Patents by Inventor Stephen Michael Cicala

Stephen Michael Cicala 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: 20240141987
    Abstract: A method is proposed to complete a power-on upshift while a vehicle encounters wheel slip conditions such as driving in loose sand. The wheels slip conditions may be detected based on a maximum rate of change of an output shaft exceeding a threshold. In response to the wheel slip conditions, one or more shift parameters may be adjusted to bias the shift toward a tie-up and decrease the chance of a flare. These modified shift parameters may include an increased stroke pressure, a delayed off-going clutch release timing, and an increased ratio change capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Bradley Dean Riedle, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang
  • Patent number: 11932254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Michael Simon, Leonard Dziubinschi
  • Patent number: 11866049
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission, reduce a torque of the engine from a desired engine torque to a reduced value based on a flare at an input to the transmission during the shift. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the reduced value exceeding a threshold, retard an engine spark and maintain operation of all cylinders of the engine to reduce the torque of the engine during the shift. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the reduced value being less than the threshold, retard the engine spark and shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to reduce the torque of the engine during the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Bradley Dean Riedle, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang, Eric Frank Banners, Mehran Namazkar
  • Patent number: 11692622
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gearing arrangement configured to shift speed ratios by disengaging an off-going shift element and engaging an oncoming shift element and an electrohydraulic valve having an actuatable valve element configured to control an engagement state of the oncoming shift element. A controller is programmed to, during a shift of the transmission, in response to the off-going shift element disengaging and an expected ratio change not initiating, monotonically increase current to the valve to a maximum value to overcome frictional resistance on the valve element, and programmed to, in response to expiration of a timer and the ratio change still not initiating, send a repeating pattern of high and low current signals according to a duty cycle to overcome frictional resistance of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Kinch, Joseph Scott Slayton, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D Riedle, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20230049036
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gearing arrangement configured to shift speed ratios by disengaging an off-going shift element and engaging an oncoming shift element and an electrohydraulic valve having an actuatable valve element configured to control an engagement state of the oncoming shift element. A controller is programmed to, during a shift of the transmission, in response to the off-going shift element disengaging and an expected ratio change not initiating, monotonically increase current to the valve to a maximum value to overcome frictional resistance on the valve element, and programmed to, in response to expiration of a timer and the ratio change still not initiating, send a repeating pattern of high and low current signals according to a duty cycle to overcome frictional resistance of the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Kinch, Joseph Scott Slayton, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D. Riedle, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11408504
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle includes a transmission, a brake pedal, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to an upshift of the transmission, a driver-demanded torque being zero, and the brake pedal being released, command a first pressure, that is greater than zero, to an oncoming shift element associated with the upshift such that the oncoming shift element has a torque capacity of zero, in response to the brake pedal being applied during the upshift of the transmission, command a second, larger pressure to the oncoming shift element to increase the torque capacity to a non-zero value, and, in response to expiration of a threshold time from the brake pedal being applied, command a series of sequentially ramping pressures to the oncoming shift element to further increase the torque capacity and lock the oncoming shift element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mehran Namazkar, Stephen Michael Cicala, Cory Benson LaRoche, Benjamin Rupley, Spencer Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210261113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 11097719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 11078970
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a plurality of friction clutches and a selectable one-way clutch. The transmission also includes a controller programmed to, in response to detecting a component fault, switch the selectable one-way clutch from a passive state to an active state by commanding engagement of a first subset of the friction clutches to establish a slip elimination state. The controller is also programmed to, following establishment of the slip elimination state, command the selectable one-way clutch to the active state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dongdong Dee Li, Stephen Michael Cicala, Conor Edward Sullivan, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11041534
    Abstract: Ideally, when a transmission is in Neutral, no torque should be exerted on the vehicle wheels by the powertrain. However, even with all clutches in a gearbox disengaged, some torque may be transmitted from a turbine shaft to the transmission output due to clutch drag and transmission component inertia. To avoid transmitting torque, a subset of clutches may be engaged to produce an input tie-up state, this holding the turbine shaft against rotation while permitting rotation of the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Cicala, Markian Oleh Diakiw, Conor Edward Sullivan, Dongdong Dee Li, Timothy Fedullo, Bradley Dean Riedle, Scott Joseph Gittins, Peter Wincek
  • Patent number: 10995852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jaewon Choi, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D Riedle, Eric Frank Banners, Cory Benson Laroche, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20200386279
