Temperature Patents (Class 340/449)
  • Patent number: 11702001
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses to detect an item left in a vehicle and to generate an alert about the item. For example, a camera configured in a vehicle can be used to monitor an item associated with a user of the vehicle. The item as in an image from the camera can be identified and recognized using an artificial neural network. In response to a determination that the item recognized in the image is left in the vehicle after the user has exited the vehicle, an alert is generated to indicate that an item is in the vehicle but the user is leaving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Poorna Kale, Robert Richard Noel Bielby
  • Patent number: 11487257
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a processor configured to not operate equipment according to biological information indicating an operation item of the equipment in a case where the biological information not expected to be produced from a user under specific circumstances is measured from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Agama-X Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sato, Kengo Tokuchi
  • Patent number: 11292315
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same are provided. The air conditioning device includes a touch input unit which is configured to be touched, rotated by 360 degrees, and dragged by a user. A touch sensor unit includes three channel regions formed by trisecting a rotational region of 360 degrees and is configured to detect capacitance in accordance with touch areas of a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel at predetermined positions in the three channel regions. Three channel signal output units output signals from the respective channels in accordance with the recognized capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae-Won Heo, Jae-Sik Choi, Jin-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 11292385
    Abstract: A method for feedback of a temperature setting of an air-conditioning device involves adjusting a light color of at least one lighting element for the display of a set temperature. The adjusted light color corresponds to a temperature setting of an airflow zone in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Daniel Betz, Florian Etter, Daniel Fuhrmann, Daniel Steffen Setz
  • Patent number: 11271586
    Abstract: A system includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of exhaust at a first location of an exhaust system of a vehicle; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of exhaust at a second location of the exhaust system of the vehicle; a first analog to digital (A/D) converter configured to receive a first analog signal from the first temperature sensor, to sample the first analog signal to produce first samples, and to generate first digital values corresponding to the first temperature based on the first samples, respectively; and a second A/D converter a configured to receive a second analog signal from the second temperature sensor, to sample the second analog signal to produce second samples, and to generate second digital values corresponding to the second temperature based on the second samples, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stefano Nieddu, Simone Alpe
  • Patent number: 11260754
    Abstract: This control device for an electric vehicle is provided with: a discharge control unit which, when the electric vehicle has been turned off, if the SOC of the battery is within a prescribed range in which the battery is prone to deteriorate, performs control for discharging the battery until the SOC has left the prescribed range; a travelable distance calculation unit which calculates the travelable distance of the electric vehicle using the SOC and a travel coefficient; and a travel coefficient correction unit which, before and after performing control for discharging the battery is performed by the discharge control unit, corrects the travel coefficient such that the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculation unit is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuuki Tenma, Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Shigeki Iijima
  • Patent number: 11245313
    Abstract: A drive engine arrangement for an elevator system includes a drive engine for driving suspension traction media for displacing an elevator car, a fan for generating a fluid flow for cooling the drive engine and a fluid flow sensor. The fluid flow sensor senses the fluid flow generated by the fan. Accordingly, using the fluid flow sensor, it can be determined whether or not the fan is currently operating. By e.g. comparing the fan's behavior with previous operation patterns and/or by additionally measuring a temperature of the drive engine with a temperature sensor, it can be monitored whether the fan is operating correctly or whether e.g. cooling requirements may be compromised due to a malfunction of the fan. Such monitoring can be performed remotely and/or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Martin Kusserow, Reto Tschuppert, Philipp Zimmerli
  • Patent number: 11237067
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting uncertainty in temperature detection systems. The system includes a temperature sensor including a ground sheath and a central conductor surrounded by the ground sheath, the ground sheath and the central conductor being electrically coupled to one another through a temperature dependent resistive element. The system includes a controller connected to the temperature sensor and adapted to detect an electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element, the controller operable upon execution to output an uncertainty indication when the electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element is not within an expected value range based on an aircraft status indication, a historical value of the electrical parameter, and the electrical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron, Scott Kenneth Newlin
  • Patent number: 10696131
    Abstract: A method for operating a climate-control system of a vehicle using an initial ambient (outside the vehicle) air temperature calculated based upon a current air temperature measured by a temperature sensor located on a side-mirror of the vehicle. A previous air temperature is stored at or before an engine shut-down time. At a subsequent engine start time: a) the temperature sensor on the side-mirror determines the current air temperature; b) a solar radiation on the vehicle is measured; and c) a duration since the previous air temperature was stored is determined. If, at the engine re-start time; a) the duration exceeds a threshold value; and b) the current air temperature is higher than the previous air temperature, then the initial air temperature is calculated from: a) the current air temperature, b) the previous air temperature, and c) the solar radiation. The climate-control system is operated using the calculated initial temp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sandra Krolewski, Dietmar Fischer, Klaus Schuermanns
  • Patent number: 10576809
    Abstract: An automatic window tinting system for a vehicle includes a selectively transparent window, a controller including a processing unit and a non-transitory computer readable memory, a temperature sensor, an occupant sensor, a proximity sensor, and a computer readable and executable instruction set. The computer readable and executable instruction set causes the processing unit to receive an occupant sensor signal, a temperature signal and a proximity sensor signal, maintain the selectively transparent window in a first light transmissivity state when the occupant sensor signal is indicative of a presence of an unattended occupant, transition the selectively transparent window to a second light transmissivity state when the temperature signal is indicative of a temperature inside the vehicle that is greater than a threshold value, and transition the selectively transparent window to a third light transmissivity state when the proximity sensor signal is indicative of the presence of a passerby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Charan S. Lota
  • Patent number: 10549761
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an oil temperature detecting unit configured to detect an oil temperature of the hydraulic oil, and a controller configured to perform the control of the speed ratio on a basis of the oil temperature obtained from the oil temperature detecting unit. The controller is configured such that if the controller has failed to obtain the oil temperature from the oil temperature detecting unit, the controller outputs a command to restrict an output from the driving force source, and such that if the controller has obtained the oil temperature from the oil temperature detecting unit again, the controller gradually cancels the command to restrict the output from the driving force source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihira Amano, Youji Itou, Kosuke Abe
  • Patent number: 10267416
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission connected to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a determination unit configured to determine an operation state of a hydraulic oil temperature sensor based on comparison between a threshold and a difference between a hydraulic oil temperature of the automatic transmission and a cooling water temperature of the internal combustion engine. When the operation state of the hydraulic oil temperature sensor is determined as normal by the comparison with the threshold, the determination unit further determines the operation state of the hydraulic oil temperature sensor based on an operation state of an oil pressure sensor determined using the hydraulic oil temperature, an oil pressure of hydraulic oil, and a rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Yuya Tachibanada
  • Patent number: 10119455
    Abstract: A method for thermostat failure detection in an engine cooling system is provided. The engine cooling system includes a coolant pump and a thermostat for providing a coolant flow between an engine and a radiator. The method includes determining one or more engine parameters. Further, a pressure difference between a coolant pump inlet pressure and a coolant pump outlet pressure is determined corresponding to the one or more engine parameters. The thermostat failure is detected when the determined pressure difference is outside a predefined range of pressure change defined corresponding to the determined one or more engine parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Joseph Speichinger
  • Patent number: 10034415
    Abstract: A water cooling device includes a radiator provided with a radiating member and connected with a water tank, which is connected with a first pump and a second pump. The first pump and the second pump can be actuated to operate by turns so that the first pump and the second pump can alternately have the cooling liquid in the water tank conveyed to an endothermic water cooling head for cooling off a heating element. The water cooling device of this invention is able to attain effect of continuous operation without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: JINGWAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feng-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 10006815
    Abstract: A thermocouple including first and second thermoelements arranged to define a hot junction and a cold junction. A thermometer is coupled to at least one of the first and second thermoelements to measure the temperature of said cold junction independent of electronics used for conditioning a signal of said thermocouple. The thermoelements may be thick film elements coupled to a substrate. The thermometer may also be coupled to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Kayvan Hedayat
  • Patent number: 9598058
    Abstract: An air-guiding device for cooling the brakes has adjustable air-guiding flaps and an electronic control unit for controlling the air-guiding flaps as a function of the vehicle speed and of the pilot control pressure, triggered by the activation of the brake pedal, in the brake system. A first mode and a second mode for opening the air-guiding flaps are provided in the control unit by a corresponding program module. The first mode is directed to a strong deceleration demand at a relatively high vehicle speed, in particular on freeways and country roads. The second mode is directed to an acceleration prevention demand at a relatively low vehicle speed, in particular when travelling downhill on roads through mountain passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Neal Cheeseman
  • Patent number: 9546971
    Abstract: A diagnosis device for a temperature sensor provided to a power transmission device transmits driving force generated by a driving power source of a vehicle. The diagnosis device includes: an output voltage estimating unit to calculate an output voltage estimation value of the temperature sensor, based on the operating state of the vehicle; and an output voltage stuck malfunction determining unit to determine an output voltage stuck malfunction of the temperature sensor, in a case where the amount of change of the output voltage estimation value is equal to or above a first threshold value, and the amount of change of output voltage of the temperature sensor is equal to or below a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9496142
    Abstract: A method for increasing the performance of an integrated circuit by reducing the number of dummy gate geometries next to transistors in the speed path of an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Younsung Choi, Shashank Ekbote, Gregory Charles Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9440639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device for a vehicle including an engine and a motor generator both for supplying a travel driving force to a driving wheel. The control device causes the engine to stop while the vehicle is traveling on a descending slope under constant vehicle speed control where the vehicle is controlled to travel at a predetermined vehicle speed. That reduces a load on a brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yuji Inoue, Shingo Eto, Yousuke Michikoshi, Akihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 9291496
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for light sensing and temperature sensing comprises a first sensor input (1) for connecting a temperature sensor (11) and a second sensor input (2) for connecting a light sensor (21), in particular an ambient light sensor. A sensor switch (S3) electrically connects either the first or the second sensor input (1, 2) to an integration input (41) of an integrating analog-to-digital converter (4). A reference circuit (5) connects to the integration input (41) via a first switch (S2). A first reference input (42) of the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4) is to be connected with a first reference potential (Vb1). A counter (6) connects to an integration output (43) of the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4). And a controller unit (6) connects to the counter (6) and is designed to control the first switch (S2) depending on an integrated sensor signal (Vout) integrated by the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Gonggui Xu
  • Patent number: 9242739
    Abstract: Methods to monitor components of an aircraft landing system are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a brake assembly temperature and determining a wheel temperature. The example method also includes retrieving an estimated increase in the wheel temperature from a data structure based on the wheel temperature and the brake assembly temperature. The example method further includes determining a maximum wheel temperature based on the wheel temperature and the estimated increase in the wheel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Casandra Jolene Martin
  • Patent number: 9024764
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for reducing a vehicle driver's core temperature to offset drowsiness. In one embodiment, a temperature sensor records data describing a vehicle driver core temperature and communicates the data describing the vehicle driver core temperature to a temperature regulator. The temperature regulator determines whether the vehicle driver core temperature is similar to one or more circadian temperatures associated with wakefulness. If the vehicle driver core temperature is similar to a circadian temperature associated with sleep, the temperature regulator reduces the vehicle driver core temperature. In an embodiment the temperature regulator cools a material physically contacting the venous plexuses or arteriovenous anastomoses to cool the portions of the vehicle driver's anatomy which most efficiently cool the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 9022080
    Abstract: A communication device or auxiliary ECU is activated when a fuel door of a fuel cell vehicle is open. Upon closing the fuel door, the communication device/ECU is shut off. The communication device/auxiliary ECU is operational regardless of whether the keys in the vehicle or not. This assures that communication of information can occur when a refueling station is most likely to request the information, i.e. when the fuel door is open. A temperature measurement device may monitor a vehicle tank temperature, communicate the tank temperature data to a filling station, and confirm that the tank temperature data is associated with the tank being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Cun, Ryan Douglas Roy Harty
  • Patent number: 9013291
    Abstract: An automobile instrument panel includes display means with a display area. First and second symbols may be displayed in the display area to convey safety information. The duration of display of a symbol may be different depending upon whether it is an acute safety symbol or a normal safety symbol. An audible alarm may also be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Christophe Dolle
  • Patent number: 8996200
    Abstract: In-vehicle functions are implemented using a location device disposed in a vehicle, a central controller of the vehicle, and logic executable by a computer processor of the central controller. The location device includes a wireless communications interface. The logic receives a unique identifier of the location device. The unique identifier identifies a location in the vehicle in which the location device is disposed. The logic also validates the location device and an end user device in response to activation of the location device by the end user device via the communications interface. The logic further receives a request from the end user device to implement end user-configured settings for an electronic component that services the location in the vehicle corresponding to the unique identifier and activates the electronic component based on the end user-configured settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Neeraj R. Gautama, Amanda J. Kalhous
  • Patent number: 8988208
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a tire temperature warning system with an optional cooling solution is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: George J. Carson, Dion D. Xenos
  • Patent number: 8981919
    Abstract: A flow indication system for a central tire inflation system is provided. The flow indication system provides a venturi in fluid communication with the conduit providing air to a tire. A pressure reading is taken at the inlet and throat of the venturi and the air flowing through the venturi is calculated based on the pressure differential. According to some embodiments, the pressure readings are provided to a microcontroller that uses a table and interpolation algorithms to calculate the flow of the air flowing through the venturi, such as the mass of air in a given unit of time (grams/second for example). In one embodiment, two separate pressure sensors are coupled to different ends of a narrowed orifice that causes a pressure change in the flow as flow rate increases in the throat of the sensor. This pressure change is then used to calculate a proportional flow that can then be broadcast to various parties instead of an on/off reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stemco LP
    Inventors: Michael James Massey, Mark J. Kranz, Mark N. Gold, James C. Steph, Herman Goins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8975852
    Abstract: An electric motor (100) having a motor control system (400) including: —a current measuring means (402) for directly or indirectly measuring the electric current in the rotor windings (7) providing a rotor current value/s, —an ambient temperature measuring/estimation means (404) for measuring or estimating the ambient air temperature providing an air temperature value/s, —a rotor temperature estimation means (406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411) for estimating a rotor temperature at least based on the rotor current value/s and the air temperature value/s, and—a current limiting means (405) for preventing overheating/burning of the rotor assembly (3) by limiting the electric current to the rotor windings (7) when the estimated rotor temperature exceeds a predetermined overheating threshold (412).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Ulf Petersson, Anders Erestam
  • Patent number: 8907608
    Abstract: Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy G. Krupke, Mark Kenneth Siegesmund, Mark Raymond Wilzbach
  • Patent number: 8878663
    Abstract: Frames of data are received. Each frame includes at least a sensor identifier and a changeable data field and is sent from one of a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective one of a plurality of sensor identifiers. The changeable data field includes, in some of the frames, data representing a sensed condition and, in others of the frames, counter data. The counter data is analyzed to determine whether any of the sensor identifiers can be associated with one of a plurality of sensor locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsen Katiba, Dilip B. Patel, Greg Swadling
  • Publication number: 20140313026
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one drive unit, at least one brake device and at least one component which heats up when the drive unit and/or the brake device are operated. The component includes at least one warning device which is designed to output a visual warning information item when a component-specific limiting temperature is exceeded by the component, and/or can be actuated to output a visual warning information item when an information item which relates to a component-specific limiting temperature being exceeded is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Stephan Mayer
  • Patent number: 8862414
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the battery cells and modules. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards detection algorithms and apparatus for promoting the use of voltage, current, humidity, temperature, and pressure sensors for the purpose of detecting high voltage electrolysis. Additionally, the present invention includes response processes and structures to address high-voltage electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Weston Arthur Hermann, Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 8830049
    Abstract: A vehicle meter apparatus has a judging section that judges whether an automatic air conditioner purpose ambient temperature sensor is provided by comparing an input signal value inputted from an automatic air conditioner to an input section with a set threshold value and judges whether a display purpose ambient temperature sensor is provided by comparing the input signal value inputted from the display purpose ambient temperature sensor with the set threshold value when an internal power supply is supplied to input section and a display output section which displays an ambient temperature external to the vehicle on a second display section on a basis of a temperature detection signal from either of these sensors in a case where the judging section judges that the automatic air conditioner ambient temperature sensor is provided and in a case where the judging section judges that the display purpose ambient temperature is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Miyuki Gocho, Syuiti Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8816839
    Abstract: A seat belt alarm system to alert users to the presence of an infant or child, or disabled, infirm or elderly person in a vehicle. The seat belt alarm utilizes a portable bracket configured to removably attach to a female receptacle of a seat belt system. The bracket includes a tension mechanism positioned to be acted upon by a male buckle of a seat belt system when the male buckle of the seat belt mates with the female receptacle of the seat belt system. In a depressed state, the tension mechanism activates a signal transmitter configured to transmit a local signal received by a signal receiver integrated in a keychain fob. When the keychain fob moves outside of a signal range (e.g., 10 feet) while the tension mechanism remains in a depressed state, an alarm and/or red indicator light on the keychain fob is/are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: William K. Rick
  • Patent number: 8798853
    Abstract: A tire condition monitoring system stores information representing a number of dual wheels having two tires arranged closely adjacent to each other on, for example, a commercial vehicle. The system measures internal air temperatures of the tires on all of the wheels, and stores temperatures measured when a system reset is executed as reference temperatures. The system determines calculated values based on the temperatures measured for each tire until a measured temperature exceeds the corresponding reference temperature by 20 degrees Celsius or more. The system arranges the calculated values in an order and determines that a number of the calculated values high in the order are calculated values of temperatures of tires mounted on the inside wheel. The number of calculated values corresponding to a dual wheel is equivalent to the number of dual wheels. Thus, the system determines which tires are mounted on an inside wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kanenari, Yasuhiko Araki
  • Patent number: 8791808
    Abstract: In a method for wireless communication between a control unit and an electronic housing mounted on a vehicle member, information for the electronic housing is transmitted in the form either of continuous signals, or of signals modulated by encoded data. Each electronic housing includes a switching strategy between reception modes for the two types of signals, including establishing a permanent standby state for continuous signal reception and, upon the reception of a continuous signal, controlling a switchover to the modulated-signal reception mode for a time T, after which the electronic housing processes the data of the potential detected modulated signal and, if no such modulated signal is detected, processes the continuous signal at the origin of the switchover. Furthermore, after the time T, a reverse switchover control to the permanent standby state is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Nicolas Guinart
  • Patent number: 8692662
    Abstract: A method of determining a failure of an active air flap, including determining whether or not an active air flap is in a non-openable state, if the active air flap is in the non-openable state, continuously checking a variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water, and if the variation is below a reference variation, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water is above the reference variation, processing whether to generate the failure-alert such that if the time taken to reach the variation is above a reference temperature time, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the time is below the reference temperature time, generating the failure-alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Sun Shin, Phil Jung Jeong, Jin Ho Kim, Yong Jin Jung, Sang Won Park
  • Publication number: 20140085069
    Abstract: One embodiment is a unique strategy for evaluating performance of a component of an internal combustion engine. More particularly, in one non-limiting form a method includes operating a component, such as a heating component, and measuring a first characteristic related to its operation. The method also includes operating an engine accessory and measuring a second characteristic related to its operation, and determining performance of the component by relating the first and second characteristics to one another. In one aspect, relating the first and second characteristics to one another provides a first value which is compared to a predetermined value, and performance of the component is determined from this comparison. Other embodiments include unique methods, systems, and apparatus for evaluating or monitoring the performance of a component of an internal combustion engine, and/or for performing a procedure for starting the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Nethercutt
  • Patent number: 8633826
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing a battery pack for a vehicle includes a temperature measurement module for measuring temperature of the battery pack; a current measurement module for measuring a charge/discharge current of the battery pack when the measured temperature is not within a predetermined temperature range; a time measurement module for measuring the time while the measured charge/discharge current is over a predetermined current value; a storage module for accumulating and storing the measured time; and a control module for determining a state of the battery pack according to the accumulated and stored time and providing the state information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20130342341
    Abstract: A vehicle tire monitoring system including a tire and wheel assembly. The tire and wheel assembly may include a wheel having a rim portion including an inside surface; a tire including a tire carcass having an inner surface and an outer surface with a tire tread over a radially outer portion of the outer surface, and with the inner surface and the inside surface of the rim portion forming a cavity in which pressurized air is sealed; and a tire sensor assembly mounted on the inside surface of the rim portion in the cavity and including an infrared sensor and a wireless transmitter operatively engaging the infrared sensor, with the infrared sensor oriented to detect a temperature on the inner surface of the tire carcass at a location opposite to a portion of the tire tread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: Craig T. Simmerman, Anthony D. Grutta, David J. Trzcinski, Richard W. Wiese
  • Patent number: 8611831
    Abstract: Numeric values “a” representing a respective order of transmission by a plurality of transmitting units, and a numeric value N representing the total number of transmitting units, are set for each of the transmitting units. At startup, a transmitting unit for which the value “a” representing the order of transmission of the unit has been set to 1 sets a trigger value to N and transmits information about the value “a” of the unit and detection information from a sensor, and, when the value N is detected from a received signal, transmits the value “a” of the unit and detection information. When a value of a?1 is detected from a received signal, the transmitting unit for which the value “a” representing the order of transmission of the unit has been set to other than 1 transmits the information of the value “a” of the unit and detection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakatani, Shu Yamada, Sigeki Sakakibara, Michito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8552777
    Abstract: Method of controlling the drifting of a low-frequency LFO circuit in a wheel unit of a tire pressure monitoring system, each wheel unit including temperature and pressure sensors in conjunction with a signal control circuit, the sensors being activated according to an LFO circuit time base integrated into the control circuit. An RF emission circuit of each wheel unit transmits data stored in a memory and an identifier of the unit to a central unit. The emission circuit is regulated by a high-precision clock. In each wheel unit, a variation between a measured temperature and a reference temperature is compared with a variation threshold and a drift between the periods of the time base of the LFO circuit and of the clock is determined. The drift is used to adjust the time base to the period of the clock if the temperature variation ?Ti is greater than this threshold ?T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Youri Vassilieff
  • Patent number: 8547238
    Abstract: A system for confirming the detection of a fire using a plurality of radiation or flame sensors each equipped with a radiation detector and an optical filter having a spectral transmission characteristic in which at least one optical filter is redundant to at least one other optical filter. The result is a system having operationally redundant sensors. In use, if a fire is detected by one of the redundant sensors without including the other redundant radiation sensor in the fire detection calculation, then a fire detection algorithm can switch to the other operationally redundant sensor to check for confirmation of a fire. Due to the spatial separation and if the object is small and close, a different result will be obtained with the redundant detector being used in the calculation compared to the primary detector that is associated with the redundant detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: KnowFlame, Inc.
