Engine Controlled By Transmission Patents (Class 477/107)
  • Patent number: 7278940
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with an engine output member and a transmission with two motor/generators and a transmission input member operatively connected to the engine output member. A control unit is configured to selectively cause a device to resist or prevent rotation of the input member in response to the existence of certain conditions, such as the engine not supplying torque to the transmission and the transmission being in reverse operating mode. Resisting or preventing rotation of the input member improves transmission performance when only the motor/generators are supplying torque to propel the vehicle. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony P. Tata, Kyle K. Kinsey, Robert D. Burns, Brendan M. Conlon, Donald P. Pfaff, Mark A. Theobald, Mark A. Damico
  • Patent number: 7280947
    Abstract: Featured are a system and method for designing a gear driving system. The designing system includes a characteristic setting section, calculating section and comparing section. The calculating section simulates an oscillation that is caused in the final gear of the gear driving system, based on the gear characteristic value(s) set in the characteristic setting section. The comparing section judges whether or not the frequency mid amplitude of the oscillation obtained by the simulation fall within an acceptable range. If the frequency and amplitude do not fall within the acceptable range, the characteristic changing section changes the setting of a gear characteristic value, and the processes of the calculating section and the comparing section, as well as that of the characteristic changing section are repeated until it is judged that one of the frequency or amplitude of the simulated oscillation falls within the acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiwamu Morita, Yoshinobu Okumura, Tomohiko Okada
  • Publication number: 20070225115
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure of each corresponding one of a plurality of friction elements of a gear shift mechanism of the automatic transmission is controlled to downshift the gear shift mechanism from a current gear stage to a next gear stage, at which an engine brake is operated, upon receiving a driver's demand for deceleration. An engine output of the engine is increased by increasing a throttle opening degree of the engine in at least two steps in an absence of a driver's operation on an accelerator of the vehicle at the time of the downshifting of the gear shift mechanism from the current gear stage to the next gear stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyori Nakajima, Takaji Murakawa, Tetsuji Kozaki
  • Patent number: 7274984
    Abstract: A side-slip velocity estimation module for a vehicle stability enhancement control system includes a side-slip acceleration estimation module that estimates a side-slip acceleration of a vehicle. A multiple-order integrator integrates the side-slip acceleration to generate an estimated side-slip velocity of the vehicle. A reset logic module clears an output of the multiple-order integrator when the vehicle experiences a straight-driving condition, when a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, and/or when a sensor bias condition occurs. The multiple-order integrator includes at least two accumulators and at least two feedback loops. The estimated side-slip velocity is a weighted sum of outputs of at least one of the at least two accumulators. A sum of the at least two feedback loops offsets the estimated side-slip acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kwang-Keun Shin, Shih-Ken Chen, William C Lin
  • Publication number: 20070213176
    Abstract: A vehicle power train control apparatus is provided that basically comprises an output characteristics changing section, an operation mode determining section and a control section. The output characteristics changing section changes engine output characteristics of a vehicle with respect to an operation of an accelerator pedal. The operation mode determining section determines an operation mode of the vehicle among a plurality of operation modes including at least a reacceleration response mode based on driving information of the vehicle. The control section controls the output characteristics changing section to change the engine output characteristics under a reduced accelerator position state during the reacceleration response mode to increase a driving force upon reacceleration of the vehicle when an accelerator position is increased after the vehicle was decelerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujii, Keizo Ishida, Kenichiro Murakami, Yoshinori Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7267632
    Abstract: A controller (50) controls the supply of oil pressure to a primary pulley (41) and a secondary pulley (42) of a belt-drive continuously variable transmission (1) in accordance with the depression amount of an accelerator pedal (81) of a vehicle. When slippage is detected in a V-belt (43) that is wrapped around the primary pulley (41) and secondary pulley (42), the controller (50) reduces the output torque of an engine (70) of the vehicle to stop the V-belt (43) from slipping. Meanwhile, damage to the V-belt (43) caused by slippage is prevented by reducing the oil pressure supply to the secondary pulley (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hideki Oshita, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Shouji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070208479
    Abstract: When a speed ratio, which is the ratio of the turbine speed to the engine speed, is equal to or less than 1, a driving torque converter dynamic characteristic model is used which is set based on a driving torque converter static characteristic in which the torque ratio decreases to 1 with an increase of the speed ratio. When the speed ratio is greater than 1, a driven torque converter dynamic characteristic model is used which is set based on a driven torque converter static characteristic in which the torque ratio is 1 regardless of the speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 7254472
    Abstract: A method of preventing undesirable vehicle behavior in a vehicle torque control system that includes determining an expected axle torque based on a vehicle speed, a powerplant profile, an accelerator pedal position and/or a cruise control signal. The method also includes estimating an actual axle torque of a powerplant based on a powerplant maximum torque, a throttle position and powertrain inefficiencies and converting the expected axle torque to an expected acceleration and the actual axle torque to an actual acceleration based on a wheel radius and a road load. The method further includes regulating a torque output of a powerplant when a rate-of-change in a difference between the expected acceleration and the estimated actual acceleration is greater than a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Larsen, Gene Dimarco, Timothy J. Hartrey, Tom C. Ender
  • Patent number: 7252623
    Abstract: A method is provided wherein when an auxiliary device is being powered by the PTO driveline the PTO clutch is periodically slowly ramped down in pressure until slippage is detected in the clutch. Slippage is determined by monitoring the shaft speed into the clutch as well as the shaft speed downstream of the clutch. By determining the commanded pressure where slippage occurred, the equivalent engine power that is going to the auxiliary function is calculated. With this information, the proportion of the engine load signal that is going to the auxiliary function versus the drive wheels is determined. After slip is detected in the PTO clutch, pressure is ramped back up in the clutch so as to minimize the amount of slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Duane Fredrick Meyer, Joel Lee Mason, Daniel Avery Allen, Bradley Allen Merrill
  • Publication number: 20070179014
    Abstract: A power output apparatus that suppresses wearing-out of the components of a transmission connected to a drive shaft and a rotating shaft of an electric motor as well as reducing the a shock imparted to the vehicle. The required drive power is output to the drive shaft by appropriately controlling and internal combustion engine, a power split device, the electric motor and a shifting portion. When the rotational speed of the drive shaft can be estimated, the speed ratio in the shifting portion is changed based on either the detected rotational speed of the drive shaft or the estimated rotational speed of the drive shaft and the rotational speed of the rotating shaft. However, when the rotational speed of the drive shaft cannot be estimated, the speed ratio is maintained in the shifting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Endo, Masashi Yoshimi, Shinichi Sasade, Kazuo Kawaguchi, Yoichi Tajima, Shinobu Nishiyama, Kazuomi Okasaka
  • Patent number: 7247126
    Abstract: Whenever a 4 to 3 shift condition is satisfied during a 3 to 4 upshift, 4 to 3 shifting is started before the 3 to 4 shifting is finished. The 4 to 3 shifting is executed according to a predetermined hydraulic control pattern. Therefore, responsiveness in shifting is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Shim, Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 7247115
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain (1) in a motor vehicle is disclosed, in particular in an off-road vehicle with a drive unit (2), a multi-group transmission (4) and an output. The multi-group transmission (4) comprises at least an automatic gearbox (8) and a subsequent range transfer box (9) which may be switched by means of switching elements (24, 25). On changing the ratio in the range transfer box (9), a synchronisation of the switching element (24 or 25), for switching in the range transfer box (9), is carried out by means of a controller of switching elements in the automatic gearbox (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Pelchen, Detlef Baasch, Barbara Schmohl, Ünal Gazyakan
  • Patent number: 7236871
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to control acceleration of a vehicle equipped with an electrically variable transmission and including a regenerative braking system, each are operably connected to a vehicle driveline. The method and apparatus include determining which one of a preselected shift selector position for the transmission is commanded, and determining operator demand for acceleration, using inputs from throttle pedal and brake pedal. Vehicle acceleration is measured, and magnitude of commanded torque transferred from the electrically variable transmission and the regenerative braking system to the vehicle driveline is controlled based upon the commanded preselected shift selector position, the operator demand for acceleration, and the measured vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Todd M. Steinmetz, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Larry T. Nitz
  • Patent number: 7236869
