Gary Alan Webster

US Patent:

6364812, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

May 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/309817

Inventors:

Jerry Dean Robichaux - Riverview MI
Gary Bruce Webster - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 6126

US Classification:

477160

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a powertrain including an automatic transmission include determining a value representing requested powertrain output, determining a rotational speed representing current operating conditions, generating a command to initiate a ratio change in the automatic transmission, and determining a dynamic pressure for the automatic transmission during the ratio change based on the requested powertrain output and the rotational speed. The requested powertrain output may be a wheel torque determined in part by accelerator pedal position. A performance adder based on requested wheel torque may be provided to further enhance operation.

US Patent:

62209876, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

May 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/320012

Inventors:

Jerry Dean Robichaux - Riverview MI
Tobias John Pallett - Ypsilanti MI
Gary Bruce Webster - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 5914
F16H 5926

US Classification:

477 97

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling a vehicular powertrain including an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission having a plurality of selectable gear ratios, and a controller in communication with the internal combustion engine, the transmission, and an accelerator pedal, include determining a driver requested wheel torque based on position of the accelerator pedal, and determining a vehicle speed ratio changing threshold based on the driver requested wheel torque. In one embodiment, the system and method determine a value indicative of current barometric pressure, determine a current gear ratio, and modify the driver requested wheel torque based on the current barometric pressure and the current gear ratio to determine a compensated wheel torque. The compensated wheel torque is used to determining the ratio changing threshold. Offset values are included to adjust for barometric pressure variation, transmission oil temperature, and to prevent gear hunting or excessive ratio changing.