Patents by Inventor Steve Liggins
Steve Liggins 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).
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Patent number: 11254220Abstract: 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 oppType: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message
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Patent number: 11142185Abstract: The present application describes a method of controlling a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain including an electric propulsion system, an engine and a drivetrain that is configurable in a low-range mode or a high-range mode. The method comprises determining whether the low-range mode for the drivetrain is selected, determining whether an electric mode for the powertrain is selected, and inhibiting operation of the engine if both the low-range mode and the electric mode are selected.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Dan Dennehy, Steve Liggins, David Armstrong
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Patent number: 10576838Abstract: 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 geneType: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Simon Message, Steve Liggins, Matthew Hancock
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Patent number: 10538232Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery system (1) for a vehicle having at least one driven wheel. The vehicle recovery system (1) is operable to self-recover the vehicle from terrain having a deformable surface affording insufficient traction at the at least one driven wheel to mobilise the vehicle. A recovery controller (2) is provided to maintain at least substantially continuous rotation of said at least one driven wheel at a target recovery speed or within a target recovery speed range to increase the available traction at each driven wheel. The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a vehicle recovery system (1).Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Steve Liggins, Paul Darnell, Jason Walters
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Publication number: 20190161074Abstract: The present application describes a method of controlling a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain including an electric propulsion system, an engine and a drivetrain that is configurable in a low-range mode or a high-range mode. The method comprises determining whether the low-range mode for the drivetrain is selected, determining whether an electric mode for the powertrain is selected, and inhibiting operation of the engine if both the low-range mode and the electric mode are selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Dan Dennehy, Steve Liggins, David Armstrong
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Patent number: 10166972Abstract: A controller is provided for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric propulsion motor powered by an energy storage device, and an electric generator driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage device. The controller receives one or more signals indicative of one or more operating modes in which the vehicle is to be operated; receives a signal indicative of demanded powertrain drive torque; and causes the engine and electric propulsion motor to deliver drive torque to one or more wheels to drive the vehicle. The controller causes the powertrain to operate in a parallel powertrain mode, where the amount of torque delivered by the electric propulsion motor is determined by the controller in dependence on the signal indicative of demanded powertrain drive torque and the one or more signals indicative of the one or more operating modes.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Riccardo Fracchia, Steve Liggins, Matthew Hancock, Andy Mould
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Publication number: 20180326970Abstract: 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 dType: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Steve LIGGINS, Simon MESSAGE, Manoj LAO, Geoff HANNIS
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Publication number: 20180312081Abstract: 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 oppType: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Matthew HANCOCK, Steve LIGGINS, Simon MESSAGE
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Publication number: 20180312078Abstract: 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 geneType: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Simon MESSAGE, Steve LIGGINS, Matthew HANCOCK
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Patent number: 10053081Abstract: 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 thType: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Manoj Lao, Geoff Hannis
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Patent number: 10040367Abstract: A system for providing a scale (11) of electrical charge of a vehicle battery and a hybrid vehicle comprising such a system comprises a scale (11) of state of charge of the vehicle battery. The scale (11) comprises minimum (14) and maximum (15) parameters and a controller to select the minimum (14) and maximum (15) parameters if the scale (11) in dependence on a battery usage parameter dependent on at least one of a mode of operation of the vehicle, a state of charge of the battery and a state of health of the battery. A display (10) for indicating an amount consists of the scale (11) and an indicator (12) movable with respect to the scale (11). Different scales (11) are provided for different purposes, and are changeable without altering the instant position of the indicator (12).Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventor: Steve Liggins
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Patent number: 9932027Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Richard Kirkman, Matthew Hancock
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Publication number: 20160200315Abstract: The invention relates to a controller (140) for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine (121), electric propulsion means (123B; 123C) powered by energy storage means (150), and electric generator means (123B; 123C) operable to be driven by the engine (121) to recharge the energy storage means.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Riccardo Fracchia, Steve Liggins, Matthew Hancock, Andy Mould
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Publication number: 20160193992Abstract: 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 thType: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Matthew Hancock, Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Manoj Lao, Geoff Hannis
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Publication number: 20160176311Abstract: A system for providing a scale (11) of electrical charge of a vehicle battery and a hybrid vehicle comprising such a system comprises a scale (11) of state of charge of the vehicle battery. The scale (11) comprises minimum (14) and maximum (15) parameters and a controller to select the minimum (14) and maximum (15) parameters if the scale (11) in dependence on a battery usage parameter dependent on at least one of a mode of operation of the vehicle, a state of charge of the battery and a state of health of the battery. A display (10) for indicating an amount consists of the scale (11) and an indicator (12) movable with respect to the scale (11). Different scales (11) are provided for different purposes, and are changeable without altering the instant position of the indicator (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventor: Steve Liggins
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Publication number: 20160167638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Steve Liggins, Simon Message, Richard Kirkman, Matthew Hancock
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Publication number: 20150239456Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery system (1) for a vehicle having at least one driven wheel. The vehicle recovery system (1) is operable to self-recover the vehicle from terrain having a deformable surface affording insufficient traction at the at least one driven wheel to mobilise the vehicle. A recovery controller (2) is provided to maintain at least substantially continuous rotation of said at least one driven wheel at a target recovery speed or within a target recovery speed range to increase the available traction at each driven wheel. The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a vehicle recovery system (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Steve Liggins, Paul Darnell, Jason Walters