Patents Assigned to Volvo Technology Corporation
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Publication number: 20130058529Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a vehicle operator's visual input of an object in the operator's surroundings, which method comprises receiving an object position signal indicative of the position of at least one object, receiving an operator motion input signal indicative of operator physiological data comprising information relating to body motion of the operator, estimating an operator eye-gaze direction, and determining a visual input quality value representative of level of visual input of the at least one object received by the operator, based on the object position signal and the estimated operator eye-gaze direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicants: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel LEVIN, Gustav MARKKULA
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Publication number: 20130057671Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for improving the reliability of a portion of physiological data from an image sensor monitoring an operator positioned in an operator compartment of a vehicle. An embodiment of the method includes receiving, from the image sensor, physiological data including information relating to at least one of eye, face, head, arms and body motion of the operator, identifying an indication of at least an eyelid closure, eye movement or head movement of the operator based on the physiological data; comparing at least one of the physiological data and a lighting condition within the operator compartment with a set of rules for a current operator status; and classifying the type of eyelid closure, eye movement and/or head movement by correlating the identified eyelid closure, eye movement and/or head movement and a result of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicants: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Levin, Lena Westervall, Susanna Leandersson, Peter Kronberg
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Patent number: 8387363Abstract: An arrangement for removal of particulates in a gas flow includes at least one gas passage that is at least partly surrounded by a porous material. An arrangement for exposing the gas passage to sound that induces gas movements in a direction towards the porous material is provided. A method for removal of particulates in a gas flow is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Edward Jobson, Heije Westberg, Staffan Lundgren, Jakob Heydorn Lagerlöf, Cecilia Dahlin
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Publication number: 20130047950Abstract: A piston is positioned for reciprocal movement in a combustion engine cylinder. Half way between flame plume impingement areas are arranged a first type of protrusions protruding into the combustion chamber and having a smooth form adapted for preserving kinetic energy in a flame plume. Each of the first type of protrusions has a shape of a longitudinal ridge that extends only in the outer bowl area. The first type of protrusions have a left side flank and a right side flank of the ridge when seen from the injector. The left side flank is formed differently compared to the right side flank in order to redirect the movement of a flame plume progressing towards the left side flank in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocal movement, differently compared to corresponding flame plume progressing, towards the right side flank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jan Eismark, Michaell Balthasar
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Publication number: 20130026872Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine excited by magnetic poles formed by one or more embedded permanent magnets includes a magnetic body and the one or more embedded permanent magnets associated with the magnetic body defining first magnetic poles and second magnetic poles of alternating magnetic polarity along a rotor direction. For at least one of the one or more embedded permanent magnets a rotor segment is arranged between the one or more embedded permanent magnets and a first surface of the magnetic body. At least one retainer element connects the rotor segment to a portion of the magnetic body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Maddalena Cirani, Sture Eriksson
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Patent number: 8344849Abstract: Method for assuring that the operator of a vehicle is an authorized driver, the method including utilizing an onboard, multi-mode driver identification system to ascertain whether an operator is an authorized driver. A first driver identification procedure is performed on a present operator of the vehicle and determining whether the present operator is an authorized or unauthorized driver of the vehicle. A second driver identification procedure is performed on the present operator of the vehicle and determining whether the present operator is an authorized or unauthorized driver of the vehicle, wherein the first and second driver identification procedures are performed with a time interval therebetween, the time interval being dependent upon the nature of the work being performed by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Petter Larsson, Andreas Hagemann, Hanna Björk
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Patent number: 8332090Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and a method for operating a hybrid vehicle are provided, the vehicle including at least a first drive unit and a second drive unit coupled to the first drive unit, wherein the second driving unit recovers kinetic energy during braking the hybrid vehicle, a transmission unit which can be coupled to the first and/or second drive unit and a drive axle. It is proposed to change the transmission ratio of the transmission unit depending on a desired amount of energy recovered by the second drive unit during regenerative braking or a predetermined time period before the anticipated start of regenerative braking.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Per Rutquist, Lisa Ehrlich
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Publication number: 20120272935Abstract: A method of operating a dual fuel internal combustion engine of the diesel-type is provided, the engine including a combustion chamber being at least partly delimited by a piston, a first fuel supply for a first fuel, the first fuel supply being located in or at the combustion chamber and/or in or at an inlet port thereof, and a second fuel supply for a second fuel. The method includes pre-mixing the first fuel in the combustion chamber and/or in the inlet port, compressing the charge containing the first fuel to conditions that allow auto-ignition of the second fuel, performing a first injection of the second fuel into the combustion chamber to initiate auto-ignition of the second fuel for igniting the first fuel, thereby initiating conditions for pre-mixed flame propagation combustion of the first fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2009Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Ingemar Magnusson
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Publication number: 20120185212Abstract: A method and a system are provided for preparing sensor output data of a sensor assembly comprising at least one sensor for further processing in at least one application and/or by at least one algorithm. The method includes a configuration phase and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: Providing a data manipulation structure comprising a filter function for transforming the sensor output data into processable sensor data and at least a first memory function for storing the processable sensor data; Transforming the sensor data from the sensor assembly into processable sensor data processable by the at least one application and/or the at least one algorithm by means of the filter function; Storing the processable sensor data by means of the at least first memory function; Providing the stored processable sensor data to the at least one application and/or the at least one algorithm for further processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Cecilia Ekelin
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Publication number: 20120136556Abstract: A method of selecting between two operation modes in a dual fuel internal combustion engine of the diesel-type is provided. The engine includes a combustion chamber at least partly delimited by a piston, a first fuel supply for a first fuel, the first fuel supply being located in or at the combustion chamber and/or in or at an inlet port thereof, and a second fuel supply for a second fuel. The engine has two different operation modes, both operation modes including the steps of pre-mixing the first fuel in the combustion chamber and/or in the inlet port, compressing the charge containing the first fuel to conditions that allow auto-ignition of the second fuel, performing a first injection of the second fuel into the combustion chamber to initiate auto-ignition of the second fuel, thereby initiating conditions for combustion of the fuel remaining in the combustion chamber after auto-ignition of the second fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2009Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Volvo Technology CorporationInventor: Ingemar Magnusson
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Publication number: 20120119509Abstract: An electromagnetic, continuously variable transmission power split turbo compound includes a turbo compound turbine driven by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, and a power split device comprising a magnetic gear arrangement. The magnetic gear arrangement includes a high speed rotor comprising a first quantity of permanent magnets, a low speed rotor comprising a second quantity of permanent magnets, and a plural pole rotor between the high speed rotor and the low speed rotor. A first rotor of the high speed rotor, the low speed rotor, and the plural pole rotor includes a mechanical input drive adapted to be driven by the turbine. A second rotor of the high speed rotor, the low speed rotor, and the plural pole rotor includes a mechanical output drive. A third rotor of the high speed rotor, the low speed rotor, and the plural pole rotor is unconnected to a mechanical drive and includes a controlling rotor for controlling a ratio of input drive angular velocity to output drive angular velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Martin West
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Patent number: 8170788Abstract: A method and apparatus for piloting a vehicle is herein disclosed. The method entails first using a lane keeping system to detect objects in lanes adjacent to the lane currently occupied by the vehicle and then adjusting the position of the vehicle within the occupied lane-relative to a detected object.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Agneta Sjögren, Achim Beutner
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Publication number: 20120091934Abstract: A method is provided for damping electromechanical oscillations in an electromechanical system including at least one electric machine operable with an angular speed and a phase of the angular speed being coupled to at least one torque load and producing an electromotive force. The method includes deriving actual values of the electromotive force and adjusting the phase of the angular speed, based on the derived actual values of the electromotive force, in a direction in which an oscillatory behavior of the electric machine is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Johan Lindberg
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Publication number: 20120025969Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing safety and traffic efficiency for vehicles transmitting information on an expected behavior of a driver of an ego vehicle in response to a stimulus including the steps of (i) sensing a parameter of the stimulus in order to generate a stimulus signal function of the sensed parameter, (ii) monitoring the stimulus signal function of the sensed parameter, (iii) calculating an expected future driver's behavior in response to the stimulus using said stimulus signal, (iv) comparing the expected future driver behavior with a standard driver behavior, and (v) emitting a warning signal to the surrounding of the ego vehicle in case the expected future driving behavior is not a standard behavior. Additionally, a system operating according to said method is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Marco Dozza
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Publication number: 20110320163Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program are provided for determining road data including the steps of: (i) measuring variables suitable for determining an actual trajectory (A) of the vehicle; (ii) determining the actual trajectory from the measured variables; (iii) estimating road geometry values based on the determined actual trajectory; and (iv) determining a virtual road the vehicle is following based on the estimated road geometry data and the actual trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Gustav Markkula, Fredrik Sandblom
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Patent number: 8065870Abstract: Method and device for reduction of a gas component in an exhaust gas flow of a combustion engine (1) that is adapted for operation by a lean air/fuel mixture. An exhaust pipe (21) is included for transport of the exhaust gas flow from the engine (1). A separation unit (22) is also included that is arranged along the exhaust pipe (21), which separation unit (22) has a wall structure (32) of a material which provides separation of the gas component from the exhaust gas flow by means of a selective passage of the gas component before other gas components in the exhaust gas flow. The method provides for a reduction and a separation unit that is intended to be utilized during such a reduction. An improved reduction of in particular NOx compounds from a so-called “lean-burn” engine is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Edward Jobson, Lennart Cider, Goran Wirmark
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Patent number: 8017086Abstract: A catalyst unit (1; 1?) configured for the reduction of NOx compounds in a gas stream and which includes a catalytically active material of the silver/alumina type. The catalyst unit (1; 1?) has at least one first reaction zone (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e) containing the catalytically active material and at least one second reaction zone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) which is arranged to permit breakdown of a gas species which is formed in the first reaction zone (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e), with N2 being formed, and in that the gas stream is conducted through the first reaction zone (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e) and the second reaction zone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e). The invention results in an improved catalyst unit which in particular provides high-grade reduction of NOx compounds in an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Kari Eränen, Edward Jobson, Lennart Cider, Lars-Eric Lindfors
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Publication number: 20110197571Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting particles and a particle sensor arrangement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and arrangement for detecting particles in a gas flow, e.g. from a diesel combustion engine. The method comprises the steps of; forcing a particle build up on a sensor element of a particle sensor arrangement by regulating the sensor element to a second temperature; wherein the second temperature is lower than a first temperature, the first temperature being the gas flow temperature. Additionally is the particle build up detected at the sensor element by means of a detector. The present invention provides for an accurate method and arrangement to detect and thereby measure particles present in a gas flow, e.g. from a combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicants: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jacobus Hendrik Visser, Peter Jozsa Mårdberg, Doina Lutic, Anita Lloyd Spetz, Mehri Sanati
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Publication number: 20110095601Abstract: A switch module includes at least one switch exhibiting at least two states of operation, provided for connecting at least two conductor segments of an electrical power supply network, the electrical power supply network including one or more power sources and one or more electrical loads. One control unit is provided per switch and is operatively coupled to the switch for controlling the states of operation of the switch. Each control unit includes a selection unit for selecting a state of operation of the switch coupled to the respective control unit. A method for operating such switch modules and an electric power supply network are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: VOLVO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Eilert Johansson
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Patent number: 7912796Abstract: System and method for real-time, automatic, recognition of large time-scale driving patterns employs a statistical pattern recognition framework, implemented by means of feed-forward neural network utilizing models developed for recognizing, for example, four classes of driving environments, namely highway, main road, suburban traffic and city traffic, from vehicle performance data. A vehicle control application effects changes in vehicle performance aspects based on the recognized driving environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Volvo Technology CorporationInventors: Johan Engström, Trent Victor