Patents Assigned to AB Volvo
  • Device and method for purification of exhaust gas
    Patent number: 6122908
    Abstract: Apparatus for the purification of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines is disclosed including a conduit for connecting the exhaust pipe from the engine with a canister containing an adsorbent for at least one of the components of the exhaust gases, and a valve associated with the conduit for selectively directing the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe to the canister when the valve is open. Methods for purification of such exhaust gases are also disclosed including monitoring an operating condition for the internal combustion engine and controlling the flow of the exhaust gases from the engine to the exhaust pipe in response to the monitored operating condition, controlling of the flow including selectively directing at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Goran Wirmark
  • Head-rest
    Patent number: 6120099
    Abstract: A head-rest for a motor vehicle seat defines a front face and two side faces. The headrest has two extendable elements which are initially totally retained in the head-rest, but which are adapted to move, with a sliding motion, to an extended position. The elements then extend laterally relative to the head-rest and forwardly relative to the head-rest providing additional support for the head of an occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignees: Autoliv Development, AB Volvo
    Inventors: Karen Reiker.ang.s, Martin Lindstrom
  • Arrangement and method for determining the oxygen buffer capacity in a catalytic converter
    Patent number: 6119447
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for determining the oxygen buffer capacity in a catalytic converter (1) of an exhaust system. The arrangement includes an oxygen sensor (3, 32, 33) located downstream of at least one converter matrix (30, 31), where the sensor (3, 32, 33) supplies an input signal to a fuel injection control unit (4). The arrangement includes an analyzer circuit (13) for determining time information (TP) about the fluctuation of said input signal (25, 26), and calculating means for calculating the oxygen buffer capacity based on said time information (TP) when the downstream sensor is used to provide a primary control input signal (26). The invention also relates to a method of determining the buffer capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Soren Eriksson, Ronald Hedstrom, Ove Hjortsberg, Mats Laurell
  • Child seat arrangement for an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 6120093
    Abstract: A child seat securing arrangement is provided for within an automotive vehicle including a floor (3) and a roof (17) characterized in that the child seat (28) is secured to a first lower transverse beam (15) disposed on the floor (3) of the vehicle and to a second upper transverse beam (16) disposed on the roof (17) of the vehicle and extending parallely with said first beam (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Per Gyllenspetz
  • Honeycomb block
    Patent number: 6117520
    Abstract: A honeycomb block comprises three sections of honeycomb elements characterized in that the cell size of each honeycomb element section decreases from a large size in one section to a smaller size in the neighboring sections and an even smaller size in the third section. The honeycomb block may be fabricated from strips of cardboard which are glued together to form the honeycomb cell structure. The honeycomb block may be used as an impact force absorbing element in a door of a vehicle where the cell size in each honeycomb element section decreases from a large size in one section to a smaller size in the neighboring section and the smallest sized cells is facing inward with respect to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Henk Wielinga, Piet Klomp
  • Arrangement for extinguishing of fires in motor rooms, vehicles or similar spaces
    Patent number: 6112824
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for extinguishing fires in engine compartments and the like including a layer of polymeric material disposed within the engine compartment, the polymeric material being expandable on exposure to localized elevated temperatures and being disposed at predetermined locations within the engine compartment so that upon exposure to localized elevated temperatures the polymeric material expands to extinguish the fires produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Nils Liliedahl, Kid Svala, Karl Bergqvist
  • Diagnostic system particularly for an engine management system
    Patent number: 6115653
    Abstract: A diagnostic system (10) particularly though not exclusively for use in an engine management system is provided for generating a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) to indicate the operational status of a component or sub-system which is being evaluated by the diagnostic system. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic function module (DF Module) (20, 20', 20") for each DTC or a group of related DTCs associated with a component or sub-system. The DF module including device (22) for executing an evaluation routine to evaluate the operational status of a component or sub-system to which the DTC of the specific DF module relates, and a diagnostic function scheduler (DF scheduler)(30) for determining which DF module may be allowed to execute an evaluation routine ant a particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Magnus Bergstrom, Peter Moller, Jan Muller, Peter lleving
  • Vehicle body comprising a lower body part and an upper body part, as well as a method of manufacturing an upper body part for such vehicle body
    Patent number: 6102472
    Abstract: A private care body with a front part, rear part, floor pan and body sides and a roof part includes a body lower part and a body superstructure with a beam structure welded fast on top of it; the beam structure includes a thin-walled, flange-free profile parts with closed cross sections made by roll-forming and welded together to each other with the component parts of the beam structure being hardened so that the material in the constituent profile parts has a yield limit of the order of 900-1000 N/mm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Ingemar Wallstrom
  • Device and method for occupant protection in vehicles
    Patent number: 6092836
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for protecting a passenger in a vehicle including a dashboard. The apparatus includes an airbag disposed in the dashboard at a location such that upon inflation the airbag is disposed in front of the legs and knees of the passenger, a sensor for detecting a condition of the vehicle corresponding to a collision, and for inflating the airbag upon detecting that condition, and a load distributor disposed at a location proximate to the dashboard and juxtaposed with the legs and knees of the passenger whereby upon inflation of the airbag the load distributor and the airbag cooperate to distribute a load with respect to the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Venti Saslecov
  • Valve for varying the exhaust counterpressure in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6085525
    Abstract: A throttle valve having a housing with an inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to an exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine. The housing has a cylinder which is perpendicularly directed towards an exhaust passage between the inlet and outlet. The cylinder communicates with the exhaust passage and has a piston with valve discs at each end. In the open position of the valve, a distal valve disc abuts against a distal seat in the cylinder, and in a throttled position, a proximal valve disc abuts against a proximal seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Nils Olof H.ang.kansson
  • Device for regulating the engine braking power of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6085524
    Abstract: Device for controlling the engine braking power of an internal combustion engine (1) in a motor vehicle, which is equipped with a compression braking device arranged in brake mode to open the exhaust valves at the end of the induction stroke, at the end of the compression stroke or only at the latter, and an exhaust-driven turbocompressor unit (3) with a turbine portion (30), which has variable geometry to vary the degree of charge of the compressor (8). Restrictor valve elements (42) are arranged in the exhaust conduit (41) upstream of the turbine portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Per Persson
  • Steering gear device
    Patent number: 6085633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for modulation of servo pressure in a steering gear (1) comprising an input shaft (2) which is attached to a rack (4; 4'), a servo mechanism (9-17) for supply of power to the rack (4; 4') and comprising a box (8; 8) with a first channel (18, 20, 21) and a second channel (19) for the supply and return, respectively, of servo medium, and a connection channel (22; 29, 30) between the first and the second channel (18, 20, 21, 19). The invention further comprises means (28; 36) for detecting whether the rack (4; 4') is in a predetermined position, and a valve member (23; 31) for opening the connection channel (22; 29, 30) when said position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Lars Markstrom
  • Air drying device for a pneumatic system
    Patent number: 6077330
    Abstract: Device and method for the regeneration of a drying agent in compressed air system. The wetting degree of the drying agent is estimated and recorded by a control unit. The control unit ensures that the drying agent is dehumidified as soon as the wetting degree has reached a certain wetting degree. This certain wetting degree may be set to different levels for different operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Mats Sabelstrom
  • Sealing device for spring suspension
    Patent number: 6076815
    Abstract: A sealed spring suspension for a vehicle includes a threaded bearing made of a spring shackle bolt and a spring bushing; into a recess in either end of the bushing, a sealing ring is pressed, which has a resilient sealing portion with a ring or lip in radial contact with the flat sealing portions of the bolt. By virtue of the bolt thread located between these portions having flattened thread tops and thread bottoms, the ring lip is able to slide without being damaged along said bottoms when the bolt during mounting is threaded into the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Alf Callman
  • Disc brake device for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 6073732
    Abstract: A disc brake arrangement for motor vehicles is disclosed which comprises at least two brake pads (4,5) supported by a brake yoke (1), one side of said pads exhibiting a friction surface (11), which is arranged to face towards a rotatable brake disc (3). In a vehicle braking position, each brake unit is brought to an active position by means of two actuators (8,9) which act against the second side (10) of said brake unit. Thereby, each actuator exhibits an end portion (21) which is intended to transfer movement of the actuators from each respective second side of the brake pad to each respective brake pad. On the second side, each brake pad exhibits a first coupling member (27,28), arranged for each actuator. The end portions of the actuators exhibit second coupling members (37,38) for positioning of the brake pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Dan Angerfors
  • Stress-bearing assembly
    Patent number: 6073991
    Abstract: A stress-bearing assembly is for use in a vehicle body. The assembly includes a composite laminate resin-cured structure comprising at least a pair of oriented fiber mats separated by a layer of foamed plastic and at least one closed loop structure attached to the composite structure. The mats preferably comprise glass fibers, carbon fibers or fabric material, and the composite structure preferably constitutes the floor structure of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Michel Naert
  • Manifold for a turbo-charged internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6062024
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold and a turbine housing for a turbo-charged five-cylinder engine are cast as a single piece. This arrangement renders unnecessary a flanged connection between a separate exhaust manifold and turbine housing. The one-piece design provides optimum gas paths to obtain a good response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Lennarth Zander, Ingemar Martinsson, Jan Erling Rydquist
  • Ship hull and vessel with such a hull
    Patent number: 6058864
    Abstract: A ship hull with bulb prow and with bottom which extends without sharp changes from the bulb to the square stern of the hull along continuously bent longitudinal lines and with hull sides which are inclined from the vertical plane from the waterline to the bottom plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventor: Ocke Mannerfelt
  • Radio receiver for vehicle use
    Patent number: 6058297
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted radio receiver comprising a diversity control circuit for detection of multi-path via two or more antennas (14,15). An antenna selector unit (13) is also arranged for selection of the strongest antenna signal. The antenna selector unit (13) is connected to a detecting circuit (18-21) comprising means for automatic locking of the antenna selector unit to a main antenna (14) when detecting interrupted function at a sub-antenna (15). The automatic locking to the main antenna of the vehicle is accomplished, either in that the detecting circuit for antenna function comprises an antenna signal amplifier which is connected to the sub-antenna (15) and to a source of power, or in that the detecting circuit for antenna function comprises a load circuit which is connected to the sub-antenna (15) and to a source of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Per Ekelund
  • Integrated car child protection
    Patent number: 6053569
    Abstract: Vehicle seats are disclosed including a seat, a backrest interconnected with the seat, a guide for displaceably removing the backrest along the seat from the rear to the front of the seat, and a lock for locking the backrest in an arbitrarily selected position between the rear and front portions of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Sven Flyborg