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jaewon CHOI, Stephen Michael CICALA, Bradley D RIEDLE, Eric Frank BANNERS, Cory Benson LAROCHE, Kurt Howard NICKERSON
  • Patent number: 10821957
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch with active and passive states. Successful transition from the active state to the passive state is only possible when there is no torque tending to cause overrunning. After commanding a transition from the active state to the passive state, a controller partially engages a first friction clutch to induce a torque tending away from overrunning until a lash crossing is detected. Then, the controller releases the first clutch and partially applies a second clutch to induce a torque toward overrunning. When slip is detected, indicating successful achievement of the passive state, the second clutch is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Fedullo, Conor Edward Sullivan, Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead, Bradley Dean Riedle
  • Patent number: 10794435
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch with an active state and a passive state. To avoid occupant discomfort and hardware damage, transitions from the passive state to the active state must only be commanded when no or very little slip is present across the selectable one-way clutch. Several methods are presented to eliminate slip, depending on vehicle speed. When the vehicle is stationary, full engagement of a clutch that causes slip to be proportional to vehicle speed eliminates slip. When the vehicle is moving backwards, partial engagement of the above clutch eliminates slip. When the vehicle is moving forwards, full engagement of all but one clutch of a tie-up condition and partial engagement of the remaining clutch of the tie-up condition brings the vehicle to a stop and eliminates slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Fedullo, Abhay Mane, Bradley Dean Riedle, Conor Edward Sullivan, Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead
  • Publication number: 20200216057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque that is produced by an engine is adjusted responsive to a transmission oil temperature and a speed of a torque converter impeller so that temperature of oil in a transmission lube circuit may be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Scott James Thompson, Stephen Michael Cicala, Mary Bellino, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 10704677
    Abstract: A transmission includes an accumulator to hold one of more shift elements in an engaged state while an engine is off. The transmission also includes a hydraulic park system that disengages park in response to engagement of two shift elements. In some circumstance, draining the accumulator in an uncontrolled manner in the presence of a failed valve may lead to unintentionally disengaging park. To avoid this, the accumulator is discharged in a controlled manner. Fluid is first transferred from the accumulator to a shift element apply chamber. Then, the fluid is vented from the shift element apply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Lisa Waldock, Stephen Michael Cicala, Joseph Scott Slayton, Derek Kinch, Timothy Fedullo, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Publication number: 20200032863
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a plurality of friction clutches and a selectable one-way clutch. The transmission also includes a controller programmed to, in response to detecting a component fault, switch the selectable one-way clutch from a passive state to an active state by commanding engagement of a first subset of the friction clutches to establish a slip elimination state. The controller is also programmed to, following establishment of the slip elimination state, command the selectable one-way clutch to the active state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Dongdong Dee Li, Stephen Michael Cicala, Conor Edward Sullivan, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20200032864
    Abstract: Ideally, when a transmission is in Neutral, no torque should be exerted on the vehicle wheels by the powertrain. However, even with all clutches in a gearbox disengaged, some torque may be transmitted from a turbine shaft to the transmission output due to clutch drag and transmission component inertia. To avoid transmitting torque, a subset of clutches may be engaged to produce an input tie-up state, this holding the turbine shaft against rotation while permitting rotation of the output element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Michael CICALA, Markian Oleh DIAKIW, Conor Edward SULLIVAN, Dongdong Dee LI, Timothy FEDULLO, Bradley Dean RIEDLE, Scott Joseph GITTINS, Peter WINCEK
  • Publication number: 20200032862
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch with an active state and a passive state. To avoid occupant discomfort and hardware damage, transitions from the passive state to the active state must only be commanded when no or very little slip is present across the selectable one-way clutch. Several methods are presented to eliminate slip, depending on vehicle speed. When the vehicle is stationary, full engagement of a clutch that causes slip to be proportional to vehicle speed eliminates slip. When the vehicle is moving backwards, partial engagement of the above clutch eliminates slip. When the vehicle is moving forwards, full engagement of all but one clutch of a tie-up condition and partial engagement of the remaining clutch of the tie-up condition brings the vehicle to a stop and eliminates slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Fedullo, Abhay Mane, Bradley Dean Riedle, Conor Edward Sullivan, Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead
  • Publication number: 20200031331
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch with active and passive states. Successful transition from the active state to the passive state is only possible when there is no torque tending to cause overrunning. After commanding a transition from the active state to the passive state, a controller partially engages a first friction clutch to induce a torque tending away from overrunning until a lash crossing is detected. Then, the controller releases the first clutch and partially applies a second clutch to induce a torque toward overrunning. When slip is detected, indicating successful achievement of the passive state, the second clutch is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Fedullo, Conor Edward Sullivan, Stephen Michael Cicala, John Randall Armstead, Bradley Dean Riedle