Patents Examined by Kevin R Steckbauer
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Patent number: 11952080Abstract: A bicycle derailleur system is applied to a bicycle and includes a controller, a camera, a derailleur assembly, and the memory device that are electrically connected to the controller. The camera records a real-time video of a road ahead. When the derailleur assembly is operated to shift, the derailleur assembly sends a chain shifting signal to drive the controller to process the video captured by the camera to obtain a section of video between a predetermined time before and after the chain shifting signal. The controller stores the section of the video along with information in the chain shifting signal to the memory device, to establish a basis for image similarity comparison. When the bicycle derailleur system is operated automatically, the image similarity comparison between real-time video recorded by the camera and the sections of the videos stored in the memory device is conducted to determine whether to shift.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.Inventor: Li-Syun Pan
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Patent number: 11953330Abstract: System and methods are provided for that allow users of micro mobility and shared mobility services to reduce the uncertainty related to the availability of a shared vehicle by quickly identifying such vehicles using a route that maximizes the visibility of the shared vehicle through line-of-sight computations.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.Inventor: Jerome Beaurepaire
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Patent number: 11946439Abstract: A filter module for filtering fuel in an engine system includes a primary filter, a secondary filter, and a module housing. A drain valve is movable between a closed position blocking a drain port in the module housing, and an open position. A service valve assembly is positioned at least partially within a cross passage in the module housing and adjustable from a closed configuration blocking a primary-side fuel passage from a secondary-side fuel passage in the module housing, to an open configuration, to drain fluids from the filter module by way of the single drain port.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael Taylor McKinley, Jon Tyler Immel, Brian J Sutton, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Iulian Gabriel Ghiorghias
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Patent number: 11927144Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
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Patent number: 11912321Abstract: A system and method for recommending intelligent railway network access plans and modified access plans based on current status of execution of tasks and train timetables. Herein, the system and method need to consider multiple variables including train timetable changes, activity efficiencies etc. to derive an overall optimum access management solution for the railway network. They can interface with existing operational timetables and cost management systems by using existing data sets for operations and cost data. The cost data is manipulated to identify fixed and variable costs and variability of variable costs with access duration and activity bundling. A trade-off between cost and value is considered which results in a longer continuous time window being available for maintenance, less visits to same location to complete a maintenance task, less time spent in setup/unwind activities and higher labour utilization.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITEDInventors: Stewart McIlroy, Shripad Salsingikar, Sumit Chhabra, Rashmi Gupta
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Patent number: 11898382Abstract: A vehicle having powered door access is provided including a powered door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, at least one sensor for sensing a first user approaching the vehicle, and a transceiver for communicating with another vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller determining a distance of the first user from the vehicle and communicating with the other vehicle which determines a second user from the other vehicle, wherein the controller prioritizes which of the vehicle and the other vehicle is granted permission to open a door based on the distances of the first user and the second user.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kristopher Karl Brown, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Hussein H. Berry
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Patent number: 11891076Abstract: Techniques for determining whether to limit an operation of a vehicle while operating in a manually assisted mode of operation are described herein. A vehicle computing system can monitor components of the vehicle and identify a fault associated with a component. The vehicle computing system can determine whether the fault is associated with a manual operation of the vehicle. Based on a determination that the fault is not associated with the manual operation of the vehicle (e.g., fault associated with an autonomous control component), the vehicle computing system can override the fault and enable continued operation of the vehicle in the manually assisted mode of operation. Based on a determination that the fault is associated with the manual operation of the vehicle, the vehicle computing system can cause the vehicle to cease operating.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ZOOX, INC.Inventors: Matthew Daniel Lopez, Collin MacGregor, Udayan Pushparaj Karmarkar, Austin Hendrix, Eric Yu-Chieh Shyu
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Patent number: 11884340Abstract: A steering control device includes: a first calculator configured to calculate, according to a turning state, a first control amount for causing a motor to generate an assistance force; a second calculator configured to calculate a second control amount for adapting an actual angle to a target angle that is convertible into a turning angle of a steering wheel and generated when a host control device intervenes in steering control; and a third calculator configured to calculate, according to the turning state, a third control amount for offsetting the second control amount when the host control device intervenes in steering control.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Shingo Nitta, Takahiro Toko, Yoji Kunihiro, Takahiro Kojo, Hisaya Akatsuka
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Patent number: 11885270Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
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Patent number: 11879400Abstract: A variable compression ratio device configured to be incorporated into an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine including one or more cylinders housing pistons that are coupled to a crankshaft. The variable compression ratio device including rotation coupler assemblies formed by gears that have internal and external teeth that are disposed at distal ends of the crankshaft to cause the crankshaft to rotate, and two or more eccentrics configured to cause translation variations of the crankshaft. Where the two or more eccentrics are positioned on trunnions of the crankshaft before and after each connecting rod and respective balances, the translation variations are to be converted into rotation and transmitted to a toothed gear and to a flange of a flywheel, and the two or more eccentrics are aligned with corresponding gears to cause changes in translation of a position of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Inventors: Almir Gonçalves Pereira, Paulo Roberto De Oliveira, Reinaldo de Souza Barreto