    Abstract: A torque prediction module for an automatic transmission system includes a throttle-based torque prediction module. The throttle-based torque prediction module determines a first predicted torque of an engine in a vehicle that is based on a position of a throttle, an ambient air pressure, an intake temperature, and an engine speed. A torque offset module determines a torque offset that is based on the first predicted torque and a second predicted torque of the engine that is based on a mass airflow in an intake manifold of the engine. A blended torque module determines a third predicted torque of the engine that is based on the torque offset and the second predicted torque. A line pressure control module adjusts a line pressure of the automatic transmission based on the third predicted torque. An ECCC control module adjusts an amount of slip in an ECCC based on the third predicted torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie M. Buckley, Amanda P. Wilson, David W. Wright
  • Patent number: 7235033
    Abstract: A combustion engine (1) for a motor vehicle, having electronic members (20, 23) with memory function for controlling the output torque of the engine at least in dependence on signals representing an injected quantity of fuel. Reference values of engine torque at different rev speeds are stored in the control members. A torque transmitter (24) detects and transmits to the control members a signal representing the current output torque. The control members compare the current torque with the stored reference value in order to determine whether the performance of the engine is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Marcus Steen
  • Patent number: 7235034
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a vehicle having a combustion engine (1) with valves (7, 8) adapted to have variable valve timing and/or valve lift height. The valves are provided with operating devices (9,10) that are controlled by electronic controlling devices (3), which are arranged, while the vehicle is being driven, with the aid of entered information about at least the gradient of the road and the throttle position, to calculate future resistance to forward motion and the period of time to a future transient in the engine's operating condition, for example in association with a future change of engine operating mode and/or a future gear change in a gearbox (2) connected to the engine. The controlling devices are arranged to control valve timing and/or the valve lift height during the period of time for optimization of the engine's performance, once the transient has arisen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Sixten Berglund, Anders Eriksson, Marcus Steen, Soren Udd
  • Patent number: 7226387
    Abstract: A system is provided for regulating a ground speed of a vehicle having an engine and a variable transmission that is driven by the engine. The system includes a mode selector that is movable for selection between a high speed mode of operation and a deceleration mode of operation. The system also includes a controller connected in communication with the mode selector and a manual input. The controller is configured to receive and store a deceleration gear value via the manual input for operation of the system. When the mode selector is selectively positioned for the deceleration mode of operation, the controller is operatively connected to cause the engine to operate at a deceleration engine speed value, and to cause the transmission to automatically shift to the deceleration gear value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Warren L. Thompson, Rex L. Ruppert
  • Patent number: 7220215
    Abstract: Motor-driven cargo vehicle with an automated clutch (33) and gearbox (39) between the engine (31) and the vehicle drive wheels. The gearbox and the clutch are controlled by an electronic control unit (19) depending on a set position of a manual gear selector (53). The control unit is arranged, when starting off with the gear selector in the position for automatic shifting, to select the highest gear speed which makes starting off of the vehicle possible with the available torque at engine idle speed, introducing an amount of energy from the engine to the clutch which at most amounts to a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Marcus Steén
  • Patent number: 7222012
    Abstract: A powertrain braking system for a vehicle includes an powerplant that can be regulated to provide a desired powerplant torque and a transmission that transfers the desired powerplant torque at one of a plurality of gear ratios to provide a desired axle torque. A control module calculates an axle torque command based on a powertrain braking request and determines a shift command based on the powertrain braking request. The control module controls the powerplant based on the axle torque command and the transmission based on the shift command to achieve a desired vehicle deceleration rate that corresponds with the powertrain braking request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 7214162
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided to synchronize the engine rotational speed during a gear shifting operation of a transmission by feedback-controlling the engine rotational speed at a level of response that is well-suited to the needs of the driver. When the transmission downshifts under conditions in which a brake switch is OFF and an accelerator pedal is completely released, the feedback gain used to feedback-control the engine rotational speed is set in such a manner that the engine rotational speed converges in a stable manner toward a target rotational speed (synchronization rotational speed) and gear shift shock is alleviated. Meanwhile, when the transmission downshifts under conditions in which the brake switch is ON or the accelerator pedal is depressed, the feedback gain is set in such a manner that the engine rotational speed approaches the target rotational speed quickly and a high gear shift response is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shimada
  • Patent number: 7211027
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission. The apparatus is operable upon generation of an engine-output control command requiring an output of the engine during a shift-up action of the transmission initiated in the absence of the engine-output control command, and includes a shifting-progress calculating portion operable to calculate a degree of progress of the shift-up action of the transmission after a moment of generation of the engine-output control command, on the basis of a change of a rotating speed of a rotary element which changes with the progress of the shift-up action, and a gradual-engine-torque-increase control portion operable to control the engine on the basis of the degree of progress of the shift-up action calculated by the shifting-progress calculating portion, so as to gradually increase an output torque of the engine with the progress of the shift-up action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyuki Sakamoto, Yasunari Nakamura, Masayasu Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 7207923
    Abstract: The method for reducing shift shock of an automatic transmission includes: detecting a current power-on upshift state; and performing a first engine torque reduction control according to an engine torque or a throttle valve opening position at an instance of a shift begin point, if the current power-on upshift state is a normal power-on upshift state. The method also includes performing a second engine torque reduction control according to an engine torque or a throttle valve opening position even after the shift begin point, if there is a power change during a power-on upshift or a current upshift is a shift during a shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Joung Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 7204787
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (5) of a vehicle performs a downshift operation when a downshift signal is ON. When the downshift signal is ON, a controller (12) increases an output torque of an engine (1) so that a predetermined torque increase amount is realized. The controller (12) sets a torque increase permission period which is shorter, the larger the predetermined torque increase amount is (S209), and when the elapsed time from when the downshift signal is ON reaches the torque increase permission period, unnecessary increase of engine rotation speed and excessive torque load on the automatic transmission (5) are prevented by terminating increase of output torque (S211, S214).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Maekawa, Yoshitaka Matsuki
  • Patent number: 7203586
    Abstract: A controller for a contact mechanism for preventing a lack of a pressing force applied from a contacting member to a contacted member when determining a control input to an actuator moving the contacting member by a position control. The controller sets a target position of the contacting member, grasps an actual position of the contacting member, determines a control input to the actuator (so as to increase an output of the actuator along with an increase in a difference between the target position and the actual position of the contacting member to eliminate the difference), and detects that the contacting member contacts the contacted member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanako Shimojo, Yuji Yasui
  • Patent number: 7200476
    Abstract: A preferred input torque for a hybrid powertrain is determined within a solution space of feasible input torques in accordance with a plurality of powertrain system constraints that results in a minimum overall powertrain system loss. System power losses and battery utilization costs are calculated at feasible input torques and a solution for the input torque corresponding to the minimum total powertrain system loss is converged upon to determine the preferred input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Anthony H. Heap, Gregory A. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 7195579
    Abstract: An actuation enhancement for an automated vehicle inter-axle differential (IAD) locking system. The vehicle having an engine and a tandem drive axle. The IAD actuation enhancement locking system comprises a rotating sliding clutch and a rotating side helical gear, which are capable of an engagement mode and a disengagement mode, a microprocessor, and an electrical connection between the microprocessor and an engine electronic control unit. When the sliding clutch and the helical gear are placed in the engagement mode or are placed in the disengagement mode, the microprocessor momentarily communicates a data link message to the engine electronic control unit to break engine torque, to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the sliding clutch and the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Claussen, Leo J. Wenstrup
  • Patent number: 7194348
    Abstract: A high acceleration time shift control apparatus and method for a vehicle is provided. The high acceleration time shift control apparatus includes a transmission which achieves plural shift speeds whose gear ratios are different from each other; and a high acceleration time upshifting control device which changes a shift speed of the transmission to a higher speed based on a predetermined determination rotational speed such that an input rotational speed of the transmission substantially reaches a target maximum rotational speed when a request for high acceleration is made by a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Wada, Yoshiharu Harada, Masayasu Mizobuchi, Naoyuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7179196
    Abstract: A transmission controller commands a demand torque of an engine to an engine controller according to an actual secondary pulley pressure that is detected by a secondary pulley pressure sensor when a vehicle speed is 0 km/h and a state wherein gear ratio is equal to or higher than a predetermined gear ratio is continued for a first predetermined time or more. Thereby, since an input torque corresponding to a secondary pulley pressure which is actually generated is inputted to a primary pulley even when a failure occurs in the secondary pulley rotation sensor, engine performance of a vehicle can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hideki Oshita, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue, Masahiro Yamamoto, Kousuke Abe
  • Patent number: 7169080
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and a switching mechanism for switching between an all-cylinder operation in which all of the plurality of cylinders are operated and a partial-cylinder operation in which at least one of the plurality of cylinders is halted. A condition for performing the partial-cylinder operation is determined, based on the detected operating parameters of the vehicle driven by the engine. A result of the determination is modified so that the partial-cylinder operation may be continued, when the detected operating parameters satisfy a predetermined continuation condition within a predetermined time period from the time a vehicle operating state where the condition for performing the partial-cylinder operation is satisfied, has changed to another vehicle operating state where the condition for performing the partial-cylinder operation is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Takagi, Yasuaki Asaki, Nobuyuki Kawaguchi, Makoto Segawa, Hirosuke Niwa
  • Patent number: 7169079
    Abstract: A control apparatus and method control a torque of an engine coupled to an input shaft of an automatic transmission during a shift by that automatic transmission. A torque-down control by which the engine torque is decreased by a predetermined amount is performed, a torque-restore control starting point at which time torque-restore control is to be started is determined, and the torque-restore control so as to gradually restore the engine torque to a value before the torque-down control was performed is started at the torque-restore control starting point. The torque-restore control starting point is determined according to a dynamic model which simulates behavior of the automatic transmission over time from start of the torque-down control, so that a rotational speed of the input shaft of the automatic transmission at a target point substantially matches a target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Norimi Asahara, Katsumi Kono, Ryoichi Hibino, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Masataka Osawa
  • Patent number: 7160223
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting stalling of an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining whether the engine is running, determining whether a gear ratio of a power transfer unit is selected, starting a timer, and implementing a stall mitigation strategy. The stall mitigation strategy is terminated when a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dan Colvin
  • Patent number: 7144350
    Abstract: A method and device for error control procedure of an electronic control device of an automatic transmission, especially an automated shift transmission, disposed within the drive train of a motor vehicle, wherein the control device in the error-free state produces signals calling for predetermined torques from an engine under predetermined operating conditions according to which the torque produced by the engine is controlled, in which method a requested value that is a function of the requested torque is compared to a predetermined limit value and an error signal is produced if the requested value exceeds the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Andreas Maxon, Jürgen Eich
  • Patent number: 7141001
    Abstract: A method and system for improving fuel economy in a vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine, and a suspension air-spring automatic pneumatic control system. The internal combustion engine is controlled by an electronic engine control module. A load signal representative of the cargo load is generated and fed to the engine control module to cause the engine control module to enter a reduced horsepower mode of operation when the vehicle is less than fully loaded. Alternatively, the load signal is used as a basis for attenuating a fuel demand signal generated by the accelerator pedal deflection when the driver presses the accelerator pedal. The attenuated fuel demand signal is input to the engine control module, causing the engine control module to reduce the fuel consumed by the engine when the vehicle is less than fully loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel Albanesi
  • Patent number: 7134984
    Abstract: A fuel cut control system for an internal combustion engine is arranged to generate a fuel cut command when a predetermined engine operating condition is satisfied, to start a fuel cut of stopping a fuel supply to engine when a delay time elapses from a moment at which the fuel cut command is generated, and to shorten the delay time when the fuel cut command is generated during a downshift of a transmission drivingly connected with the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takada, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Tetsuo Enomoto, Kenichiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 7128687
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve operation in an internal combustion engine. Valves are controlled to improve vehicle drivability and reduce vehicle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7125363
    Abstract: A control method for suppressing a blow-up phenomenon during a power-on 2-3 upshift is provided. Disclosed steps include determining whether a predetermined shift compensation control entrance condition exists, determining whether a blow-up occurs if it is determined that the predetermined shift compensation control entrance condition exists, calculating an amount of the blow-up if it is determined that the blow-up occurs, performing a hydraulic duty compensation for an off-going friction element based on the amount of the blow-up, and performing an engine torque compensation based on a transmission output shaft rpm and a turbine torque. A system employing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Soo Shim
  • Patent number: 7121977
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle. According to an embodiment of the invention, the controlling of a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle is accomplished by determining the target engine speed for a vehicle during a vehicle launch. If it is determined that there is a high throttle demand upon the engine of the vehicle, a throttle ramp rate offset amount is determined, which is based upon an estimated weight of the vehicle. A default high throttle ramp rate may then be adjusted based upon the determined throttle ramp rate offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald K. Markyvech
  • Patent number: 7119506
    Abstract: A motor control for an electric motor powered vehicle having an accelerator control connected to a control circuit for supplying the desired driving power that senses possible errors of various types and stops the supply of driving power until normal operation resumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Moric
    Inventor: Satoshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7115065
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle including a target-drive-force setting portion operable to determine a target vehicle drive force, such that the determined target vehicle drive force permits a smooth change of an actual vehicle drive force with a change of the operating amount of the vehicle accelerating member, irrespective of a shifting action of the transmission, a first controlling portion having a relatively high operating response and operable to effect a transient control of a torque of the drive power source, and a second controlling portion having lower operating response than the first controlling portion but is capable of continuously controlling the torque of the drive power source, the second controlling portion being operable to effect a continuous control of the torque of the drive power source following the transient control by the first controlling portion, so that the actual vehicle drive force coincides with said target vehicle drive force after the shifting action of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Akira Hoshino, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 7112160
    Abstract: In an intake system for an engine that includes plural throttle bodies 2 to 4 having throttle valves for changing an intake passage area, the plural throttle bodies 2 to 4 include manually driven side throttle bodies 2 to 4, which have manually driven side throttle valves 2b to 4b that are opened and closed by a throttle operation of a rider, and an electrically driven side throttle body 5, which has an electrically driven side throttle valve 5b that is opened and closed by an electric motor 11, and the intake system includes a valve opening control means 15 that controls an opening of the electrically driven side throttle valve 5b such that a specific output characteristic corresponding to an operating state of an engine is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichirou Yoda, Yuuji Oku, Hirokazu Fujita
  • Patent number: 7101312
    Abstract: A vehicular powertrain includes a throttle controlled engine and a power take-off system for driving external loads. A power take-off control executed in a first processor seeks to have engine control authority in accordance with operator invoked switch states including an enable switch and set switches. Power take-off switch data is provided to a second processor to determine the power take-off system status and provide an integrity diagnosis of the power take-off system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Barbara A. Shuler, Mark H. Costin
  • Patent number: 7101313
