Brian C O'Neil

US Patent:

7650214, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/876318

Inventors:

James T. Gooden - Canton MI, US
Bradley D. Riedle - Northville MI, US
Brian M. O'Neil - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 67

Abstract:

A method for controlling speed of an input shaft to a hydraulically actuated clutch that includes a hydraulic balance dam volume includes determining a limit speed of the input shaft that varies as a function of time during a predetermined period after the clutch starts rotation and that causes a servo piston for actuating the clutch to move toward an engaged position, rotating the input shaft during the period, limiting a speed of the input shaft during said period to a determined limit speed corresponding to a current time after beginning the period, and allowing the speed of the input shaft to increase to a speed greater than the determined limit speed after expiration of the period.

US Patent:

8177686, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Jan 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/686576

Inventors:

Scott P. Ries - South Lyon MI, US
Brian M. O'Neil - Ann Arbor MI, US
Bradley D. Riedle - Northville MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 61/14

US Classification:

477168, 477176

Abstract:

A method for controlling a vehicle torque converter lockup clutch during a deceleration coasting event includes producing slip across the clutch by reducing the clutch's torque capacity, decreasing said slip by increasing said torque capacity, and maintaining slip across the clutch.

US Patent:

20020086773, Jul 4, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/753525

Inventors:

Barbara Hartline - Plymouth MI, US
Brian O'Neil - Ann Arbor MI, US
Bradley Riedle - Northville MI, US
Charles Bannon - Northville MI, US
Michelle Grytzelius - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

F16H059/48

US Classification:

477/120000

Abstract:

A method for controlling the capacity of friction clutches and brakes in a multiple-ratio vehicle transmission and for simultaneously establishing ratio shift point scheduling to effect a desired vehicle speed at which ratio changes occur while the vehicle is in a traction control mode. The method includes calculating a synthetic throttle setting that is used to establish clutch and brake capacity control and wherein separate ratio shift schedules are used for normal operation and for traction control operation, the engine torque required during operation in the traction control mode determining the vehicle speed at which shifts occur for each gear ratio whereby the shift schedule during operation in the traction control mode can be calibrated independently of the throttle position required for optimum clutch and brake capacity control.

US Patent:

20020173894, Nov 21, 2002

Filed:

May 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/681685

Inventors:

John Gorys - Canton MI, US
Brian O'Neil - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Pogorzelski - Brownstown Twp. MI, US
Jacob Povirk - Novi MI, US
Joseph Slayton - Sterling Heights MI, US
Steven Dunn - Whitmore Lake MI, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

701/051000, 701/084000

Abstract:

A control strategy and method for controlling friction element engagement and disengagement time for an automatic transmission when the transmission is operating at cold ambient temperatures. During drive-to-reverse or reverse-to-drive friction element engagements with power on, the strategy compensates for a tendency of an oncoming friction element to gain capacity before an off-going clutch loses capacity, thereby avoiding a potential friction element tie-up condition when the transmission is operated with intermediate or high levels of engine torque as the friction elements are sequentially engaged and disengaged during cold rock cycling.

US Patent:

20110284782, Nov 24, 2011

Filed:

May 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/110460

Inventors:

Robert John Boychuk - Troy MI, US
Robert Andrew Dayton - Attica MI, US
Brian James O'Neil - Richmond MI, US
Mark William Hildebrandt - Hartland MI, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112915

Abstract:

An assembly comprises a manifold and a valve. The manifold has a portion defining a bore having a first end and a second end. The valve is at least partially disposed within the manifold and includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field; a bobbin configured to house the coil; a pole piece located near the bobbin; and a housing. The pole piece includes a first end configured for insertion into the bore of the manifold; a circumferentially extending groove located near the first end of the pole piece; an o-ring disposed in the circumferentially extending groove; and a radially outwardly extending flange located near the circumferentially extending groove that is configured to engage both the portion of the manifold defining the first end of the bore and the bobbin. The housing includes a tab configured to fasten the valve to the manifold.

US Patent:

20160268030, Sep 15, 2016

Filed:

May 19, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/158850

Inventors:

- Cleveland OH, US
John R. Barla - Macomb MI, US
Brian J. O'Neil - Richmond MI, US

International Classification:

H01F 7/06

Abstract:

A method for actuating a solenoid can include, when the solenoid is in the unactuated position: (i) providing a control signal at a first voltage level to the solenoid, and (ii) adjusting the control signal to a second voltage level to actuate the solenoid to the actuated position. The first voltage level can be greater than zero but less than a voltage sufficient to switch the solenoid to the actuated position. When the solenoid is in the actuated position, the control signal can be adjusted to a third voltage level (less than the second voltage level and less than a voltage insufficient to maintain the solenoid in the actuated position) to switch the solenoid to the unactuated position. The control signal can be adjusted to the first voltage level after the solenoid has returned to the unactuated position.

US Patent:

20160097448, Apr 7, 2016

Filed:

Oct 1, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/503726

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kendrick Morrison - Wayne MI, US
Cory LaRoche - Wixom MI, US
Derek Kinch - Ypsilanti MI, US
John Armstead - Royal Oak MI, US
Brian Michael O'Neil - Ann Arbor MI, US
Pramod Kumar Jain - Farmington Hills MI, US

International Classification:

F16H 61/00
F16D 25/0638
F16K 31/12
F16D 48/02

Abstract:

A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.