Patents Assigned to Chrysler Group LLC
  • PENDULUM ABSORBER SNUBBER
    Publication number: 20140053680
    Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibrations in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a pendulum-type torsional absorber that uses a hydraulic snubber mechanism to limit travel of the pendulum without causing noise or damage to the absorber, crankshaft or other engine components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Russell J. Wakeman
  • VEHICLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20140053541
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using compressed gas in a vehicle. The methods include generating mechanical energy by expanding stored compressed gas through a turbine-compressor and distributing the mechanical energy to the engine, motor-generator, or a wheel. The compressed gas vehicle system includes a flask connected to a turbine-compressor, which may be interconnected to the engine and the motor-generator. The system may also include an electric wheel-motor connected electrically to the motor-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Adam Timmons, Steven L. Clark
  • Multi-speed drive unit
    Patent number: 8657712
    Abstract: A multi-speed drive unit is provided for an electrically variable transmission having a variable-range output gear ratio for a motor vehicle. The variable-range output electrically variable transmission has improved final drive gear ratios that allow the motor to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the variable-range output electrically variable transmission allows for increased vehicle speeds during electric vehicle operation and provides for the use of the vehicle engine during reverse gear operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Dumitru Puiu, Scott A. Miller
  • Gun and fishing rod holder
    Patent number: 8657127
    Abstract: A gun and fishing rod holder. The holder comprises a pair of stands mounted on a table. The stands can be arranged in first (gun holding) and second (fishing rod holding) configurations. The first (gun holding) configuration of a stand comprises a pair of U-shaped channels. The second (fishing rod holding) configuration of a stand comprises an upside-down U-shaped support having a plurality of rod holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Fred M. Diaz, Jr., Patrick T. Muldoon, Brian A. Rogos, James P. Sassorossi, Timothy B. Sikes, Andrew C. Mcginnis, Richard J. Galler, Thomas A. Daily
  • Fill-plug for drivetrain component
    Patent number: 8657061
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that may include a chassis, a mounting bracket, a drivetrain component, a first shaft and a second shaft. The mounting bracket may be secured to the chassis. The drivetrain component may include a housing defining an internal cavity and including a fluid fill-hole in communication with the internal cavity and extending through an exterior surface of the housing. The first shaft may engage the fluid fill-hole and may have a head on one end. The second shaft may extend outward from the head and may engage an aperture of the mounting bracket. The second shaft may bear a mounting load of the housing and may transmit at least a portion of the mounting load through the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A Beaupied, Dermot A Ashby, Riccardo Capitanio
  • Touch pad control panel located in the center console of a vehicle
    Patent number: 8659554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a moveable touch pad that opens out of a center console armrest and is operable to control a navigation unit or other vehicle functions. Advantageously, locating a control touch pad unit in the center console armrest provides an ergonomically desirable solution for the vehicle's driver. The touch pad can be stored in the vehicle's center console armrest, and the touch pad is configured to move fore and aft for comfortable driver access. Additionally, the control touch pad unit can be utilized to control other vehicle functions, such as audio, climate settings, odometer settings, lighting, mobile phones, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Douglas J. Quigley, Robert Smyczynski, Clifford Wilkins
  • Laser sight cleaner
    Patent number: 8657452
    Abstract: A system where a reflector of a laser alignment system is cleaned by a cleaning device that is actuated by an automatic guided vehicle as it passes the reflector. The laser alignment system is used to detect a position of the automatic guided vehicle relative to a location in a manufacturing facility. As the automatic guided vehicle passes the laser alignment system, a projection formed on the automatic guided vehicle will contact an element of a laser cleaning system to actuate the cleaning device over the reflector to clean it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Perrin, Thomas W. Perrin, Michael K. Woodruff
  • KNEE AIRBAG HAVING INCREASED PACKAGE WIDTH
    Publication number: 20140049026
    Abstract: A knee airbag assembly is operable to restrain at least one leg of an occupant of a vehicle. The assembly includes an inflator, a housing, and an airbag that moves between a stowed state and a deployed state. The inflator is operable to selectively inflate the airbag to move the airbag from the stowed state to the deployed state. The airbag is housed within the housing in the stowed state, and the airbag extends from the housing in the deployed state. The airbag defines a package width when in the stowed state, and the airbag defines a deployed width when in the deployed state. A ratio of the package width to the deployed width is between approximately 0.8 and 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventor: James Webber
  • SINGLE-INPUT AND SINGLE-OUTPUT HYBRID SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140051537
    Abstract: A hybrid assembly for a vehicle is provided having a single input and a single output. The hybrid assembly is compactly packaged and achieves a wide range of gear ratios. The hybrid assembly may be used in a vehicle power train with or without an additional transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Bradford P. Liu, Feisel Weslati
  • DOUBLE SWAP KICKDOWN SHIFT CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140051543
