Control Of Engine Torque Patents (Class 701/84)
  • Patent number: 8352160
    Abstract: Engine surge includes oscillations in engine torque resulting in bucking or jerking motion of a vehicle that may degrade driver experience. The present application relates to increasing reformate entering an example engine cylinder in response to engine surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8352136
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for an engine-powered vehicle equipped with an engine and an automatic transmission with a clutch. When a given engine stop requirement is met during running of the engine, the system stops the engine automatically. When a given engine restart requirement is met after stop of the engine, the system restarts the engine and enters a clutch control mode to bring the clutch in the automatic transmission into a slippable state in which the clutch is permitted to slip based on the speed of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the acceleration shock which usually occurs upon engagement of the clutch to transmit engine torque to wheels of the vehicle when the engine is restarted, and the speed of the vehicle is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 8352164
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a combustion chamber. The method may include controlling a stability of the vehicle in response to a vehicle acceleration; and adjusting spark timing in the combustion chamber of the engine in response to a knock indication, and further adjusting spark timing in response to the vehicle acceleration to reduce surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Eric Tseng, Davor David Hrovat, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Diana Yanakiev
  • Patent number: 8346448
    Abstract: Detection-time torque of a drive source is determined when a value that varies in accordance with depression of an accelerator pedal has exceeded a predetermined value, first torque is determined on the vehicle speed and the transmission gear ratio, second torque is determined on the detection-time torque and the first torque, third torque is determined on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the second torque, and fourth torque is determined on the depression of the accelerator pedal, and the output torque is limited to the third torque as long as the third torque is less than the fourth torque. The third torque is determined such that in the case where the detection-time torque is greater than the first torque, an increase of the third torque is suppressed further than where the detection-time torque is not greater than the first torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kanazawa, Takeshi Kurata
  • Patent number: 8340865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle wheel spin control apparatus that, when it is determined that a wheel spin occurs, reduces engine torque to prevent the wheel spin, including: detecting driving control information and information on the state of a vehicle and determining whether basic conditions required to perform engine torque limit control to prevent the wheel spin are satisfied; when the basic conditions are satisfied, calculating a speed variation and the speed gradient value, and comparing the speed gradient value with a predetermined speed gradient value to determine whether a spin occurs; when it is determined that the spin occurs, using a torque gradient map set according to the current engine torque to perform the engine torque limit control; and when the vehicle speed is reduced by the engine torque limit control and cancellation conditions are satisfied, canceling the engine torque limit control and returning to normal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyungsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8340882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a driver request torque in a hybrid electric vehicle, in which a driver request torque is calculated by determining that a driver has an intention to accelerate, if an accelerator opening degree detected by an accelerator pedal position sensor (APS) is greater than 0% when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the driver who intends to re-accelerate after coasting or decelerating, and a torque discontinuity, which may be caused when the APS is turned on?off?on according to the depression operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver, is controlled using an up/down torque rate limit logic, thus preventing deterioration of driving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8340864
    Abstract: There is provided a vibration damping control device which suppresses pitching and bouncing vibration of a vehicle through a drive output control based on a wheel torque estimated value estimated with a wheel speed, etc., which device uses the estimated value of a wheel torque while taking into account conditions where no good estimation of the wheel torque is executable. The vibration damping control device comprises a wheel torque estimated value acquisition portion which acquires a wheel torque estimated value; and a driving torque control portion which controls a driving torque of the vehicle to suppress pitching or bouncing vibrational amplitudes based on the wheel torque estimated value, wherein the absolute value or the sign of the wheel torque estimated value is corrected in accordance with the degree of a slip of the wheel or the direction of movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaiji Itabashi, Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 8335625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly causing a slip of a driving wheel to converge regardless of the change in vehicle conditions when the driving wheel is in a slip state. When a slip occurs on a driving wheel, a second driving force command value is calculated from a driving force control value controlled by driving force control means and an angular acceleration. The second driving force command value is calculated so that torque capable of being transmitted to a road surface by the driving wheel takes the maximum value. Therefore, even if the friction coefficient of road surface or the wheel load changes, the driving torque of driving wheel can be commanded properly, so that the slip can be converged rapidly. The occurrence of slip at the time of re-acceleration after slip convergence can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8335618
