Peter J Grutter

US Patent:

6751534, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746493

Inventors:

Jerry D. Robichaux - Tucson AZ
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60L 1100

US Classification:

701 22, 701 41, 180 651, 180 652, 180 653, 3404255, 340438, 340439, 340441, 340459

Abstract:

A feedback system for use with a hybrid electric vehicle having a propulsion system which includes a motor/generator and an internal combustion engine. The system provides a driver of vehicle with tactile, audible, visual and/or other perceivable feedback, effective to notify the driver that the powertrain of the vehicle is active when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

US Patent:

8192327, Jun 5, 2012

Filed:

Feb 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/707570

Inventors:

Alex O'Connor Gibson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Ross Dykstra Pursifull - Dearborn MI, US
Gopichandra Surnilla - West Bloomfield MI, US
Joseph Norman Ulrey - Dearborn MI, US
Roger Lyle Huffmaster - Canton MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Yuji Fujii - Ann Arbor MI, US
Gregory Michael Pietron - Canton MI, US
Seung-Hoon Lee - Northville MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/00

US Classification:

477 77

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.

US Patent:

8321101, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

May 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/435715

Inventors:

Steven Gerald Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Felix Nedorezov - Rochester Hills MI, US
Bal G. Sankpal - Canton MI, US
John Edward Brevick - Livonia MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 54, 13756501, 13756511, 7311452, 7311455, 477 98

Abstract:

A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210 F. , the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210 F. , the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm.

US Patent:

8574122, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

May 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/483822

Inventors:

Alex O'Connor Gibson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Ross Dykstra Pursifull - Dearborn MI, US
Gopichandra Surnilla - West Bloomfield MI, US
Joseph Norman Ulrey - Dearborn MI, US
Roger Lyle Huffmaster - Canton MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Yuji Fujii - Ann Arbor MI, US
Gregory Michael Pietron - Canton MI, US
Seung-Hoon Lee - Northville MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/00

US Classification:

477 77

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle.

US Patent:

8597159, Dec 3, 2013

Filed:

Dec 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/629738

Inventors:

Gregory Michael Pietron - Canton MI, US
Seung-Hoon Lee - Northville MI, US
Alex O'Connor Gibson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Yuji Fujii - Ann Arbor MI, US
Roger Lyle Huffmaster - Canton MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 61/58

US Classification:

477 62, 192 329

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.

US Patent:

8647235, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Nov 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/685251

Inventors:

Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Felix Nedorezov - Rochester Hills MI, US
Bal Sankpal - Canton MI, US
John Edward Brevick - Livonia MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 59/00

US Classification:

477 98, 477 76

Abstract:

A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210 F. , the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210 F. , the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm.

US Patent:

20100174459, Jul 8, 2010

Filed:

Jan 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/348196

Inventors:

Alex O'Connor Gibson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Roger Lyle Huffmaster - Canton MI, US
Felix Nedorezov - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 59/74
F02D 45/00
B60W 10/04

US Classification:

701 54, 701112

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an automatic transmission, the powertrain coupled to driving wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle operated by an operator. One example method comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission.

US Patent:

20100174460, Jul 8, 2010

Filed:

Jan 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/348198

Inventors:

Alex O'Connor Gibson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Roger Lyle Huffmaster - Canton MI, US
Peter John Grutter - Plymouth MI, US
Felix Nedorezov - Rochester Hills MI, US
Rodney Lewis Lopez - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02D 45/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 54, 701112

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.