Patents by Inventor Ryan Abraham McGee

Ryan Abraham McGee 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: 8768616
    Abstract: A method for predicting a final destination of a vehicle comprises the steps of acquiring a start location of the vehicle, providing a predetermined waypoint distance from the start location, determining a current waypoint location once the vehicle travels the predetermined waypoint distance, receiving historical destination data from a database, including previous destinations associated with the current waypoint location. Then, making a prediction at the current waypoint location of the final destination based on the historical destination data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Ryan Abraham McGee, Hai Yu
  • Publication number: 20140172292
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive vehicle location and context information. The processor is also configured to execute a prediction algorithm to predict one or more next-destinations based on the location and context information compared to observed driver behavior stored in a database and deliver the one or more next-destinations to a vehicle computing system. The processor is further configured to receive next-destination input and utilizing the next-destination input as a new vehicle location and estimating new context information, repeat execution of the prediction algorithm, delivery of the predicted next-destinations, and receipt of the next-destination input, until input indicating completed journey assembly is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abraham McGee, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Fling Tseng, Anthony Mark Phillips
  • Publication number: 20140163789
    Abstract: An engine, electric machine and battery of a vehicle are operated such that a state of charge of the battery generally decreases and then achieves approximately a charge-depletion-to-charge-sustaining transition threshold after the vehicle has been driven a distance greater than the pure electrical range of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 8744698
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission having a neutral state and an engaged state, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a restart condition for the engine; and to classify the restart condition as one of: (i) a no wheel torque restart condition, and (ii) a wheel torque restart condition. The state of the transmission is set based on the restart condition classification, and the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abraham McGee, Ihab S. Soliman, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 8718896
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed. An internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor are operated such that the combined output torque corresponds to one of a plurality of output torque functions, each output torque function having a distinct output torque at a maximum value of accelerator pedal position for an associated vehicle speed. The output torque function is selected based on a virtual gear number. The virtual gear number varies in response to driver activation of shift selectors or automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Ryan Abraham McGee, Kenneth Frederick
  • Patent number: 8706416
    Abstract: A method for determining a route for a vehicle includes receiving input indicative of a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle, determining the driver's driving style based on the input, and selecting values of parameters representing the driver's anticipated dynamic control of the vehicle based on the driving style. The method also includes identifying a plurality of candidate routes between an origin and destination, partitioning each of the candidate routes into a set of predefined route patterns, and determining an energy usage associated with each of the candidate routes based on the selected values and the set of predefined route patterns defining the candidate route. The method further includes identifying the candidate route having the minimum energy usage and providing output describing the route having the minimum energy usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Anthony Mark Phillips, Ryan Abraham McGee, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 8688321
    Abstract: Traffic density may be estimated by increasing a value of a parameter if an object enters a predefined zone on a side of the vehicle and decreasing the value of the parameter after an object exits the predefined zone such that the value of the parameter increases as traffic in a vicinity of the vehicle increases and decreases as traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Fling Tseng, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Ryan Abraham McGee, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Publication number: 20140088858
    Abstract: Various embodiments relating to driving behavior of a driver of a motor vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include assessing driving behavior of the driver according to a comparison of a current value of a coasting characteristic relative to a reference value. The current value may be determined during operation of the motor vehicle. The reference value of the coasting characteristic may be determined from operation of the motor vehicle during at least one past operating phase or another duration. The method further includes displaying a visualization representative of assessed driving behavior of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Urs Christen, Ryan Abraham McGee, Uwe Gussen
  • Publication number: 20140081563
    Abstract: A method to control a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having a compression ignition engine includes operating the engine based on an engine-on request and performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure based on a completion time for the aftertreatment procedure compared to a predicted engine-on time determined using a driving pattern. An HEV is provided with a compression ignition engine with an aftertreatment system, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) operate the engine based on an engine-on request, and (ii) perform an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle based on a completion time for the aftertreatment procedure compared to a predicted engine-on time determined using a driving pattern. A computer readable medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a controller to control a vehicle is provided with instructions for operating the engine based on an engine-on request, and instructions for performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Hai Yu, Ryan Abraham McGee, Fling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20140074386
    Abstract: A method to control a hybrid electric vehicle includes operating a compression ignition engine based on an engine-on request, and performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure when a fraction of an engine-on time is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold. A vehicle has a compression ignition engine with an exhaust aftertreatment system, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) operate the engine based on an engine-on request, and (ii) perform an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle when an engine-on fraction for a designated time is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold. A computer readable medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a controller to control a vehicle includes instructions for operating the engine based on an engine-on request, and instructions for performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle when an engine-on time fraction is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abraham McGee, Qing Wang, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20140067154
    Abstract: A vehicle and a vehicle system are provided with a controller that is configured to generate output indicative of a kinematic road gradient estimation using an extended Kalman filter. The extended Kalman filter includes a system input based on a longitudinal acceleration and an acceleration offset, and a system output based on a predicted vehicle speed. The acceleration offset is based on at least one of a lateral velocity, a lateral offset, and a vehicle pitch angle. The controller is further configured to generate output indicative of a kinematic quality factor corresponding to an availability of the kinematic road gradient estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Jianbo Lu, Mathew Alan Boesch, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Publication number: 20140067224
    Abstract: A vehicle-hold control method is used to hold an engine-powered vehicle from rolling backward on a road gradient during an engine start. The engine shuts down when the vehicle is stopped following operation of the vehicle under engine power. The engine is re-started during an engine cranking interval as vehicle wheel brakes are applied. The brakes are released in response to detection of pre-calibrated engine speed characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hai YU, Mathew Alan BOESCH, Ryan Abraham MCGEE
  • Publication number: 20140067155
    Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle system are provided with a controller that is configured to generate output indicative of a vehicle mass estimation. The vehicle mass estimation is based on a longitudinal acceleration and a wheel torque when at least one of the longitudinal acceleration, a vehicle speed and a yaw rate indicate an occurrence of a qualified event. The controller is further configured to generate output indicative of a dynamic road gradient estimation based on the vehicle speed, the wheel torque and the vehicle mass estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Mathew Alan Boesch, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 8657045
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating conditions and is controlled to be one of a finite number of preselected ratios in other operating conditions. The transition from continuously variable mode to discrete ratio mode includes selecting a virtual gear number and increasing the engine speed to the corresponding ratio to vehicle speed. Once in a discrete ratio mode, the virtual gear number can vary automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed or in response to driver activation of shift selectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Matthew Allan Herrmann, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Publication number: 20140046577
    Abstract: A stop/start vehicle includes at least one controller that, in response to predicting a vehicle stop, initiates an engine pre-shutdown protocol such that vehicle subsystems begin to prepare for engine shutdown prior to a speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero to reduce time between the speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero and engine shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Publication number: 20140012442
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine defining one power source, and a traction motor and electrical storage device defining another power source include inhibiting a stopping and a starting of the engine based upon an unintended tip-out event and an unintended tip-in event, respectively. The total power demand and the available electric power are determined. The total power demand is filtered. The engine is prevented from being pulled-up or pulled-down based upon a difference between the total power demand and the filtered power demand being exceeding a threshold. However, if the difference exceeds the threshold, and if the available electric power exceeds the total power demand, then the engine is permitted to pull-up or pull-down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Hai Yu, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Publication number: 20140004994
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Philip Joseph Wiethe, Jeffrey Randolph Holmes, Ryan Abraham McGee, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Publication number: 20140005868
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control include an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor operated such that engine speed is a function of vehicle speed and target engine power. Target engine power, in turn, is a function of target wheel torque, vehicle speed, and battery state of charge. Target wheel torque, in turn, is a function of vehicle speed and accelerator pedal position. In a select shift mode, these calculations are adjusted based on a virtual gear number which varies in response to driver activation of shift selectors. The adjustments result in decreased engine speed and decreased wheel torque when higher virtual gear number are selected for given accelerator pedal positions and vehicle speeds. The ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed is not necessarily constant when operating in select shift mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee, Jason Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140005867
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control include an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor operated in an automatic mode such that the combined wheel torque is a function of accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed. In a select shift mode, wheel torque is also a function of a virtual gear number. The virtual gear number varies in response to driver activation of shift selectors or automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed. The vehicle transitions into select shift mode in response to driver activation of a downshift selector. When the transition occurs, an initial virtual gear number is selected to ensure that wheel torque increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Ryan Abraham McGee, Jason Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140005865
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed. An internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor are operated such that the combined output torque corresponds to one of a plurality of output torque functions, each output torque function having a distinct output torque at a maximum value of accelerator pedal position for an associated vehicle speed. The output torque function is selected based on a virtual gear number. The virtual gear number varies in response to driver activation of shift selectors or automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Ryan Abraham McGee, Kenneth Frederick