Patents by Inventor Youssef Ghoneim

Youssef Ghoneim 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: 8655528
    Abstract: A method for allocating forces among the corners of a vehicle having a redundant actuator suite includes determining a set of desired forces at the center of gravity of the vehicle, and allocating the set of desired forces among the corners of the vehicle as virtual control commands using a controller. The method also includes mapping the virtual control commands at the corners to actual or true control commands at the corners, and controlling a plurality of actuators at the corners using the actual or true control commands. The actuators may include friction brakes and wheel motors. Mapping the virtual control commands may include using a Least Squares formulation. Control of the actuators may be prioritized with respect to each other using weighting matrices. A vehicle includes a controller having actuators and a controller configured for executing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Shih-Ken Chen, Valery Pylypchuk, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 8634986
    Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) value for an electric power steering (EPS) system in a vehicle includes estimating a first Self-Aligning Torque (SAT) value using a tire dynamics model, which includes modeled dynamics in the linear region of a lateral force acting on the vehicle tires. The method also includes estimating a second SAT value using an extended state observer and nominal parameters for the EPS system, and calculating a variance between the first and second SAT values. The controller monitors a progression of the calculated variance over a calibrated interval using the controller to thereby determine the SOH value, and automatically executes a control action using the SOH value. An EPS system for a vehicle includes a steering wheel, torque and angle sensors, a rack and pinion assembly, a steering motor, and the controller. A vehicle is also disclosed having the same controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Publication number: 20130213123
    Abstract: A method for detecting and isolating an actual fault in a fuel delivery system having a fuel pump and a fuel pump motor, includes monitoring fuel pressure, pump current, and pump voltage. Each of a plurality of fault triggers are designated as one of flagged and un-flagged based on at least one of the fuel pressure, the pump current and the pump voltage. The actual fault in the fuel delivery system is isolated from a plurality of possible faults when a condition respective to one of the possible faults is satisfied based on at least one of the plurality of fault triggers designated as flagged and un-flagged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 8498775
    Abstract: A method of estimating a tire-road friction coefficient includes determining when the slope of a tire characteristic curve relating a utilized longitudinal friction of a tire to longitudinal slip of the tire is linear and non-linear. When the slope of the tire characteristic curve is linear, then the tire-road friction coefficient is estimated by correlating the slope of the tire characteristic curve to the tire-road friction coefficient. When the slope of the tire characteristic curve is non-linear, indicating that the tire is near or at saturation, then the tire-road friction coefficient is estimated by calculating a current utilized longitudinal friction of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Simon Yngve, Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 8494719
    Abstract: A controller of an active rear steering (ARS) control system includes a processor and a software module. The software module includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine rear steering angles, determine a vehicle state, determine shaping functions, and determine a rear steering command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Ross Feller, Kevin A. O'Dea, Edward J Argalas
  • Publication number: 20130184929
    Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mutasim A. Salman, Yilu Zhang, Mark N. Howell, Xidong Tang, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Patent number: 8473147
    Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) value for a fuel delivery system in a vehicle includes estimating speeds of a calibrated fuel pump and an actual fuel pump using an extended state observer, calculating a deviation between the estimated speeds, and determining the progress of the deviation over a calibrated interval. The method further includes calculating the SOH value using the progress of the deviation, and automatically executing a control action corresponding to the SOH value. The system may be an Electronic Returnless Fuel System, and the pump may be controlled using pulse width modulation. A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump operable for supplying fuel to the engine, a fuel tank containing the fuel pump, and a controller having the state observer noted above. A vehicle includes the fuel system, engine, and controller noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Publication number: 20130158833
    Abstract: A method for isolating an actual sensor bias in a fuel delivery system having a fuel pump includes monitoring first, second and third fuel pump parameters, detecting first and second fuel pump sensor biases based on the monitored first, second and third fuel pump parameters, modeling a fourth fuel pump modeled parameter based on the monitored second and third fuel pump parameters, and isolating the actual sensor bias in one of the detected first and second fuel pump biases based on the monitored third fuel pump parameter and the modeled fourth fuel pump modeled parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: YOUSSEF A. GHONEIM, MARK N. HOWELL
  • Publication number: 20130112173
    Abstract: An electric motor is configured to provide mechanical power to a fuel pump. A method for monitoring the fuel pump includes estimating a pump speed and a nominal pump motor current in relation to a pump motor control signal and a fuel pressure. An armature resistance and a back-emf constant for the electric motor are determined corresponding to the estimated pump speed, a monitored pump motor current, and the pump motor control signal. A nominal armature resistance and a nominal back-emf constant for the electric motor are adjusted in relation to a pump motor temperature. A plurality of residuals are calculated based upon the adjusted nominal armature resistance, the adjusted nominal back-emf constant for the electric motor, the estimated armature resistance and the estimated back-emf constant for the electric motor. The residuals are compared with corresponding thresholds. A fault in the electric motor is detected based upon the comparisons of the residuals with the corresponding thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Mark N. Howell
  • Patent number: 8417417
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Weiwen Deng, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Nikolai K. Moshohuk, Flavio Nardi, Jihan Ryu, Kevin A. O'Dea