    Abstract: An automatic shut down system for a machine having an engine and a work implement is disclosed. The automatic shut down system may have a position sensor, which may be associated with the work implement. The position sensor may be configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the work implement. The automatic shut down system may also have a controller, which may be in communication with the position sensor. The controller may be configured to shut down the engine, based on the position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Adam Knapp, Mark Alan Welch, Arick Matthew Bakken
  • Patent number: 8332103
    Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-location of tire pressure monitoring sensor units on a vehicle measure the angle of a wheel at two different times using a rim mounted or a tire mounted sensor and determines a difference in measured angles. The systems and methods provide for transmitting the angles and/or the difference in the measured angles along with a sensor identification to an electronic control module. Alternatively, the systems and methods provide for transmitting time differences to the electronic control module. The electronic control module correlates information transmitted from the wheel unit with antilock brake system data. A location of the wheel mounting the sensor is determined and the sensor identification is assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schrader Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: John Greer, Paul McGrotty, Samuel Strahan
  • Patent number: 8326510
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling output torque of a motor for an electric vehicle in downhill mode comprises following steps: detecting a tilt angle value ?, a current vehicle speed value V and an accelerator-pedal travel value Gain of the vehicle, determining whether the vehicle is in downhill mode or not, and if the result is positive, then calculating a downhill slip torque T1 of the vehicle under the tilt angle value ?, obtaining a maximum output torque T2, calculating an output torque T of the motor based on T1, T2, Gain and a given vehicle speed delimitative value Vref, and controlling the motor to output the calculated output torque T. The present invention ensures the vehicle speed not too high by controlling the output torque of an electric vehicle in downhill mode, even if the brake-pedal travel is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: BYD Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaohua Tang, Xuguang Zhou, Yingwu Xu, Jian Gong, Nan Liu, Guangming Yang
  • Patent number: 8326511
    Abstract: A control system for a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel requirement estimation module, a torque estimation module, and a torque control module. The fuel requirement estimation module estimates a fuel requirement of the HCCI engine based on a desired indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of cylinders in the HCCI engine. The torque estimation module estimates a torque output of the HCCI engine based on the estimated fuel requirement. The torque control module adjusts the torque output of the HCCI engine based on the estimated torque output and a desired torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Andrew P. Bagnasco, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik
  • Patent number: 8326481
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between a host vehicle and a preceding obstacle. Then, the system performs a driver notification operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential such as decreasing the driving force exerted against the vehicle as the risk potential increases and increasing an actuation reaction force exerted on the accelerator pedal during its operation as the risk potential increases. If a failure is detected in a reaction force generating device serving to add a reaction force to the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, then the system corrects an engine torque characteristic such that the engine torque does not increase even if the accelerator pedal is depressed to suppress an odd feeling in the vehicle performance by the driver when a failure occurs in the reaction force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yukinori Nishida
  • Patent number: 8321114
    Abstract: A control unit is configured to calculate a target absorption torque of a hydraulic pump at which the engine output torque and the absorption torque of the hydraulic pump match a target matching rotation speed of the engine. The control unit is configured to refer to command data, calculate a command current value corresponding to the target absorption torque, and output a command signal of the calculated value to a pump control device. The control unit is configured to calculate the absorption torque at calibration points at which there is an equilibrium state in which the output horsepower of the engine and the absorption horsepower of the hydraulic pump are matched. The control unit is configured to acquire calibration information including the calculated absorption torque and the command current value output to the pump control device in the equilibrium state, and calibrate the command data based on the calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Kamado, Kouji Ohhigashi, Kouichi Miyatake, Akinori Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8316983
    Abstract: A construction vehicle includes a hydraulic pump for travelling driven by an engine and a hydraulic motor for travelling driven by a pressurized oil discharged from the hydraulic pump. A control unit is configured to set an upper limit of a command value of an acceleration opening degree in accordance with a magnitude of a travelling load and a magnitude of a vehicle speed, and to set a lower limit of a displacement of the hydraulic motor for travelling in order to maximize the vehicle speed at the acceleration opening degree limited to a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Shirao
  • Patent number: 8311717
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive train, whereby the drive train comprises a drive unit, a transmission, and an all-wheel splitter having an automatically operating clutch, positioned between the transmission and the output. The clutch is operated in a continuous slip mode and in such a way that the all-wheel splitter splits the transmission output torque for variable torque distribution to driven axles. The splitting of the output torque to the driven axles is performed by a control unit, implemented into the all-wheel drive strategy, so that the output torque, less a predetermined nominal torque, is transferred to a first axle, and the nominal torque is transferred to a second axle. When defined operating conditions are met, a limiting of the torque, set by the drive unit, and/or the nominal torque, set by the all-wheel strategy, occurs to avoid a thermal overloading of the clutch of the all-wheel splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wilfrid Eberhard, Gerhard Hermann Martin
