Patents Represented by Attorney Raggio & Dinnin, P.C.
  • Patent number: 7626533
    Abstract: A processor operatively coupled to a speed sensor adapted to generate a measure of a longitudinal speed of a vehicle on a roadway, and to a source of a measure of yaw rate of the vehicle, provides for selecting a most likely roadway model of a plurality of different roadway models and for outputting a corresponding associated at least one curvature parameter as an estimate of curvature of the roadway, wherein the processor incorporates a plurality of curvature estimators associated with the corresponding plurality of different roadway models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Cong, Shi Shen, Lang Hong
  • Patent number: 7614876
    Abstract: A two in one candle including a bottom jar like member having a predetermined shape and size. A first candle arranged within the jar like member. A top lid which mates with an opening of the jar like member when the candle is closed. A second candle arranged within the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Marci S. Ward-Kubik
  • Patent number: 7605768
    Abstract: A plurality of antenna end-fire antenna feed elements at a corresponding plurality of locations and oriented in a corresponding plurality of directions on a third dielectric substrate cooperate with a discrete lens array comprising a plurality of electromagnetic lens elements, each of which comprises first and second broadside antenna elements adjacent to respective first and second dielectric substrates and a conductive layer therebetween, wherein the conductive layer is adapted with at least one coupling slot in cooperation with associated first and second broadside antenna elements so as to provide for a delay element operative between the first and second broadside antenna elements, wherein the coupling slots are adapted so that a delay period of at least one of the electromagnetic lens elements is different from a delay period of at least another of the electromagnetic lens elements so as to provide for a nominal focal surface of the dielectric lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc., Electronics
    Inventors: James P. Ebling, Gabriel M. Rebeiz, Bernhard Schoenlinner
  • Patent number: 7603991
    Abstract: A method and an equipment for reducing emission and fuel consumption in order to improve combustion in internal combustion engines, whereas, in order to achieve perfect combustion, prior to its entry into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, the mixture of fuel and air is led through a treatment area characterized by specific physical properties, so as to provide, by applying high voltage, the air stream a charge of first polarity and the fuel stream a charge of opposite polarity and simultaneously vibrating at least one of the air and the fuel stream by a frequency in the ultrasonic range, in given cases in several, succA method and an equipment for reducing emission and fuel consumption in order to improve combustion in internal combustion engines, whereas, in order to achieve perfect combustion, prior to its entry into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, the mixture of fuel and air is led through a treatment area characterized by specific physical properties, so a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Rozim
  • Patent number: 7604094
    Abstract: An acoustic scatterer element (10) incorporates a plurality of convex surfaces (38.1, 38.2) has a plurality of associated curvatures in a corresponding plurality of different directions. A plurality of acoustic scatterer elements of various sizes in a cooperative relationship with one another provide for diffusing acoustic waves in a room (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas P. Magyari
  • Patent number: 7602145
    Abstract: A methodology for balancing batteries for use in an electric vehicle. The methodology includes initializing a target balance voltage value to a predetermined voltage. Sampling a first voltage of the batteries at a predetermined interval. Sending the lowest voltage value to all of the batteries. Replacing the target value voltage with the lowest voltage if the lowest voltage is lower than the target balance voltage and bleeding the batteries if a sampled voltage is higher than the target balance voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Renda
  • Patent number: 7597132
    Abstract: A window shade for use in an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The window shade includes a roll tube having a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The window shade also includes a center bearing ranged within the roll tube. The window shade also includes an end bearing arranged at each end of the tube. The window shade also includes a cord arranged over the center bearing and within, the roll tube. The window shade also has an axle arranged in each end thereof with the cord passing through an orifice and wrapped around the end of each axle within the interior of the roll tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha
  • Patent number: 7591296
    Abstract: A support assembly for use on a shade in a vehicle is disclosed. The support assembly includes a base end cap and a nose insulator secured to an end of the base end cap. The support assembly also includes a removable extension arranged over the nose insulator and a portion of the base end cap. A second nose insulator is secured to an end of the removable extension for interaction with an inside surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Busha, Joseph P. Wieczorek, Leslie R. Hinds
  • Patent number: 7591498
    Abstract: A sliding storage console for use in a vehicle. The sliding storage console includes a rail and a body. The sliding storage console also includes a handle arranged on the body. The sliding storage console has an upper housing engaged with the body and a lower housing engaged with the upper housing. The sliding console also includes an actuator arranged between the upper and lower housing. A slider is connected to a lower housing and engaged with the rails. The sliding console also includes a latch plate arranged on the slider and engaged with the actuator to allow for locking of the sliding console at predetermined locations along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Busha, Joseph P. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 7570068
    Abstract: First and second complementary voltage signals are operatively coupled across a series circuit comprising first and second sense resistors and a circuit element therebetween. A DC bias current in the series circuit is substantially nulled, and an output signal responsive to the self-impedance of the circuit element is generated responsive at least one of a voltage across the first sense resistor and a voltage across the second sense resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Bauer, James D. Baal
  • Patent number: 7564249
    Abstract: First and second complementary voltage signals are operatively coupled across a series circuit comprising first and second sense resistors and a circuit element therebetween. A voltage across the circuit element is regulated in reference to a predetermined level, and an output signal responsive to the self-impedance of the circuit element is generated responsive at least one of a voltage across the first sense resistor and a voltage across the second sense resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Bauer, James D. Baal
  • Patent number: 7549457
    Abstract: A security shade for use in an automotive vehicle. The security shade includes a roll tube having shade panel affixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The security shade also includes a center bearing arranged around the cord and within the roll tube. The security shade further includes a compression bearing arranged at each end of the tube. The security shade may also include an end cap arranged over each end of the tube and compression bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha
  • Patent number: 7549708
    Abstract: A seam for use in a vehicle armrest or other interior component. The seam includes a first material and a second material joined to the first material. The seam also includes a T-member connected to the first material and the second material to form a French seam appearance on the outer surface of the material. The T-member is then used to align with a groove in a foam of an armrest or other interior component to create an exterior seam on an armrest or interior component of a vehicle. The seam is created using a guide member attached to a sewing machine that will allow for sewing of the first material and second material to the T-member in a simultaneous process at a predetermined speed thus increasing efficiency of manufacturing the upholstery panel and reducing costs to the manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, William B. Berghoff, Bryan W. Busha, Daniel Muller
  • Patent number: 7543880
    Abstract: A D-ring for use with a visor in a vehicle is disclosed. The D-ring includes a body and a pin arranged between two surfaces of the body. The D-ring also includes a leg extending from the body and an arm extending from a side of the body wherein that arm is generally parallel to the leg. The D-ring also includes a locking ridge extending from an inside surface of the arm and a flange extending from the body substantially parallel to and in spaced relationship to the arm for receiving and holding a planar object between the flange and the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Leslie Hinds
  • Patent number: 7537287
    Abstract: A sliding armrest for use in an automotive vehicle. The sliding armrest including a lower cover, and a lower rail case arranged on a top surface of the lower cover. The armrest includes a guide arranged on the surface of the lower rail case and an upper case cover having a plurality of bosses extending from the surface thereof with the bosses contacting the guide. The sliding armrest also includes a force member arranged between the upper case cover and the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha, Donald J. Woodward, Leslie R. Hinds, Marius Cociuba, Thomas Faber Morse, Bharat Vennapusa
  • Patent number: 7522291
    Abstract: At least one second beam of light from a first beam of light generated by a laser is directed into an atmosphere. Light therefrom scattered by molecules or aerosols in the atmosphere is collected by at least one telescope as at least one light signal, which together with a reference beam from the first beam of light are simultaneously processed by a Fabry-PĂ©rot etalon, and resulting fringe patterns are imaged onto a detector adapted to output a resulting at least one signal responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Michigan Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Byron Hays, Charles J. Richey, Anthony Beckman Hays, Greg Alan Ritter
  • Patent number: 7522091
    Abstract: A processor using a first Kalman filter estimates a host vehicle state from speed and yaw rate, the latter of which may be from a yaw rate sensor if speed is greater than a threshold, and, if less, from a steer angle sensor and speed. Road curvature parameters are estimated from a curve fit of a host vehicle trajectory or from a second Kalman filter for which a state variable may be responsive to a plurality of host state variables. Kalman filters may incorporate adaptive sliding windows. Curvature of a most likely road type is estimated with an interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm using models of different road types. A road curvature fusion subsystem provides for fusing road curvature estimates from a plurality of curvature estimators using either host vehicle state, a map database responsive to vehicle location, or measurements of a target vehicle with a radar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Cong, Shi Shen, Lang Hong
  • Patent number: 7518736
    Abstract: At least one second beam of light from a first beam of light generated by a laser is directed into an atmosphere. Light therefrom scattered by molecules or aerosols in the atmosphere is collected by at least one telescope as at least one light signal, which together with a reference beam from the first beam of light are simultaneously processed by an interferometer, and resulting fringe patterns are imaged onto a detector adapted to output a resulting at least one signal responsive thereto. In various aspects: a data processor gates the signal to provide a range-responsive measurement; the light signal is multiplexed; a circle-to-line interferometer optic transforms an at least partially circular fringe pattern to a substantially linear fringe pattern; or a CCD detector provides for recording a range-resolved image by successively transferring charges from one adjacent row of photosites to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Michigan Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Byron Hays, Jane Camile Pavlich, Greg Alan Ritter
  • Patent number: 7514917
    Abstract: A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard S. Cech, W. Todd Watson, Scott E. Bauer, James D. Baal, Timothy J. Bomya, William Merrick, Richard W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7508528
    Abstract: At least one second beam of light from a first beam of light generated by a laser is directed into an atmosphere. Light therefrom scattered by molecules or aerosols in the atmosphere is collected by at least one telescope as at least one light signal, which together with a reference beam from the first beam of light are simultaneously processed by an interferometer, and resulting fringe patterns are imaged onto a detector adapted to output a resulting at least one signal responsive thereto. A data processor determines at least one air data product responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Michigan Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Byron Hays, Peter Tchoryk, Jr.