Patents by Inventor Simon Message

Simon Message 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: 11254220
    Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause a first of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a first group of one or more wheels to which the first drive torque source is coupled acting in a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and causes a second of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a second group of one or more wheels to which the second drive torque source is coupled, the direction of drive torque applied to the second group being in a second direction opp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message
  • Patent number: 10947878
    Abstract: A method for controlling a regeneration procedure in an exhaust system after treatment device in a vehicle, the method comprising: determining a location of the vehicle, obtaining data related to the location, determining, based on the data related to the location a probability of completing the regeneration procedure on the vehicle at said determined location, controlling the vehicle to perform the regeneration procedure in dependence on the probability of completing the regeneration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Walsh, Simon Message
  • Patent number: 10576838
    Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources in order to generate a net torque corresponding to a predetermined torque demand value, the predetermined torque demand value being determined at least in part by reference to a torque demand signal received by the controller, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause at least one drive torque source to generate positive or negative torque in dependence on the predetermined torque demand value and to cause the drive torque source to undergo a torque reversal operation in which the direction of torque generated by the at least one drive torque sources changes from one direction to the other, the controller being configured wherein, during a torque reversal operation, the controller limits the rate of change of torque gene
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Simon Message, Steve Liggins, Matthew Hancock
  • Publication number: 20190376423
    Abstract: A method for controlling a regeneration procedure in an exhaust system after treatment device in a vehicle, the method comprising: determining a location of the vehicle, obtaining data related to the location, determining, based on the data related to the location a probability of completing the regeneration procedure on the vehicle at said determined location, controlling the vehicle to perform the regeneration procedure in dependence on the probability of completing the regeneration procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: JOSEPH WALSH, SIMON MESSAGE
  • Publication number: 20180326970
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, electric propulsion means powered by energy storage means and electric generator means operable to be driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage means, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of a required hybrid driving mode; receive a signal indicative of a state of charge of the energy storage means; determine which of a plurality of powertrain operating modes is appropriate for vehicle operation at a given moment, the powertrain operating modes including an engine charging mode in which the engine drives the generator means to recharge the energy storage means and an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the engine is switched off and the electric propulsion means is operable to develop drive torque to drive the vehicle; and cause the powertrain to assume the appropriate powertrain operating mode and the required hybrid driving mode, wherein the controller is operable to d
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Steve LIGGINS, Simon MESSAGE, Manoj LAO, Geoff HANNIS
  • Publication number: 20180312078
    Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources in order to generate a net torque corresponding to a predetermined torque demand value, the predetermined torque demand value being determined at least in part by reference to a torque demand signal received by the controller, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause at least one drive torque source to generate positive or negative torque in dependence on the predetermined torque demand value and to cause the drive torque source to undergo a torque reversal operation in which the direction of torque generated by the at least one drive torque sources changes from one direction to the other, the controller being configured wherein, during a torque reversal operation, the controller limits the rate of change of torque gene
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Simon MESSAGE, Steve LIGGINS, Matthew HANCOCK
  • Publication number: 20180312081
    Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause a first of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a first group of one or more wheels to which the first drive torque source is coupled acting in a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and causes a second of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a second group of one or more wheels to which the second drive torque source is coupled, the direction of drive torque applied to the second group being in a second direction opp
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Steve LIGGINS, Simon MESSAGE
  • Patent number: 10053081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, electric propulsion means powered by energy storage means and electric generator means operable to be driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage means, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of a required hybrid driving mode; receive a signal indicative of a state of charge of the energy storage means; determine which of a plurality of powertrain operating modes is appropriate for vehicle operation at a given moment, the powertrain operating modes including an engine charging mode in which the engine drives the generator means to recharge the energy storage means and an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the engine is switched off and the electric propulsion means is operable to develop drive torque to drive the vehicle; and cause the powertrain to assume the appropriate powertrain operating mode and the required hybrid driving mode, wherein the controller is operable to determine which of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Manoj Lao, Geoff Hannis
  • Patent number: 9932027
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle is capable of direct drive by internal combustion engine, electric motor, or both. In order to provide a consistent overrun response, a torque controller determines an appropriate deceleration characteristic according to, for example, transmission speed ratio, vehicle gradient and vehicle mass, and commands the electric motor and the engine to contribute a negative torque which meets the required deceleration characteristic. A ‘tip’ function modifies the characteristic in the event of a change commanded by the vehicle driver, for example a change of speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Richard Kirkman, Matthew Hancock
  • Patent number: 9731703
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of an amount of powertrain drive torque required to be applied to one or more wheels, powertrain wheel drive torque demand; and receive a signal indicative of an amount of powertrain load torque required to support an auxiliary powertrain load, powertrain auxiliary load torque demand, that is in addition to the powertrain wheel drive torque demand, the controller being operable to limit the amount of powertrain drive torque available to the one or more wheels and to limit the amount of powertrain load torque available to support the auxiliary load such that when a sum of the amount of powertrain wheel drive torque demand and the amount of auxiliary load torque demand exceeds the available powertrain torque, the one or more auxiliary loads may still receive at least a prescribed minimum auxiliary load powertrain torque amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Simon Message, Matthew Hancock, Richard Kirkman
  • Publication number: 20160193992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, electric propulsion means powered by energy storage means and electric generator means operable to be driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage means, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of a required hybrid driving mode; receive a signal indicative of a state of charge of the energy storage means; determine which of a plurality of powertrain operating modes is appropriate for vehicle operation at a given moment, the powertrain operating modes including an engine charging mode in which the engine drives the generator means to recharge the energy storage means and an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the engine is switched off and the electric propulsion means is operable to develop drive torque to drive the vehicle; and cause the powertrain to assume the appropriate powertrain operating mode and the required hybrid driving mode, wherein the controller is operable to determine which of th
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Manoj Lao, Geoff Hannis
  • Publication number: 20160167637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of an amount of powertrain drive torque required to be applied to one or more wheels, powertrain wheel drive torque demand; and receive a signal indicative of an amount of powertrain load torque required to support an auxiliary powertrain load, powertrain auxiliary load torque demand, that is in addition to the powertrain wheel drive torque demand, the controller being operable to limit the amount of powertrain drive torque available to the one or more wheels and to limit the amount of powertrain load torque available to support the auxiliary load such that when a sum of the amount of power-train wheel drive torque demand and the amount of auxiliary load torque demand exceeds the available powertrain torque, the one or more auxiliary loads may still receive at least a prescribed minimum auxiliary load powertrain torque amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Message, Matthew Hancock, Richard Kirkman
  • Publication number: 20160167638
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle is capable of direct drive by internal combustion engine, electric motor, or both. In order to provide a consistent overrun response, a torque controller determines an appropriate deceleration characteristic according to, for example, transmission speed ratio, vehicle gradient and vehicle mass, and commands the electric motor and the engine to contribute a negative torque which meets the required deceleration characteristic. A ‘tip’ function modifies the characteristic in the event of a change commanded by the vehicle driver, for example a change of speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Richard Kirkman, Matthew Hancock
  • Patent number: 9046042
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, wherein, at a first operating point of the internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity which is fed in in each case is reduced successively for each cylinder until a predetermined unsmooth-running limiting value is reached. The variable valve timing mechanism is controlled with consideration of the cylinder-individual values for the fuel-quantity reduction at the first operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eser, Torsten Geiss, Steffen Gessner, Simon Message
  • Publication number: 20140090614
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, wherein, at a first operating point of the internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity which is fed in in each case is reduced successively for each cylinder until a predetermined unsmooth-running limiting value is reached. The variable valve timing mechanism is controlled with consideration of the cylinder-individual values for the fuel-quantity reduction at the first operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard Eser, Torsten Geiss, Steffer Gessner, Simon Message