Patents by Inventor Stephen T. West

Stephen T. West 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: 11254298
    Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. West
  • Patent number: 10773709
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20200114899
    Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. West
  • Patent number: 10562519
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an eMachine coupled by a clutch using a hybrid controller is presented. The method determines an idle fuel rate of the engine, determines a hybrid efficiency index for the hybrid vehicle, determines an expected energy storage rate increase for an operating condition where the engine is decoupled from a vehicle transmission using said clutch, multiplies the expected energy storage rate increase by the hybrid efficiency index to determine an expected fuel rate reduction of the engine in the operating condition; and decouples the engine from the vehicle transmission using the clutch if the expected fuel rate reduction is greater than the idle fuel rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Aaron Rues
  • Patent number: 10501067
    Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. West
  • Patent number: 10214202
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 10166971
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20180334159
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 10040456
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission having a control circuit for managing a hill climb event is provided. The control circuit may detect the hill climb event, such as by identifying when an upshift from a climb gear to an upshift gear would cause deceleration on a hill. The control circuit may also respond to the hill climb event based on desired performance characteristics, including fuel economy, speed, acceleration, and other performance characteristics. In one embodiment, the control circuit responds to the hill climb event by cycling the multi-speed automatic transmission between the climb gear and the upshift gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, John A. Byerly, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 10029672
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20180141554
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission having a control circuit for managing a hill climb event is provided. The control circuit may detect the hill climb event, such as by identifying when an upshift from a climb gear to an upshift gear would cause deceleration on a hill. The control circuit may also respond to the hill climb event based on desired performance characteristics, including fuel economy, speed, acceleration, and other performance characteristics. In one embodiment, the control circuit responds to the hill climb event by cycling the multi-speed automatic transmission between the climb gear and the upshift gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, John A. Byerly, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Publication number: 20170349165
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an eMachine coupled by a clutch using a hybrid controller is presented. The method determines an idle fuel rate of the engine, determines a hybrid efficiency index for the hybrid vehicle, determines an expected energy storage rate increase for an operating condition where the engine is decoupled from a vehicle transmission using said clutch, multiplies the expected energy storage rate increase by the hybrid efficiency index to determine an expected fuel rate reduction of the engine in the operating condition; and decouples the engine from the vehicle transmission using the clutch if the expected fuel rate reduction is greater than the idle fuel rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Aaron Rues
  • Publication number: 20170327101
    Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. West
  • Patent number: 9738272
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an eMachine coupled by a clutch using a hybrid controller is presented. The method determines an idle fuel rate of the engine, determines a hybrid efficiency index for the hybrid vehicle, determines an expected energy storage rate increase for an operating condition where the engine is decoupled from a vehicle transmission using said clutch, multiplies the expected energy storage rate increase by the hybrid efficiency index to determine an expected fuel rate reduction of the engine in the operating condition; and decouples the engine from the vehicle transmission using the clutch if the expected fuel rate reduction is greater than the idle fuel rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Aaron Rues
  • Patent number: 9714021
    Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. West
  • Publication number: 20170137019
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20170137015
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20170137014
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 9592822
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a transmission control module, a power source, a transmission, and a drive train. The transmission control module partially operates the hybrid system and receives operating information from various components of the system, calculates power losses in the drive train, and calculates the driving torque needed to reach a target power profile determined from a driver's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. West, Jeffrey K. Runde, John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 9561791
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the consumption of fuel in a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. A Hybrid Efficiency Index (HEI) is used to quantify a relative efficiency advantage achievable with the expenditure of electrical energy at a given power level. Also disclosed is a minimum efficiency threshold useful for determining which HEI values will result in the optimum use of electrical energy throughout the operation of the vehicle. Methods for adjusting the minimum efficiency threshold with respect to regenerative braking events, storage capacity in the energy storage system, along with other aspects are disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Runde, Stephen T. West, William J. Hynes