Patents by Inventor Timothy Baxendale
Timothy Baxendale 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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Publication number: 20240116491Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch is positioned according to whether or not there may be slip across the driveline disconnect clutch. In one example, slip may be inferred from vehicle speed and a torque converter impeller speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Jason Meyer, Bradley Dean Riedle, Timothy Baxendale
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Patent number: 11932112Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to an engine start, close the clutch to transfer power from the electric machine to the engine to start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control a torque capacity of the clutch during the engine start according to a model of a pressure applied to the clutch. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control the torque of the electric machine based on an adjusted torque capacity of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Corey James Blue, Samuel Melville Glauber, Timothy Baxendale, Bradley D Riedle
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Publication number: 20240067157Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain of a vehicle. In one example, the powertrain may include a first torque source, a second torque source, and an automatic transmission. The powertrain may further include a first controller configured to control the first torque source and a second controller configured to control the second torque source. The second controller stores instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the second controller to command the first controller to control a torque of the first torque source via a feedforward torque value of the second torque source calculated at the second controller which is adjusted based on a degree of difference between a proximity term and a difference between the torque of the first torque source and a first torque source limit, the first torque source limit calculated at the second controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Sassan Farahmand, Fazal U. Syed
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Publication number: 20240067156Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an efficiency of a modular hybrid transmission (MHT) of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method for operating an MHT comprises, at one or more control modules, determining an upper torque bound and a lower torque bound of a feedback controller based on a feedforward (FF) engine torque value, the feedback controller controlling a torque of an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle; and constraining operation of the electric motor via the feedback controller based on the upper and lower torque bounds. The electric motor may be controlled by a hybrid powertrain control module of the MHT. The upper and lower torque bounds may be calculated at a powertrain control module of the MHT based on torque converter losses.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Sassan Farahmand, Fazal U. Syed
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Patent number: 11801822Abstract: A controller of a vehicle, while the vehicle is within a predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle entering park, increases a maximum state of charge threshold for the battery and decreases a minimum state of charge threshold for the battery. The controller also, while the vehicle is located within the predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle exiting park, decreases the maximum state of charge threshold and increases the minimum state of charge threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rian Edman, Timothy Baxendale
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Patent number: 11703025Abstract: A method and system for controlling a stop rotation position of an engine is described. In one example, the system includes an integrated starter/generator that may be selectively coupled to the engine. The integrated starter/generator may rotate the engine in a first direction (e.g., reverse direction) or a second direction (e.g., a forward direction) in response to a position at which the engine stops rotating following cessation of combustion in the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Publication number: 20230124556Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine block heater, a traction battery, and a controller. The controller, responsive to a temperature being less than a threshold, charges the traction battery with grid energy until a state of charge of the traction battery achieves a charge target. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the state of charge achieving the target, discharge the traction battery to power the engine block heater until the state of charge falls below a discharge target or the temperature achieves a temperature target. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to the charge falling below the discharge target, charge the traction battery with grid energy until the state of charge achieves the charge target. Additionally, the controller is programmed to, responsive to a temperature achieving a temperature target, inhibit charging and discharging the traction battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone
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Patent number: 11619190Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an integrated starter/generator and a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method estimates engine torque as a function of engine temperature during cold engine starts so that if an estimate of engine torque is in error, the integrated starter/generator may still successfully start the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Sassan Farahmand, Kelly Johnson
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Publication number: 20220396257Abstract: A controller of a vehicle, while the vehicle is within a predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle entering park, increases a maximum state of charge threshold for the battery and decreases a minimum state of charge threshold for the battery. The controller also, while the vehicle is located within the predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle exiting park, decreases the maximum state of charge threshold and increases the minimum state of charge threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Rian EDMAN, Timothy BAXENDALE
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Patent number: 11473544Abstract: Systems and methods for operating various components of a hybrid driveline during starting of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, output of an electric machine is not adjusted during engine starting when a speed of the electric machine exceeds a threshold speed so that torque reporting is accurate and to ensure combustion is reliable.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Publication number: 20220275780Abstract: A method and system for controlling a stop rotation position of an engine is described. In one example, the system includes an integrated starter/generator that may be selectively coupled to the engine. The integrated starter/generator may rotate the engine in a first direction (e.g., reverse direction) or a second direction (e.g., a forward direction) in response to a position at which the engine stops rotating following cessation of combustion in the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Patent number: 11391256Abstract: A method and system for controlling a stop rotation position of an engine is described. In one example, the system includes an integrated starter/generator that may be selectively coupled to the engine. The integrated starter/generator may rotate the engine in a first direction (e.g., reverse direction) or a second direction (e.g., a forward direction) in response to a position at which the engine stops rotating following cessation of combustion in the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Patent number: 11383614Abstract: A vehicle includes a combustion engine configured to output mechanical power and an electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to convert the mechanical power to electrical power. The vehicle also includes a battery to exchange electrical power with the electric machine. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to receive user inputs indicative of a desired storage duration and a storage location and monitor a battery state of charge (SOC) while the vehicle is stored. The controller is also programmed to prompt a remote user to approve an engine auto-start in response to the SOC depleting to less than a predetermined threshold during storage, and to auto-start the engine to generate power to recharge the battery in response to remote user approval. The controller is further programmed to inhibit the auto-start of the engine in response to the vehicle being stored in an enclosed storage location.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Ciccone, Timothy Baxendale, Rian Edman
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Publication number: 20220213856Abstract: Systems and methods for operating various components of a hybrid driveline during starting of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, output of an electric machine is not adjusted during engine starting when a speed of the electric machine exceeds a threshold speed so that torque reporting is accurate and to ensure combustion is reliable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2021Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Publication number: 20220042485Abstract: A method and system for controlling a stop rotation position of an engine is described. In one example, the system includes an integrated starter/generator that may be selectively coupled to the engine. The integrated starter/generator may rotate the engine in a first direction (e.g., reverse direction) or a second direction (e.g., a forward direction) in response to a position at which the engine stops rotating following cessation of combustion in the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2020Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Corey Blue
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Publication number: 20220034274Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an integrated starter/generator and a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method estimates engine torque as a function of engine temperature during cold engine starts so that if an estimate of engine torque is in error, the integrated starter/generator may still successfully start the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Timothy Baxendale, Thomas Ciccone, Sassan Farahmand, Kelly Johnson
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Publication number: 20210094438Abstract: A vehicle includes a combustion engine configured to output mechanical power and an electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to convert the mechanical power to electrical power. The vehicle also includes a battery to exchange electrical power with the electric machine. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to receive user inputs indicative of a desired storage duration and a storage location and monitor a battery state of charge (SOC) while the vehicle is stored. The controller is also programmed to prompt a remote user to approve an engine auto-start in response to the SOC depleting to less than a predetermined threshold during storage, and to auto-start the engine to generate power to recharge the battery in response to remote user approval. The controller is further programmed to inhibit the auto-start of the engine in response to the vehicle being stored in an enclosed storage location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Thomas CICCONE, Timothy BAXENDALE, Rian EDMAN
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Publication number: 20210071630Abstract: A vehicle includes a combustion engine configured to crank start via torque applied to a crankshaft. The vehicle also includes a first electric machine to drive vehicle wheels powered by a high-voltage power source and coupled to the crankshaft and a second electric machine powered by a low-voltage power source and coupled to the crankshaft. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to monitor a battery state of charge (SOC) and a voltage of the high-voltage power source. The controller is also programmed to activate only the second electric machine to attempt to crank start the engine in response to either of the SOC or the voltage being less than a predetermined threshold, and activate the first electric machine to attempt to crank start the engine in response to each of the SOC and the voltage being greater than a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Rian EDMAN, Thomas CICCONE, Timothy BAXENDALE
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Patent number: 10167763Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a door of an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a door of an exhaust system may include an outer door pivotable around a first location and an inner door pivotable around a second location, with the inner door positioned within the outer door, and with an amount of opening of an aperture of the outer door adjustable by a position of the inner door.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Timothy Baxendale
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Publication number: 20180058299Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a door of an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a door of an exhaust system may include an outer door pivotable around a first location and an inner door pivotable around a second location, with the inner door positioned within the outer door, and with an amount of opening of an aperture of the outer door adjustable by a position of the inner door.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventor: Timothy Baxendale