  • Patent number: 8311692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking method for a hybrid vehicle (1) comprising a drivetrain (3) controlled by a drivetrain computer (12), and a hydraulic braking system (15) controlled by a braking computer (21). In this method, as soon as the drivetrain computer (12) detects that the electrical braking torque is decreasing, this drivetrain computer (12) informs the hydraulic braking computer (21) of the value of the reduction in electric braking torque. The braking computer (21) then operates the hydraulic braking system (15) in such a way that the hydraulic braking torque applied to the wheels (2) by the brakes (17) compensates for this reduction in electric braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Vincent Mulot, Remy Delplace, Olivier Mechin, Yvan Le Neindre, Nicolas Thauvin
  • Patent number: 8310196
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the failsafe monitoring of an electromotive drive without additional sensors, including a drive having a three-phase control of an electric motor, detection of the current and voltage profiles of each of the three phases, as they are forwarded to the motor by drive electronics, determination of the load speed while using the detected current and voltage values, where the determination of the load speed takes place by calculating an observer model with reference to the detected current, to the detected voltage, to the frequency preset by the control and to the characteristic data of the motor and generation of a failsafe switch signal for the motor when the calculated load speed does not correspond to a preset desired speed within the framework of preset tolerances. The load torque can also be determined and monitored with reference to the observer model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Mathias Ams
  • Patent number: 8306707
    Abstract: A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Yisheng Zhang, John Loeffler
  • Patent number: 8301351
    Abstract: A parameter ?(OUT) having an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed and a drive force as components is set according to information representing a driver's operation and information representing running environment of a vehicle. A gear is set according to the parameter ?(OUT) and a map determining the gear based on the accelerator pedal position, the vehicle speed and the drive force. A gear shift line is defined such that a rate of increase of the drive force with respect to the vehicle speed is zero or more. A down-shift line is defined such that the drive force decreases with increase in accelerator pedal position. Down-shift after up-shift as well as the up-shift after the down-shift are inhibited when both a condition that an amount of change of the accelerator pedal position after last gear shift is larger than a threshold and a condition that an amount of change of the drive force after the last gear shift is larger than the threshold are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 8296032
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control. The method includes determining an engine torque command based on a request for vehicle acceleration or deceleration, a target power level of the secondary power source, and a current engine power command, determining an engine speed command based on the target power level of the secondary power source, a total engine power command, and vehicle speed, and operating the engine based on the engine torque and engine speed commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 8285430
    Abstract: Provided is a controlling device for a railway electric car, the controlling device being able to detect a slipping/sliding phenomenon during, in particular, high-speed travel and to exercise slipping/sliding control in an appropriate manner. A slip controlling unit 1 includes a first adhesion level index generating unit and a second adhesion level index generating unit. In a normal slipping state in which an acceleration changes instantaneously, torque control is exercised by using a first adhesion level index generated by the first adhesion level index generating unit based on an acceleration deviation and a speed deviation. In a slipping state during high-speed travel, because the acceleration deviation and the speed deviation are small, torque control is exercised by using a second adhesion level index generated by multiplying the first adhesion level index by a gain equal to or smaller than 1 generated by the second adhesion level index generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Yabuuchi, Hidetoshi Kitanaka, Keiji Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 8265815
    Abstract: A method of controlling output torque in a hybrid or electric vehicle transmissions includes calculating a first long-term output torque constraint and a first short-term output torque constraint. A first effective output torque constraint is determined from at least one of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The first effective output torque constraint is bounded by both of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The method may further include calculating a rate limit, such that determining the first effective output torque constraint includes restricting the magnitude of changes in the first long-term output torque constraint to the calculated rate limit. A spread between the first short-term output torque constraint and the first effective output torque constraint may be measured, and the rate limit calculated as a function of that spread. The rate limit may also be calculated with an inversely-proportional relationship to the spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean W McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8265845
    Abstract: A right-left driving force control system includes: a selecting unit which: selects an adjusting unit adjusting distribution of a driving force between right and left wheels, when a shifting direction in which the driving force is shifted between the wheels and which is related to a control amount is the same as a first direction towards one of the wheels which has a larger speed; selects a limiting unit adjusting a differential action limiting force, when the shifting direction is the same as a second direction towards one of the wheels which has a smaller speed, and a difference between the wheel speeds is equal to or larger than a threshold value; and maintains the adjusting unit or the limiting unit, which has been selected, when the shifting direction is the same as the second direction, and the difference between the wheel speeds is less than the threshold value; and a control unit which controls the adjusting unit or the limiting unit, which is selected or maintained by the selecting unit, based on the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Yamamura, Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Patent number: 8265849