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Patent number: 11872869Abstract: A battery control system for a battery electric vehicle is configured to detect that a driver door of the vehicle has been opened and connect the battery system to an electrical system of the vehicle to power at least a cabin heater and defroster of the vehicle, detect a driver start request, determine whether a set of battery parameters satisfy a threshold indicative of the battery system being sufficiently conditioned for driving of the vehicle, and when the set of battery parameters satisfy the threshold, display, via the user interface, a first message indicating that the vehicle is ready to drive and allow the driver to drive the vehicle and driving is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Abhilash Gudapati, Rudolf Kharpuri, Kevin L Mason, Francesco Ciulla
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Patent number: 11866106Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine rack force are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a rack to couple to a steering knuckle of a vehicle, a ball nut engaged with the rack, a first ring gear coupled to the ball nut, a first pinion fixed to a motor, the first pinion engaged with the first ring gear, the motor to rotate the ball nut to move the rack, a motor encoder to detect a rotation of the first pinion, a second ring gear coupled to the ball nut, and a sensor fixed to a second pinion, the second pinion engaged with the second ring gear, the second pinion to rotate as the second ring gear rotates, the sensor to detect a rotation of the second pinion, the rotation of the second pinion and the rotation of the first pinion corresponding to a force on the rack.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Joseph Washnock
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Patent number: 11859991Abstract: An apparatus and a method for identifying one or more sources of an airborne pollutant in a geographical area and for mitigating release of the airborne pollutant, comprising: receiving emission data and vehicle location data associated with a plurality of corresponding vehicles in the geographical area; receiving ambient air quality data for respective locations in the geographical area; apply a vehicle emission plume air dispersion model to process the received emission data, the received vehicle location data, and the received ambient air quality data; identify one or more principal sources of the airborne pollutant based on the processed emission data, vehicle location data, and ambient air quality data; and transmit an instruction related to one or more vehicles associated with the one or more identified principal sources of the airborne pollutant.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventor: Faisal S. Aljar
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Patent number: 11852087Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Patent number: 11845461Abstract: Monitoring critical areas of a trailer for thermal events, including: a plurality of sensors placed at or near the critical areas of the trailer, the plurality of sensors to sense the thermal events at the critical areas as sensor data, wherein the critical areas include at least tire, brake, and wheel end; a main controller to receive and monitor the sensor data measured by the plurality of sensors, the main controller to trigger at least one of alerts and warnings; an indicator light to activate the alerts; and an alarm to sound the warnings.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSLEADInventors: Jong Seog Lee, James Sangyoung Oh
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Patent number: 11845460Abstract: A method of virtualizing the characteristics of an internal-combustion-engine vehicle in an electric vehicle includes: receiving vehicle driving information of the electric vehicle at a controller, determining a current vehicle driving mode based on the input vehicle driving information by the controller, determining a virtual engine speed in the determined vehicle driving mode using the vehicle driving information by the controller, outputting a control signal for virtualizing characteristics of an internal-combustion-engine (ICE) driving system corresponding to a current vehicle driving mode based on the determined virtual engine speed by the controller, and virtualizing the characteristics of the ICE driving system corresponding to the current vehicle driving mode by controlling an operation of a virtualization device according to the output control signal by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Ji Won Oh, Jong Kil Baek, Jin Sung Lee, Se Hoon Park, Jeong Soo Eo, Dong Chul Park, Tae Kun Yun, Dong Pil Yoon
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Patent number: 11834044Abstract: In a method of controlling an electronic parking brake system to overcome an existing problem occurring in drive away release (DAR) mode, a control unit monitors whether or not a gear change signal is input in a vehicle stopped state, a P position state, or a parking brake applied state. When the gear change signal is input, an accelerator pedal input value of a driver is compared with a predetermined pedal input set value while a gear position of a transmission is maintained in the P position. When the accelerator pedal input value does not exceed the predetermined pedal input set value, a control operation is performed for automatic releasing of a parking brake. When a set time has passed after start of the control operation for the automatic releasing, a control operation of changing the gear position to the D position or the R position is performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Sang Bum Koh
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Patent number: 11834029Abstract: A material processing apparatus has as a power supply system comprising an electrical power supply and a hydraulic power supply. The electrical power supply comprises a battery pack and an electrical generator. The power supply system is operable in different power supply modes in which said at least one battery and/or said electrical generator supply electrical power to the electrically powered components of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Inventors: Ciaran Fanning, Barry McMenamin
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Patent number: 11828743Abstract: A controller includes at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: perform operations comprising: determining a concentration of a plurality of wear metal particles in a lubricant for an engine system; determining a filtered concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles using a baseline concentration of the plurality of wear metal particles; setting a diagnostic threshold based on the filtered concentration of the wear metal particles; and, responsive to determining that the concentration of the wear metal particles exceeds the diagnostic threshold, providing a notification.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Travis A. Anderson, Neha Chandrachud, Renae Christianson, Lorraine H. Myers, Pallav Pathak, Patrick J. Shook
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Patent number: 11828210Abstract: A vehicle system includes: at least one of: (a) a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate within a passenger cabin of a vehicle; and (b) a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a control module configured to, based on at least one of the amount of particulate and the amount of VOCs within the passenger cabin of the vehicle, diagnose at least one of: a characteristic of the vehicle; presence of a chemical in the passenger cabin of the vehicle; occurrence of an event within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; and a remaining life of engine oil of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventors: Sibu Varughese, Martín Nespolo, Thomas Krzyzak, Gareth Webb, Wilson Yim, Matthew Johnson