Patents by Inventor William R. Mayhew

William R. Mayhew 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: 9316309
    Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is partially engaged during the initial shift and the adjusted shift and is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 9056603
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a downshift determination module and a speed control module. The downshift determination module determines when a closed-throttle downshift occurs. The closed-throttle downshift is a downshift of a transmission when a throttle valve of an engine is closed. The speed control module controls engine speed based on turbine speed during the closed-throttle downshift. The turbine speed is a speed of a turbine in a torque converter that couples the engine to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Krishnendu Kar, Leon Cribbins, William R. Mayhew, Timothy J. Keenan
  • Publication number: 20150096858
    Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is partially engaged during the initial shift and the adjusted shift and is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8944957
    Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, William R. Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20130297160
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a downshift determination module and a speed control module. The downshift determination module determines when a closed-throttle downshift occurs. The closed-throttle downshift is a downshift of a transmission when a throttle valve of an engine is closed. The speed control module controls engine speed based on turbine speed during the closed-throttle downshift. The turbine speed is a speed of a turbine in a torque converter that couples the engine to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Krishnendu Kar, Leon Cribbins, William R. Mayhew, Timothy J. Keenan
  • Publication number: 20130118850
    Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8365048
    Abstract: A control system includes an error calculation module that receives a data bit pattern having a predetermined quantity of data bits and that calculates a binary vector based on a predetermined binary matrix and the data bit pattern. The error calculation module further determines the data bit pattern contains a corrupted data bit when the binary vector is not a predetermined value. The control system further includes a bit position module that receives the binary vector, that locates the corrupted data bit based on the binary vector and that corrects the data bit pattern. The bit position module receives the data bit pattern when the binary number is the predetermined value. The data bits are pre-assigned a base-10 value that corresponds to a data bit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8364436
    Abstract: A system includes a processing module, a sampling module, a period determination module, and a speed determination module. The processing module generates time stamps when pulses are received from a sensor that senses a rotation of a device. The sampling module samples the time stamps during N predetermined intervals and stores N of the time stamps that correspond to the N predetermined intervals, where N is an integer that is greater than 2. The period determination module determines a plurality of periods, wherein each one of the plurality of periods is based on a difference between two of the N time stamps. The speed determination module determines a rotational speed of the device based on a difference between two of the plurality of periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8346444
    Abstract: A shift quality error detection system for an automatic transmission includes a vehicle acceleration determination module to determine a vehicle acceleration. An acceptance window module defines upper and lower limits of a desired vehicle acceleration. The shift quality error detection module compares the determined vehicle acceleration to the upper and lower limits of the desired vehicle acceleration. A shift quality error detection module selectively provides a shift quality error based on the comparison. A method of detecting shift quality error of an automatic transmission comprises determining a vehicle acceleration during a transmission gear shift. The method also includes comparing the vehicle acceleration to an acceptance window of desired vehicle accelerations and outputting an error signal based on the acceleration comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8328685
    Abstract: A method and control module for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes a clutch torque load predictor module generating a predicted clutch torque load signal for the shift command and a minimum clutch pressure module generating a minimum clutch pressure signal corresponding to a minimum clutch pressure. The control module includes a pressure command module generating a commanded clutch pressure signal for the predicted clutch torque load signal based on the minimum clutch pressure signal and commanding operation of a clutch with a commanded clutch pressure signal. The control module also includes a transmission control module generating the shift command after the clutch torque load predictor module generates the predicted clutch signal, the minimum clutch pressure module generates the minimum clutch pressure signal and the pressure command module generates the commanded clutch pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: William R. Mayhew, Haytham A. Fayyad, Stephen R. Tokish
  • Patent number: 8234049
    Abstract: A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Mark H. Costin, Michael L. Kociba, Paul A. Bauerle, Bryan D. Lehman, William R. Mayhew, Andrew W. Baur
  • Publication number: 20110289390
    Abstract: A control system includes an error calculation module that receives a data bit pattern having a predetermined quantity of data bits and that calculates a binary vector based on a predetermined binary matrix and the data bit pattern. The error calculation module further determines the data bit pattern contains a corrupted data bit when the binary vector is not a predetermined value. The control system further includes a bit position module that receives the binary vector, that locates the corrupted data bit based on the binary vector and that corrects the data bit pattern. The bit position module receives the data bit pattern when the binary number is the predetermined value. The data bits are pre-assigned a base-10 value that corresponds to a data bit position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 7979186
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring system includes a slip rate calculation module that receives a raw slip speed of a torque converter clutch and that calculates torque converter clutch slip acceleration based on the raw slip speed. A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring module detects deviation of the slip acceleration from a predetermined range during a pulldown of the torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 7933696
    Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system is provided. The system includes: a first control module that includes a first processor and that controls a first vehicle subsystem; and second control module that controls a second vehicle subsystem and that validates the functionality of the first processor of the first control module wherein if the second control module determines that the first processor of the first control module is faulty, the second control module shuts down the first control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: William R. Mayhew, David W. Wright
  • Publication number: 20110088468
    Abstract: A system includes a processing module, a sampling module, a period determination module, and a speed determination module. The processing module generates time stamps when pulses are received from a sensor that senses a rotation of a device. The sampling module samples the time stamps during N predetermined intervals and stores N of the time stamps that correspond to the N predetermined intervals, where N is an integer that is greater than 2. The period determination module determines a plurality of periods, wherein each one of the plurality of periods is based on a difference between two of the N time stamps. The speed determination module determines a rotational speed of the device based on a difference between two of the plurality of periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: William R. Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20110077123
    Abstract: A method and control module for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes a clutch torque load predictor module generating a predicted clutch torque load signal for the shift command and a minimum clutch pressure module generating a minimum clutch pressure signal corresponding to a minimum clutch pressure. The control module includes a pressure command module generating a commanded clutch pressure signal for the predicted clutch torque load signal based on the minimum clutch pressure signal and commanding operation of a clutch with a commanded clutch pressure signal. The control module also includes a transmission control module generating the shift command after the clutch torque load predictor module generates the predicted clutch signal, the minimum clutch pressure module generates the minimum clutch pressure signal and the pressure command module generates the commanded clutch pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OEPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William R. Mayhew, Haytham A. Fayyad, Stephen R. Tokish
  • Publication number: 20090234545
    Abstract: A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Mark H. Costin, Michael L. Kociba, Paul A. Bauerle, Bryan D. Lehman, William R. Mayhew, Andrew W. Baur
  • Publication number: 20090227422
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring system includes a slip rate calculation module that receives a raw slip speed of a torque converter clutch and that calculates torque converter clutch slip acceleration based on the raw slip speed. A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring module detects deviation of the slip acceleration from a predetermined range during a pulldown of the torque converter clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20080300747
    Abstract: A shift quality error detection system for an automatic transmission includes a vehicle acceleration determination module to determine a vehicle acceleration. An acceptance window module defines upper and lower limits of a desired vehicle acceleration. The shift quality error detection module compares the determined vehicle acceleration to the upper and lower limits of the desired vehicle acceleration. A shift quality error detection module selectively provides a shift quality error based on the comparison. A method of detecting shift quality error of an automatic transmission comprises determining a vehicle acceleration during a transmission gear shift. The method also includes comparing the vehicle acceleration to an acceptance window of desired vehicle accelerations and outputting an error signal based on the acceleration comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20080059016
    Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system is provided. The system includes: a first control module that includes a first processor and that controls a first vehicle subsystem; and second control module that controls a second vehicle subsystem and that validates the functionality of the first processor of the first control module wherein if the second control module determines that the first processor of the first control module is faulty, the second control module shuts down the first control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: William R. Mayhew, David W. Wright