Patents by Inventor John P. O'Brien

John P. O'Brien 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).

  • Publication number: 20200070355
    Abstract: A mobile robot includes a recessed well in a top surface of the mobile robot, at least one capacitive sensor underlying the recessed well and having a first region and a second region, one or more mobility sensors, and a controller coupled to the at least one capacitive sensor and the one or more mobility sensors. The controller is configured to determine an operating status of the mobile robot responsive to output signals from the one or more mobility sensors, and selectively disregard an input at a first portion of the recessed well corresponding to the first region of the at least one capacitive sensor based on the operating status of the mobile robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Rogelio Manfred Neumann, Landon Unninayar, Fangzheng Guo, Qingtai Zhai, John P. O'Brien, Benjamin H. Schriesheim, Travis Gschrey, Milan Modh
  • Patent number: 10575696
    Abstract: A method for docking an autonomous mobile floor cleaning robot with a charging dock, the robot including a receiver coil and a structured light sensor, the charging dock including a docking bay and a transmitter coil, includes: positioning the robot in a prescribed docked position in the docking bay using the structured light sensor and by sensing a magnetic field emanating from the transmitter coil; and thereafter induction charging the robot using the receiver coil and the transmitter coil with the robot in the docked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: John P. O'Brien, Vazgen Karapetyan, William Morris
  • Publication number: 20190353688
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide for receiving pressure data for an accumulator system, the pressure data providing an indication of a pressure in an accumulator tank of the accumulator system; receiving energy data, the energy data indicating an availability of free energy for use to charge the accumulator tank; and activating a charging source of the accumulator tank to charge the accumulator tank based on at least one of the pressure data and the energy data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Craig M. Calmer, Robert Dziuba, Mahesh Madurai-Kumar, Praveen Chitradurga Muralidhar, John P. O'Brien, Joseph E. Paquette, Gary L. Parker, Anthony K. Perfetto, Jeffrey S. Rauch, Zachary Schwab, Jon S. Wardlow
  • Patent number: 10385817
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10379143
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide for receiving pressure data for an accumulator system, the pressure data providing an indication of a pressure in an accumulator tank of the accumulator system; receiving energy data, the energy data indicating an availability of free energy for use to charge the accumulator tank; and activating a charging source of the accumulator tank to charge the accumulator tank based on at least one of the pressure data and the energy data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Craig M. Calmer, Robert Dziuba, Mahesh Madurai-Kumar, Praveen Chitradurga Muralidhar, John P. O'Brien, Joseph E. Paquette, Gary L. Parker, Anthony K. Perfetto, Jeffrey S. Rauch, Zachary Schwab, Jon S. Wardlow
  • Publication number: 20190208971
    Abstract: A robot that includes a cleaning head including a first cleaning roller comprising a first sheath comprising a first shell and a first plurality of vanes extending along the first shell and extending radially outward from the first shell, the first shell tapering from end portions of the first sheath toward a center of the first cleaning roller, and the first plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a first axis of rotation of the first cleaning roller; and a second cleaning roller comprising a second sheath comprising a second shell and a second plurality of vanes extending along the second shell and extending radially outward from the second shell, the second shell being cylindrical along an entire length of the second cleaning roller, and the second plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a second axis of rotation of the second cleaning roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: John P. O'Brien, Eric Burbank
  • Publication number: 20190202301
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing infrastructure, a drive system including one or more wheels to support the housing infrastructure above a floor surface, a cleaning assembly, electrical circuitry positioned within the robot housing and an electrostatic discharge assembly including an electrostatic discharge member that includes a metallic contact electrically connected to the electrical circuitry and extending, from the electrical circuitry, to an exterior of the housing infrastructure. The electrical circuitry includes a controller to initiate a cleaning operation in which the drive propels the robot across the floor surface while the cleaning assembly cleans the floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: John P. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190195186
    Abstract: System comprising an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, a crankshaft sprocket coupled to the crankshaft, an electric motor in mechanical communication with the crankshaft sprocket, a bidirectional engine position sensor coupled to the crankshaft sprocket, a controller in electrical communication with the bidirectional engine position sensor and a non-transitory memory having instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to determine a position of an engine component upon shutdown of the engine, store the position of the engine component at shutdown in the non-transitory memory, and control the electric motor at restart in response to the position of the engine component at shutdown are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: John P. O'Brien, Jeffrey S. Rauch, Luke A. Barnford
  • Patent number: 10300831
    Abstract: Hybrid power systems include an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator connectable with the engine. A reefer unit is configured to receive power from the motor/generator via a reefer power system that includes an export power inverter and an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dziuba, Nazar Al-Khayat, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Gary L. Parker, Subbarao Varigonda, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Vivek A. Sujan, Bradford K. Palmer, William Brent Fields, John P. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190145369
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190107098
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an engine friction module in operative communication with an engine and structured to interpret engine operation data indicative of an engine friction amount, and a stop/start module structured to compare the engine operation data with predetermined protective criteria that includes an engine friction threshold and to turn off the engine for at least a portion of time based on the engine friction threshold exceeding the engine friction amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Jaideep Prasad, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Publication number: 20190023272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a start-stop feature on a vehicle powered at least in party by an internal combustion engine are described. The method includes receiving, at an electronic control unit (“ECU”) of the vehicle, an indication that the vehicle is in line at a drive-thru. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, a number of start-stop events anticipated during the drive-thru. The method includes determining, by the ECU, an approximate stop time for each of the number of start-stop events. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, that a battery of the vehicle has enough remaining charge to power a plurality of vehicle components during implementation of the start-stop feature. The method includes implementing, by the ECU, the start-stop feature in which the internal combustion engine is turned off for at least a portion of the time when the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Praveen C. Muralidhar, Jaideep Prasad, Randal L. Bergstedt, Ian N. Alsman, Jagdeep I. Singh, Rajan S. Kalirai, Rima Salve, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Patent number: 10184441
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190001981
    Abstract: Controls for improved performance of a vehicle equipped with start-stop control logic are disclosed. Deviation from nominal engine start-stop control logic for the internal combustion engine occurs when a predetermined mission related type of stop event will occur or is occurring that is different from other stop event types that are controlled by the nominal engine start-stop control logic. At least one of a location and a payload associated with the mission related stop event type is provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event so that operating parameters of the vehicle are controlled accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Arun Prakash Thunga Gopal, Martin T. Books, Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, Joseph E. Paquette, John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10151290
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an engine friction module in operative communication with an engine and structured to interpret engine operation data indicative of an engine friction amount, and a stop/start module structured to compare the engine operation data with predetermined protective criteria that includes an engine friction threshold and to turn off the engine for at least a portion of time based on the engine friction threshold exceeding the engine friction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Jaideep Prasad, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Patent number: 10081361
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a start-stop feature on a vehicle powered at least in part by an internal combustion engine include receiving, at an electronic control unit (“ECU”) of the vehicle, an indication that the vehicle is in line at a drive-thru; determining, by the ECU, a number of startstop events anticipated during the drive-thru; determining, by the ECU, an approximate stop time for each of the number of start-stop events; determining, by the ECU, that a battery of the vehicle has enough remaining charge to power a plurality of vehicle components during implementation of the start-stop feature; implementing, by the ECU, the start-stop feature in which the internal combustion engine is turned off for at least a portion of the time when the vehicle is stopped
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Praveen C. Muralidhar, Jaideep Prasad, Randal L. Bergstedt, Ian N. Alsman, Jagdeep I. Singh, Rajan S. Kalirai, Rima Salve, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Patent number: 10059189
    Abstract: Electric machine assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating electric machine assemblies for internal combustion engines are provided. The electric machine assembly includes an electric machine configured to generate electric current by induction via a prime mover causing rotation of one of a rotor and a stator with respect to the other one of the rotor and the stator. The electric machine assembly also includes a torque transmitter including a rotating output driver coupled to the prime mover of the electric machine. The torque transmitter includes a rotating input driver configured to receive a rotary input transmitted from a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The rotating input driver is coupled to the rotating output driver to actuate the rotating output driver at a plurality of gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John P. O'Brien, Michael J. Marthaler
  • Publication number: 20180202341
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling engine start/stop operations based at least in part on considerations relating to the thermal management of an exhaust gas after-treatment system. A control system may monitor and/or predict conditions and/or properties of the after-treatment system, including conditions related to the thermal management of a selective catalytic reduction system and the properties of an exhaust gas stream that has been released from an internal combustion engine and into the after-treatment system. Such conditions may be evaluated in determining whether the thermal management of the after-treatment system is at, or will be in, a condition that may accommodate a start/stop operation of the internal combustion engine with minimal, if any, adverse impact on the thermal management of the after-treatment system. Such an evaluation may, in at least certain situations, provide at least a consideration as to whether to de-activate or activate start/stop operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Robert Edward Cochran, John P. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20180112643
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an engine friction module in operative communication with an engine and structured to interpret engine operation data indicative of an engine friction amount, and a stop/start module structured to compare the engine operation data with predetermined protective criteria that includes an engine friction threshold and to turn off the engine for at least a portion of time based on the engine friction threshold exceeding the engine friction amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Jaideep Prasad, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Publication number: 20180014709
    Abstract: A method for docking an autonomous mobile floor cleaning robot with a charging dock, the robot including a receiver coil and a structured light sensor, the charging dock including a docking bay and a transmitter coil, includes: positioning the robot in a prescribed docked position in the docking bay using the structured light sensor and by sensing a magnetic field emanating from the transmitter coil; and thereafter induction charging the robot using the receiver coil and the transmitter coil with the robot in the docked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: John P. O'Brien, Vazgen Karapetyan, William Morris