Patents by Inventor Brent D. Hendrickson

Brent D. Hendrickson 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).

  • Vehicle docking assistance system
    Patent number: 8191915
    Abstract: An automatic docking system for docking a towing vehicle with a towed vehicle includes a sensing device, a controller, an automatic steering system, an automatic braking system, and a plurality of targets. The sensing device detects the plurality of targets located on a hitch of the towed vehicle. The controller determines the location of the towing vehicle relative to the towed vehicle based on the detection of the plurality of targets. The controller automatically steers the towing vehicle towards the towed vehicle to assist in the docking of the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. The controller engages the automatic braking system to slow or stop the towing vehicle as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Freese, V, Brent D. Hendrickson
  • Method of monitoring a dosing agent supply for treating exhaust
    Patent number: 8024920
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system for a vehicle including a dosing agent that is selectively injected into an exhaust from a dosing agent supply includes a first module that determines a level of a dosing agent source and a second module that determines whether the vehicle is at a convenient location for replenishing the dosing agent source. A third module selectively inhibits vehicle operation if the level of the dosing agent source is below a threshold level and the vehicle is at the convenient location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Brent D. Hendrickson
  • VEHICLE DOCKING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100096203
    Abstract: An automatic docking system for docking a towing vehicle with a towed vehicle includes a sensing device, a controller, an automatic steering system, an automatic braking system, and a plurality of targets. The sensing device detects the plurality of targets located on a hitch of the towed vehicle. The controller determines the location of the towing vehicle relative to the towed vehicle based on the detection of the plurality of targets. The controller automatically steers the towing vehicle towards the towed vehicle to assist in the docking of the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. The controller engages the automatic braking system to slow or stop the towing vehicle as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Freese V, Brent D. Hendrickson
  • Method of monitoring a dosing agent supply for treating exhaust
    Publication number: 20070277508
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system for a vehicle including a dosing agent that is selectively injected into an exhaust from a dosing agent supply includes a first module that determines a level of a dosing agent source and a second module that determines whether the vehicle is at a convenient location for replenishing the dosing agent source. A third module selectively inhibits vehicle operation if the level of the dosing agent source is below a threshold level and the vehicle is at the convenient location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Brent D. Hendrickson