  • Patent number: 8370038
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling at least one active subsystem in a vehicle chassis. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of evaluating a driver's driving style based on data (ax(K), ay(K)) representative of acceleration of the vehicle and setting an operating state of the subsystem according to the driving style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 8315764
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes monitoring desired vehicle dynamics, determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle dynamics and a real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution. The real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution is based upon a minimized center of gravity force error component, a minimized control energy component, and a maximized tire force reserve component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Weiwen Deng, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Valery Pylypchuk
  • Patent number: 8301340
    Abstract: A method is provided for jointly controlling a plurality n, n being an integer greater than 1, of devices connected to a same communication channel, each of said devices Dl, l=1, . . . , n, being capable of assuming a number ml of states. The method includes, but is not limited to unambiguously assigning to each combination of states of said n devices an integer code number M, wherein M ? [ x , x + ? l = 1 n ? ? m l [ , x being an arbitrary number, for a combination of states to be set in the devices, selecting the code number M assigned to said combination (m5), broadcasting (m2) said code number M to all devices Dl, l=1, . . . , n via said communication channel; decoding (s2), in each device, the state to be set in that device from said code number M; setting (s3) the decoded state in each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 8296014
    Abstract: A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to monitoring at least one quantity selected among vehicle sideslip, yaw rate error, understeer and quantities correlated to vehicle sideslip, yaw rate error or understeer, deciding that there is a risk of the vehicle becoming unstable if any of the monitored quantities or a quantity derived from one or more of the monitored quantities exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and if it is decided that there is a risk, issuing a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef Ghoneim
  • Publication number: 20120253588
    Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) value for an electric power steering (EPS) system in a vehicle includes estimating a first Self-Aligning Torque (SAT) value using a tire dynamics model, which includes modeled dynamics in the linear region of a lateral force acting on the vehicle tires. The method also includes estimating a second SAT value using an extended state observer and nominal parameters for the EPS system, and calculating a variance between the first and second SAT values. The controller monitors a progression of the calculated variance over a calibrated interval using the controller to thereby determine the SOH value, and automatically executes a control action using the SOH value. An EPS system for a vehicle includes a steering wheel, torque and angle sensors, a rack and pinion assembly, a steering motor, and the controller. A vehicle is also disclosed having the same controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Publication number: 20120245789
    Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) value for a fuel delivery system in a vehicle includes estimating speeds of a calibrated fuel pump and an actual fuel pump using an extended state observer, calculating a deviation between the estimated speeds, and determining the progress of the deviation over a calibrated interval. The method further includes calculating the SOH value using the progress of the deviation, and automatically executing a control action corresponding to the SOH value. The system may be an Electronic Returnless Fuel System, and the pump may be controlled using pulse width modulation. A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump operable for supplying fuel to the engine, a fuel tank containing the fuel pump, and a controller having the state observer noted above. A vehicle includes the fuel system, engine, and controller noted above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Publication number: 20120197469
    Abstract: A method for allocating forces among the corners of a vehicle having a redundant actuator suite includes determining a set of desired forces at the center of gravity of the vehicle, and allocating the set of desired forces among the corners of the vehicle as virtual control commands using a controller. The method also includes mapping the virtual control commands at the corners to actual or true control commands at the corners, and controlling a plurality of actuators at the corners using the actual or true control commands. The actuators may include friction brakes and wheel motors. Mapping the virtual control commands may include using a Least Squares formulation. Control of the actuators may be prioritized with respect to each other using weighting matrices. A vehicle includes a controller having actuators and a controller configured for executing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Shih-Ken Chen, Valery Pylypchuk, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Publication number: 20120179327
    Abstract: A method of estimating a tire-road friction coefficient includes determining when the slope of a tire characteristic curve relating a utilized longitudinal friction of a tire to longitudinal slip of the tire is linear and non-linear. When the slope of the tire characteristic curve is linear, then the tire-road friction coefficient is estimated by correlating the slope of the tire characteristic curve to the tire-road friction coefficient. When the slope of the tire characteristic curve is non-linear, indicating that the tire is near or at saturation, then the tire-road friction coefficient is estimated by calculating a current utilized longitudinal friction of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Simon Yngve, Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 8214106
    Abstract: A suspension control system for a motor vehicle having a chassis and wheels connected to the chassis by a suspension system the stiffness of which is variable under the control of the suspension control system comprises a controller adapted to modify autonomously the stiffness of the suspension system depending on a current state of motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef Ghoneim, Veit Held
  • Publication number: 20120065842
    Abstract: A controller of an active rear steering (ARS) control system includes a processor and a software module. The software module includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine rear steering angles, determine a vehicle state, determine shaping functions, and determine a rear steering command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Ross Feller, Kevin A. O'Dea, Edward J. Argalas