Patents by Inventor Brandon E. RICKETTS

Brandon E. RICKETTS has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11731489
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a vehicle can include a roll over protection system. The roll over protection system can include a bar. The ventilation system can have an air duct configured to selectively attach to and detach from the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brandon E. Ricketts, Jacob Michael Ruemelin
  • Patent number: 11466648
    Abstract: A water ingestion control system for an internal combustion engine can include a snorkel, at least one closure structure, a choking valve, and a controller. The snorkel can include an air intake opening and at least one evacuation inlet that can be selectively opened and closed by the closure structure. The choking valve can be located between the air intake opening and an air box and selectively open and close fluid communication between the snorkel and the air box. When in a closed state, the choking valve can close fluid communication between the snorkel and the air box and prevents fluid in the snorkel from flowing into the air box and the engine. The controller can be configured to place the choking valve in the closed state when the controller receives data indicative of the presence of water in the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Brandon E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 11279195
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes at least two torsion bars, each of which are connected on their first end to respective wheel suspensions that are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bars. Each of the torsion bars are connected on their second ends to a frame of the vehicle through a damper system. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bar. The damper system selectively applies resistance to the torque in the torsion bars to selectively provide active variable spring rates to the wheel suspension, which application of resistance may be coordinated amongst the various torsion bars to inhibit roll of the vehicle during a turning maneuver or to increase occupant comfort when the vehicle encounters a bump or hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Ruemelin, Brandon E. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20210129628
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a vehicle can include a roll over protection system. The roll over protection system can include a bar. The ventilation system can have an air duct configured to selectively attach to and detach from the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Jacob Michael RUEMELIN
  • Patent number: 10994713
    Abstract: A brake traction control system for a vehicle a braking input member, a brake modulator and a controller. The braking input member can be manually actuated and controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The brake modulator can be controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The controller can be configured to control the brake modulator in an obstacle crawl control mode such that the controller controls the brake modulator to adjust the pressure. The controller can perform processing in the obstacle control mode including: performing a first determination to determine whether the acceleration input member is actuated to control the power source assembly to propel the vehicle; performing a second determination to determine whether a speed of the vehicle satisfies predetermined criteria; and controlling the pressure based on the first determination and the second determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Brandon E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 10953717
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle which includes a damper body, a first ring element, and a spring coupler. The damper body includes a threaded portion which extends between a first end and a second end of the damper body. The first ring element is disposed within a first groove in the threaded portion. The spring coupler having a passage to concentrically receive the damper body such that the spring coupler is configured to slide over the first ring element. The first ring element is disposed within the first groove of the threaded portion such that a sliding clearance is provided between an inner portion of the spring coupler and the threaded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brandon E. Ricketts, Justin A. Newton, Dustin M. Schroeder, Jeremy T. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20210031583
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes at least two torsion bars, each of which are connected on their first end to respective wheel suspensions that are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bars. Each of the torsion bars are connected on their second ends to a frame of the vehicle through a damper system. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bar. The damper system selectively applies resistance to the torque in the torsion bars to selectively provide active variable spring rates to the wheel suspension, which application of resistance may be coordinated amongst the various torsion bars to inhibit roll of the vehicle during a turning maneuver or to increase occupant comfort when the vehicle encounters a bump or hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob M. Ruemelin, Brandon E. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20200391710
    Abstract: A brake traction control system for a vehicle a braking input member, a brake modulator and a controller. The braking input member can be manually actuated and controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The brake modulator can be controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The controller can be configured to control the brake modulator in an obstacle crawl control mode such that the controller controls the brake modulator to adjust the pressure. The controller can perform processing in the obstacle control mode including: performing a first determination to determine whether the acceleration input member is actuated to control the power source assembly to propel the vehicle; performing a second determination to determine whether a speed of the vehicle satisfies predetermined criteria; and controlling the pressure based on the first determination and the second determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Brandon E. RICKETTS
  • Publication number: 20200361267
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle which includes a damper body, a first ring element, and a spring coupler. The damper body includes a threaded portion which extends between a first end and a second end of the damper body. The first ring element is disposed within a first groove in the threaded portion. The spring coupler having a passage to concentrically receive the damper body such that the spring coupler is configured to slide over the first ring element. The first ring element is disposed within the first groove of the threaded portion such that a sliding clearance is provided between an inner portion of the spring coupler and the threaded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Justin A. NEWTON, Dustin M. SCHROEDER, Jeremy T. MCGUIRE
  • Patent number: 10384601
    Abstract: An operator feedback system of a vehicle includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and control circuitry. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) is integrated in one or more components of the vehicle. The IMU is configured to measure one or more acceleration parameters of the one or more components along one or more axes of the IMU. The control circuitry is configured to compare the one or more measured acceleration parameters to one or more preset limiting acceleration parameters. Further, the control circuitry is configured to notify an operator of the vehicle based on the measured one or more acceleration parameters exceeding the one or more preset limiting acceleration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brandon E. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20190210421
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing energy consumption by an active suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes determining whether the vehicle is in park or neutral and determining the speed of the vehicle. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the speed is greater than a predetermined speed. A throttle angle is determined if the speed is less than a predetermined speed. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle and to a power saving mode if the throttle angle is less than a predetermined angle for more than a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Patent number: 10232677
    Abstract: System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brandon E. Ricketts, Dirk G. Westendorf, Jason A. Sovern, Seth A. Ritchie, Takumi Makabe
  • Publication number: 20190054790
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing energy consumption by an active suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes determining whether the vehicle is in park or neutral and determining the speed of the vehicle. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the speed is greater than a predetermined speed. A throttle angle is determined if the speed is less than a predetermined speed. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle and to a power saving mode if the throttle angle is less than a predetermined angle for more than a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Publication number: 20190054789
    Abstract: System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Patent number: 8981949
    Abstract: A harvester grain bin monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that monitors the perimeter of the bin proximate to the top rim to provide a warning to an operator when the grain level reaches approaches the bin rim. The sensor may be optical or mechanical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Brandon E. Ricketts, Wade L. Klennert
  • Publication number: 20110199221
    Abstract: A harvester grain bin monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that monitors the perimeter of the bin proximate to the top rim to provide a warning to an operator when the grain level reaches approaches the bin rim. The sensor may be optical or mechanical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. RICKETTS, Brandon E. RICKETTS, Wade L. KLENNERT