Speed, Acceleration, Deceleration Patents (Class 701/110)
  • Patent number: 9158926
    Abstract: An engine control unit configuration security system receives a request with a serial number associated with an engine control unit and a requested engine control unit change. The system determines that the requested engine control unit change is approved and in response generates a code including a serial number associated with the engine control unit and an instruction that causes the engine control unit to implement the requested engine control unit change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared J. Wentz, Lori J. Welch
  • Patent number: 9133775
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a misfire indication module, a valve control module, and a fault indication module. The misfire indication module selectively indicates that misfire occurred within a cylinder of an engine. The valve control module controls lifting of a valve of a cylinder of the engine and, in response to the misfire indication module indicating that misfire occurred within the cylinder, transitions lifting of the valve from one of a low lift state and a high lift state to the other one of the low lift state and the high lift state. The fault indication module selectively indicates that a fault is present in a variable valve lift (VVL) mechanism of the cylinder based on whether the misfire indication module indicates that misfire occurred within the cylinder after the transition to the other one of the low lift state and the high lift state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Brian E. Betz, Hugh William Miller
  • Patent number: 9086018
    Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine includes maintaining the gas turbine engine at the dwelling speed after light-off until a predetermined magnitude of combustor warm-up is determined then increasing the speed of the starter motor to accelerate the gas turbine engine after the predetermined magnitude of combustor warm-up is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Winston, Andre M. Ajami
  • Patent number: 9075406
    Abstract: A control device for internal combustion engine including: a corrector for correcting an target value of each object to be controlled; a predictor for predicting a future state of each of the objects when the objects are controlled according to an initial-target-value or a corrected-target-value of each object; and a determiner for determining whether or not the future state of each object satisfies a constraint condition for the internal combustion engine, wherein the correction of the target value of each object, the prediction of the future state of each object based on the corrected target value corrected by the correction, and the determination whether or not the predicted future state of each object satisfies the constraint condition are repeated until determined so that the predicted future state satisfies the constraint condition. Furthermore, the state of the object to be predicted is the state in the future after a limited predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hayato Nakada
  • Patent number: 9052987
    Abstract: A vehicle information system for a motor vehicle is equipped with at least two engines, with at least two vehicle controllers each allocated to an engine. Each vehicle controller exhibits at least two distance measuring devices, which are designed to acquire the distances covered by the motor vehicle with the respective engine, a current consumption acquisition device, which is designed to acquire the current consumption of the respective engine, and an output device, which is designed to output the acquired distances and acquired current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tobias Schneider, Roland Bauer, Alexander Weber
  • Publication number: 20150149065
    Abstract: A method controls an internal combustion engine that has a drive output shaft connected to an input shaft of a transmission. The internal combustion engine, the transmission and a drive wheel are encompassed by a drivetrain for the drive of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational acceleration of the input shaft and determining an input torque at the input shaft of the transmission based on a product of the rotational acceleration and a speed reduction ratio-dependent moment of inertia of the drivetrain in a section between the input shaft and the drive wheel. A combustion torque of the internal combustion engine is controlled such that the input torque adheres to a predetermined maximum input torque at the input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Baur, Moritz Martiny
  • Publication number: 20150149064
    Abstract: A method of controlling traveling of a vehicle may include a measuring step that measures a longitudinal acceleration sensing value by a longitudinal acceleration sensor on a vehicle, a longitudinal acceleration calculating step that calculates a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle from a speed of the vehicle, a slope degree calculating step that calculates a slope degree of a ground on which the vehicle is, from the longitudinal acceleration sensing value and the calculated longitudinal acceleration, a determining step that determines a slope direction and a slope level of the ground from the calculated slope degree, and a controlling step that provides in advance a torque amount, which is distributed from main driving wheels to sub-driving wheels for traveling, to a power distribution device, at different levels in accordance with the slope direction and the slope level of the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Keun LIM, Ji Soo LEE, Heon KANG
  • Patent number: 9037385
    Abstract: Providing an engine speed control device and an engine speed control method, wherein the no-load condition of the farm working machine can be estimated independently of the farm working machine and a no-loading operation condition of the engine can be automatically shifted to an idling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maki, Yukiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9031727
    Abstract: A vehicle running control device in a vehicle includes a power connecting/disconnecting device interrupting power transmission between an engine and drive wheels, the vehicle running control device providing free-run control of interrupting the power transmission with the power connecting/disconnecting device and stopping the engine during inertia running, the vehicle running control device being configured to determine a target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control based on a vehicle speed and to estimate an estimated vehicle deceleration when the free-run control is started, before starting the free-run control, and when the estimated vehicle deceleration is closer to the target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control, the free-run control being more easily provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 9031766
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle is disclosed in which a torque request signal supplied to control the supply of torque from the engine is adaptively modified based upon a desired maximum acceleration limit for the currently engaged gear and variations in the sum of forces resisting motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen DeLaSalle, Owen Fraser Wood, Peter Douglas Devonport, Chris John Kaven, Richard Andrew Powell
  • Publication number: 20150127242
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a vehicle obtains information indicating a relationship between an instruction value to be provided to an actuator in accordance with a driving condition of a vehicle and a torque capacity of a clutch. The control apparatus includes a table holding unit that stores a correction table to be applied under a condition when an output torque from the engine is increasing and a correction table to be applied under a condition when an output torque from the engine is decreasing, a gear change condition determining unit that determines under which condition a gear change is executed, and a correction table update unit that updates the correction table to be applied under the determined condition based on the information indicating a relationship between a target value and an actual value of the torque capacity generated at the inertia phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9026343
    Abstract: Operational efficiency and/or control systems and methods for vehicles are provided in order to improve fuel efficiency when traveling in a fuel powered vehicle from point A to point B. The systems and methods can determine the “best” or most efficient route to take based on one or more priorities, make driving recommendations to the operator, and/or automatically control one or more systems (e.g., engine, brakes, transmission, etc.) of the vehicle. The systems and methods can calculate the “best” route based on predefined trip requirements, including cost, schedule, route preferences, and/or risk of potential delays, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Wesley Mays
  • Publication number: 20150120173
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle includes a controller configured to control vehicle speed around a plurality of target vehicle speeds based on respective accelerator pedal positions. This control operates when the vehicle is operating outside of a constant speed control process. The current target vehicle speed can be used as a desired constant speed when the vehicle is operating within a constant speed control process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Publication number: 20150112577
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a vehicle provided with operation selection mode. In particular, the present invention is related to a common rail electronically controlled vehicle provided with operation selection mode wherein the user can select either of the power mode and the economy mode of vehicle operation depending on the road conditions. The system of the present invention provides a system to enable selection of power mode operation for power conscious driving requirement or economy mode operation for fuel conscious driving option obviating the use of additional interface devices between engine and engine control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
    Inventors: Ramasamy Velusamy, Rehan Shaik
  • Patent number: 9014951
    Abstract: A method and a system for correcting an engine torque based on a vehicle load may include: determining whether a vehicle load determination condition is satisfied continuously for a predetermined maintaining time, determining an average engine torque for the predetermined maintaining time if the vehicle load determination condition is satisfied continuously, determining whether the average engine torque is larger than a predetermined engine torque, determining a ratio of the average engine torque and the predetermined engine torque if the average engine torque is larger than the predetermined engine torque, determining a correction factor using the ratio of the average engine torque and the predetermined engine torque, and determining the engine torque using the correction factor and a predetermined normal torque filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 9002590
    Abstract: A first target engine speed N1 and a high-speed control area F1 are set according to a command value commanded by a command unit. A second target engine speed N2 and a high-speed control area F2 defined on a low-speed side are set according to the first target engine speed N1. A pump displacement D and an engine torque T of a variable displacement hydraulic pump are detected so that a target engine speed N corresponding to each of the detected pump displacement and engine torque is detected according to a preset relationship between a the pump displacement D and the target engine speed N and a preset relationship between the engine torque T and the target engine speed N during an engine control at the high-speed control area F2. The drive of the engine is controlled so that the engine is driven at the target engine speed N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Akiyama, Hisashi Asada, Takeshi Ooi
  • Patent number: 9002626
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a vehicular navigation control interface are included in the present disclosure. Some embodiments include a navigation system and a vehicle with a vehicle control module (VCM), a navigation control module (NCM), and a navigation control interface, where the VCM receives a manual command from an operator to implement a manual control function. In some embodiments the NCM receives an automatic command from the navigation system to implement an automatic control function via the VCM and the navigation control interface directly connects the VCM and the NCM to facilitate communication between the VCM and NCM for implementing automatic mode and for reporting implementation of a manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Company
    Inventors: Lucas B. Waltz, Bing Zheng, Thomas L. Mallak, Steve Mangette
  • Patent number: 9002550
    Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 9002617
    Abstract: A feedback control system is provided and includes a controller to control an operation of a motive element in accordance with current and previous measured states. The controller includes a servo, a processor and an event trigger controller. The event trigger controller is configured to cause the processor to command the servo to perform model based control (MBC) executions in an event a difference between the current and previous measured states exceeds a threshold based on the previous measured state or the current measured state exceeds a limit, and skip the MBC executions in an event the difference does not exceed the threshold and the current measured state does not exceed the limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Olgu Tanriverdi
  • Publication number: 20150094936
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle which is equipped with an engine and having an Eco-mode in which torque of the engine is restricted includes an accelerator, an accelerator opening detector that detects an opening of the accelerator, a vehicle speed detector that detects a speed of the vehicle, an engine speed detector that detects a speed of the engine, and a torque restriction releasing unit which, when the torque of the engine is restricted, if conditions that the opening of the accelerator detected by the accelerator opening detector is a first predetermined value or greater, that the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detector is a second predetermined value or smaller and that the engine speed detected by the engine speed detector is a third predetermined value or smaller are satisfied, releases the torque restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yukikazu KOIDE, Norihiko KATO
  • Patent number: 8996278
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine, which includes control unit that has a processor with a plurality of cores and that computes various tasks associated with operation of the internal combustion engine, the control unit includes a selecting unit, that selects at least one core used in the computation from among the plurality of cores, a computing unit that distributes the tasks to the at least one core selected by the selecting unit to perform computation, and an acquisition unit that acquires an engine, rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and, when the engine rotational speed acquired by the acquisition unit is higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the selecting unit increases the number of the cores selected as compared with when the acquired engine rotational speed is lower than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hayato Nakada, Akira Ohata, Keisuke Osakabe
  • Patent number: 8991338
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine capable of being intermittently stopped after it is started; a water pump for circulating cooling water, and an ECU. When the cooling water has low temperature the ECU controls the water pump to limit the flow rate of the cooling water to be smaller than when the cooling water has high temperature. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the ECU sets lower a threshold value of the cooling water's temperature for permitting intermittently stopping the engine than when the cooling water does not have a limited flow rate. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the engine can nonetheless be intermittently stopped at an appropriate time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Teraya
  • Patent number: 8989991
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for processing a fuel cut starting or releasing the fuel cut using a tilt angle of a vehicle or a clearance angle of an acceleration pedal. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention can reflect driving habit or acceleration intention of a driver by interlocking a clearance angle of the acceleration pedal in addition to starting or releasing a fuel cut according to a tilt angle of a vehicle, thereby increasing fuel efficiency driving or convenience of driving. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention can improve stability of driving by applying a haptic technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Back Kim, Hae Dong Lee, Kee Koo Kwon, Gwang Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20150073681
    Abstract: Engine control systems having rotational sensors and controllers, and associated methods and systems, are disclosed herein. An engine control system in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a drum operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine. The drum can include a pattern positioned on its surface and a sensor can be positioned proximate to the drum to read the pattern and/or write a new pattern. A rod can operably couple the drum to an engine input mechanism and operate to axially move the drum. The axial movement of the drum can shift the pattern to different portions, resulting in a change in the timing for an engine event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8977426
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for determining accelerometer thresholds based upon decoding a vehicle identification number (VIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Charles Cawse
  • Patent number: 8972163