    Abstract: A drive system of an electrically driven dump truck is capable of achieving an operational feeling in which the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is well balanced with the output horsepower of the electric motors, particularly at the time of slow traveling. To achieve this, the target motor output horsepower Pm0 corresponding to the operation amount of an accelerator pedal 1 is calculated. The target motor torque Tr1R, Tr1L is calculated on the basis of the target motor output horsepower Pm0 and the rotational speed ?R, ?L of electric motors 12R, 12L respectively. The acceleration torque limit values of the electric motors 12R, 12L corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 1 are calculated, respectively. Then, smaller values are selected, as motor torque instruction values TrR, TrL, between the acceleration torque limit value and the target motor torque Tr1R, Tr1L to control inverters 73R, 73L, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Tanaka, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takashi Yagyu, Yutaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8244443
    Abstract: A slip suppression control system for a vehicle includes a monitored value detecting device for detecting a monitored value corresponding to a difference between a rotational speed of a front wheel and a rotational speed of a rear wheel of the vehicle, a threshold determiner unit configured to determine a relationship between the monitored value detected by the monitored value detecting device and a threshold; and a controller configured to initiate traction control for reducing a driving power of a drive wheel when the threshold determiner unit determines that the monitored value exceeds a predetermined start threshold, wherein the threshold determiner unit is configured to count a return time which lapses from when the monitored value exceeds the start threshold until the monitored value becomes smaller than second threshold; and wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not to terminate the traction control based on the return time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Patent number: 8244445
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle is provided for traction control. The method comprises controlling wheel slip to a first amount, the first amount independent of a driver requested output; and controlling the wheel slip to a second amount when a vehicle speed is less than a threshold for a first duration, the second amount based on the driver requested output. In this way, the driver is allowed to modify the wheel slip in a controlled way during specific traction control conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Michael Glenn Fodor, Don Perlick, Daniel Dunn
  • Patent number: 8244420
    Abstract: If an accelerator pedal is released, when a flag indicates 1, a vehicle travels in a traveling environment reflected operation mode where an engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that a required torque is output to a drive shaft while the engine is operated by the motor. If a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a threshold at the time or after the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in a normal operation mode where the engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that the required torque is output to the drive shaft with engine rotation stopped. If the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold when the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in the traveling environment reflected operation mode until the vehicle speed becomes equal to or lower than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimohira, Ryo Shimizu, Hideki Furuta
  • Publication number: 20120197506
    Abstract: In an aspect of the invention there is provided a control method for a vehicle travelling on a surface, the vehicle having a vehicle powertrain for generating and delivering power to the vehicle wheels, the method including: measuring one or more parameters associated with motion of the vehicle on the surface; comparing the or each of the measured parameters with a predetermined threshold for said measured parameter that is indicative of a level at which wheel slip of the vehicle may occur; and in circumstances in which one or more of the measured parameters exceeds the predetermined threshold, controlling the torque applied by the powertrain to the vehicle wheels to prevent wheel slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Reynolds, Paul Beever
  • Patent number: 8229640
    Abstract: When determining that a vehicle is not skidding, the ECU carries out tight corner control if vehicle speed is smaller than the upper limit value of the vehicle speed range corresponding to the starting state of the vehicle and the steering wheel turning angle of a steering wheel is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the steering wheel turning angle at which the tight corner braking phenomenon may occur. When determining that the vehicle is skidding, the ECU inhibits the tight corner control even if the vehicle speed is smaller than the upper limit value and the steering wheel turning angle is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the steering wheel turning angle at which the tight corner braking phenomenon may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Ryouhei Shigeta, Akihiro Ohno, Hiroyuki Ando, Masaki Mita, Tomohiro Nozu
  • Patent number: 8229639
    Abstract: A system and method for stability control of a vehicle. The system and method can receive current vehicle operating data or signals as well as data or a signal from a traction control subsystem. Based on the received current vehicle operating data or signals data or a signal from a traction control subsystem, the system and method define one of a brake-based stability control subsystem and a torque management-based stability control subsystem as the dominant stability control system. Based on the stability control subsystem defined as the dominant stability control system, the system and method provide stability control for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William C Craig, Richard S Stevens, Thomas D'Onofrio, David Shivy, Charles Disaverio
  • Patent number: 8224547
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preventing sudden acceleration of an automobile that is installed in a power transmission structure disposed between a throttle valve and a motor for the throttle valve in the automobile, such that if the motor is activated by an electrical error at a state where an accelerator pedal is not depressed by a driver, the power generated from the motor is not transmitted to the throttle valve. The device for preventing sudden acceleration of an automobile fitted with an automatic transmission according to the present invention is configured wherein even though a motor opening and closing a throttle valve is activated by an electrical error at a state where an accelerator pedal is not depressed by a driver, the power generated from the motor is not transmitted mechanically to the throttle valve, thereby preventing casualty caused by sudden acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Mi Young Kang
  • Patent number: 8224538
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 8219291
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes signaling a transmission to shift into a first gear ratio and sensing a current gear ratio of the transmission after signaling the transmission to shift into the first gear ratio. The method further includes implementing a diagnostic transmission shift control strategy to override a normal transmission shift control strategy when the current sensed gear ratio is not equal to the requested first gear ratio to verify proper functionality of a mode control valve that is responsible for shifting the transmission into the first gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel V. Yabes, Brian J. Pellerito, Michael Chernyak, Craig J. Hawkins, Cheol W. Kim
  • Patent number: 8214114
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes determining an accelerator output torque request based upon an operator input to the accelerator pedal, and determining an axle torque response type. A preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request. An allowable range of input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type. The engine is controlled to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torque from the engine. The engine is controlled within the allowable range of input torque from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen
  • Patent number: 8214120
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an electromechanical transmission operative to transmit torque between an input member and an electric machine and an output member to transmit tractive torque. The electric machine is electrically connected to an inverter device which is electrically connected to an energy storage device. A method for operating the powertrain includes detecting a shutdown event, commanding the transmission to neutral, commanding the electric machine to cease operating in a torque generating mode, and electrically disconnecting the energy storage device from the inverter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aniket Kothari, Nicholas Kokotovich, Stephen T. West, James E. Tarchinski, Sean E Gleason, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 8214097
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: PAICE LLC, The Abell Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Severinsky, Theodore Louckes
  • Patent number: 8214093
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes operating the transmission in an operating range state wherein input speed can operate independent of output speed and wherein a reactive torque is transmitted through the transmission. The method further includes monitoring commands affecting a requested output torque, monitoring a calculated output torque, and prioritizing between an input acceleration of the transmission and an output torque of the transmission based upon whether operating the transmission in the operating range state is in transient operation or stable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8214095
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state. A control scheme detects engine firing based upon input speed, input torque and a change in the input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Allen J. Lehmen, Kevin J. Smith, James B. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8209102
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a pedal torque request module, a filtering module, a selection module, and an arbitration module. The pedal torque request module determines a first pedal torque request at a first time and determines a second pedal torque request at a second time. The first time is before the second time. The filtering module determines a filtered pedal torque request based on the first pedal torque request, the second pedal torque request, and a filter coefficient. The selection module selects one of the second pedal torque request and the filtered pedal torque request. The arbitration module arbitrates between at least one driver torque request and the selected one of the second pedal torque request and the filtered pedal torque request, outputs a raw driver request based on a result of the arbitration, and controls at least one engine actuator based on the raw driver request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Lan Wang, James L. Worthing, Jinchun Peng, Robert D Peavyhouse, Zhong Wang
  • Patent number: 8204664
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a friction braking system and a powertrain system including a torque machine operative to react tractive torque input from a wheel of the vehicle. A method for controlling braking in a vehicle includes monitoring operation of the powertrain system, determining a driver intended total brake torque, determining a regenerative braking capacity based upon the operation of the powertrain system, determining a regenerative braking request based upon a time-rate change in the regenerative braking capacity, and determining a motor torque command for the torque machine based upon the regenerative braking request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Monika A Minarcin, Jon K. Logan, Jian M Wang, Eric M. Rask
  • Patent number: 8200404
    Abstract: A method for controlling wheel-hop in a vehicle driveline includes detecting that a wheel-hop condition occurs upon determining an amplitude and frequency of speed oscillations of a component that transmits power to wheels of the driveline, engaging a transmission friction clutch that transmits torque in the driveline between an engine and the wheels, and modulating requested engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianping Zhang, Joseph F. Kucharski, Charles W. Suter, Daniel T. Lin, David M. Dillon, Michael J. O'Day, Nicholas J. Witte
  • Patent number: 8200408
