Patents by Inventor Roger Lyle Huffmaster

Roger Lyle Huffmaster 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: 8454476
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8414456
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Publication number: 20130085035
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8328687
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120238405
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8192327
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8192328
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing driveline unwinding during successive engine shutdown and restart operations. In one example, during an engine shutdown, torsion is maintained in a transmission gear-train until an engine restart is requested by engaging one or more transmission clutches while applying wheel brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20120010044
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120010045
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Publication number: 20110136620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20110136621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing driveline unwinding during successive engine shutdown and restart operations. In one example, during an engine shutdown, torsion is maintained in a transmission gear-train until an engine restart is requested by engaging one or more transmission clutches while applying wheel brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20110130245
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Yuji Fujii, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter
  • Publication number: 20100174465
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assisted direct start control are provided. An example method of controlling a system including an engine includes operating in a first mode during a first vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The first mode includes starting the engine in a driving gear, and adjusting engine torque responsive to launch behavior. The method may further include operating in a second mode during a second vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The second mode includes starting the engine in the driving gear, and adjusting one or more of a transmission forward clutch and wheel brakes responsive to launch behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster
  • Publication number: 20100174459
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an automatic transmission, the powertrain coupled to driving wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle operated by an operator. One example method comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
  • Publication number: 20100174460
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Felix Nedorezov, Rodney Lewis Lopez