Determining Balance Or Center Of Gravity (e.g., Load Distribution Of Vehicle) Patents (Class 701/124)
  • Patent number: 8751141
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the height of the gravity center of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle each carrying at least two wheels. The method includes determining a first braking period and a second braking period occurring along road portions having substantially the same slope, but where the first and second braking periods result in different vehicle decelerations, and during both braking periods, estimating at least the following variables: vehicle acceleration; the wheel slippage rate for the front and rear axles; the braking forces or braking torque at each of the front and rear axles, or a ratio thereof; and the slope of the corresponding road portion. The method also includes estimating, using only the foregoing estimations made during both periods, the vehicle center of gravity height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventors: Fabrice Ranc, Jean-Baptiste Doray
  • Patent number: 8751117
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component, including the steps of determining a deceleration rate of the first vehicle component in order to achieve a predetermined final speed at a final position, determining a starting position for initiating the deceleration on the basis of the predetermined final speed, the final position and the determined deceleration rate and controlling deceleration of the component from the starting position to the final position according to the determined acceleration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Andreas Ekvall, Bo Vigholm
  • Patent number: 8742911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the load of vehicle tires which are each contacting a pavement with a circumferential section during travel, by means of monitoring devices (4) which are mounted to the tire (1) and contain a transmitter and a generator which is driven by the flexion of the tire (1), said flexion occurring during vehicle operation, wherein the generator generates a first voltage pulse each time it reaches the beginning of the circumferential section of the tire (1), which is contacting the pavement, and generates a second voltage pulse each time it reaches the end of the circumferential section of the tire (1), which is contacting the pavement, the time intervals (t1) between first and second voltage pulses are measured, the time intervals (t1) or a value calculated therefrom are/is compared with a reference value, and a warning signal is generated if a difference detected in this comparison exceeds a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wagner, Hendrik Troeger
  • Patent number: 8744739
    Abstract: A method of initializing the mass of a motor vehicle after a restart, for controlling a starting process of the motor vehicle a from a standstill. During operation of the motor vehicle, its mass is computed and the determined mass values are stored and, from the stored mass values, a vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or a vehicle-specific minimum mass value is determined. The vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or the vehicle-specific minimum mass value, determined in this manner, is subsequently used for initializing the mass of the motor vehicle after restarting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
  • Patent number: 8738278
    Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 8712678
    Abstract: Provided is a work measuring method by which a deviation quantity of a work measuring point from a reference position can be measured in a short time. A work surface is set as a reference point when the measuring point is positioned at the reference position, and a distance from a photographing device to a reference surface is set as a reference distance. A deviation quantity of the measurement point in a direction intersecting a photographing direction on the reference surface is measured by the photographing device, and a deviation quantity of the measuring point in the photographing direction is measured by a laser distance sensor. Then, based on the deviation quantity measured by the photographing device, the deviation quantity measured by the laser distance sensor, and the reference distance, a deviation quantity of the measuring point in a direction intersecting the photographing direction is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsugu Takahashi, Takafumi Murakoshi, Masaru Maruo, Atsushi Osada, Hidetoshi Takahashi, Takao Shibayama
  • Patent number: 8712634
    Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a number of landing gear components for a vehicle, a number of systems, and a number of processor units. The number of systems is configured to generate data about the number of landing gear components and the vehicle. The number of processor units is configured to monitor the data and manage health of the number of landing gear components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David A. Followell, Jeanne C. Maggiore, Wayne R. Majkowski
  • Publication number: 20140114558
    Abstract: A load estimation system and method for estimating vehicle load includes a tire rotation counter for generating a rotation count from rotation of a tire; apparatus for measuring distance travelled by the vehicle; an effective radius calculator for calculating effective radius of the tire from the distance travelled and the rotation count; and a load estimation calculator for calculating the load carried by the vehicle tire from the effective radius of the tire. A center of gravity height estimation may be made from an estimated total load carried by the tires supporting the vehicle pursuant to an estimation of effective radius for each tire and a calculated load carried by each tire from respective effective radii.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Kanwar Bharat Singh, John Michael Fenkanyn, Amrita Patel, Peter Jung-min Suh, Arthur Allen Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20140114559
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inverted pendulum-type moving body having a pair of wheels suspended from the moving body, using a floor as a traveling plane, and is provided on the same plane vertical to its travelling direction, a driving mechanism for rotating these wheels, posture measurement means for measuring an inclination angular velocity of its upper body that a straight line connecting a center-of-gravity position of a body of the moving body and an axle of the one pair of wheels makes with a vertical direction, and a mechanism control part for maintaining an inverted state of the moving body by controlling the driving mechanism, by having a velocity planning device for performing a movement plan so that the upper body angular velocity and the upper body angle may be in a relationship of quadratic function when a velocity change is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Nakamura, Azusa Amino, Taishi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8706390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe receiving, via a plurality of sensors, data indicating vehicle information. Said information may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a first and second flywheel, and speed of the vehicle. In one embodiment, each flywheel is included in a first and second gyroscope coupled to the vehicle frame. Based, at least in part, on the data received from the plurality of sensors, at least one of the orientation and rotational speed of at least one of the flywheels may be adjusted. Said adjustment may further be based on an input to change at least one of speed and direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Kevin Bretney, Andrew L. Tsang
  • Publication number: 20140100768
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of autonomously self-righting a maneuverable robot. In one embodiment, an autonomous method for self-righting a maneuverable robot to affect recovery from an overturned state to its nominal upright configuration may include: defining a convex hull and center of mass of each link of the robot; determining the convex hull and overall robot center of mass for each joint configuration of the robot; analyzing each convex hull face to determine its stability or instability; grouping continuously stable orientations of the robot and joint configurations together defining nodes and transitions there between; assigning a cost to transitions between nodes; computing an overall cost for each potential set of transition costs resulting in achievement of the goal; and determining a sequence of one or more actions to self-right the robot such that the sequence of actions minimizes the overall cost of self-righting the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: U.S. ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I
    Inventor: U.S. ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I
  • Patent number: 8694235
    Abstract: An aircraft load management system determines a cargo through a wireless communication system to rapidly position the cargo. RFID emitter tags on each piece of cargo are triangulated relative to an aircraft internal cargo bay. Real time cargo position information is displayed to facilitate direction of drivers, loadmasters and aircrew. Cargo data is also relayed to onboard systems for mission planning, and for communication to a global information network to prioritize cargo delivery and dynamic mission re-planning. Even prior to onloading, cargo data is wirelessly communicated to the load management system to automatically plan the cargo load sequence. The load management system also autonomously loads remote controlled ground vehicles and equipment through communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Eadie
  • Publication number: 20140081542
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a system and method for preventing a vehicle from rolling over in curved lane. The road images captured by the image capture devices are used to calculate road information. The road information together with the vehicular dynamic information, such as the speed and acceleration of the vehicle are used to predict the rollover angle and lateral acceleration of the vehicle moving on the curved lane. The height of the gravity center and critical rollover speed of the vehicle moving on the curved lane are worked out and used to define a vehicular rollover index. If the vehicular rollover index exceeds a preset value, the system warns the driver or directly controls the speed of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from rolling over in the curved lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH & TEST CENTER
    Inventors: Chi-Chun YAO, Jin-Yan HSU, Chun-Hsiung CHEN, Tsung-Hua HSU, Yi-Feng SU
  • Patent number: 8666698
    Abstract: A method of calculating the takeoff weight of an aircraft, characterized by including the steps of: recording a first and second value of a first quantity associated with the weight of the aircraft at least a first and second instant, in which the aircraft is in horizontal flight at constant height; and calculating the takeoff weight of the aircraft on the basis of the first and second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Agustawestland S.p.A.
    Inventors: Siro Mancin, Rosanna Molinaro
  • Patent number: 8666613
    Abstract: A swing control system for a hybrid construction machine has a swing operating lever, an electric swing motor, a speed detection sensor which detects the rotary speed of a swing motor, a controller that calculates the driving speed of the swing motor by a swing operating signal created by the operation of the swing operating lever and by a detecting signal of the rotary speed, an inverter which drives the swing motor by a control signal from the controller, a swing inertia detector that detects the swing inertia of equipment and an inertia torque compensator which compares the torque compensation value in accordance with the equipment inertia, and outputs a calculated torque value for controlling the swing motor to the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Dong-Uk Choi
  • Patent number: 8666575
    Abstract: An inverted two-wheel apparatus includes drive means that drives wheels; control means that generates a torque command value to control drive torque of the drive means; and posture detection means that detects posture information of a vehicle. The inverted two-wheel apparatus is able to travel while keeping an inverted state. Furthermore, the control means performs control to dismount an occupant upon judgment that the torque command value that is generated is equal to or more than a predetermined value, which means in a saturation state, and inverted control is in a failure state based on the posture information detected by the posture detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Kosaka, Susumu Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8660738
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for evaluating performances of a piece of equipment and equipment operator. One disclosed method includes sensing a plurality of operating parameters of the equipment. The method then includes resolving a plurality of segments the equipment is sequentially performing from the sensed operating parameters to provide a sequence of resolved segments. The method then includes resolving what application the equipment is performing based upon the sequence of resolved segments to provide at least one resolved application. The method then includes applying at least one metric to the resolved application to provide at least one applied application metric. Then, the method includes evaluating the performance of the equipment and operator using the applied application metric. Various systems for installation on existing work equipments or new work equipments such as loaders and excavators are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Catepillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Faivre, Bradley K. Bomer, Chandrasekar Ramkumar, John J. Krone
  • Patent number: 8660758
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement having at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may have at least one state sensor configured to measure a state of the at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may also have a processing device in communication with the at least one state sensor. The processing device may account for changes in a center of gravity of each of the at least two linkage members. The processing device may also be configured to use the at least one state sensor to determine a mass of a payload moved by the work implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Janardhan, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Brian Mintah, Everett Gene Brandt, Robert J. Price, Kevin Dwight King
  • Patent number: 8655577
    Abstract: A device and a method for improved automatic ride level control of a utility vehicle on an inclined underlying surface use a lateral acceleration sensor to sense the inclination of the utility vehicle in the stationary state or with a reduced speed in conjunction with a chassis of adjustable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Stender
  • Patent number: 8652699
    Abstract: This fuel cell system is for suppressing a backflow of water from an exhaust pipe outlet that discharges a reactant-off gas, without decreasing the performance and fuel consumption of a fuel cell, the exhaust pipe being configured to switch between a main discharge pipe and a sub discharge pipe by a switching means to discharge the reactant-off gas. The sub discharge pipe includes a rising gradient portion formed to incline upwards above a gradient of the main discharge pipe and a falling gradient portion formed to incline downwards at the downstream of the rising gradient portion. The switching valve switches to allow the reactant-off gas to be discharged from the main discharge pipe if an amount of reactant-off gas to be discharged is equal to or above a threshold value of an amount of discharge, and allow the reactant-off gas to be discharged from the sub discharge pipe if the amount of reactant-off gas to be discharged is below the threshold value of the amount of discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Suematsu, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Yuichi Sakajo
  • Patent number: 8648732
    Abstract: A locating and tracking system is provided. The locating and tracking system includes plural pressure sensing modules, each of which includes at least one pressure sensing unit detecting a pressure source and generating a signal; a data processing unit connected with the at least one pressure sensing unit, and processing the signal to generate a module information; a storage unit connected with the data processing unit, and storing the module information and an user information; a communication unit connected with the data processing unit, transmitting the module information, and receiving an outer information; and a power managing unit managing a power needed by the at least one pressure sensing unit, the data processing unit, the storage unit and the communication unit; a bottom board configured on a floor, and bearing the mentioned units; and a top board covering the mentioned units, and transferring the pressure source to the pressure sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Ching-Hu Lu, Li-Chen Fu
  • Patent number: 8640807
    Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle provided with a body, a pair of wheels and that is attached to the pertinent body and that is arranged in parallel, drive mechanisms and that separately rotate the pertinent pair of wheels and around wheel axes, and a control member that controls the drive mechanisms and, wherein: the body is provided with a base to which the pair of wheels and is attached, a column disposed upright from the base, and a load-supporting part that is attached to the column and that sustains a payload; the column is joined to the base via a shaft that extends in a non-parallel direction relative to the wheel axes, and is provided so as to be capable of sliding around the shaft; and the shaft is provided with an actuator which imparts torque to the column that slides around the shaft with an orientation that is the reverse of the sliding direction of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8615356
    Abstract: A system and method to enhance stability of in-line wheeled vehicles throughout an entire range of vehicle motions that utilizes a stability control that is user controlled to adjust the amount of stability control that is in place at any given time. A electromechanical gyroscopic stabilization device assists in maintaining an appropriate attack angle of the in-line wheeled vehicle while approaching and during non-linear maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert A. Ahlstedt, David C. Brillhart, Steven M. Krekeler, Steven R. Ragan, Matthew A. Rice
  • Patent number: 8614633
    Abstract: A hazard assessment and strategy formulation system and method for a vessel may comprise a hazard assessment element receiving alarms and/or data for assessing the type and severity of a hazard, a plurality of models for modeling different hazards, and a strategy formulation element for formulating a strategy of tasks for responding to the type and severity of hazard represented by the hazard assessment, wherein the strategy formulation element and one or ones of the plurality of models are in communication. Tasks may be communicated for implementation, for display or for implementation and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Lear, Charles C. Nwadi, Jessica M. Lockhart, John J. Curry, III, Pamela Gilliam, Nicholas D. Longo, Michael A. Matyasik, Timothy M. Bearer
  • Publication number: 20130338911
    Abstract: The vehicle load and tracking device features at least a pair of airbags selectively installed on a rear suspension of an existing vehicle to be monitored, a sensor included with each airbag, the sensor configured to detect a load change information of the airbag, a transceiver, the transceiver in receipt of the load change information from the sensors, the transceiver further having a mounting provision, an audio output, a memory, the transceiver receiving the load change information, noting a time of load change information, and audibly outputting the load change information, a GPS unit in communication with the transceiver, a display within the GPS unit, whereby the GPS display receives and displays the load change information, a plurality of times of load change information, and a location and progress of the existing vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jose L. Oseguera
  • Patent number: 8612127
    Abstract: The control device of the present invention applies only a damping to a vehicle if a load angular position is in the vicinity of a load angular position reference input. In the preferred embodiment, a control portion has a control switching unit and a switching linear torque unit. The switching linear torque unit calculates a damping torque and a linear feedback torque, the damping torque being obtained by applying a negative sign to a product of the load angular speed and the damping parameter, the linear feedback torque being obtained by multiplying at least one of a position tracking error, a speed tracking error, and an acceleration tracking error by a predetermined gain. The control switching unit switches and outputs the damping torque and the linear feedback torque. The control switching unit outputs the damping torque if the load angular position is in the vicinity of the load angular position reference input, and outputs the linear feedback torque otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fukashi Andoh
  • Patent number: 8606456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for propelling an articulated tracked vehicle (1) provided with at least a front and rear vehicle portion (2, 4), comprising a front drive shaft (6), which rotates a front track (8) on the front vehicle portion (2); a rear drive shaft (10), which rotates a rear track (12) on the rear vehicle portion (4), the front drive shaft (6) being disposed in the front vehicle portion (2) and the rear drive shaft (10) being disposed in the rear vehicle portion (4). At least one motor (20, 34, 36) rotates the respective front and rear drive shaft (6, 10) in order thus to propel the vehicle (1) at a speed in relation to a ground surface (16). The front drive shaft (6) is rotated at a first speed and the rear drive shaft (10) is rotated at a second speed, which first and second speeds are different, so that the front and rear tracks (8, 12) rotate at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Björn Nordberg
  • Patent number: 8594880
    Abstract: A vehicle body drifting restraining device restraining a drifting of a vehicle body of a vehicle, the vehicle body drifting restraining device comprising: an activeness level determination unit determining an activeness level of a driver with respect to a movement of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction; and a vehicle body drifting restraining control permission/prohibition switch permitting or prohibiting a control restraining the drifting of the vehicle body, wherein the control restraining the drifting of the vehicle body is executed only when the activeness level determination unit determines that the activeness level is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Yamazaki, Shigenori Takimoto, Yoshifumi Nakamura, Yoshimichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8589059
    Abstract: When measurements by sensors are impossible, the angular position of the vehicle is estimated from the conditions including rotation of the drive wheel and the driving torque so that the vehicle may travel in an inverted-pendulum position even in case of a failure of measurements of the vehicular position of angle. To achieve the object, the vehicle has a drive wheel rotatably mounted beneath a vehicular body, and a control unit that controls the vehicular position of angle through control of drive torque imparted to the drive wheel. The control unit has a means to estimate the vehicular angular position with respect to a vertical position from the conditions of rotation of the drive wheel and the driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Equos Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Patent number: 8583354
    Abstract: Systems and methods for computing the center of gravity of a vehicle. One method includes determining a first, second, and third acceleration of the vehicle along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis; determining a first, second, and third angular rate of the vehicle along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis; determining a total force acting on the vehicle; and determining an estimated mass of the vehicle. The method also includes computing a center of gravity of the vehicle based on the first acceleration, the second acceleration, the third acceleration, the first angular rate, the second angular rate, the third angular rate, the total force acting on the vehicle, and the estimated mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Willy Klier
  • Patent number: 8583353
    Abstract: A traveling apparatus performs an inverted pendulum control to maintain an inverted state of a vehicle body and travels with a passenger thereon. The traveling apparatus includes a drive portion that drives the vehicle body; a riding detection portion that detects a start of riding on the vehicle body by the passenger; a command generation portion that generates a torque command value to perform the inverted pendulum control and a position control to move the vehicle body to a position that facilitates the riding, when the start of riding is detected by the riding detection portion; and a control portion that controls the drive portion based on the torque command value generated by the command generation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8577588
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a seat defining a driver seat portion and a passenger seat portion, an electronic stability system, adapted to receive inputs from a load sensor, a wheel rotation sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor, the electronic stability system adapted to provide outputs to at least one of the brake system for braking the vehicle, and the engine control unit to change the power output transmitted to the wheels by the engine, the electronic stability system using a first calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a non-loaded state and a second calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a loaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Dagenais
  • Patent number: 8577540
    Abstract: A method for detecting a tire having a decreased internal pressure by making a relative comparison of wheel speeds of tires. The method includes a step of detecting wheel rotation information of the respective tires of the vehicle; a step of calculating wheel speeds based on the detected wheel rotation information; a step of calculating a decreased pressure determination value; and a step of determining a tire having a decreased internal pressure. The method further comprises a step of setting a threshold value, in which the predetermined threshold value is set based on a decreased pressure sensitivity calculated from a relation between a load sensitivity and a decreased pressure sensitivity during vehicle turning with regard to tires that is calculated in advance and a load sensitivity obtained through a turning running during initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Wada
  • Patent number: 8565968
    Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the volumes of internal liquid and gas within a telescopic aircraft landing gear strut. Pressure sensors and temperature sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact movement and rates of internal landing gear strut fluids; experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially come into contact with the ground. The computer of this system measures the compression experienced by each landing gear strut and determines if the landing gear strut is improperly serviced with either excess or deficient volumes of hydraulic oil and nitrogen gas. Additional features include automating the inspections required to aircraft landing gear, prior to flight, during flight and during landing events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 8565965
    Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, recording, computing and transmitting the oxygen levels and identification of oxygen contamination within an aircraft telescopic landing gear strut. An oxygen sensor is mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts as to monitor, recognize, measure and record the identification of oxygen within the telescopic landing gear struts. The amount of oxygen within each landing gear strut is measured and recorded and downloaded to the responsible aircraft maintenance department. By detecting the amount of oxygen in a strut, steps can be taken to purge the gas from the strut to minimize corrosion of strut components and to prevent internal combustion of the gas and oil in the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 8561734
    Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Chiba Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Takayuki Furuta, Masaharu Shimizu, Hideaki Yamato, Yu Okumura, Tetsuo Tawara, Masaki Shimomura, Ken Endo
  • Patent number: 8560181
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component, including the steps of determining a deceleration rate of the first vehicle component in order to achieve a predetermined final speed at a final position, determining a starting position for initiating the deceleration on the predetermined final speed, the final position and the determined deceleration rate and controlling deceleration of the component from the starting position to the final position according to the determined acceleration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Andreas Ekvall, Bo Vigholm
  • Patent number: 8560217
    Abstract: A method of predicting vehicle rollover is provided to assist in preventing vehicle rollover. The method contains the steps of: determining a center of gravity of a vehicle; determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle; determining a maximum lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and determining if the actual lateral acceleration is more than a predefined percentage of the maximum lateral acceleration. When the actual lateral acceleration is more than the predefined percentage of the maximum lateral acceleration, a warning is issued to the driver such that preventative measures can be taken to avoid a rollover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cadec Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Heimir Sverrisson
  • Patent number: 8548721
    Abstract: A method to maneuver an aircraft in flight, in which the center of gravity of the aircraft is shifted by transferring fuel from at least one first fuel tank to at least one second fuel tank of the aircraft. A system implementing this method, the system including: at least one first fuel tank and at least one second fuel tank, a flight control unit capable of sending out a maneuver command upon being handled. A computer capable, as a function of this command, of determining a quantity of fuel to be transferred from the first tank to the second tank, at least one means of transfer connecting the first and second tanks and being controlled by the computer, to transfer the fuel from the first tank to the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Paillard, David Larcher
  • Patent number: 8548722
    Abstract: A tilt sensor and method comprises a first accelerometer for measuring a first acceleration level associated with a first axis of the vehicle. A second accelerometer measures a second acceleration level associated with a second axis of the vehicle that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A data processor is capable of determining an arcsine-derived tilt based on an arcsine equation and the determined first acceleration level. The data processor is capable of determining an arc-cosine-derived tilt based on an arccosine equation and the determined second acceleration level. The data processor comprises a selector for selecting the arcsine-derived tilt as the final tilt of the vehicle if the determined arcsine-derived tilt is lesser than the determined arccosine derived tilt such that the final tilt compensates for vertical acceleration associated with changes in the terrain in the direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Puhalla, Nikolai R. Tevs
  • Patent number: 8544572
    Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chiba Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Takayuki Furuta, Masaharu Shimizu, Hideaki Yamato, Yu Okumura, Tetsuo Tawara, Masaki Shimomura, Ken Endo
  • Publication number: 20130253814
    Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight and total weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment, a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment, and a trailer tongue transducer in a further embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit, smartphone or the like has a receiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle measured and calculated parameter so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time as well as other parameters relating to loading and towing. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Alvin R. Wirthlin
