Patents by Inventor Steven Thomas Ford

Steven Thomas Ford 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).

  • Active coast and cruise control system and methods
    Patent number: 8626424
    Abstract: An engine control system of the present disclosure comprises a target speed module and a coupling module. The target speed module determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input. The coupling module controls coupling of an engine system and a drive system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed. The engine system transfers torque to the drive system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the drive system when decoupled. In other features, the engine control system further comprises a torque control module that controls torque output by the engine system based on the coupling of the engine system and the drive system, the speed, and the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Steven Thomas Ford, John J. Koenig
  • ACTIVE COAST AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20110035135
    Abstract: An engine control system of the present disclosure comprises a target speed module and a coupling module. The target speed module determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input. The coupling module controls coupling of an engine system and a drive system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed. The engine system transfers torque to the drive system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the drive system when decoupled. In other features, the engine control system further comprises a torque control module that controls torque output by the engine system based on the coupling of the engine system and the drive system, the speed, and the target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Steven Thomas Ford, John J. Koenig