Patents by Inventor T. Neil McLEMORE

T. Neil McLEMORE 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: 12151563
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for torque management in a multi-motor electric vehicle. The method may include receiving a total torque request value from a vehicle control module (VCM), determining a first torque split value associated with a first motor and a second torque split value associated with a second motor, the sum of the first torque split value and the second torque split value being equal to the total torque request value, monitoring a thermal parameter of at least one of the first motor or the second motor, and adjusting the first torque split value and the second torque split value in response to the thermal parameter exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua L. Cunningham, T. Neil McLemore, Ashfaque B. Shafique
  • Publication number: 20240351450
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for torque management in a multi-motor electric vehicle. The method may include receiving a total torque request value from a vehicle control module (VCM), determining a first torque split value associated with a first motor and a second torque split value associated with a second motor, the sum of the first torque split value and the second torque split value being equal to the total torque request value, monitoring a thermal parameter of at least one of the first motor or the second motor, and adjusting the first torque split value and the second torque split value in response to the thermal parameter exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua L. Cunningham, T. Neil McLemore, Ashfaque B. Shafique
  • Patent number: 11827112
    Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Publication number: 20230271512
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for battery conditioning for high voltage (HV) electrical vehicles. Battery temperatures are monitored, and responsive to one or more battery temperatures falling within designated ranges, one or more battery temperatures may be increased via heating in order to provide for more uniform battery performance and conditioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Tyler Chapman, Michael Corona, Mayank Darji, Meet Kalola, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Patent number: 11707995
    Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Publication number: 20220355679
    Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Publication number: 20220169127
    Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Patent number: 11279243
    Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
  • Publication number: 20200378491
    Abstract: Described herein is a control system for a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (WT) having a ball planetary variator (CVP), providing a smooth and controlled operation. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a fork lift truck. An operator commands a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, and a direction switch (or gear selector), which are evaluated by the control system to determine a current operating state of the vehicle. Some operating states include, forward drive, reverse drive, vehicle braking, automatic deceleration, inching, power reversal, vehicle hold, and park, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: JEFFREY M. DAVID, JYOTHSNA GANDHAM, GORDON M. MCINDOE, T. NEIL MCLEMORE, SIDHARTH RENGANATHAN, VINAY SIKKA, JAVIER SOLIS
  • Publication number: 20190136969
    Abstract: A control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission is described as having a ball planetary variator operably coupled to multiple-mode gearing. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. In some embodiments, the system is configured to predict, detect, and compensate for a torque reversal module through the ball planetary variator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore
  • Publication number: 20190078668
    Abstract: A powertrain including: a main shaft; a first variator having a first plurality of balls in contact with a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly, and each ball operably coupled to a first carrier assembly; a second variator having a second plurality of balls in contact with a third traction ring assembly and a fourth traction ring assembly, and each ball operably coupled to a second carrier assembly; and a planetary gear set having a ring gear, a planet carrier supporting a plurality of planet gears coupled to the ring gear, and a sun gear coupled to the plurality of the planet gears. The first variator, second variator, and planetary gear set are arranged coaxially along the main shaft. The first traction ring assembly is coupled to the planetary gear set and the second traction ring assembly is coupled to the third traction ring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore, Travis J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190063588
    Abstract: Provided herein a vehicle including an engine, a first motor/generator, a second motor/generator, a ball-type planetary variator (CVP) and a controller configured to detect an over-temperature mode of operation, wherein the controller commands a change in a lube flow to the CVP based on the over-temperature mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore, Travis J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190063602
    Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including: an electric axle powertrain including: a continuously variable electric drivetrain comprising a motor/generator and a ball-type continuously variable planetary (CVP), a drive wheel axle operably coupled to the continuously variable electric drivetrain, and a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the drive wheel axle; and a controller configured to control a CVP speed ratio and determine a request for torque vectoring, wherein the controller commands a change in the CVP speed ratio based on the request for torque vectoring,
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore, Gordon M. McIndoe
  • Publication number: 20190031181
    Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including an engine; a first motor/generator; a second motor/generator; a variator; and a controller configured to detect an energy dissipation mode of operation, wherein the controller commands a change in the variator ratio based on the energy dissipation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore
  • Publication number: 20190001980
    Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including a powertrain including a prime mover operably coupled to a transmission, wherein the transmission is operably coupled to a plurality of wheels; a plurality of sensors configured to monitor operating conditions of the vehicle including an accelerator pedal position; and a controller configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors and send an output signal to control a torque request to the powertrain, wherein the controller includes a calibrateable map having values of the torque request based on the accelerator pedal position and an estimated weight of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore
  • Publication number: 20180372219
    Abstract: A control system to control the operating conditions of a Continuous Variable Transmission configured to receive signals and execute commands based at least in part on a driver's torque or load request. The control system includes a ratio controller incorporating binary logarithmic processes applied to a commanded CVP ratio and an actual CVP ratio. The binary logarithmic processes provide linearized signals to a PID controller to thereby provide a commanded CVP ratio to form a commanded CVP shift actuator position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore, Benjamin L. Powell
  • Publication number: 20180328473
    Abstract: Provided herein is a control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission having a ball planetary variator. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. The transmission control module includes a CVP control module and a clutch control module. The transmission control module is configured to control the variator and the clutches during a canceled power on upshift, a canceled power on downshift, and a transitional shift based on a driver's command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore
  • Publication number: 20180306318
    Abstract: Provided herein is a computer-implemented system for a ball-planetary variator (CVP) having a plurality of tiltable balls supported in a carrier, the computer-implemented system including: a digital processing device including an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device and including a shift actuator controller configured to control a plurality of operating conditions of the CVP; and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions of the CVP including: a CVP speed ratio setpoint and an input torque to the CVP. The shift actuator controller includes an actuator force model configured to provide a shift force setpoint based on the CVP speed ratio set point and the input torque to the CVP and commands a change in a carrier position of the CVP based at least in part on the shift force setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, T. Neil McLemore
  • Publication number: 20180259064
    Abstract: Described herein is a control system for a vehicle with an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a ball planetary variator (CVP), providing a smooth and controlled operation. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a fork lift truck. An operator commands a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a direction switch (or gear selector), and a hydraulic lever, which are evaluated by the control system to determine a current operating state of the vehicle. Some operating states include, forward drive, reverse drive, vehicle braking, automatic deceleration, inching, power reversal, vehicle hold, and park, among others. The control system is configured to determine a commanded engine speed based at least in part on the hydraulic lever signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: DANA LIMITED
    Inventor: T. NEIL MCLEMORE
  • Publication number: 20180245674
    Abstract: This invention relates to controlling the speed ratio of a Continuous Variable Transmission with a hydraulic method. The Ball Planetary CVT design is adapted with a mechanical and hydraulic addition. The carrier of the ball-type variator is supported by hydraulic actuators. The result is that the speed ratio is controlled by both a set speed ratio and the torque flowing through the CVT. Subsequently, torque peaks are avoided and controllability of the CVT is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Stijn GOOSSENS, Gordon M. MCINDOE, T. Neil MCLEMORE, Matthew SIMISTER, Gregory G. STEVENSON, Mark R. J. VERSTEYHE, Thomas J. VYNCKE