David A Gabriel

US Patent:

6450275, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Nov 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/705024

Inventors:

David Gabriel - Royal Oak MI
Stephen John Kotre - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 100

US Classification:

180 654, 180 684, 165 41, 165 51

Abstract:

This invention is a method and system for cooling Hybrid Electric Vehicle (âHEVâ) components. The present invention cools HEV components, including an A/C system, an Internal Combustion Engine and its associated parts, an electric drive system and its associated parts, including an inverter, a DC/DC Converter, a generator motor, and a traction motor. Cooling these components, is accomplished by implementing a cooling system that is comprised of fluid filled cooling loops, radiators, fans, pumps, an air conditioning condenser and a controller. The pumps move the fluid through the cooling loops, allowing the fluid to absorb heat from the components and vent through the radiators with help from the fans airflow. The controller monitors component temperature data by measuring actual component temperature or corresponding coolant temperature and compares the component temperature data to a calibratable threshold to determine whether the fan should operate. By controlling fan speed, the controller regulates airflow across the radiator and air condenser, to maintain coolant temperature, and subsequently component temperatures within acceptable parameters.

US Patent:

6664751, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Jun 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064165

Inventors:

David Crist Gabriel - Royal Oak MI
Renuka Vikram Gokhale - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60H 116

US Classification:

318599, 318606, 180 654, 180 652

Abstract:

A method for controlling a cooling arrangement for electronic components in a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes arranging an electronics cooling loop aboard a hybrid electric vehicle in which a DC to DC converter, DC to AC inverter, and an electronics radiator are placed in fluid communication, one with the others, for cooling the DC to DC converter and the DC to AC inverter; sensing a temperature condition in the electronics cooling loop; and discontinuing operation of the DC to DC converter when a predetermined upper threshold temperature condition is sensed in the electronics cooling loop. A voltage condition of a 12 volt battery may also be sensed, and operation of the DC to DC converter may be resumed when the voltage condition sensed falls below a predetermined lower voltage limit.

US Patent:

6682458, Jan 27, 2004

Filed:

Jun 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064175

Inventors:

David Crist Gabriel - Royal Oak MI
James Paul McCarthy - Milford MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 5964

US Classification:

477 98, 123 4115

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus which uses or calculates a temperature gradient of a portion of a vehicle to determine a value equal to or representative of a time before a maximum allowable operating temperature is reached by the portion. If the value is less than a certain threshold, the apparatus reduces the operating speed of the portion and, in one embodiment, provides a warning signal to an operator of the vehicle.

US Patent:

6724100, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/659018

Inventors:

David Gabriel - New Baltimore MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60L 100

US Classification:

307 91, 180 651, 180 652, 180 653

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus, system, and method of utilizing a Home Power Unit (âHPUâ) which functions as a battery charger for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (âHEVâ) or as a generator, utilizing the HEVs electrical power to operate external electrical devices. In its simplest form, the HPU comprises a Transformer, inverter means, rectifier means, a control unit, connection means to the HEV and external electrical loads or sources and switching means to change operation between charger and generator function. Alternative embodiments of the present invention utilize the HEVs existing components thereby avoiding component redundancy within the HPU. Specifically, in the first alternative embodiment, the inverter means are utilized within the vehicle, therefore, requiring only filter and transformer to be added to the vehicle. In the second alternative embodiment, the vehicles DC-to-DC Converter is utilized as opposed to implementing a transformer. Therefore, only an inverter and filter are added to the system.

US Patent:

6933692, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

May 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/063868

Inventors:

David Crist Gabriel - Royal Oak MI, US
Feng Liang - Canton MI, US
Michael W. Degner - Novi MI, US
Raj Prakash - Canton MI, US
Venkateswa Anand Sankaran - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H02P007/00

US Classification:

318432, 318434, 318504

Abstract:

A method and an electrical drive assembly which operates in accordance with the method. Particularly, the drive assembly includes a diagnostic portion which compares a voltage signal which is communicated to an electrical machine and a voltage signal which is selected by use of a desired torque command signal and which provides a diagnostic of the electrical drive assembly based upon the comparison, effective to provide a positive indication to a user of the drive assembly.

US Patent:

6951527, Oct 4, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/605639

Inventors:

David Crist Gabriel - Royal Oak MI, US
James Paul McCarthy - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H059/64
B60K001/02
F02B077/00

US Classification:

477 98, 477 3, 123198 D

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus are provided which use, or which calculate, a temperature gradient of a portion of a vehicle to determine a value equal to, or representative of, a time before a maximum allowable operating temperature is reached by the portion. If the value is less than a certain threshold, the apparatus reduces the operating speed of the portion and, in one embodiment, provides a warning signal to an operator of the vehicle.

US Patent:

7309536, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/161327

Inventors:

David Crist Gabriel - Royal Oak MI, US
James Paul McCarthy - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/04
B60L 11/18
F16H 59/64

US Classification:

429 13, 429 24, 180 653, 477 98

Abstract:

A method is provided which uses, or which calculates, a temperature gradient of a portion of a vehicle to determine a value equal to, or representative of, a time before a maximum allowable operating temperature is reached by the portion. If the value is less than a certain threshold, the apparatus reduces the operating speed of the portion and, in one embodiment, provides a warning signal to an operator of the vehicle.

US Patent:

7422293, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Jul 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/161188

Inventors:

Steven Chorian - Canton MI, US
Venkateswa Sankaran - Farmington Hills MI, US
David Gabriel - Royal Oak MI, US
Patrick Maguire - Ann Arbor MI, US
Leonard Shaner - New Baltimore MI, US
J. Anthony Lockwood - Westland MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60T 15/14

US Classification:

303 20, 303 15, 340436, 340660

Abstract:

A system and a method for dissipating voltage in an electrical circuit of a vehicle. The system includes a power source and an inverter. The power source has a voltage source and a contactor. The inverter is electrically coupled to the power source and includes a device for storing an electrical charge. The contactor is opened to disconnect the voltage source before the device is discharged.