Patents by Inventor Howard R. Frost
Howard R. Frost 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).
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Patent number: 11207967Abstract: An apparatus includes a torque circuit and a clutch circuit. The torque circuit is structured to monitor a torque demand level of an engine. The clutch circuit is structured to (i) disengage an engine clutch of a transmission to decouple the engine from the transmission in response to the torque demand level of the engine falling below a threshold torque level and (ii) disengage a motor-generator clutch of the transmission to decouple a motor-generator from the engine in response to the torque demand level of the engine falling below the threshold torque level. The motor-generator is directly coupled to the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Howard R. Frost, Arun Prakash Thunga Gopal
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Patent number: 10328923Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignees: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc., PACCAR, Inc., Eaton CorporationInventors: An Wu, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, Howard R. Frost
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Publication number: 20180037213Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: An Wu, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 9802597Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: An Wu, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 9440635Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 9194309Abstract: A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignees: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc., PACCAR, Inc., Eaton CorporationInventors: Vivek A. Sujan, An Wu, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, Howard R. Frost, Suk-Min Moon, Jaidev Khatri
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Publication number: 20140336887Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Publication number: 20140257669Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: An WU, Vivek A. SUJAN, Phani VAJAPEYAZULA, Kenneth FOLLEN, Howard R. FROST
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Publication number: 20140236434Abstract: A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Vivek A. SUJAN, An WU, Phani VAJAPEYAZULA, Kenneth FOLLEN, Howard R. FROST, Suk-Min MOON, Jaidev KHATRI
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Patent number: 8731788Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 8639436Abstract: Systems and methods of vehicle fuel quantity management are provided to assist in determining an optimal quantity of fuel to carry on-board a vehicle. Certain routes are sufficiently short so to not require a completely filled fuel tank to traverse. Additionally, most routes have an abundance of vehicle fueling stations that provide ample refueling opportunities, thus permitting an operator to carry less fuel than might be required to complete a route. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure balance initial fuel loading and fuel stops to optimize the amount of freight weight that can be carried for a given route. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination while maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 8452509Abstract: A vehicle speed-based operational cost optimization module provides an optimized velocity profile over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map to provide a recommended vehicle speed that optimizes fuel consumption. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazulla, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Publication number: 20120221234Abstract: Systems and methods of vehicle fuel quantity management are provided to assist in determining an optimal quantity of fuel to carry on-board a vehicle. Certain routes are sufficiently short so to not require a completely filled fuel tank to traverse. Additionally, most routes have an abundance of vehicle fueling stations that provide ample refueling opportunities, thus permitting an operator to carry less fuel than might be required to complete a route. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure balance initial fuel loading and fuel stops to optimize the amount of freight weight that can be carried for a given route. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination while maintaining drivability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. FROST
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Publication number: 20120197504Abstract: A vehicle speed-based operational cost optimization module provides an optimized velocity profile over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map to provide a recommended vehicle speed that optimizes fuel consumption. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Publication number: 20120197500Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost