Patents by Inventor Roger Arnold
Roger Arnold 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: 11247520Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus includes an imaging device configured to capture image data and a controller in communication with a vehicle maneuvering system. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the image data and compare a coupler height of the coupler position with a hitch height of a hitch ball. In response to the coupler height being insufficient to clear the hitch height, the controller is further configured to calculate a target position laterally offset from the coupler position and communicate the target position to the vehicle maneuvering system.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, George Edmund Walley
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Publication number: 20210347410Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller that controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle according to an initial alignment maneuver that positions the vehicle relative to the trailer, such that the trailer is within the area to the rear of the vehicle. The controller further receives the scene data and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, George Edmund Walley, Arnav Sharma, Roger Arnold Trombley, Frederic Christen, Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng
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Patent number: 11155133Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises a sensor configured to capture sensor data and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the sensor data. The controller is further configured to control a vehicle alignment routine aligning the hitch with the coupler position and control an emergency braking operation in response to detecting an obstruction in the sensor data. The controller is configured to suppress the emergency braking operation in response to the obstruction corresponding to the coupler in the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Eric L. Reed, Roger Arnold Trombley, Robert D. Klosek
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Patent number: 11155298Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises a steering control system configured to control a steering angle of a plurality of steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the vehicle to stop in a stopped position upon completing a vehicle alignment routine and identify an alignment error distance between the hitch and the coupler position in the stopped position. The controller is further configured to calculate a change distance of the hitch based on the steering angle and calculate an aligned steering error distance. The aligned steering error distance is calculated by comparing the change distance to the alignment error. Based on the aligned steering error distance, the controller may selectively suppress the steering angle alignment routine.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Roger Arnold Trombley, Arnav Sharma, Li Xu
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Patent number: 11148489Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a mobile device remotely disposed from a vehicle and configured to receive a user input for adjusting an alignment position of a hitch assembly of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for maneuvering the vehicle such that the hitch assembly is moved to an adjusted position at which the hitch assembly is aligned with a coupler of a trailer.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Luke Niewiadomski, Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 11148488Abstract: A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Chen Zhang
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Publication number: 20210291901Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 11124234Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle having a hitch includes a trailer detection system, a steering system, and a controller. The controller determines that a trailer is not coupled with the hitch and outputs a reverse hitching path control signal to the steering system and determines that the trailer is coupled with the hitch and outputs a trailer backing path control signal to the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Donald Jacob Mattern, Roger Arnold Trombley, Aleksey Shepelev, Chen Zhang
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Publication number: 20210284238Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, outputting a powertrain control signal to the vehicle powertrain control system, and a brake control signal to the vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path and stopping the vehicle at an endpoint of the path, and outputs a video image to the vehicle human-machine interface including a graphical overlay on the image data. The graphical overlay indicates potential movement of the hitch ball past the coupler and being positioned in the image data between a bumper of the vehicle and the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Craig Schmatz, Li Xu, Arnav Sharma
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Publication number: 20210276378Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to determine an offset between the hitch assembly and the coupler. The controller is further configured to generate a command for maneuvering the vehicle forward based on the offset exceeding an offset threshold. The controller is further configured to generate a command for subsequently maneuvering the vehicle rearward along an alignment path. The controller is configured to prompt termination of the forward maneuver of the vehicle based on a determination that alignment of the hitch assembly with the coupler is feasible via execution of the alignment path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kyle Simmons, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert
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Patent number: 11097579Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a powered suspension system supporting a rear of the vehicle at a height and a controller. The controller acquires position data for a coupler of a trailer, determines when the position data indicates that a hitch ball of the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, and causes the powered suspension system to raise the height of the rear portion of the vehicle until a threshold resistance value is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 11090991Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Roger Arnold Trombley, Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Katherine Rouen
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Patent number: 11066100Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20210197948Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: STRATOSOLAR, INC.Inventors: EDMUND J. KELLY, ROGER ARNOLD
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Publication number: 20210197949Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: STRATOSOLAR, INC.Inventors: EDMUND J. KELLY, ROGER ARNOLD
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Publication number: 20210197950Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: STRATOSOLAR, INC.Inventors: EDMUND J. KELLY, ROGER ARNOLD
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Publication number: 20210114521Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system comprises a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further comprises a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Patent number: 10962980Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle. The system further comprises a plurality of sensor devices comprising an ultrasonic sensor and an image sensor. A controller is configured to process image data from the image sensor identifying a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to process ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor identifying a proximity of the trailer. Based on the proximity of the trailer, the system is configured to identify the trailer in a detection range of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Erick Michael Lavoie, Eric L. Reed, Chen Zhang, Roger Arnold Trombley, Douglas J. Rogan, Bruno Sielly Jales Costa
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Publication number: 20210078374Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a steering system that adjusts a vehicle steering angle, a braking system that adjusts a vehicle speed, an imaging system that receives image data of a drawbar assembly being receivable in a hitch receiver, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an edge of the drawbar assembly from the image data, target an endpoint at a fixed offset from the edge and a stationary point on the vehicle, and maneuver, via the steering and braking systems, the vehicle along a path to align the endpoint with the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Nikhil Nagraj Rao, Lihui Chen, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20210070357Abstract: A vehicle system configured to control a trailer alignment routine comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control motion of the vehicle to toward an aligned position. The controller is further configured to control a braking procedure of the vehicle comprising a plurality of concurrent deceleration control procedures in response to a portion of the vehicle passing a gradual stopping distance. The concurrent deceleration procedures comprise monitoring an elapsed time following the portion of the vehicle passing the gradual stopping distance and monitoring a remaining distance to the aligned position based on a velocity of the vehicle and comparing the remaining distance to a rapid stopping distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Donald Jacob Mattern, Mohamed El-sawah, Roger Arnold Trombley, Douglas Rogan, Nikhil Nagraj Rao, Arnav Sharma