on and the engine is idling. The throttle control module selectively opens a throttle valve when fuel injection in the engine is stopped while the ignition system is on based on engine speed and a manifold pressure within an intake manifold. The stop-start module starts the engine when the driver releases the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, Robert Douglas Shafto, James R. Yurgil
  • Patent number: 8543318
    Abstract: An engine system includes a stop-start module that generates a shut down signal to shut down an engine. A friction module that generates a friction signal based on the engine shut down signal. The friction signal indicates an estimate of a sum of friction forces between components of the engine. A position module estimates a position of the engine and generates a position signal. An energy module estimates kinetic energy of the engine based on the friction signal and the position signal. A cylinder deactivation module stops the engine based on the kinetic energy in at least one of (i) a predetermined position and (ii) a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8442747
    Abstract: An engine system includes a first module that determines a cylinder of an engine to be in one of M prediction types and generates a distance from intake signal indicating a number of prediction steps the cylinder is away from an intake stroke. M is an integer greater than or equal to 3. A second module determines a cycle type of the cylinder. The cycle type indicates a number of combustion cycles the cylinder has experienced from a last restart of the engine. A cylinder air charge module estimates an air mass within the cylinder based on the distance from intake signal and the cycle type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8437927
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a combustion torque determination module, a friction torque determination module, and a control module. The combustion torque determination module determines a combustion torque of an engine based on pressure inside a cylinder of the engine during an engine cycle. The friction torque determination module determines friction torque of the engine based on the combustion torque, acceleration of an engine crankshaft, effective inertia of the engine crankshaft, and a pumping loss in the cylinder during the engine cycle. The control module adjusts an operating parameter of the engine based on the friction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Patent number: 8392097
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Michael Simon, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20120192826
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle, includes a rockback detection module and a starter disabling module. The rockback detection module receives a crankshaft position signal from a bi-directional crankshaft sensor and selectively indicates that a crankshaft of an engine is rotating in a first direction based on the crankshaft position signal. The engine rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when the engine is running. The starter disabling module disables current to a starter motor when the crankshaft is rotating in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Publication number: 20120010802
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Michael Simon, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20110290214
    Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle, comprising: an actuator control module, a correction determination module, and a spark adjustment module. The actuator control module determines a target spark timing for a first time that is between a second time when engine cranking begins and a third time when a measured engine speed becomes greater than a predetermined engine speed after the second time. The correction determination module determines a spark timing correction for the first time based on a target engine speed and a measured engine speed. The spark adjustment module sets a spark timing for the first time based on the target spark timing and the spark timing correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: QI MA, ROBERT DOUGLAS SHAFTO, RONALD F. LOCHOCKI, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110295483
    Abstract: An engine system includes a first module that determines a cylinder of an engine to be in one of M prediction types and generates a distance from intake signal indicating a number of prediction steps the cylinder is away from an intake stroke. M is an integer greater than or equal to 3. A second module determines a cycle type of the cylinder. The cycle type indicates a number of combustion cycles the cylinder has experienced from a last restart of the engine. A cylinder air charge module estimates an air mass within the cylinder based on the distance from intake signal and the cycle type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPEARTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto