Patents Assigned to Control Technology
  • Vehicle seat
    Patent number: 8573699
    Abstract: A rear seat of a vehicle which allows controlled reclining of the seat as well as folding the seatback to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Ornela Zekavica
  • Vehicle seating system and cabin
    Patent number: 8573670
    Abstract: A passenger seating system (26) for a vehicle (5) comprising a seat back (12), a seat cushion (14), and a seat base (16). The passenger seating system (26) may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (12), the seat cushion (14), and/or the seat base (16). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system (26) in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Omela Zekavica, Joseph Francis Porsniewski, Alexander Saveski, Gregg Ronald LaFramboise, Kenneth M. Clark, Craig D. Flowerday, Beau Loren Anderson, Rick A. Anderson, James P. LeFevre, David Thimm, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Hoop-stress controlled shrinking for exhaust component
    Patent number: 8572846
    Abstract: A method for assembling an exhaust component includes providing a substrate assembly with a substrate body and a mat wrapped around the substrate body. A gauging system is used to determine a hoop stress for the substrate assembly and is used to predict a shrinking diameter for an outer shell that is to receive the substrate assembly based on the hoop stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Mark Robinson
  • Transparent/translucent flexible component for a vehicle interior
    Patent number: 8573665
    Abstract: A storage component 20 for a vehicle includes a flexible component 22, such as a tambour door, formed of a plurality of slats 26 supported by and chemically bonded to a substrate 24. The flexible component 22 is translucent or transparent, allowing light to pass therethrough. The slats 26 are formed of a slat polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), and the substrate 24 is formed of a substrate polymer, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The slats 26 also have a tensile strength of at least 5 MPa so that the flexible component 22 can support objects disposed on the flexible component 22, such as an arm of a passenger or a purse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Jason M. Hipshier
  • UNIVERSAL WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130285603
    Abstract: A wireless charging system includes a primary inductive coil configured to transfer electromagnetic energy to a secondary inductive coil of a portable electronic device. The wireless charging system also includes a coil driver electrically coupled to the primary inductive coil and configured to adjust an output signal of the primary inductive coil. The wireless charging system further includes a receiver configured to receive an input signal from the portable electronic device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the receiver and to the coil driver. The controller is configured to establish a wireless charging protocol based on the input signal, and to automatically regulate the output signal based on the established wireless charging protocol and the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Sam J. Galioto, Gunnar J. Bracelly, Wolfgang Ziegler, Jens Ohler, Benjamin Algera, Jeffrey N. Golden, Thomas Wright
  • EASY ENTRY MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE SEATING
    Publication number: 20130285428
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a seat bottom chassis, and a seat back chassis coupled to the seat bottom chassis. The vehicle seating system also includes an easy entry mechanism configured to facilitate a rotation of the seat bottom chassis and the seat back chassis about a lateral axis of the vehicle seating system. The easy entry mechanism is also configured to maintain a substantially constant angle between the seat bottom chassis and the seat back chassis during the rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven Livesey, Lucas P. Porinsky
  • Compressor control system using a variable geometry diffuser
    Patent number: 8567207
    Abstract: A system for controlling a centrifugal gas compressor (108) in an HVAC, refrigeration or liquid chiller system (100) in which flow of gas through the compressor is automatically controlled to maintain desired parameters within predetermined ranges so as to prevent stall and surge conditions within the system. A variable geometry diffuser (119) in the compressor controls the refrigerant gas flow at the discharge of the compressor impeller wheel (201). This arrangement reduces mass flow, decrease/eliminate flow-reducing stall, and increases the operating efficiency of the compressor at partial load conditions. The variable geometry diffuser control in combination with a variable speed drive (VSD) (120) increases the efficiency of the compressor at partial system loads, and eliminates the need for pre-rotation vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls & Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, John Trevino, Jr., Florin Iancu, Rudy Chervil, Eric John Smyder
  • Multi-part equipment piece for a vehicle and connecting method
    Patent number: 8567839
    Abstract: An equipment piece includes first and second components, such as a vehicle door armrest and a vehicle door. The first component is insertable in a recess, such as a slot, in the second component. The second component may be secured in the first by deformation of a projecting portion configured as a tab having a wall thickness smaller than its longitudinal extension. The tab is anchorable non-positively in the second component after inserting into the recess and pending about a longitudinal axis of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Holger Kalus, Gunter Kascherus
  • Sensor-free optimal control of air-side economizer
    Patent number: 8567204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating the amount of outdoor air that is introduced into a building are shown and described. These systems and methods utilize extremum seeking control logic to vary the flow of outdoor air into the building in response to cooling load determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: John E. Seem
  • Vehicle vision system
    Patent number: 8564662