    Inventor: John Harchanko
  • Patent number: 8547216
    Abstract: A system and method for a tire temperature measurement system is disclosed. An instantaneous temperature value of a tire may be requested through an input device. At the time of a temperature measurement request a control unit may retrieve tire temperature from a sensor and determine an instantaneous temperature value of a tire. The instantaneous temperature value of a tire may be displayed, stored and transmitted to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Cao
  • Publication number: 20130234847
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a tire temperature warning system with an optional cooling solution is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: George J. Carson, Dion D. Xenos
  • Patent number: 8482393
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission with at least one sensor (15), associated with the motor vehicle transmission, for picking up measurement signals at the motor vehicle transmission and transmitting them by a wireless unit to a transmission control unit (12) of the motor vehicle transmission. In each case, an RFID-responder (16) is associated with each sensor (15), which transmits the respective measurement signals concerned to an RFID-reader (17), associated with the transmission control unit (12). The RFID-reader (17) transmits wirelessly to the RFID-responder (16), associated with the sensor (15) concerned, electrical energy for operating the sensor (15) and for operating the RFID-responder (16) associated with the sensor (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Rolf Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20130147619
    Abstract: A method of determining a failure of an active air flap, including determining whether or not an active air flap is in a non-openable state, if the active air flap is in the non-openable state, continuously checking a variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water, and if the variation is below a reference variation, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water is above the reference variation, processing whether to generate the failure-alert such that if the time taken to reach the variation is above a reference temperature time, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the time is below the reference temperature time, generating the failure-alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee Sun SHIN, Phil Jung Jeong, Jin Ho Kim, Yong Jin Jung, Sang Won Park
  • Patent number: 8358206
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for acquiring signals from sensors (1) installed in a motor vehicle, where at least two sensors, which are connected by electrical conductors to a source of electrical voltage (2) and to an evaluation unit (3), are mounted in different positions in the vehicle. To simplify the installation of the device, the sensors (1) are attached a certain distance apart to a common ribbon cable (4) with parallel electrical conductors, which cable has at least one conductor which can be connected to the voltage source (2) to supply power to the sensors (1) and several signal conductors, which can be connected to the evaluation unit (3) and possibly also to the voltage source (2), the number of which corresponds to the number of sensors to be connected. All of the sensors (1) are connected to the power-supply conductor, and each one is connected individually to one of the signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Rainer Huscher, Udo Mayer, Frank Schröer
  • Publication number: 20130009764
    Abstract: An SOC display displayed on a display includes a first region and a second region. The first region presents an SOC range capable of ensuring the minimum traveling performance. The SOC display displays an SOC within the first region. The second region presents an SOC range incapable of ensuring the minimum traveling performance. The boundary between the first region and the second region corresponds to an SOC lower limit value indicating the SOC lower limit capable of ensuring the minimum traveling performance. The SOC lower limit value is set based on the temperature of a power storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya YAMAMOTO, Itaru SETA
  • Patent number: 8339254
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a data acquisition and display system for vehicles that connects to the vehicle's on-board computer(s) via a data link connector (DLC). The system includes a display module suitable for permanent or temporary attachment within the interior of a vehicle. The display module preferably includes a full color monitor that also functions as a touch screen for inputting commands to the computer within the display module. The computer includes a suitable processor, operating system, software and tangible data storage media to allow multiple user configurable graphics. The display module collects information from the vehicle via multiple busses and senders through the data link connector and displays the information on the screen of the display module in a user configured graphics format. The software is constructed and arranged to allow user configuration of the displayed graphics by clicking or touching the graphics image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Drew Technologies
    Inventors: Michael Drew, Brian Herron