    Abstract: A method of performing a double swap kickdown shift in a transmission having a main box and a compounder. The compounder is shifted during the hold speed phase of the downshift. The target ratio for the downshift is overshot by an overshoot RPM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Hussein Dourra, Javed Dada
  • SINGLE-INPUT AND SINGLE-OUTPUT HYBRID SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140051536
    Abstract: A hybrid assembly having a single input and a single output is provided. The hybrid assembly may be operated in electronically variable, fixed gear, direct gear, and locked modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Bradford P. Liu, Feisel Weslati
  • Road wheel protection member
    Patent number: 8650732
    Abstract: A protection member for a vehicle road wheel includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface with a central aperture extending therethrough. The protection member further includes a plurality of unequal length pins spaced about the aperture and extending in a direction away from the second surface. The plurality of pins are configured and positioned to engage holes of said road wheel utilized for mounting the road wheel to an axle of the vehicle. The protection member further includes a plurality of spoke receiving features spaced about and extending from the second surface. The spoke receiving features have a complimentary configuration for substantially aligning with a complimentary configuration of spokes of the road wheel. When the road wheel is disposed on the second surface the plurality of pins detachably couple the protection member to the road wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Huber
  • Gun and fishing rod holder
    Patent number: 8651289
    Abstract: A gun and fishing rod holder. The holder comprises at least one stand mounted on a table. The at least one stand can be arranged in first (gun holding) and second (fishing rod holding) configurations. The first (gun holding) configuration of a stand comprises a pair of U-shaped channels. The second (fishing rod holding) configuration of a stand comprises an upside-down U-shaped support having a plurality of rod holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Fred M. Diaz, Jr., Patrick T. Muldoon, Brian A. Rogos, James P. Sassorossi, Timothy B. Sikes, Andrew C. McGinnis, Richard J. Galler, Thomas A. Dailey
  • Vehicle grille shutter system and method of its use
    Patent number: 8655545
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first sensor that provides first data indicating at least one of vehicle speed and ambient temperature. The system also includes a shutter control module. The shutter control module includes a first sub-module that provides a first amount of modification to an opening amount for a shutter based on the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Songping Yu, Bryon Wasacz, Michael Prucka
  • Stowable seat arrangement for a vehicle
    Patent number: 8651550
    Abstract: A stowable seat arrangement can include a seat having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat bottom. A pair of front and rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom. A first floor panel can be fixed to the pair of front legs. An access panel can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the front legs. The seat can selectively articulate from a deployed to a stowed position where the seat is adapted to be received in a stowage recess of the vehicle. The articulation of the seat can automatically open the access panel to provide access to the recess and then close the access panel upon the seat being in the stowed position. The first floor panel can automatically move to a substantially horizontal position relative to a vehicle floor to provide a flat load floor configuration when the seat is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Todd R. Teasdale
  • Multi-mode drive unit
    Patent number: 8651989
    Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Dumitru Puiu, Goro Tamai, Scott A Miller
  • WEATHERSTRIP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140033614
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a weatherstrip assembly may include forming an elongated reinforcement member, forming an elongated seal member, and trimming ends of the seal member and the reinforcement member. The reinforcement member and the seal member may be formed from first and second materials, respectively. The seal member may be formed around the reinforcement member such that the reinforcement member is at least partially embedded in the seal member. The seal member may include a plurality of sealing lips. The ends of the seal member and the reinforcement member may be trimmed using a laser cutter that is movable in multiple axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bartolomucci, Chao Xu
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BATTERY CHARGING AND THERMAL MANGEMENT CONTROL IN ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20140039735
    Abstract: A method and a control system for charging a battery in a plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle, thermally conditioning the battery, and/or thermally conditioning the passenger compartment of the plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Major, Mark Utter, Jian Cao
  • METHOD OF DIAGNOSING A STARTER RELAY FAILURE USING SYNCHRONIZED STATE MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140032037
    Abstract: A method and electrical system for detecting and compensating for a failure in a starter circuit that comprises first and second relays in a circuit path to a starter motor of a vehicle. The method and system determine if at least one of the first or second relays is in a closed position when it should be in an open position and disables a vehicle starter operation if it is determined that at least one of the first or second relays is in the closed position when it should be in the open position. The vehicle starter operation could be a stop-start operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Lott, Toufic R. Rtail
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D700104
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Malachowski