  • Patent number: 8543322
    Abstract: A system and method for the determination for automated initiation of onboard aircraft weight and balance measurement systems. The system is used in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the weight and balance of aircraft utilizing telescopic landing gear struts. Pressure sensors, axle deflection sensors, and/or linkage rotation sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record strut and aircraft movement and rates of said movement experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft proceeds through typical ground and flight operations. Also, acceleration sensors and GPS can be used to monitor aircraft movements and positions during ground and flight operations. The system and method identify the position of the aircraft as related to airport ground operations to determine the optimum time to initiate an aircraft weight and balance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 8538670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction machine having a carrier unit, an actuation unit, which is adjustable with respect to the carrier unit, at least one detecting means for detecting status data of the construction machine, and a computer unit, by means of which, based on the detected status data, at least one adjustment range of the actuation unit can be determined, in which the actuation unit is adjustable at a given safety against tilting of the construction machine. The invention also relates to a method for operating a construction machine of such type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lanzl, Josef Haas, Markus Mayr, Manfred Angermeier, Thomas Elsner
  • Publication number: 20130238231
    Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 8532915
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe receiving vehicle information data from a plurality of sensors. This vehicle information data may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a flywheel included in a gyroscope coupled to the frame, and speed of frame. Based on the received data, a vehicle state may be determined. Based at least on this determination, at least one of the orientation and rotational speed of the flywheel may be adjusted. This adjustment may be further based on an input to change at least one of speed and direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lit Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kee Young Kim, Kevin Bretney, Andrew Shao, Andrew L. Tsang
  • Patent number: 8521387
    Abstract: A method for assisting a motor vehicle with a hill start, the motor vehicle having previously been held stationary when parked by a brake. The method measures inclination of the vehicle, previously establishes a map between engine torque and engine speed, defines, within the map, an authorized zone and a forbidden zone, provides a vehicle engine speed value, provides a vehicle engine torque value, deduces from these coordinates of the engine operating point within the map, and releases the brake automatically only if the coordinates of the operating point lie within the authorized zone of the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Olivier Cayol, Alessandro De Rinaldis, Christophe Desfriches, Gerald Leminoux, Mickael Mallet
  • Patent number: 8521395
    Abstract: Provided is a control device of an inverted pendulum type mobile apparatus capable of support the body of a user on a base body with a foot of the user standing on the floor in a reclining state. If the reclining state where the user has the body supported by the base body with a foot thereof standing on the floor when the mobile apparatus 1 is in halt state is detected, a control unit 50 determines a manipulated variable for control (imaginary wheel rotational angular acceleration command) so as to drive a travelling motion unit 5 toward a direction for the base body 9 to support the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Kazushi Akimoto, Shinichiro Kobashi, Hideo Murakami, Yuichi Uebayashi
  • Patent number: 8515656
    Abstract: A cargo loading and monitoring system for an aircraft having a plurality of separate cargo compartments includes a processor in communication with a plurality of power drive units located within a first cargo compartment. A cargo monitoring display unit is located in a second cargo compartment that is separate from the first cargo compartment, and is in communication with the processor. The cargo monitoring display unit is configured to selectively display information received from the power drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Blake Allen Reed, Garreth Kavlie, Louis Carl Samuelson
  • Patent number: 8515627
    Abstract: A machine includes a chassis, a linkage having a first end pivotally attached to the chassis at a first pivot point, and a bucket pivotally attached to a second end of the linkage at a second pivot point and rotatable about the second pivot point from a first position where gravity resists rotation of the bucket to a second position where gravity assists rotation of the bucket. A tilt actuator rotates the bucket about the pivot point and one or more sensors provide physical data of the bucket. A processor of the machine receives the physical data, determines from the physical data an equilibrium position of the bucket, determines a location of the center of gravity of the bucket with payload from the physical data and the equilibrium position, and estimates the weight of the payload based on the physical data and the location of the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer S. Marathe, John J. Baldauf