Digital Or Programmed Data Processor Patents (Class 701/102)
  • Patent number: 11072362
    Abstract: The vehicle steering system includes a rack shaft and a conversion mechanism that converts rotation of a rotating shaft of the motor into reciprocating motion of the rack shaft. The conversion mechanism includes a drive pulley that rotates with the rotating shaft, a driven pulley rotatable about an axis of the rack shaft and a toothed belt extending around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and converts rotation of the rotating shaft into reciprocating motion of the rack shaft when rotation of the drive pulley is transmitted to the driven pulley via the toothed belt. The vehicle steering system further includes a determination circuit that determines tooth skipping that is a change in meshing position between the drive pulley and the toothed belt, and a calculation circuit that calculates an integrated value obtained by integrating a prescribed value indicating that tooth skipping is determined by the determination circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yousuke Shirauchi
  • Patent number: 11067018
    Abstract: A method for regenerating an Otto particle filter of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes identifying a loading state of the Otto particle filter above a regeneration threshold and operating the internal combustion engine in a heating mode for the purposes of heating the Otto particle filter to a temperature threshold. The method further includes switching a first cylinder of the internal combustion engine from a fuel supply to an air supply, and continuing to operate at least one further cylinder of the internal combustion engine with the fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Langegger, Michael Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 11053876
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a method and system are provided for displacing a free-piston assembly to achieve a desired engine performance by repeatedly determining position-force trajectories over the course of a propagation path and effecting the displacement of the free-piston assembly based, at least in part, on the position-force trajectory. In a dual-piston assembly free-piston engine, synchronization of the two piston assemblies is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Roelle, Christopher Gadda
  • Patent number: 11041736
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for generating a real-time high-definition (HD) map for an ego vehicle using wireless vehicle data of a remote vehicle. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a V2X wireless message which includes remote GPS data and remote road parameter data of the remote vehicle. The method includes retrieving ego GPS data of the ego vehicle. The method includes generating ego road parameter data describing an initial estimate of a geometry of a road on which the ego vehicle is located. The method includes fusing the ego road parameter data and the remote road parameter data to form fused road parameter data which describes an improved estimate of the geometry of the road that is more accurate than the initial estimate. The method includes generating a real-time HD map based on the remote GPS data, the ego GPS data, and the fused road parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Ahmed Sakr, Gaurav Bansal
  • Patent number: 11035324
    Abstract: A vehicle including: an engine; an exhaust gas recirculation device including a communication pipe by which an exhaust pipe of the engine and an intake pipe of the engine communicating, and a valve that is provided in the communication pipe; and a control device configured to control the engine, to control the valve based on a target opening of the valve, to perform automatic stopping of the engine based on satisfaction of an automatic stopping condition, and to perform automatic starting of the engine based on satisfaction of an automatic starting condition. The control device is configured to prohibit automatic stopping of the engine when it is determined that foreign matter is caught in the valve through catching diagnosis which is diagnosis of whether foreign matter is caught in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisayuki Itoh, Koji Ichikawa, Masaaki Yamaguchi, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 11035301
    Abstract: A method for preventing an engine air flow calculation error applied to an engine system may classify an engine operation area of an engine into a sensor measurement deviation generation area, medium/high load areas, and a low load area by an ECU, and classify an air flow calculation applied to a cylinder charging amount of the engine as one of an air flow calculation control applying a compensation measurement air flow to the sensor measurement deviation generation area, an air flow calculation control applying a measurement pressure to the medium/high load areas, and an air flow calculation control applying a measurement air flow to the low load area, excluding influence of an HFM sensor error causing a change in a fresh air charge and inaccuracy of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) air flow modeling/active purge air flow modeling in the entire operation area of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Young-Kyu Oh, Keum-Jin Park
  • Patent number: 11015557
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for relieving pressure from a compression locked engine. The engine may be compression locked during an engine start attempt due to operator application of a manual transmission clutch at or around the time of a first combustion event of the engine start. A direct injector of the compression locked cylinder is commanded open to relieve the pressure into the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas, Ethan Sanborn, Paul Hollar, Daniel Dusa
  • Patent number: 11008930
    Abstract: When an incremental amount of a steering angle exceeds a reference incremental amount, an ECU 60 executes vehicle attitude control of reducing an output torque of an engine, and, in a given operating range, drives a spark plug 16 to allow an air-fuel mixture to be self-ignited at a given timing, thereby executing SPCCI combustion. When there is a request for an additional deceleration from the vehicle attitude control (#12: YES) and the SPCCI combustion is performed (#13: YES), the ECU 60 prohibits ignition retardation and performs torque reduction for the vehicle attitude control, by fuel amount reduction control of reducing the amount of fuel to be supplied into a cylinder 2 (#14). On the other hand, when the SPCCI combustion is not performed (NO in #13), the ECU 60 performs the ignition retardation to attain the torque reduction for the vehicle attitude control (#15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Takayama, Takeatsu Ito, Michio Ito, Kenko Ujihara, Daisaku Ogawa, Daisuke Umetsu
  • Patent number: 10995725
    Abstract: A control device for the selective control of a multiplicity of actuators of an internal combustion engine is provided. The control device includes a central control unit, and a multiplicity of actuators associated with the multiplicity of actuator controls, which are connected to the central control unit. Each actuator control, of the multiplicity of actuator controls, includes an address, so that the actuator controls are selectively controllable by the central control unit by means of the address. Also, each actuator control includes a comparator, which is configured to compare a signal, preferably a voltage or current signal, emitted by the central control unit with the address. The comparator also emits an activation signal via an activation line, if the comparison has resulted in a match of the signal with the address of the respective actuator control within a window, preferably a voltage window (?V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Markus Kraus, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer, Scott Mann
  • Patent number: 10983029
    Abstract: A method of detecting misfire in a combustion engine of a motor vehicle engine includes measuring a speed of a crankshaft, calculating a modal coefficient for each cylinder of the combustion engine, and indicating a misfire for at least one of the cylinders based on the calculation of the modal coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yongjie Zhu, Jun-mo Kang, Chen-fang Chang, David J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 10982607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle fuel system for a presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions. In one example, a method comprises evacuating the fuel system of a vehicle to a variable vacuum target as a function of a volatility of fuel in a fuel tank positioned in the fuel system and a loading state of a fuel vapor storage canister configured for capturing and storing fuel vapors from the fuel tank. In this way, analysis of a pressure-bleedup portion of the diagnostic may be more reliable and completion rates of the diagnostic may be improved, while conducting the test in an environmentally fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark W. Peters
  • Patent number: 10977583
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system is capable of generating and distributing access credentials to users that access a rental property for a limited time period. Users can be provided with access to the rental property through an application or webpage portal without creating a new user account or user login for the application. For example, a user can be granted access to control electronic devices associated with a monitoring system of a rental property without creating a new user account with the monitoring system. Techniques described herein enable such users to more easily access, for example, rental property information that is associated with a monitoring system of the rental property. In this manner, access credentials can be distributed to users through any suitable means, e.g., through email or SMS, and used to temporarily authenticate users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Fabian Emilio Philipe Camargo, Michael Montgomery Brophy
  • Patent number: 10975796
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for injecting fuel to an engine having cylinders, includes: injectors corresponding to the cylinders; a regulator for fuel pressure supplied to the injectors; and a processor. The processor performs: deciding to start a deposit removal for removing deposits adhering to injector-nozzles; and controlling each injector to inject fuel in a single injection mode for injecting one time or a divided injection mode for injecting multiple times in one combustion cycle and control the regulator based on engine operation condition. The controlling includes, when controlling each injector to inject fuel in the divided injection mode based on the engine operation condition, sequentially controlling each injector to reduce injection number in one combustion cycle when the deposit removal is decided to be started, and then controlling the regulator to increase fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Kazuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 10968765
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a command to operate a power load of a power system at a command output power while operating the power load at a reference output power; operating a gas turbine engine of the power system in a maximum regulator mode to increase a power generation of the gas turbine engine when the command output power is greater than the reference output power or in a minimum regulator mode to decrease the power generation of the gas turbine engine when the command output power is less than the reference output power; and coordinating an electric machine power draw from the gas turbine engine with a change in power generation of the gas turbine engine to maintain a rotational speed parameter of the gas turbine engine substantially constant while operating the gas turbine engine in the maximum regulator mode or in the minimum regulator mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Robert Gemin
  • Patent number: 10955035
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed, having a clutch module with an input and a first and a second output. Between the first output and the input, a first clutch device is present, and between the second output and the input a second clutch device is present. The transmission system further includes a transmission module having a first partial transmission and a second partial transmission, in which the two outputs of the clutch module are connected to the two inputs of the transmission module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Punch Powertrain N.V.
    Inventors: Roëll Marie Van Druten, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens, Bas Gerard Vroemen
  • Patent number: 10947914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for calibration and control of various engine subsystems using a target value approach. Under the target value approach, the control of each engine subsystem is separated or decoupled to include a set of target values, or a reference value set. A subsystem has a corresponding target determiner, which provides a target value set, or reference value set, in response to a basis variable set and optionally an overall subsystem target. The basis variable set includes parameters selected to robustly characterize the variables that affect the operation of the particular subsystem. The target determiner is optionally calibrated to provide a reference value set within specifications of the subsystem. A physical subsystem controller operates in response to the reference value set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Phanindra V. Garimella, Paul V. Moonjelly, Edmund P. Hodzen, Ming-feng Hsieh, Gayatri Adi, Gokul Vishwanathan
  • Patent number: 10934965
    Abstract: A method of controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine includes measuring parameters of combustion in a cylinder of the engine during a combustion phase of the cylinder, after igniting an air/fuel charge in the cylinder, and calculating the heat release of combustion in the cylinder based on the measured parameters. An auto-ignition event of the air/fuel charge is identified based on the calculated heat release, and, based at least in part on the identified auto-ignition event, at least one of ignition timing in the cylinder for the next combustion phase of the cylinder or an amount of exhaust gas supplied to the cylinder for the next combustion phase of the cylinder is controlled to cause an auto-ignition event of the air/fuel charge in the next combustion phase to shift toward a specified crank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Samuel James McCreery, Jeffrey Carlson, Suraj Nair, Domenico Chiera
  • Patent number: 10920690
    Abstract: A method for adjusting boost provided via a turbocharger or supercharger is described. In one example, boost is increased in response to a change in road conditions before a driver reacts to the change in road conditions by applying an accelerator pedal. The boost is increased to reduce compressor lag, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the engine and vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Mrdjan Jankovic, Mario Santillo
  • Patent number: 10910972
    Abstract: A control apparatus is used in an onboard system provided to a vehicle. The onboard system includes an internal combustion engine and a power generator. The power generator generates power and supplies the generated power to an electrical load provided to the vehicle. An output torque of the internal combustion engine causes the vehicle to travel and causes the power generator to generate power. Based on a power supply request by the electrical load, the control apparatus controls the output torque of the internal combustion engine. In response to the output torque being increased based on the power supply request, the control apparatus causes the power generator to generate the power by the output torque, while restricting generated power during an initial period when the output torque is being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Saito, Tomohisa Ose
  • Patent number: 10907552
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) has a variable compression ratio mechanism (2) that varies a mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism (7) that varies a valve timing of an intake valve (4). When there is a demand to execute reference position learning (step 21) for system calibration of the variable valve timing mechanism (7), the execution of the reference position learning is permitted on the condition that the mechanical compression ratio is higher than a threshold value VCRth (step 22). When any anomaly is present in the variable compression ratio mechanism (2), the reference position learning of the variable valve timing mechanism (7) is prohibited (steps 23 and 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hirofumi Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 10882399
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Invently Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Koebler, Nicole G. Goldstein, Stephen J. Brown, Jason H. Harper
  • Patent number: 10882390
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle in which an internal combustion engine can be suitably assisted by a rotating electrical machine. The vehicle is provided with an internal combustion engine, a rotating electrical machine, a transmission, a clutch placed between the transmission and the combination of the internal combustion engine and rotating electrical machine, and a motive power control device that controls the motive power of the internal combustion engine and the rotating electrical machine. The motive power control device calculates additional motive power for the rotating electrical machine on the basis of the difference between the motive-power-transmitting capacity of the clutch and the motive power of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuki Iwamitsu, Mitsuo Muraoka, Hisashi Ito, Yoshinori Ando, Koichiro Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 10814863
    Abstract: When a difference between a target speed and a movement speed of the vehicle exists in a process of setting a parking space based on information acquired through a sensor of the vehicle and controlling automatic parking, the system and the method may determine whether there is an obstacle equal to or smaller than a predetermined height in a process of identifying and re-identifying the obstacle by controlling engine driving torque, and a location of the existing obstacle, reset an initially set parking space or a parking termination condition according to the location of the obstacle, and perform the automatic parking control, thereby detecting the obstacle even though the obstacle is equal to or smaller than the predetermined height and is not detected by a sensor, within the parking space or on a movement path to the parking space and completing the automatic parking control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 10808636
    Abstract: A method according to the invention for controlling an internal combustion engine having a camshaft whose phase with respect to a crankshaft can be adjusted by means of an electric adjustment device, and a control device comprises the steps S1 to S3, wherein in step S1 a stop request is output from the control device to the electric adjustment device. Subsequently, in step S2 a manipulated variable in the form of a pulse duty factor is output from the electric adjustment device, wherein the pulse duty factor counteracts a camshaft torque. In step S3, the direction of rotation of the camshaft is monitored, wherein in step S4, when a reversal of the direction of rotation of the camshaft is detected, an intensity level of this reversal of the direction of rotation is calculated by determining a rotational speed gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Stowasser, Suk-Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 10803213
    Abstract: A method of predicting, in real-time, a relationship between a vehicle's engine speed, trip time, cost, and fuel consumption, comprising: monitoring vehicle operation over time to acquiring data representing at least a vehicle location, a fuel consumption rate, and operating conditions; generating a predictive model relating the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption; and receiving at least one constraint on the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption, and automatically producing from at least one automated processor, based on the predictive model, a constrained output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: IOCURRENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Bhattacharyya, Cosmo King, Samuel Friedman, Kiersten Henderson, Alexa Rust
  • Patent number: 10801399
    Abstract: There is provided a supercharging system for an aircraft reciprocating engine, comprising: a plurality of compressors for supplying compressed air to the aircraft reciprocating engine; at least one turbine for obtaining rotational power for at least one of the plurality of compressors, and a plurality of motors for respectively providing rotational power to the plurality of compressors. An object of the present invention is to reduce turbo lag in a reciprocating engine for an aircraft in which multiple-stage supercharging is performed by the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kotani, Nobuyuki Nakazato, Iwao Murata
  • Patent number: 10787944
    Abstract: A method for simultaneous optimization of nitrogen oxide emissions and carbon dioxide emissions of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: at the start a prediction horizon (PH) is selected (100), then a nitrogen oxide limit value (mNOx_max) is specified (101). Minimisation (102) of a cost function (K) comprising the nitrogen oxide emissions and the carbon dioxide emissions is carried out, wherein the nitrogen oxide limit value (mNOx_max) is complied with. Then actuators of the combustion engine are set (105) to a setpoint value (S) that is determined when minimizing (102) the cost function (K). Finally, the steps of the method are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fritsch, Daniel Michael Ruff
  • Patent number: 10773814
    Abstract: A control system for an in-flight engine restart system of a rotorcraft includes an engine control unit that controls and detects status of an engine. The control system also includes a flight control computer that communicates with the engine control unit, an engine operation control system, and a pilot interface including pilot controls. The engine operation control system includes a processor that initiates a health check of the in-flight engine restart system to determine an in-flight engine restart system status. The engine operation control system processes engine mode of operation commands to establish an engine mode of operation, and delivers commands to aspects of the in-flight engine restart system including the engine control unit based on processing of the engine mode of operation commands. The engine operation control system reports the in-flight engine restart system status and results of the engine mode of operation commands to the flight control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Peter Strauss, Michael Joseph DeVita, Mark Denton Bystry, Jr., Joseph Lawrence Simonetti, Carl A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 10774927
    Abstract: A method for detecting an oil leakage of a main pump during a stopping process of an internal combustion engine, where the oil leakage is caused by a reversal of a direction of rotation of a crankshaft of a vehicle including an electric auxiliary pump and the main pump, where the main pump is driven by the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The method includes determining whether a rotational speed of the electric auxiliary pump exceeds a predefined threshold value, and when the rotational speed of the electric auxiliary pump exceeds the predefined threshold value for the rotational speed, detecting that the main pump is leaking, recording an error in an error memory of the vehicle, and demanding an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Dimitrios Mourousoglou
  • Patent number: 10746119
