Thomas R Greene

US Patent:

47442697, May 17, 1988

Filed:

Nov 6, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/927624

Inventors:

Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4122

US Classification:

74868

Abstract:

A hybrid hydraulic and electronic control valve system for an automatic, multiple-speed motor vehicle transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and change-speed gearing adapted for four forward ratios and one reverse ratio, a converter lockup clutch control valve in conjunction with a lockup clutch shift valve adapted to control the lockup clutch and an electronic control module for superseding the action of the lockup clutch shift valve.

US Patent:

49439219, Jul 24, 1990

Filed:

Oct 24, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/261538

Inventors:

Paul A. Baltusis - Northville MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4118
G06F 1520

US Classification:

3644241

Abstract:

An electronic control system for scheduling gearshifts in a four speed automatic transmission includes storing in electronic memory accessible to a microprocessor, six functions relating vehicle speed to throttle position, one function being related to each upshift and downshift. Gearshifts are made by probing computer memory with current values for throttle position and vehicle speed, and determining on the basis of the stored shift schedule whether an upshift or downshift is required. Upshift points are determined also on the basis of the maximum engine speed when a wide open throttle condition is detected. Ambient barometric pressure alters the vehicle speed and engine speed attained at high altitude in comparison to those speeds that result for the same throttle position at sea level. Therefore, shift points defined by the schedule on the basis of vehicle speed and throttle position, and shift points relates to wide open throttle conditions and engine speed, are corrected for altitude or barometric pressure changes from a reference barometric pressure at which the shift points are determined for the functions stored in computer memory.

US Patent:

54702887, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Oct 6, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/132417

Inventors:

Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
Eileen A. Schock - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4106
F16H 5914

US Classification:

477110

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling gear ratio changes in an automatic transmission includes an electronic microprocessor, an electronic memory accessible to the microprocessor, solenoid-operated shift valves, pressure actuated friction clutches and brakes, a variable force solenoid-operated valve, a torque converter bypass friction clutch, and control algorithms that produce output signals to control the state of the solenoid-operated valves. The vehicle speed and engine speed at which upshifts and downshifts occur, according to a standard gear shift schedule, is compensated for loss of engine torque at conditions that differ from the conditions at which a reference shift schedule is defined. Vehicle speed is compensated for torque variation with reference to the ratio of current calculated engine torque divided by current engine output torque.

US Patent:

54755905, Dec 12, 1995

Filed:

Oct 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/139690

Inventors:

Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
Eileen A. Schock - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 1900
F16H 5948
F16H 6158

US Classification:

3644241

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the bypass clutch of an automatic transmission includes an electronic microprocessor, an electronic memory accessible to the microprocessor, solenoid-operated bypass valve, pressure actuated bypass clutche, a variable force solenoid-operated bypass valve, a torque converter bypass friction clutch, and control algorithms that produce output signals to control the state of the solenoid-operated valve. The vehicle speed at which the bypass clutch engages and disengages, according to a reference schedule, is compensated for loss of engine torque at conditions that differ from the conditions at which the reference schedule is defined. Vehicle speed is compensated for torque variation with reference to the ratio of current calculated engine torque divided by current engine output torque.

US Patent:

53036166, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Aug 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/927046

Inventors:

Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
John A. Daubenmier - Canton MI
Gavin F. McCall - Withim, GB2
Lawrence H. Buch - Farmington Hills MI
Paul F. Smith - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 4502
F16D 4702

US Classification:

74890

Abstract:

A multiple ratio automatic transmission having a hydrokinetic torque converter in an automotive vehicle driveline wherein the torque converter has a controllable bypass clutch and wherein provision is made for changing the clutch capacity during a ratio change to reduce undesirable torque fluctuations in the driveline, thus improving shift quality while maintaining optimum hydrodynamic torque converter efficiency.

US Patent:

54745063, Dec 12, 1995

Filed:

Jan 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/181739

Inventors:

Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
John A. Daubenmier - Canton MI
Gavin F. McCall - Witham, GB2
Lawrence H. Buch - Farmington Hills MI
Paul F. Smith - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 4502
F16D 4702

US Classification:

477 63

Abstract:

A multiple ratio automatic transmission having a hydrokinetic torque converter in an automotive vehicle driveline wherein the torque converter has a controllable bypass clutch and wherein provision is made for changing the clutch capacity during a ratio change to reduce undesirable torque fluctuations in the driveline, thus improving shift quality while maintaining optimum hydrodynamic torque converter efficiency.

US Patent:

43676626, Jan 11, 1983

Filed:

Aug 20, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/179624

Inventors:

Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4116
F02B 3300

US Classification:

74863

Abstract:

A vacuum pressure regulator for an automatic transmission for use with an internal combustion engine having an air compressor on the intake side of the engine intake manifold whereby the signal made available by the regulator for the automatic transmission regulator is varied to provide transmission torque capacity proportional to engine torque throughout all engine operating modes regardless of whether the compressor is operating.

US Patent:

53417038, Aug 30, 1994

Filed:

Mar 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/027514

Inventors:

Bruce J. Palansky - Livonia MI
Thomas L. Greene - Plymouth MI
John A. Daubenmier - Canton MI
Paul F. Smith - Dearborn Heights MI
Karl H. Kock - Cologne, DE
Stuart L. Bird - Cologne, DE
Gavin F. McCall - Witham, GB2

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4118

US Classification:

477 65

Abstract:

A system for scheduling gear ratio changes in an automatic transmission and controlling operation of a torque converter bypass clutch includes a microprocessor; electronic memory containing control algorithms, lookup tables, functions and constants; solenoid-operated shift valves, a variable force solenoid, friction clutches, brakes and sensors, and planetary gear units. A table of calibrated performance weighting factors (PWF) is used to alter reference schedules of gear ratio changes based on the extent to which high performance operation is desired rather than economy operation. The PWFs are used to adjust gear shift points based on inferences drawn from engine throttle position and time rate of change of throttle position. Hydraulic pressure supplied to the friction elements and the schedule of unlocked and modulated operation of the torque converter are adjusted from reference schedules and pressures on the basis of PWF values.