Patents by Inventor THOMAS A. KLINGLER

THOMAS A. KLINGLER 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: 10029669
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Thomas A. Klingler, Eric E. Krueger, William R. Cawthorne, R. Travis Schwenke, Scott C. Mrdeza
  • Patent number: 9796226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for moving a receiver associated with a hitch frame of a vehicle. The method includes receiving data indicating a hand wheel angle; determining, with a processor, a position for the receiver relative to the hitch frame based on the hand wheel angle; and outputting one or more control signals to a motor coupled to the receiver to move the receiver relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Phillip M. Turner, Richard O. Gillett, Jr., Stephen R. Pastor, Thomas A. Klingler, Xiaofeng Mao
  • Patent number: 9662974
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling torque for a front axle and a rear axle of a vehicle with independent front and rear propulsion systems are provided. A data unit is configured to obtain data for one or more parameters of a vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. A processor is coupled to the data unit, and is configured to provide torque to at least facilitate providing torque the front axle and the rear axle independently based on the one or more parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Thomas A. Klingler, Eric E. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20170137012
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Thomas A. Klingler, Eric E. Krueger, William R. Cawthorne, R. Travis Schwenke, Scott C. Mrdeza
  • Publication number: 20160229291
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling torque for a front axle and a rear axle of a vehicle with independent front and rear propulsion systems are provided. A data unit is configured to obtain data for one or more parameters of a vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. A processor is coupled to the data unit, and is configured to provide torque to at least facilitate providing torque the front axle and the rear axle independently based on the one or more parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: XIAOFENG MAO, THOMAS A. KLINGLER, ERIC E. KRUEGER
  • Publication number: 20160187888
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for moving a receiver associated with a hitch frame of a vehicle. The method includes receiving data indicating a hand wheel angle; determining, with a processor, a position for the receiver relative to the hitch frame based on the hand wheel angle; and outputting one or more control signals to a motor coupled to the receiver to move the receiver relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: PHILLIP M. TURNER, RICHARD O. GILLETT, JR., STEPHEN R. PASTOR, THOMAS A. KLINGLER, XIAOFENG MAO
  • Publication number: 20160121883
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an all-wheel-drive vehicle having independent power-sources includes driving the vehicle via at least one of a first power-source through a first set of wheels and a second power-source through a second set of wheels. The method also includes determining a rotating speed of each of the first and second sets of wheels relative to a road surface. The method additionally includes determining a road speed of the vehicle and determining a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a slip of the vehicle relative to the road surface using the determined rotating speed of each of the first and second sets of wheels and the speed of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the vehicle slip via regulating a torque output of the first and/or second power-source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Thomas A. Klingler, Eric E. Krueger
  • Patent number: 8725335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for torque control in an electric all wheel drive (e AWD) vehicle. The apparatus is a system having at least one propulsion system capable of determining a desired torque command and torque capability data for a primary and secondary axle. Also included are one or more active chassis systems capable of providing chassis system data and a processor coupled for processing the desired torque command, the torque capability data and the chassis system data to provide a maximum torque limit and a minimum torque limit for the secondary axle. In this way, at least one propulsion system processes the desired torque signal and the maximum torque limit and the minimum torque limit to provide an electric motor torque command and an engine torque command for the eAWD vehicle. A method for torque control in an eAWD vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Tolkacz, R Travis Schwenke, Michael Kochem, Edmund F. Gaffney, III, William R. Cawthorne, Thomas A Klingler, Richard A. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20130289811
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for torque control in an electric all wheel drive (e AWD) vehicle. The apparatus is a system having at least one propulsion system capable of determining a desired torque command and torque capability data for a primary and secondary axle. Also included are one or more active chassis systems capable of providing chassis system data and a processor coupled for processing the desired torque command, the torque capability data and the chassis system data to provide a maximum torque limit and a minimum torque limit for the secondary axle. In this way, at least one propulsion system processes the desired torque signal and the maximum torque limit and the minimum torque limit to provide an electric motor torque command and an engine torque command for the eAWD vehicle. A method for torque control in an eAWD vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JOSEPH M. TOLKACZ, R. TRAVIS SCHWENKE, MICHAEL KOCHEM, EDMUND F. GAFFNEY, III, WILLIAM R. CAWTHORNE, THOMAS A. KLINGLER, RICHARD A. MARSH