    Abstract: A method for active traction control of a vehicle can be performed to optimize corner exiting performance of a vehicle that is operating in a high performance or racing environment. The method estimates a real-time tire traction value during operation of the vehicle, computes a remaining tire traction value based upon a comparison of the estimated real-time tire traction value to a total available tire traction value, and calculates a traction system torque limit from the remaining tire traction value. The calculated torque limit can then be used to limit the actual traction system torque of the vehicle as needed in a real-time manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Turski, Charles M. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 8200386
    Abstract: A method of controlling an accelerator of a four-wheel drive electric vehicle comprises the steps of controlling power output of the vehicle by a sum of an output torque of a main drive motor and an output torque an auxiliary drive motor with the output torque of the main drive motor being determined by a position of the accelerator pedal. The output torque T0 of the auxiliary drive motor is determined by: obtaining a torque calculation factor GainAccSum that a cumulative value of the acceleration GainAcc of the accelerator pedal; determining a maximum output torque T of the auxiliary drive motor at a current speed of the vehicle; and calculating the output torque T0 of the auxiliary drive motor varying between 0 and T based on the torque calculation factor GainAccSum and the maximum output torque T of the auxiliary drive motor at the current speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Xianhong Jiang, Xuguang Zhou, Xiaohua Tang
  • Patent number: 8200403
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input torque provided to a transmission includes executing a first iterative search within a first range of permissible torque values to determine a first torque value based on a first cost value. The first cost value is based on a first set of powertrain measurements measured at a first time. A second cost value based on a second torque value and the first set of powertrain measurements measured at the first time is calculated. The second torque value is determined using a second set of powertrain measurements measured at a second time prior to the first time. One of the first torque value and the second torque value is then selected based on the first cost value and the second cost value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen, Bin Wu, Brian R Medema
  • Publication number: 20120143455
    Abstract: A method for protecting a drive shaft including determining whether a currently selected shift-speed may be a reverse speed, determining, in a case that the currently selected shift-speed may be the reverse speed, whether current steering angle may be full turn angle, determining, in a case that the current steering angle may be the full turn angle, whether stall condition may be satisfied, and controlling torque applied to the drive shaft to be smaller than limit torque by reducing output torque of an engine in a case that the stall condition may be satisfied may be disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Joongwook LEE
  • Patent number: 8195349
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes determining an operator torque request, determining a time-based derivative of the operator torque request, determining a first future time, and predicting a change in the operator torque request based upon the operator torque request, the time-based derivative of the operator torque request, and the first future time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jason J McConnell, Kee Yong Kim, Wilfried Brunssen
  • Patent number: 8195351
    Abstract: Changes in the number of passengers or in load cause significant changes in vehicle weight, thus making it impossible to appropriately suppress a pitching motion of a vehicle chassis, hence rendering a necessary driving torque difficult to ensure, resulting in a decrease in drivability being insuppressible. An electric vehicle with a drive including a motor and a controller comprises a pitching quantity detector that detects a magnitude of a pitching motion of the vehicle, a vehicle weight determination unit that determines weight of the vehicle, a torque correction calculator that uses a traveling state of the vehicle and the determined vehicle weight to change a driving torque output from the drive, and a control gain varying element that adjusts a control gain of the torque correction calculator according to a magnitude of the vehicle weight value output from the vehicle weight determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Ichinose, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takayuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8195370
    Abstract: A powertrain control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of axle torque request modules that generate respective axle torque requests based on respective performance criteria of a vehicle, an axle torque arbitration module that generates a net axle torque request based on the plurality of axle torque requests, a plurality of propulsion torque request modules that generate respective propulsion torque requests based on respective performance criteria of an engine of the vehicle, a propulsion torque arbitration module that determines a net engine torque request based on the net axle torque request and the plurality of propulsion torque requests, and a propulsion torque control module that controls a plurality of actuators based on the net engine torque request such that the engine produces an output torque in accordance with the net engine torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Charles H. Folkerts, Scott J. Chynoweth, David J. Stroh
  • Publication number: 20120116641
    Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have a first traction device, a first motor connected to drive the first traction device, and a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a first rotational speed of the first traction device. The drive system may also have a second traction device, a second motor connected to drive the second traction device, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a second rotational speed of the second traction device. The drive system may further have a controller configured to make a first determination of a difference between the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed greater than a threshold difference based on the first and second signals, and to adjust a propelling torque of at least one of the first and second motors based on the first determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander C. CROSMAN, III, Brandon J. Nordling