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for determining a pressure of a fuel (19) which is to be injected into a combustion chamber (23) via a controllable closure element (11) of a solenoid valve (1), wherein the method comprises: generating a current flow (i) through a coil (3) of the solenoid valve (1) in order to generate a magnetic field, in order to generate a magnetic force acting on an armature (9), which magnetic force shifts the armature (9) in the direction of the opening of the closure element (11), determining a magnitude of a magnetic flux (?) of the magnetic field before or when a first state (I) at which the armature starts to shift the closure element is reached, and determining a magnitude of the pressure on the basis of the determined magnitude of the magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Hauser, Gerd Rösel, Markus Stutika
  • Patent number: 10738716
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes: a driving side rotation member that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven side rotation member that integrally rotates with a cam shaft of the internal combustion engine; a phase regulating mechanism with which a relative rotation phase of the driving and driven side rotation members around a rotation axis is set by a driving force of an electric motor; a phase sensing portion that acquires the relative rotation phase; and a phase controlling section that controls the electric motor to set the relative rotation phase based on an acquisition result by the phase sensing portion. The phase sensing portion includes a cam angle sensor, a reference determination sensor, and a pattern storage unit. The valve timing controller further includes a phase acquisition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Sato, Yuji Kakuda, Shogo Katsuki, Yugo Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 10713557
    Abstract: Race car settings (e.g., Formula 1 engine mix settings) are developed for particular racing goals such as faster lap time, better acceleration, less vehicle wear, etc., using pattern templates that are derived from historical racing scenarios. The historical scenarios provide data on racing settings, racing results, and racing conditions such as squad information, equipment information, and environmental information. A cognitive (deep question answering) system can select an initial pattern template based on current racing conditions, and present suggested vehicle settings to the user (driver) using the initial pattern template. The driver can select from different candidate values for various factors, which may lead to the presentation of additional suggestions or the use of additional pattern templates. The final settings map is created based on the employed pattern templates and the driver selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10710432
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner has a compressor, a radiator, a pressure reducer, a cooling heat exchanger, a temperature detector, and a prohibition request output part. The compressor draws and discharges a refrigerant. The radiator dissipates heat of the refrigerant. The pressure reducer decompresses and expands the refrigerant. The cooling heat exchanger cools an air blown into a vehicle compartment. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the cooling heat exchanger. The prohibition request output part outputs a request, which prohibits the idle stop control, to an idle stop controller when the engine is operated. The request prohibits the idle stop control until the temperature of the cooling heat exchanger falls to a temperature being enough cool to cool the air and a required cooling time elapses. The required cooling time is estimated to be required to make a passenger feel cool by the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ichishi, Takeshi Wakisaka, Masahiko Morikawa, Takahiro Araki
  • Patent number: 10711709
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a computer program, an engine intake system, and a vehicle are provided. The method is for controlling an air charge provided to a vehicular engine. The method comprises determining a target valve lift of an inlet valve in a continuously variable valve lift system based, at least in part, on: a required air charge for a given torque request; and an estimate of a variable pressure of an engine intake manifold for a time when the inlet valve is to be actuated in accordance with the target valve lift. The method also comprises controlling actuation of the inlet valve in the continuously variable valve lift system in accordance with the determined target valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Nick Brockley
  • Patent number: 10704479
    Abstract: An active fuel vapor purge system includes: a turbocharger having a turbine and a compressor; a canister collecting fuel vapor; a purge pump pumping the collected fuel vapor; a main purge line connecting the canister and the purge pump; a first purge line branched from the main purge line and joined to an intake manifold at downstream of the compressor; a second purge line branched from the main purge line and jointed to an intake line at upstream of the compressor; purge control solenoid valves respectively disposed in the first purge line and the second purge line; a hydrocarbon sensor measuring an amount of hydrocarbon; a pressure sensor measuring an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure of the purge pump; and a controller controlling operation of the purge pump based on the amount of hydrocarbon and pressures at a front end and at a rear end of the purge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Young Kyu Oh, Jeong Ho Seo, Yong Seok Kim, Yeong Jin Nam, Taeho Ahn, Sung Wook Park
  • Patent number: 10690571
