| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090182467 | Indicating a Low Volume of Fluid in a Transmission Sump - A method for sensing a volume of fluid located in an oil sump of a motor vehicle transmission includes repetitively determining a rate of change of a temperature of the oil, repetitively determining an acceleration of the vehicle, counting the number of occurrences in which said acceleration is greater than a reference acceleration and said rate of change of the temperature is greater than a reference rate of change of temperature, and producing an indication that the volume of fluid is low, if said number is greater than a reference number. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20100174459 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE SHUT-DOWN CONTROL - 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. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174460 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - 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. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100286877 | Temperature Dependent Minimum Transmission Input Speed - 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. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110136621 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for reducing driveline unwinding during successive engine shutdown and restart operations. In one example, during an engine shutdown, torsion is maintained in a transmission gear-train until an engine restart is requested by engaging one or more transmission clutches while applying wheel brakes. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110203272 | REDUCTION IN TURBOCHARGER LAG AT HIGH ALTITUDES - A method of operating a turbocharged engine of a motor vehicle, the engine having a cylinder which undergoes a compression stroke. The method includes advancing an ignition spark in the cylinder by a first amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a first barometric pressure for a given engine speed and load, and advancing the ignition spark by a second, lesser amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a second, lower barometric pressure, for the given engine speed and load. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20120010044 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010045 | METHOD FOR STARTING AN ENGINE - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010792 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, the engine is restarted with torque reduction over an interval of the restart, for example, by upshifting the transmission. In response to a vehicle launch request, the torque reduction is decreased, for example, by downshifting the transmission, to expedite return of driveline torque. | 01-12-2012 |