    Abstract: Approaches for indicating vehicle fuel efficiency for vehicle usage patterns are provided. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to a user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. The fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze usage patterns of a vehicle; a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the usage patterns; and a notification component configured to: provide a real-time notification to a user of the vehicle indicating each of the following via a feedback device within the vehicle: a numerical representation of the vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for each of the plurality of recurring driver habits; and a monetary value indicating an amount of money sacrificed by at least one vehicle usage pattern that is contributing to inefficient vehicle fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rendell L. Green, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Richard H. Stephen
  • Patent number: 8965614
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided in which after a determination is made as to whether the remaining capacity is higher than a first threshold value, any one of a first running mode, a second running mode, and a third running mode is selected depending on first speed, second speed, or third speed so that the vehicle runs in the mode, whereby the vehicle can run by easily selecting an appropriate series hybrid mode or an appropriate parallel hybrid mode in each range depending on whether the remaining capacity is higher than the first threshold value, and running control can be made stable and easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nissato
  • Patent number: 8965660
    Abstract: A first calculation device is provided that calculates a ratio of a target torque equivalent value of an engine to a maximum torque equivalent value of the engine, as a pressure ratio equivalent value. A second calculation device is also provided that calculates a flow velocity of air to flowing through a throttle valve in the engine, based on the pressure ratio equivalent value calculated by the first calculation device. A third calculation device is further provided that calculates a target throttle valve opening, based on the flow velocity calculated by the second calculation device. With this configuration, the target opening of a throttle valve corresponding to the requested engine torque, without using the pressures before and after the throttle valve section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyata, Katsunori Ueda, Koji Shibata, Hiroaki Ueno
  • Patent number: 8958969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine in a coasting operating mode in which the motor vehicle rolls essentially in a propulsionless fashion and essentially without a perceptible engine drag torque on an essentially level road if there is no propulsion request or braking request from a driver of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the coasting operating mode is not brought about by automatically opening the drivetrain but rather is simulated with the clutch closed in that so much air/fuel mixture is fed to the internal combustion engine that the engine drag torque is largely but not completely compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Christen, Andreas R. Schamel, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner, Uwe Gussen
  • Patent number: 8954259
    Abstract: An electronic control unit executes torque suppression control for reducing engine torque at the time of strong accelerator operation on the basis of an execution condition that a period of time elapsed from when an ignition switch is turned on is shorter than a prescribed period of time. By so doing, the torque suppression control is executed only when the elapsed period of time is short, a vehicle is still running in a parking lot and it is less likely that a driver performs accelerator operation with the intention to suddenly accelerate the vehicle; whereas, when the elapsed period of time is longer than a certain period of time and the vehicle is presumably running on an ordinary road, the torque suppression control is not executed, and acceleration of the vehicle along with the driver's intention is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 8948964
    Abstract: A control unit of a vehicle control system estimates running-condition of a vehicle for a predetermined estimation period. A fuel-amount estimating portion estimates an engine condition related to a cooling efficiency, based on the estimated running condition. The control unit estimates multiple possible control patterns and calculates evaluation values related to the cooling efficiency for respective cases, in which a compressor is operated in accordance with each of the control patterns. The control unit selects one of control patterns to actually operate the compressor in accordance with the selected control pattern, so that fuel consuming amount can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Liangchen Pan
  • Publication number: 20150032360
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft which rotates at an engine speed, a transmission having a rotatable input member, a transmission control module (TC), and an engine control module (ECM) in communication with the TCM. The TCM is programmed to execute a transmission-to-engine speed monitoring and control method which includes transmitting an engine speed request to the ECM which requests a positive increase in the engine speed, and terminating the request when the request is active for more than a first calibrated timeout duration. The TCM also terminates the request when the request is active for more than a second calibrated duration that is less than the first calibrated duration, the transmission is not in neutral, and both a shift of the transmission and an acceleration of the input member are not active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, JR., Scott D. Biggs, Shih-Ying Sheu
  • Patent number: 8942911
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an error detection module and a remedial control module. The error detection module detects whether an accelerator of the vehicle is stuck is based on vehicle speed, a position of the accelerator, and one of a pressure applied to a brake of the vehicle and a status of a parking brake of the vehicle. The remedial control module, when the accelerator is stuck, at least one of resets the position of the accelerator and decreases torque output of a powertrain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: William E. Debs, Brian S. Schang, J. Oscar Aparicio, Jr., Paul A. Bauerle, Joseph E. Ploucha, Daniel G. Bolstrum
  • Patent number: 8938352
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cruise control operable to maintain a set speed of a vehicle according to a plurality of goal droop curves is provided. The goal droop curves include: an isochronous droop curve; a top droop curve; and a bottom droop curve. The method includes performing command according to the droop curves; registering that the vehicle soon will enter an uphill slope; estimating in a vehicle position before entering the uphill slope if a downshift in a transmission of the vehicle will occur when traveling the uphill slope during a coming time period (testimation); if the downshift is estimated to occur then performing a fuel saving action during the time period in order to avoid the downshift. The fuel saving action is one of an adaptation of transmission downshifting limits or to during the time period performing command according to a second isochronous curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Johan Bjernetun, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8938351
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an output control device for an internal combustion engine for generating a drive force of a vehicle. The output control device includes a braking request detection sensor for detecting whether or not a braking request operation has been performed, and a controller programmed to limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the braking request operation is started, completely lift output limitation of the internal combustion engine over a predetermined limitation lifting time when the braking request operation is finished and shorten the limitation lifting time when a predetermined condition holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8931273
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for raising an exhaust temperature to spin a turbocharger turbine and reduce turbo-lag. Pressurized air is discharged from a boost reservoir into an intake manifold while spark retard is increased to expedite exhaust heating while also increasing a net combustion torque. By expediting turbine spin-up in response to a tip-in, turbo-lag is reduced and engine performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Julia Helen Buckland, Robert Andrew Wade
  • Patent number: 8935080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an engine output delivered in response to an operator pedal actuation based at least on a grade of vehicle travel. During uphill travel, in the presence of headwinds, and/or in the presence of a vehicle payload, the output may be increased while during downhill travel or in the presence of tailwinds, the output may be decreased. In this way, driver fatigue during travel over varying elevations, varying ambient conditions, and varying loads can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Szwabowski, Craig Thomas Hodorek
  • Patent number: 8930108
    Abstract: A method of actuating a retarder of a motor vehicle, for example a hydrodynamic retarder of a commercial vehicle, in which during overrun operation the driver uses an operating element to call for a braking action by the retarder. To implement the method simply, conveniently and inexpensively, the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle is used as the operating element for demanding a braking action by the retarder. In such manner that when the torque of the drive engine of the motor vehicle becomes negative due to overrun operation, the braking action demand is signaled by at least partially releasing the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hoefler, Norbert Brugger
  • Publication number: 20150006063
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first engagement device, a rotary electric machine, and a second engagement device are arranged in this order from an internal combustion engine on a power transmission path that connects the internal combustion engine to wheels. The control device is configured to determine an operation stop of the internal combustion engine in a state in which torque is transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the wheels, the control device executes rotational speed control that controls output torque of the rotary electric machine such that a rotational speed of the rotary electric machine approaches a target rotational speed and executes torque-down control that causes output torque of the internal combustion engine to decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Takahashi, Kohei Tsuda, Masashi Kito, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 8924130
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki
  • Publication number: 20140379243
    Abstract: An engine control device for work vehicle includes: a target rotation speed setting unit that sets a target rotation speed of an engine corresponding to an operation amount of an accelerator pedal; a rotation speed control unit that controls a rotation speed of the engine according to the target rotation speed; a travel driving unit that transmits rotation of the engine to wheels via a torque converter; a speed ratio detection unit that detects a speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the torque converter; and a target rotation speed correction unit that corrects the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit so as to increase the target rotation speed based on the speed ratio when the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is smaller than a predetermined value and the speed ratio detected by the speed ratio detection unit is smaller than a predetermined value within a range which is equal to or greater than 0 and less than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Isamu Aoki, Tetsuji Tanaka, Keigo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140372012
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle having different operating modes, and for each such mode a different characteristic of output torque and accelerator pedal position. The rise of output torque in response to a propulsion request is more or less delayed according to the instant operating mode. The invention provides for blending of the response to a propulsion request so that the delay is progressively varied between a source and target operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Darnell, Elliot Hemes, Mark Roberts
  • Patent number: 8899202
    Abstract: A fuel injection device comprising electricity-generating means generating electricity by rotation of an engine and outputting a predetermined signal, and a solenoid valve injecting fuel; the valve being opened as a result of a drive current applied to a coil, and the fuel being injected into an intake passage of the engine at a predetermined timing during the rotation of the engine; to ensure that the flow rate required during high-speed operation can be adequately provided in a fuel injection device for injecting/supplying fuel to an engine. The electricity-generating means is an alternating current generation means attached to the engine in a crank angle position at which an output is generated in synchronization with the intake timing of the engine; the signal is an injection command signal applied to the solenoid valve as an alternating-current drive current; and the applied voltage increases with increased engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zama Japan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Nonaka, Hideki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8897943
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a combine includes a control wherein the hybrid system control determines a battery pack state-of-charge of the battery pack, and the hybrid system control also receives the current engine load estimate and engine speed from the engine control. Depending upon these variables, the hybrid control sends a torque command to a motor/generator control to provide a desired composite speed-torque curve from the engine and the motor/generator. In cases where the battery pack can be charged, an engine fuel curve is set by engine control to provide maximum engine power at isochronous speed, and when the battery pack is fully charged, the engine fuel curve is reduced to be shaped so that battery electric assist is not engaged until engine speed falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alan D Sheidler, Jacob Pence, Shannon R Pine
  • Patent number: 8897976
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission output speed (TOS) sensor providing a signal indicative of an output speed of the transmission. A controller estimates an actual torque output of the transmission and determines, in real time, a first TOS acceleration based on the signal provided by the transmission output speed sensor and a second TOS acceleration based on the actual torque estimation. The first and second accelerations are compared and a torque transient trigger is activated when the divergence exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Christopher Rhoades, Michael Beyer, Michael Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20140343829
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for controlling an RPM of an engine of construction machinery, including and converting and setting the received load factor to a load variation rate; receiving a current load factor of the engine and converting the received current load factor of the engine to a load variation rate; controlling driving of the engine with a corrected RPM, which is obtained by decreasing the RPM of the engine by a predetermined rate from a preset RPM when the current load factor of the engine and the load variation rate according to the current load factor are equal to or smaller than a predetermined rate of the predetermined load factor of the engine and a predetermined rate of the load variation rate for a first time, respectively; and controlling continuously decreasing the corrected RPM to a predetermined rate or smaller, when the current load factor of the engine and the load variation rate according to the current load factor are equal to or smaller than the
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Jun Hong Park
  • Patent number: 8892317
    Abstract: A multi-mode powertrain system includes a transmission configured to transfer torque among an internal combustion engine, torque machines and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a desired acceleration profile for the internal combustion engine, determining a constrained acceleration profile by imposing prioritized constraints on the desired acceleration profile, integrating the constrained acceleration profile to determine a preferred speed profile, determining a preferred acceleration profile including a derivative of the preferred speed profile constrained by minimum and maximum hard acceleration constraints, and controlling operation of the internal combustion engine in response to the preferred acceleration profile and the preferred speed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 8890717
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20140336904
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a direct-injection engine and an electric rotating machine connected to the engine, wherein the vehicle control device stops the engine after opening a throttle while maintaining an engine speed by the electric rotating machine at the time there is a request to stop the engine. The engine speed is preferably maintained by an output torque of the electric rotating machine at the time fuel supply to the engine is stopped and the throttle is opened. At the time the throttle is opened while fuel is continuously supplied to the engine, it is preferable to maintain the engine speed by allowing the electric rotating machine to generate electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Nakanishi, Yasuyuki Kato, Yukihiko Ideshio, Susumu Kojima, Masato Yoskikawa
  • Publication number: 20140336905
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an RPM section having a good efficiency for a construction machine is disclosed, which includes a control unit outputting different control signals depending on whether a current engine RPM belongs to a predetermined RPM section having the good efficiency, and a good-efficiency display unit selectively turning on or off an LED lamp according to the control signal output from the control unit. Since the RPM section having the good efficiency of the construction machine equipment is defined and the LED lamp for indicating the good-efficiency state is turned on if the current engine RPM belongs to the RPM section, a client can finally achieve good fuel efficiency in using the construction machine equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Hyun-Woo Kim