Patents by Inventor Steven M. Hessell

Steven M. Hessell 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: 10040439
    Abstract: A powertrain system employing multiple propulsion torque actuators is described. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes interpreting a driver request, including determining a driver torque request and a regenerative braking request based upon driver inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. A desired request is determined based upon the driver torque request and the regenerative braking request. Torque limits for the powertrain system are coordinated based upon the desired request, the driver torque request, and a previous driver torque request to determine upper and lower output torque limits, and the upper and lower output torque limits are combined with system constraints to generate a final torque request. The final torque request is employed to determine torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators, and the propulsion torque actuators are controlled based upon the torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tayoung Choi, Anthony H. Heap, Krunal P Patel, Steven M Hessell
  • Publication number: 20160257292
    Abstract: A powertrain system employing multiple propulsion torque actuators is described. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes interpreting a driver request, including determining a driver torque request and a regenerative braking request based upon driver inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. A desired request is determined based upon the driver torque request and the regenerative braking request. Torque limits for the powertrain system are coordinated based upon the desired request, the driver torque request, and a previous driver torque request to determine upper and lower output torque limits, and the upper and lower output torque limits are combined with system constraints to generate a final torque request. The final torque request is employed to determine torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators, and the propulsion torque actuators are controlled based upon the torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tayoung Choi, Anthony H. Heap, Krunal P Patel, Steven M Hessell
  • Patent number: 9126588
    Abstract: A powertrain including an engine and torque machines is configured to transfer torque through a multi-mode transmission to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes employing a closed-loop speed control system to control torque commands for the torque machines in response to a desired input speed. Upon approaching a power limit of a power storage device transferring power to the torque machines, power limited torque commands are determined for the torque machines in response to the power limit and the closed-loop speed control system is employed to determine an engine torque command in response to the desired input speed and the power limited torque commands for the torque machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Hessell, Robert L. Morris, Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap, Gil J. Mendoza
  • Publication number: 20130338861
    Abstract: A powertrain including an engine and torque machines is configured to transfer torque through a multi-mode transmission to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes employing a closed-loop speed control system to control torque commands for the torque machines in response to a desired input speed. Upon approaching a power limit of a power storage device transferring power to the torque machines, power limited torque commands are determined for the torque machines in response to the power limit and the closed-loop speed control system is employed to determine an engine torque command in response to the desired input speed and the power limited torque commands for the torque machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Hessell, Robert L. Morris, Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap, Gil J. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 8560154
    Abstract: A method for optimizing torque control in a vehicle having a controller and a rotating member includes generating a closed-loop total proportional torque command using a state space feedback portion of the controller, and splitting the total proportional torque command into high-frequency and low-frequency proportional torque components. A total proportional torque is passed to the rotating member to provide driveline damping control when speed control is not required. The high-frequency proportional torque component is passed to the rotating member to provide driveline damping control, and the low-frequency torque component is passed with a total integral torque command to the rotating member to provide speed control, when speed control is required. A vehicle includes a controller having proportional-integral control capabilities and a state space observer, and a powertrain having a rotating member whose speed and damping characteristics are controlled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: R. Anthony Hansen, Steven M. Hessell, Gil J. Mendoza, Robert L. Morris, Houchun Xia
  • Patent number: 8543253
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle changing operating ranges from a first range to a second range includes defining a current set of state equations and a target set of state equations. The current set of state equations and the target set of state equations may each include a set of control state equations for controlling the vehicle and a set of estimator state equations for estimating the performance of the vehicle. The values of the current set of state equations are incrementally adjusted over time until substantially equal to values of the target set of state equations to smooth the requested change between the first range and the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Hessell, R. Anthony Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120203395
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle changing operating ranges from a first range to a second range includes defining a current set of state equations and a target set of state equations. The current set of state equations and the target set of state equations may each include a set of control state equations for controlling the vehicle and a set of estimator state equations for estimating the performance of the vehicle. The values of the current set of state equations are incrementally adjusted over time until substantially equal to values of the target set of state equations to smooth the requested change between the first range and the second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Hessell, R. Anthony Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120065821
    Abstract: A method for optimizing torque control in a vehicle having a controller and a rotating member includes generating a closed-loop total proportional torque command using a state space feedback portion of the controller, and splitting the total proportional torque command into high-frequency and low-frequency proportional torque components. A total proportional torque is passed to the rotating member to provide driveline damping control when speed control is not required. The high-frequency proportional torque component is passed to the rotating member to provide driveline damping control, and the low-frequency torque component is passed with a total integral torque command to the rotating member to provide speed control, when speed control is required. A vehicle includes a controller having proportional-integral control capabilities and a state space observer, and a powertrain having a rotating member whose speed and damping characteristics are controlled by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Hessell, R. Anthony Hansen, Robert L. Morris, Houchun Xia, Gil J. Mendoza