The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 26, 2008
Filed:
Oct. 09, 2006
John W. Degeorge, Michigan Center, MI (US);
Gary K. Lowe, Troy, MI (US);
John W. DeGeorge, Michigan Center, MI (US);
Gary K. Lowe, Troy, MI (US);
Chrysler LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
In a method for characterizing a road surface beneath a moving vehicle whose powertrain includes a torque converter coupling the engine to a driven wheel, a set of successive values for the torque converter's slip error rate is generated using filtered values for engine speed and torque converter turbine speed. The road surface characteristic is identified based on the set of slip error rate values, as through a comparison of the set with a plurality of case statements, wherein each case statement corresponds with a different road characteristic and/or general surface type. Weighted average values are calculated based on subsets of the values within the set, for use in identifying transitions from one type of surface to another, or one surface characteristic to another. Indicated slip error rates generated in response to changes in an engine torque demand request are also identified to avoid a false indication.