    Abstract: The present vehicle vision system enhances visibility internally and externally with respect to the vehicle. A vision system is provided which is configured to switch between a plurality of modes. The system further includes a far-field effect which alters the focal length of the display in the vision system so as to reduce driver eye strain during operation. The vision system may be incorporated into various locations throughout the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle overhead console).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David B. Busch, Eric S. Deuel, Richard J. Chutorash, Peter C. Laux
  • Multi-slab multichannel heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8561427
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, William L. Kopko, Stephen B. Pickle, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Tony Clive Coleman, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath
  • AIR COOLED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HEV BATTERY PACK
    Publication number: 20130273829
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed for battery modules/systems with cooling systems. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cooling system may be disposed against an external surface of a housing of the battery system. The cooling system may utilize air as a coolant to remove heat generated by cells within the battery module, to prevent the cells from aging prematurely. Embodiments of the cooling system may include manifolds, channels, fins, or a combination thereof, which may route the cooling air along the surface of the battery module housing. Such features may create an isothermal temperature distribution within the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Laser etched trim
    Patent number: 8556319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a trim cover and the cover of a trim interior itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Petouhoff, Bonnie L. Coker, Todd W. Waelde, Daniel J. LaFlamme, Gregg R. Laframboise, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Mark S. Jurek
  • POLYSULFONE COATING FOR HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION CELLS
    Publication number: 20130260209
    Abstract: The performance of a lithium ion-cell where the cathode is a layered-layered lithium rich cathode material xLiMO2 (1-x)Li2MNO3, M being a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, or Mn, is improved by coating the surface of the cathode with a sulfonyl-containing compound, such as poly(l,4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone), inhibits the reactivity of the electrolyte with the oxidized electrode surface while allowing lithium ion conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Boutros Hallac, Yanting Luo
  • Vehicle seat power track enhancements
    Patent number: 8548687
    Abstract: A vehicle seat power track for an automobile vehicle seat which includes a sensor arrangement to detect the seat position along the track relative to a front airbag apparatus and generate a signal to control the apparatus of the airbag. The vehicle seat power track also includes brackets configured to reduce horizontal movement of the track components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul J. Jefferies, Vasile E. Bozintan, Thomas O. Dobry, Richard T. Krause, Nishide Harutomi, Ishii Yukihisa, Honda Hiroyuki, Uno Koji
  • Medium voltage variable speed drive for a chiller unit
    Patent number: 8544290
    Abstract: A single medium voltage starter box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The starter box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the starter box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the starter box and the motor. In addition, the starter box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the starter box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the starter box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Dean K. Norbeck
  • HEADREST WHICH CAN BE ADJUSTED IN THE X DIRECTION
    Publication number: 20130249268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headrest having a headrest box which is mounted on at least one retaining rod and can be displaced in the X direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Hemmelrath, Thomas Frotz, Denis Quandt
  • Heat-pump chiller with improved heat recovery features
    Patent number: 8539789
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A heat exchanger, which may be an outdoor heat exchanger, is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser, to selectively extract heat from or to add heat to the refrigerant, and to transfer the refrigerant to the evaporator. First control valving, disposed between the condenser and the heat exchanger, is configured to regulate flow of the refrigerant from the condenser to the heat exchanger in a first mode of operation. Second control valving, disposed between the condenser and the heat exchanger, is configured to regulate flow of the refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the evaporator in a second mode of operation. The system may be operated in a variety of modes by appropriate control of the valving and other system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Ian Michael Casper, Douglas Alan Kester, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Lighting devices
    Patent number: 8541947
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Kathleen M. Pacheco, Steven M. Spoerre, Randy L. Arendsen, Art Vonderwell, Bryan T. Jones, Mark J. Bussis, Rodney J. Tindall, Theron J. Hicks, Chad Wernicke, Bryan Thieme
  • Control of pull-down in refrigeration systems
    Patent number: 8538585
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container to pull down the temperature of cargo from ambient to a predetermined set-point temperature, and a system employing the method. The method includes operating a compressor at a first power to compress a refrigerant and direct the refrigerant through a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigeration system, initially operating an evaporator fan at a first speed to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, sensing the temperature of the supply air, comparing the temperature of the supply air with a predetermined set-point temperature, and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan to a second speed faster than the first when the temperature of the supply air is lower than the predetermined set-point temperature to maintain the temperature of the supply air at the predetermined set-point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Thermo King Corporation, Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ole Thøgersen, Allan Dyrmose, Dan Vad Steffensen