Stephen Ruth Colby

US Patent:

6304806, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/518962

Inventors:

Stephen E. Colby - Grand Ledge MI
Paul A. Bauerle - Fenton MI
John N. Stockbridge - Novi MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 4128

US Classification:

701 70

Abstract:

A control system for maintaining powertrain responsiveness adjusts a throttle progression curve to compensate for different vehicle loads. The control system calculates an actual vehicle acceleration rate based on measured vehicle speed for evaluation of total mass being propelled by the vehicle. The calculated actual vehicle acceleration rate is compared to a target vehicle acceleration rate. A throttle progression curve is adjusted based on the results of the comparison so that a subsequent actual vehicle acceleration rate is closer to the target vehicle acceleration rate.

US Patent:

61820024, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Oct 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/178791

Inventors:

Paul Alan Bauerle - Fenton MI
Stephen E. Colby - Grand Ledge MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G06F 700
B60T 712

US Classification:

701 82

Abstract:

An improved traction control system in which a wheel spin condition is detected based on measured vehicle acceleration instead of measured wheel speeds. An electronic controller detects a wheel spin condition by computing the acceleration of the vehicle drive shaft and comparing the computed acceleration to an acceleration threshold stored as function of vehicle speed and wheel torque. If the computed acceleration exceeds the threshold for more than a predetermined time, the engine torque is reduced in relation to the amount by which the computed acceleration exceeds the threshold. When the computed acceleration falls below the threshold, the torque reduction is gradually removed. The wheel torque, vehicle speed and drive shaft acceleration are easily determined and filtered, and the incremental cost of the traction control function is primarily related to the memory requirements to accommodate the acceleration threshold look-up table. The control may be mechanized in a vehicle having electronic throttle control, and the desired torque reduction in such a mechanization may be achieved with one or more of throttle area control, spark timing control and fuel cutoff control.

US Patent:

62982974, Oct 2, 2001

Filed:

Apr 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/548766

Inventors:

Stephen E. Colby - Grand Ledge MI
Paul A. Bauerle - Fenton MI

Assignee:

Generals Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G05D 2900

US Classification:

701 85

Abstract:

A control system for adjusting a throttle progression curve to compensate for traction slip calculates a maximum vehicle acceleration value based on wheel torque and vehicle speed conditions, then compares the actual vehicle acceleration to determine if it is greater than the maximum acceleration to determine if slip is detected, and adjust a throttle progression curve based on the results of the comparing step to enable the vehicle to learn the current road conditions and reduce the throttle progression for a given pedal position during slippery conditions to reduce the amount of slip that occurs during future accelerations.