    Abstract: A particulate detection system (10, 1010) includes a sensor section (100) and a sensor drive section (300). A flow EIF of a measurement target gas EI passes through the sensor section, and an amount M of particulates S is detected. The sensor section (100) includes an ion applying section (100e) which generates ions CP, discharges ion-adhering electrified particulates SC, and collects unadhered ions CPF. The sensor drive section includes a sensor current value obtainment section (530) for obtaining a sensor current value Ss corresponding to the amount QH of flowed out charge, a flow velocity obtainment section (510) for obtaining, the flow velocity Vg of the external gas flow, and a particulate amount obtainment section (550, 1550) for obtaining the amount M of particulates S. The influence of flow velocity Vg is mitigated using the sensor current value Ss and the flow velocity Vg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Murase, Takeshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10670141
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a user-depressible portion that in some examples takes the form of a third foot pedal. The user-depressible portion may be depressed to varying degrees and then released to varying degrees. The degree and type of pedal movement is analyzed to determine one of a predetermined plurality of vehicle control functions that the drives wishes to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: John Jason Conley
  • Patent number: 10654487
    Abstract: A travel control apparatus including a driving level switching portion switching to a first driving automation level involving a driver responsibility to monitor surroundings or a second driving automation level not involving the driver responsibility to monitor the surroundings, a distance measurement device measuring an inter-vehicle distance to a forward vehicle, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor performs controlling an equipment according to the inter-vehicle distance so as to follow the forward vehicle, controlling the equipment so that the self-driving vehicle starts when the inter-vehicle distance increases up to a predetermined value, and determining a first predetermined value as the predetermined value when the driving automation level is switched to the first driving automation level and a second predetermined value larger than the first predetermined value as the predetermined value when the driving automation level is switched to the second driving automation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kishi, Toshiyuki Mizuno, Akira Kito, Yoshiaki Konishi
  • Patent number: 10647370
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electric scooter storage method based on a scooter storage box. The scooter storage box is configured to store at least one electric scooter, The scooter storage box includes a box body, a bracket arranged in the box body and used for storing the electric scooter, an access port, and an interaction device. The method further includes: if the interaction device detects a scooter taking-out instruction, verifying identity information of a scooter taking-out user; if the verification is passed, conveying the electric scooter to the access port, and opening the access port; and if it is detected that the electric scooter is taken out from the bracket, recording renting information of the electric scooter, the renting information at least including: user information of a scooter taking-out user who takes out the electric scooter, and identification information and renting time of the electric scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Xuewen Chen
  • Patent number: 10642267
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an automated vehicle includes providing a detector and a controller-circuit. The detector is configured to detect construction-objects. The controller-circuit is configured to, in accordance with a detection of a construction-object by the detector, determine that a host-vehicle is proximate to a construction-zone. The controller-circuit and the method is also configured to, in accordance with a determination that the host-vehicle is proximate the construction-zone, change control of the host-vehicle from an automated-mode characterized by the controller-circuit steering the host-vehicle to a manual-mode characterized by an occupant of the host-vehicle steering the host-vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Divya Agarwal, Michael H. Laur, Brian R. Hilnbrand
  • Patent number: 10619582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the flow rate QEGR of exhaust gases recirculated through an exhaust gas recirculation valve connecting an exhaust circuit and an intake circuit of a combustion engine, the method including the steps: —of determining a difference in pressure ?P between the upstream and downstream sides of the valve, determining a density ?EGR of the recirculated exhaust gases passing through the valve, determining a corrected effective area Seff_cor of the valve, estimating the flow rate QEGR of the recirculated exhaust gases from these three parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Lutz, Florent David, Kévin Surbled
  • Patent number: 10619584
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for improving fuel economy and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire controlled engine are described. An engine controller dynamically selects a gas spring type for a skipped firing opportunity. Determination of the skip/fire pattern and gas spring type may be made on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry F. Fuschetto, Matthew A. Younkins, Ihab S. Soliman, Mark Wilcutts
  • Patent number: 10619575
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine includes a piston reciprocally moving in a cylinder of an engine; a variable compression ratio apparatus controlling a movable range of the piston; and a controller controlling the variable compression ratio apparatus if a driving condition of a vehicle and a stability condition of the engine are satisfied to change a compression ratio and controlling a motor torque and an engine torque to control a requirement torque to be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Hyeok Song, Hyunsung Jung
  • Patent number: 10598116
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a correction value for fuel metering of a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine, in which fuel is injected from a high-pressure accumulator into a combustion chamber with the aid of the fuel injector, the fuel being injected into the combustion chamber in multiple separate injection procedures during one work cycle, a value representative of a static flow rate through the fuel injector being ascertained by ascertaining, for at least one of the multiple separate injection procedures, a ratio of a pressure change caused in the high-pressure accumulator by the at least one of the multiple separate injection procedures and an associated duration characteristic for the at least one of the multiple separate injection procedures being ascertained, and the correction value being ascertained based on a comparison of the representative value to a comparison value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Hirchenhein, Alexander Schenck Zu Schweinsberg, Klaus Joos, Eugenia Schwarz, Timm Hollmann
  • Patent number: 10591387
    Abstract: A computing device receives a first digital signal from a data acquisition system. It is determined that a first value includes in the first signal indicates an event. A second digital signal is received from the data acquisition system. It is determined that a second value included in the second signal includes a value that indicates the event, and that the event has occurred based at least in part on the first value, the second value, and a passage of a predetermined duration of time between a time of the first digital signal and a time of the second digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Howard Yang, Qun Xu, Barth Rex Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 10589732
    Abstract: A device for controlling current for charging/discharging a battery with a high accuracy includes a time-point setting unit which calculates a voltage difference by subtracting a calculated open-circuit voltage from a measured closed-circuit voltage, and sets first and second time points, at which an absolute value of the voltage difference becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value and an absolute value of a difference in the open-circuit voltage becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. The control device further includes a current correction amount calculation unit to obtain the current integral amount, calculate the current error in a detection signal and set the current error as the current correction amount on the basis of the current integral amount and the time from the first time point to the second time point. The current correction unit corrects the detection signal using the current correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: VEHICLE ENERGY JAPAN INC.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Ohkawa, Ryohhei Nakao
  • Patent number: 10569759
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a turbomachine, a propulsor coupled to the turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating a hybrid-electric propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine in an idle operating condition; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine in the idle operating condition; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine and increase an acceleration of the turbomachine in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
  • Patent number: 10565805
    Abstract: A computing device-implemented method includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a first propulsion system, and, receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a second propulsion system. The distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the first propulsion system are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system. The method also includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a collection of vehicles. The distribution ranges for the collection of vehicles are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventor: Neal Ennis Brenner
  • Patent number: 10557424
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the operation of an air charging system of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of actuators include an electric motor of an air compressor. Output parameters of the air charging system are monitored by a plurality of sensors. An error between each one of the output parameters and a target value thereof is calculated by a processor. The calculated errors are applied to linear controllers that yield virtual inputs. Input parameters for the air charging system are calculated using the virtual inputs. The input parameters affect all of the output parameters. The input parameters are calculated with a non-linear mathematical model of the air charging system, configured such that each one of the virtual inputs is in a linear relation with only one of the output parameters. The actuators are operated using the input parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Di Gennaro, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 10539499
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fault in a robot joint includes the steps of: performing a first torque measurement at the robot joint to thereby obtain a first set of torque values; calculating a first distribution characteristic reflecting a distribution of the first set of torque values; performing a second torque measurement at the robot joint to thereby obtain a second set of torque values; calculating a second distribution characteristic reflecting a distribution of the second set of torque values; and comparing the first and the second distribution characteristics to determine whether a fault is present or not. A difference in the distributions of torque measurements is a robust fault indicator that makes use of the repetitive behavior of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiva Sander-Tavallaey, Kari Saarinen, Hans Andersson, Andre Carvalho Bittencourt