Daniel A Colvin

US Patent:

8122986, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Jul 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/498783

Inventors:

Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/08

US Classification:

180 65285, 180 6525, 60702, 123565

Abstract:

A powertrain for a vehicle having an air intake includes an engine and an electric machine. The engine includes a manifold configured to receive intake air entering through the vehicle air intake, and a throttle disposed between the air intake and the manifold. The powertrain also includes a compressor disposed between the air intake and the manifold, and operable to compress the intake air before it enters the engine. A pressure sensor disposed downstream of the compressor and upstream of the throttle provides air pressure signals to a control system that determines a driver demand and operates the electric machine to boost torque output of the powertrain when the driver demand requires operation of the compressor and the driver demand is not met by the engine. The torque boost of the electric machine is based at least in part on signals output from the pressure sensor.

US Patent:

8540604, Sep 24, 2013

Filed:

Mar 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/421356

Inventors:

Bernard D. Nefcy - Novi MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US
Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Mark Steven Yamazaki - Canton MI, US
Fazal Urrahman Syed - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H02P 17/00

US Classification:

477 15

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio.

US Patent:

8565990, Oct 22, 2013

Filed:

Nov 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/617991

Inventors:

Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Brandon R. Masterson - Dexter MI, US
Reid Alan Baldwin - Howell MI, US
Andrew John Silveri - Royal Oak MI, US
Francis T. Connolly - Ann Arbor MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 67, 701 1, 701 36, 701 68

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.

US Patent:

20100292901, Nov 18, 2010

Filed:

May 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/466471

Inventors:

Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLc - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B60K 6/20

US Classification:

701 67, 180 6521

Abstract:

A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain includes, in response to a request to increase a powertrain braking force on at least one of a plurality of traction wheels, (i) commanding at least one clutch to increase a gear ratio of a transmission, and (ii) during clutch stroke, commanding an electric machine to act as a generator such that the electric machine applies a braking force to at least one of the traction wheels.

US Patent:

20110172862, Jul 14, 2011

Filed:

Mar 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/732642

Inventors:

Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Brian Thomas Soo - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B60W 10/10
B60W 20/00

US Classification:

701 22, 477 3, 180 65265

Abstract:

A control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain supplies battery power boost torque to vehicle traction wheels to modify shift points for a multiple ratio transmission in the powertrain. A shift schedule is adjusted to avoid a downshift for small changes in torque demand, thus reducing shift frequency due to small transient changes in torque demand.

US Patent:

20130153354, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/329785

Inventors:

Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Bernard D. Nefcy - Novi MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US
Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/02
B60W 20/00

US Classification:

192 358, 180 65265

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a motive power source, a transmission, and a clutch system. The vehicle further includes a controller that causes the clutch system to generate a generally constant clutch pressure to mechanically couple the motive power source and transmission as a line pressure associated with the transmission varies.

US Patent:

20130178330, Jul 11, 2013

Filed:

Jan 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/347857

Inventors:

Bernard D. Nefcy - Novi MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US
Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Brian Thomas Soo - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/02
B60W 20/00

US Classification:

477 5, 477174, 477 2, 903946, 180 65275

Abstract:

A method for controlling a downstream clutch in a vehicle during an upstream torque disturbance includes slipping a downstream clutch by reducing the downstream clutch pressure, varying the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip of the downstream clutch, increasing the downstream clutch pressure to engage the downstream clutch. A vehicle includes a first prime mover, a second prime mover connected to the first prime mover using an upstream clutch, a transmission connected to the second prime mover using a downstream clutch, and a controller connected to the first and second prime movers and the upstream and downstream clutches. The controller is configured to (i) slip the downstream clutch by reducing the pressure, (ii) vary the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip, and (iii) increase the downstream clutch pressure to engage the clutch.

US Patent:

20130296100, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/465267

Inventors:

Bernard D. Nefcy - Novi MI, US
Daniel Scott Colvin - Farmington Hills MI, US
Walter Joseph Ortmann - Saline MI, US
Marvin Paul Kraska - Dearborn MI, US
Mark Steven Yamazaki - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/08
B60W 10/196

US Classification:

477 4, 477 94, 477 5, 180 65285, 903902

Abstract:

A controller and control strategies minimize shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift during regenerative braking by maintaining the transmission input speed substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing. The controller and the control strategies control the regenerative braking torque during a downshift occurring during regenerative braking in such a way that the transmission input speed is maintained substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing during a torque phase of the downshift.