    Abstract: A driver-initiated low traction control method limits the drive torque of a motor vehicle during operation on low traction road surfaces. The low traction control mode is initiated by actuation of a switch or by moving a transmission range selector to a Low range while the vehicle is substantially stopped, and terminated by further actuation of the switch or by returning the range selector back to the Drive setting. The low traction control mode limits the engine torque as required to limit the drive wheel torque and its rate of change, so long as cruise control is inactive, the accelerator pedal setting is less than a reference level, and the transmission is operating in a gear other than its top gear. When the low traction control mode is terminated, the engine torque limits are progressively removed in a way that does not produce perceptible acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Kresse, Ronald P. Hitch, Gregory A. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 7094176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out gear shifting in a twin-clutch gearbox comprising at least two gearbox input shafts which are respectively coupled to the engine by means of a clutch. According to the invention, after recognizing a desire to change gear, the clutch associated with the active torque transmitting gearbox input shaft is opened until the slip limit is reached and the engine torque is controlled according to the type of shifting in order to achieve the vehicle acceleration desired by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Lidvar Budal, Wolfgang Niessen, Dietmar Lang, Alexander Schweizer, Brad Shellhammer, Jeremy Whitmer
  • Patent number: 7096106
    Abstract: A method for regulating and/or controlling an engine-transmission unit in a motor vehicle includes prioritizing torque demands to obtain an only torque value, storing the only torque value as a current successful situation and retaining the torque value for the previous successful situation, and processing the torque value of the current successful situation as well as the torque value of the previous successful situation to comparable torque values in each case required for the implementation of the demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Krenn, Lothar Wolf, Hubert Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7090616
    Abstract: In the method for kick-down switching speed optimization in a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, the kick-down upshift point is determined as a function of the load conditions and the road inclination in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 7083543
    Abstract: A method of setting a setpoint operating state of a hybrid drive of a vehicle, where the hybrid drive includes as drive motors an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor, and the output shafts of the drive motors are mechanically linkable to a drive train of the vehicle. Depending on the instantaneous power demand on the drive motors of the hybrid drive and the instantaneous power capacity of the drive motors of the hybrid drive, an optimal crankshaft speed of the combustion engine may be determined, and this crankshaft speed may be set by coordinated actuation of the drive motors of the hybrid drive, while maintaining the instantaneous power demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Loeffler, Stefan Tumback
  • Patent number: 7077784
    Abstract: A system for controlling engine crankshaft deceleration in an internal combustion engine is operable to determine whether the engine is operating with low inertia, to monitor an operational status of an engine retarding device configured to produce an engine retarding torque for decreasing rotational speed of the engine crankshaft, and to limit the retarding torque produced by the engine retarding device if the engine retarding device is operational and if the engine is operating with low inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Banta, III, Robert J. Layman, Martin T. Books, Greg A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7059998
    Abstract: An engine control system transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. The engine control system includes a clutch plate position sensor and a shifter shaft position sensor in communication with a controller. The controller determines if conditions to increase or reduce the number of active cylinders based on data collected from the position sensors, engine speed, and manifold absolute pressure. Prediction of the driver's next movements is the basis of the control. The sensors provide the history, averages, acceleration data, and velocity data, which lead to the driver's intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Bolander, Gregory P. Matthews, Alexander J. Roberts, Jeffrey J. Allen
  • Patent number: 7059997
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, continuously variable transmission and a controller. The engine has an engine shaft and plural cylinders. A number of activated cylinders among the plural cylinders is variable. The continuously variable transmission is configured to transmit a rotation of the engine shaft to wheels of a vehicle at a transmission ratio which is continuously variable. The controller is configured to control the engine to change the number of activated cylinders keeping an engine power generated by the engine to be substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Masataka Osawa
  • Patent number: 7055473
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine body. A combustion chamber is formed in the engine body and has at least one valve seat. A valve is configured to move between an open position and a closed position of the valve seat. A valve actuator is configured to actuate the valve. A variable valve timing mechanism is configured to change an actuating timing of the valve actuator at which the valve actuator actuates the valve. At least one sensor configured to sense and operational condition of the engine. A control device is configured to determine if the engine is operating in a cruising mode. The control device is also configured to reduce engine speed fluctuations during the cruising mode by adjusting the actuating timing of the valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Goichi Katayama