Kenneth James Lang

US Patent:

7229094, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853426

Inventors:

Steven R. Miller - Clarkston MI, US
Mark P. Reynolds - Birmingham MI, US
James Eckelberry - Canton OH, US
Robert P. Carlstedt - Rochester Hills MI, US
Daniel G. Chien - Franklin MI, US
Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI, US
Martin Peaker - Upton, GB
Nancy L. Saxon - Oakland Township MI, US
Jos Timmermann - Oak Park MI, US
Jeff Lloyd - Auburn Hills MI, US
James Grant - Royal Oak MI, US
Richard M. Clisch - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 5/00

US Classification:

280677, 280124107

Abstract:

A tandem axle suspension assembly includes a pair of walking beams disposed substantially parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis supporting first and second axles. A link plate is pivotally attached to each of the walking beams and is pivotal about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. A first and a second link include pivotal connections between the link plate and a vehicle frame member. Vertical movement of the walking beams causes a corresponding rotation of the link plate to compensate for longitudinal displacement of the pivotal links with the first and second links and minimize longitudinal displacement of the walking beams.

US Patent:

7925405, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jun 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/771373

Inventors:

Clinton E. Carey - Monroe MI, US
Craig S. Ross - Ypsilanti MI, US
Edmund F. Gaffney - White Lake MI, US
Todd C. Schanz - Willis MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US
Paul A. Grougan - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 48/12
B60K 17/35
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 51, 701 69, 701 89, 477176

Abstract:

A torque distribution system for a vehicle permits the transfer of torque between vehicle wheels using a selectively engagable clutch that is hydraulically engaged using hydraulic pressure provided by a hydraulic transmission pump driven by the engine, allowing for enhanced system functionality and reduced part content in comparison with known torque distribution systems. The system may include an “active-on-demand” clutch that is selectively engagable to transfer torque between a front differential and a rear differential (thereby transferring torque from the front wheels to the rear wheels) as well as an electronically-limited slip differential clutch selectively engagable to transfer torque from one front wheel to the other front wheel through the front differential. Utilization of the transmission hydraulic pump allows pressure to be provided to engage the clutch even when the wheels are stationary, i. e. , to launch the vehicle.

US Patent:

8306686, Nov 6, 2012

Filed:

Apr 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/428930

Inventors:

Randall B. Dlugoss - Royal Oak MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US

International Classification:

G01M 17/00

US Classification:

701 291, 701 292, 701 293, 701 296, 701 307, 701 324

Abstract:

A vehicle monitoring system comprises a calculation module, an abnormal usage module, and memory. The calculation module calculates a vehicle usage value based on global positioning system (GPS) data and at least one data input, and calculates an expected vehicle usage value based on known vehicle characteristics and the GPS data. The abnormal usage module compares the vehicle usage value and the expected vehicle usage value. The memory stores an indicator based on the comparison.

US Patent:

20050023792, Feb 3, 2005

Filed:

Aug 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/632546

Inventors:

Steven Miller - Clarkston MI, US
James Grant - Royal Oak MI, US
Gregory Pavuk - Royal Oak MI, US
Kenneth Lang - Davison MI, US
Rod Ehrlich - Monticello IN, US
Francis Smidler - Lafayette IN, US
Andrzej Wylezinski - Lafayette IN, US

International Classification:

B60G001/00

US Classification:

280124163

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension system is provided that includes a frame and pair of laterally spaced apart upper control arms pivotally supported by the frame at pivotal connections. A knuckle is connected to each of the upper control arms. A leaf spring is connected to the lower portion of the knuckles at pivotal connections and serves as the lower control arms. The upper control arms extend away from the knuckles, and air springs are arranged between the upper control arms and the frame. A pressurized air system is connected to the air springs to control the air springs for providing desired ride characteristics.

US Patent:

20050263986, Dec 1, 2005

Filed:

May 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853956

Inventors:

Steven Miller - Clarkston MI, US
Mark Reynolds - Birmingham MI, US
James Eckelberry - Canton OH, US
Robert Carlstedt - Rochester Hills MI, US
Daniel Chien - Franklin MI, US
Kenneth Lang - Davison MI, US
Martin Peaker - Upton, GB
Nancy Saxon - Oakland Township MI, US
Jos Timmermans - Ortonville MI, US
Jeff Lloyd - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

B60G005/00

US Classification:

280683000

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension assembly includes a control rod pivotally connected between a vehicle frame and an axle. The control rod controls longitudinal and vertical movement of the axle. A spring member is pivotally connected to the frame and fixed to the axle. Air spring assemblies are mounted between the axle and frame. The rigidly mounted spring member exerts torsion forces on the axle to counter roll forces and the air spring assemblies provide favorable ride characteristics adaptable to various trailer load conditions.

US Patent:

20120304960, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

Jun 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/151692

Inventors:

Richard A. Weaver - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F02D 41/12

US Classification:

123325

Abstract:

An engine control module includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) module, an actuator control module, and a rolling neutral (RN) module. The DFCO module determines whether to disable provision of fuel to an engine when a vehicle speed is greater than zero and selectively generates a DFCO signal based on the determination. The actuator control module disables the provision of fuel to the engine when the DFCO signal is generated. The RN module selectively generates an RN mode signal in response to a determination that the DFCO module is not generating the DFCO signal. The actuator control module controls the provision of fuel to the engine based on a desired engine speed when the RN mode signal is generated. A transmission control module disengages first and second input clutches of a dual clutch transmission (DCT) to decouple the DCT from the engine when the RN mode signal is generated.

US Patent:

20130023381, Jan 24, 2013

Filed:

Jul 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/186855

Inventors:

Amin Abboud - Livonia MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/02
B60W 30/00
B60W 10/04

US Classification:

477181

Abstract:

A vehicle having engine stop-start functionality includes a transmission, engine, and controller. The transmission includes a clutch, and the engine includes a crankshaft. The controller is in communication with the engine and the transmission, and is configured for detecting a commanded shut down of the engine, and then engaging the clutch to control a rate of deceleration of the crankshaft and stop the crankshaft within a calibrated range of a target stop position at the end of engine shut down. A method for controlling engine stop position includes detecting a commanded shut down of the engine, and engaging the clutch after detecting the commanded shut down to thereby control the rate of deceleration of the crankshaft and stop the crankshaft within a calibrated range of a target stop position at the end of shut down of the engine. The transmission may be automatic or it may be a dual-clutch transmission.

US Patent:

20130332039, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

Jun 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/490619

Inventors:

Ronald F. Lochocki - Ypsilanti MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 61/00

US Classification:

701 60

Abstract:

A method of controlling a vehicle includes detecting vibration in a drivetrain of the vehicle with a fore/aft accelerometer during a launch event. An operating regime of the vehicle is identified concurrently with the detected vibration when the detected vibration is outside a predefined allowable range. A control strategy of the drivetrain is adjusted to define a revised control strategy to avoid the identified operating regime. The revised control strategy is applied to control the drivetrain to mitigate vibration in the drivetrain.