Patents by Inventor Ryan J. Skaff

Ryan J. Skaff 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).

  • Publication number: 20160303992
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and an auxiliary battery. A battery management system may be configured to transfer energy from the traction battery to the auxiliary battery during an ignition-off period. A controller is programmed to, in response to detecting conditions during the ignition-off period inhibiting an energy transfer from the traction battery to the auxiliary battery while a voltage of the auxiliary battery is less than a threshold and the traction battery is decoupled from the auxiliary battery, output a low-voltage alert. Conditions inhibiting the energy transfer include a state of charge of the traction battery being less than a predetermined state of charge and a traction battery voltage being less than a predetermined value. The low-voltage alert may be output via a wireless communications network to a device remote from the vehicle to alert the operator of the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Ryan J. Skaff
  • Patent number: 9446772
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes changing a scheduled preconditioning cycle of an electrified vehicle in response to a period without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle. Another exemplary method includes communicating an alert to an operator of an electrified vehicle in response to at least one preconditioning cycle of the electrified vehicle without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Angel Fernando Porras, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Ryan J. Skaff
  • Patent number: 9378595
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a display and a controller that operates the display. A first icon representing a reference energy consumption value based on a predetermined target energy consumption rate is displayed. A second icon representing a present energy consumption value is displayed. The icons are positioned relative to one another based on a difference between the reference energy consumption value and the present energy consumption value. A numerical scale may be displayed having values associated with the first and second icons. A vehicle having a hybrid powertrain including a traction battery may display an effective electric distance traveled that is based on a ratio of power supplied by the traction battery to total power supplied by the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Edward Esler, Dale Gilman, Yevgeniya Sosonkina, Ryan J. Skaff, Jason Meyer, Paul Aldighieri
  • Publication number: 20160129918
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating range per full charge (RPC) for a vehicle. The method includes a controller which may, in response to detecting presence of a predefined condition impacting vehicle energy consumption, output to an interface by a controller a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent to which the predefined condition is affecting the RPC. An electrified vehicle including one or more vehicle components, a traction battery to supply energy to the vehicle components, one or more sensors, and a controller is also provided. The one or more sensors monitor the vehicle components, traction battery, and preselected ambient conditions. The controller is configured to, in response to input from the sensors, generate output for an interface which includes a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent of impact on the RPC by each of the ambient conditions and operation of the components and battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Jason Meyer, Craig Edward Esler, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri, Yevgeniya Sosonkina
  • Publication number: 20160107656
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes changing a scheduled preconditioning cycle of an electrified vehicle in response to a period without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle. Another exemplary method includes communicating an alert to an operator of an electrified vehicle in response to at least one preconditioning cycle of the electrified vehicle without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Angel Fernando Porras, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Ryan J. Skaff
  • Patent number: 9292976
    Abstract: A user interface for a vehicle may include an information display configured to display an efficiency gauge having an efficiency indicator. The position of the efficiency indicator may correspond to a range per full charge value. The range per full charge value may be calculated based on an amount of usable energy per full charge for an energy storage device and a distance-based energy consumption rate. An instantaneous energy consumption rate may be used to calculate an instantaneous range per full charge value. Similarly, an average energy consumption rate may be used to calculate an average range per full charge value. The efficiency gauge may include an instantaneous efficiency indicator corresponding to an instantaneous range per full charge value, an average efficiency indicator corresponding to an average range per full charge value, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Henry F. Donald, III
  • Publication number: 20160063772
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a display and a controller that operates the display. A first icon representing a reference energy consumption value based on a predetermined target energy consumption rate is displayed. A second icon representing a present energy consumption value is displayed. The icons are positioned relative to one another based on a difference between the reference energy consumption value and the present energy consumption value. A numerical scale may be displayed having values associated with the first and second icons. A vehicle having a hybrid powertrain including a traction battery may display an effective electric distance traveled that is based on a ratio of power supplied by the traction battery to total power supplied by the powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Craig Edward Esler, Dale Gilman, Yevgeniya Sosonkina, Ryan J. Skaff, Jason Meyer, Paul Aldighieri
  • Publication number: 20150329006
    Abstract: An example method includes intentionally precharging a powertrain of an electric vehicle for an first time period that is different than a second precharge time period. An example electric vehicle assembly includes a precharge contactor transitionable back and forth between an open state and a closed state, a first main contactor, a second main contactor, and a controller configured to selectively close the second main contactor after the precharge contactor has been closed for a first time period that is different than a second precharge time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Wesley Edward Burkman, Ryan J. Skaff, Karin Lovett, Bryan Michael Bolger
  • Patent number: 9162664
    Abstract: A total power demand including a wheel power demand may be observed. The wheel power demand may be modified to determine a modified total power demand including a modified wheel power demand if the total power demand falls within a target range of power values defined by upper and lower threshold power values such that the modified total power demand is generally equal to the lower threshold power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Derek Hartl, Linda K. Ringlein, Ryan J. Skaff, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William Paul Perkins
  • Publication number: 20150274098
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle by closing a contactor prior to a key on condition of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan BOLGER, Ryan J. SKAFF
  • Patent number: 9114709
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a climate control system and a battery that is connected to the climate control system for supplying power. The vehicle also includes at least one controller that is configured to receive input indicative of a battery power limit and a battery state of charge (BSOC). The at least one controller is also configured to disable the climate control system and reduce the battery power limit to an intermediate power limit, when the BSOC is less than a discharge limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, William David Treharne, Ryan J. Skaff, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Dale Gilman
  • Publication number: 20150232098
    Abstract: A vehicle coasting control system for a vehicle having a prime mover includes an accelerator pedal positional throughout an accelerator pedal position range; a vehicle controller interfacing with the accelerator pedal, the vehicle controller adapted to control operating speeds of the prime mover of the vehicle corresponding to positions, respectively, of the accelerator pedal within the accelerator pedal position range; and the vehicle controller is adapted to operate the prime mover at idle when the accelerator pedal is positioned at a coast zone within the accelerator pedal position range. A vehicle coasting control method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, Kenneth Frederick
  • Patent number: 9061598
    Abstract: An operation includes disabling a vehicle from moving while connection status of the vehicle with external charging infrastructure is unknown. A message is generated to advise a user to check the connection status. The vehicle is enabled to move upon a user indication that the vehicle is disconnected from the charging infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Ryan J. Skaff, Matthew Roger DeDona, Mark J. Ferrel
  • Patent number: 9008880
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Ryan J. Skaff, Paul Aldighieri, Dale Gilman, Robert David Hancasky
  • Publication number: 20150100226
    Abstract: A user interface for a vehicle may include an information display configured to display an efficiency gauge having an efficiency indicator. The position of the efficiency indicator may correspond to a range per full charge value. The range per full charge value may be calculated based on an amount of usable energy per full charge for an energy storage device and a distance-based energy consumption rate. An instantaneous energy consumption rate may be used to calculate an instantaneous range per full charge value. Similarly, an average energy consumption rate may be used to calculate an average range per full charge value. The efficiency gauge may include an instantaneous efficiency indicator corresponding to an instantaneous range per full charge value, an average efficiency indicator corresponding to an average range per full charge value, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Henry F. Donald, III
  • Publication number: 20150066257
    Abstract: An operation includes disabling a vehicle from moving while connection status of the vehicle with external charging infrastructure is unknown. A message is generated to advise a user to check the connection status. The vehicle is enabled to move upon a user indication that the vehicle is disconnected from the charging infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Ryan J. Skaff, Matthew Roger DeDona, Mark J. Ferrel
  • Publication number: 20150066327
    Abstract: A vehicle cruise control system includes an ECO-cruise mode such that a rate of acceleration of the vehicle during cruise control is less than or equal to a maximum that is a function of vehicle speed and road grade. Further, the rate is a function of the vehicle speed and a difference between the vehicle and target cruise control speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Matthew Allen Warner, Ryan J. Skaff, Benjamin Carl Mukkala, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Ming Lang Kuang, David H. Schmitt, Elaine Y. Chen
  • Publication number: 20150019054
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Ryan J. Skaff, Paul Aldighieri, Dale Gilman, Robert David Hancasky
  • Patent number: 8909404
    Abstract: A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, William Paul Perkins, Derek Hartl
  • Patent number: 8880290
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's acceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's acceleration behavior. The acceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future driving acceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the acceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff