Patents Examined by Garrett Evans
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Patent number: 9645577Abstract: Among other things, an operation related to control of a vehicle is facilitated by actions that include the following. A finite set of candidate trajectories of the vehicle is generated that begin at a location of the vehicle as of a given time. The candidate trajectories are based on a state of the vehicle and on possible behaviors of the vehicle and of the environment as of the location of the vehicle and the given time. A putative optimal trajectory is selected from among the candidate trajectories based on costs associated with the candidate trajectories. The costs include costs associated with violations of rules of operation of the vehicle. The selected putative optimal trajectory is used to facilitate the operation related to control of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: nuTonomy Inc.Inventors: Emilio Frazzoli, Karl Iagnemma
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Patent number: 9640845Abstract: A temperature-raising device for an in-car battery includes: a battery temperature acquisition unit configured to acquire a temperature of a battery mounted in a vehicle; an environmental temperature acquisition unit configured to acquire an environmental temperature; a heater configured to raise the temperature of the battery; and a controller configured to i) turn ON or OFF the heater based on a result of a comparison between the battery temperature acquired by the battery temperature acquisition unit and a predetermined threshold, and ii) reduce the threshold in accordance with a reduction in the environmental temperature acquired by the environmental temperature acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yusuke Kuruma, Takashi Murata
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Patent number: 9625261Abstract: A method and apparatus includes strategies for improving required time of arrival reliability by an aircraft comprising determining a speed correction for one of AT speed constraints or an AT or ABOVE speed constraints, wherein the determining is selected from one or more of the mechanisms from the group consisting of continuous RTA speed management between constraints, padding of the AT speed constraints and the AT or ABOVE speed constraints; decelerating proactively; and using a variable guidance margin, wherein the guidance margin is a speed change not reflected in a flight plan prediction.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Michal Polansky, Erwan Paricaud, Dorothee De Villele, Zdenek Jancik
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Patent number: 9610955Abstract: Excess fuel consumption monitor and feedback systems for vehicles include sensor arrays of two primary types including those sensors deployed as part of a vehicle manufacturer established sensor suite and sensors deployed as after-market sensors. Together, these sensor suites include sensors coupled to vehicle subsystems and operating environments associated with the vehicle. Data from these sensors may be used as parametric inputs to drive algorithmic calculations which have outputs that express excess fuel consumption. Expressions of excess fuel consumption may be made instantaneously as real-time feedback to a vehicle operator/driver and/or a fleet manager as part of a summary report.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar
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Patent number: 9604643Abstract: A system and method for controlling driving of a vehicle is provided. The method includes initiating a creep entry by determining whether the vehicle is driven at a low speed that is equal to or less than creep speed during a stop of the vehicle and initiating control in a creep mode. A launch entry is initiated by determining whether both an APS condition in which an APS is equal to or greater than a reference APS in a creep mode and an engine torque condition that an engine torque is equal to or greater than a reference engine torque are satisfied and converting a current mode into an launch mode. A tip-out entry is initiated by determining whether an APS is less than the reference APS in a launch mode and converting a current mode into a tip-out mode for gradually reducing the engine torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jin Sung Kim, Ju Hyun Nam
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Patent number: 9586570Abstract: A method for checking sets of components of a vehicle includes configuring a system control unit of a vehicle to perform a check of a first set of components and a second set of components of the vehicle, the first set of components being different from the second set of components. The first set of components is automatically checked using the system control unit. The second set of components is optionally checked using the system control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to disable the check of the second set of components based upon a disable command provided to the control system. Further, a system for verifying different sets of components and a further method for checking sets of components of a vehicle are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Kimberly Richey, Xiaobin Wang
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Patent number: 9586664Abstract: A vessel propulsion system includes an engine that provides a propulsive force to a vessel, a throttle valve to adjust an air amount supplied to the engine, an accelerator operation unit operated by an operator to adjust a throttle opening degree, the throttle opening degree corresponding to an operation amount of the accelerator operation unit, and a control unit programmed to vary an engine output even when the throttle opening degree is maintained at a fixed value other than an idling opening degree, the engine output corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator operation unit as a reference output.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Inoue
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Patent number: 9580886Abstract: A working vehicle is configured so that interference does not occur even if an attachment is exchanged and so that a reduction in work efficiency caused by the exchange of an attachment is minimized. A backhoe comprises: a working machine body; a working device which is connected to the working machine body, has joints, and allows an attachment to be removably mounted to the front end of the working device; and a control device in which stop positions are set, the stop positions being those at which the working device is stopped in order to avoid the interference of the working device. The control device has connected thereto: a position sensor which detects the position of the working device; an input means by which the stop positions are set in advance and by which the stop positions are adjusted independently of each other; and a screen operation section which allows selection among the stop positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.Inventors: Mitsuhiro Nakagaki, Katsuya Miyazaki, Katashi Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Takahashi
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Patent number: 9579949Abstract: A fuel economy system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a power supply, an HVAC system that is operable to heat and/or cool an interior compartment of the vehicle, and a destination system that is operable to estimate a length of time or distance required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination on a predefined route. The system also includes an HVAC control system in communication with the HVAC system. The HVAC control system is operable to regulate a temperature of the vehicle interior compartment by increasing or decreasing power to the HVAC system such that the interior compartment is heated or cooled. The HVAC control system is also operable to automatically reduce power to the HVAC system per a predefined reduced power plan prior to the vehicle reaching the destination.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Tapan V. Patel
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Patent number: 9580061Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine, configured to supply power for driving a ground engaging traction device, and a hybrid power system to drive a powertrain. An engine controller is operatively coupled to the engine and is configured to generate a hybrid torque command received by a hybrid powertrain controller operatively coupled to the engine controller. The hybrid powertrain controller is configured to generate an available hybrid torque signal and a desired hybrid torque signal both of which are configured to be received by the engine controller. The engine controller generates an engine command signal configured to command the engine to operate at a commanded engine torque, in response to the available hybrid torque signal and the desired hybrid torque signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Michael J. Pipho, Thomas M. Johnson, Christopher D. Turner
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Patent number: 9567724Abstract: A lifting arrangement for a construction machine is provided which includes a main arm (3) which is provided with a pivot connector (4). The pivot connector (4) is pivotably supported on a main arm support means (6). The main arm support means (6) is moveable in a direction which includes at least a component in the front-rear direction with respect to a frame arrangement of a construction machine to which the lifting arrangement can be applied. Based on a control of a main arm actuating element (11) and an auxiliary actuating element (21), a path of an equipment connector (5) upon moving said main arm (3) between a lowered position and a lifted position can be achieved which follows a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GUANGXI LIUGONG MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventor: Edward Wagner
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Patent number: 9555781Abstract: To determine a triggering criterion for outputting brake signals in a vehicle, at least one object in the vehicle surroundings is sensed, and a determination is made as to whether the vehicle is on a collision course with the object. When a collision course is determined, an avoidance criterion, which is satisfied if an avoidance maneuver is not available, is checked. When the avoidance criterion is met, a braking criterion is checked. The object is classified into at least a first or a second class as a function of its properties, and the avoidance maneuver is determined as a function of such classification such that, in the case of a first class, a first avoidance trajectory is determined, and, in the case of a second class, a second trajectory, different from the first, is determined. The triggering criterion for brake signal output is satisfied when the avoidance and braking criteria are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: WABCO GMBHInventors: Karsten Breuer, Rudiger Meyer, Dirk Sandkuhler, Christian Sulzbacher
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Patent number: 9556591Abstract: Swing kinetic and boom potential energy may be recovered in a machine having a movable work tool, a swing motor for rotating the work tool, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the work tool, a pump selectively connected to the swing motor and the hydraulic cylinder, and a power source outputting power to drive the pump. The machine may further include a first accumulator, a swing charge valve having a charge set pressure, and a boom charge valve. The swing charge valve selectively fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator, and open to fluidly connect the swing motor to the first accumulator when a swing motor fluid pressure is greater than a charge set pressure of the swing charge valve. The boom charge valve may selectively fluidly connect a head-end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to the first accumulator when the work tool is lowered.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Tonglin Shang, Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Dayao Chen
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Patent number: 9550501Abstract: A vehicle system comprises an interface assembly and a controller both on board a first rail vehicle. The interface assembly comprises one or more mechanical couplers, fuel couplers, fluid couplers, and electrical connectors, to detachably couple the first rail vehicle to a separate, adjacent fuel tender vehicle, for the transfer of one or more of fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas) from the fuel tender vehicle to the first rail vehicle, heated fluid from the first rail vehicle to the fuel tender vehicle (e.g., for regasification of liquid natural gas stored in the fuel tender vehicle to the compressed natural gas), or electrical power and/or control signals between the first rail vehicle and the fuel tender vehicle. The controller is configured to at least partially control operations of the first rail vehicle in relation to interfacing with the fuel tender vehicle for fuel transfer, heated fluid transfer, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lamar K. Ledbetter, Kevin M. Fisher, Jared K. Cooper
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Patent number: 9541416Abstract: A map display controller includes an operation portion that is operated in a predetermined operation range, an operation detecting unit that detects an operation on the operation portion, a reaction force generating unit that applies a reaction force against a change in position of the operation portion to the operation portion when an operation in which the position of the operation portion is changed to pass over a predetermined area in the operation range in a predetermined direction is performed, and a control unit that switches a display mode of a map display displayed on a display device when it is detected from the detection result of the operation detecting unit that the position of the operation portion passes over the predetermined area in the predetermined direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hitoshi Kumon
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Patent number: 9527400Abstract: A battery charging system includes a charger that is configured to charge and discharge a battery. The battery system further includes a controller programmed to operate the charger based on a state of charge of the battery to, during a storage duration, maintain the state of charge at a partial charge level. The charger may be operated to charge and discharge the battery during the storage duration. Upon expiration of the storage duration, the controller operates the charger to maintain the state of charge at an operating charge level. The partial charge level is selected to reduce an amount of degradation to the battery relative to the operating charge level for a same duration of time. The battery charging system includes remote connectivity such that the storage duration may be modified during the storage duration from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin James Rhodes, Andrew Robert Drews
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Patent number: 9511762Abstract: There is provided a control apparatus for an automatic transmission AT into which driving forces from driving sources including an engine Eng and a motor/generator MG are inputted. The control apparatus includes: a second brake B2 engaged in a D range; an engagement start determining section (steps S2?S3?S4); and a determination inhibit section (steps S2?S5?S6). The engagement start determining section determines that second brake B2 has started the engagement in a case where a load of the motor/generator MG is increased by a predetermined quantity during the revolution number control and when the D range is selected and second brake B2 in the release state is engaged. The determination inhibit section inhibits the engagement start determination in a case where a switching from an HEV mode to an EV mode occurs.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Ooshima, Hiroki Matsui
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Patent number: 9505287Abstract: An active damping system has an electrically controlled actuator including: a steering wheel angle sensor; a yaw rate sensor; a lateral acceleration sensor; a vertical acceleration sensor; a roll angle sensor; a control mode determining unit configured to receive the signals detected by the sensors, thereby determining a control mode; a control signal generating unit configured to generate a control signal depending upon the control mode determined by the control mode determining unit; an electric motor which is operated according to the control signal of the control signal generating unit; and a ball screw which is rotated in cooperation with a rotation shaft of the electric motor at one side, and is meshed with an axle of the vehicle at the other side to vary a distance between the vehicle body and the axle according to the rotation of the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R & DB FOUNDATIONInventors: Kyoung Su Yi, Dong Hoon Shin
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Patent number: 9475360Abstract: A vehicle, a method and a vehicle safety arrangement are provided. The vehicle safety arrangement comprises a vehicle propellant amount determination unit, a vehicle passenger compartment, a vehicle motor, a communication unit and a vehicle occupant detection unit, arranged to detect at least one of a presence of at least one vehicle occupant and a vehicle occupant condition. The arrangement is arranged to initiate a communication indicative of the amount of propellant stored in the vehicle to an external recipient if the presence of at least one vehicle occupant is detected within the vehicle passenger compartment and the vehicle motor has been inoperative for a threshold amount of time, or a vehicle occupant condition is detected, which matches at least one predefined vehicle occupant condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventor: Lucas Rolka
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Patent number: 9470160Abstract: It is intended to suppress formation of any excessive rich air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture caused by adhered fuel on an inner wall surface of an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. A throttle valve driving unit is controlled so that if a variation amount of decrease in output of the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined variation amount when the output of the internal combustion engine is smaller than a predetermined output in a non-warm-up state in which the temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, then an opening degree of the throttle valve becomes a predetermined increased opening degree which is increased as compared with a standard opening degree as an opening degree of the throttle valve to be provided if the variation amount does not exceed the predetermined variation amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Noriaki Kumagai