Patents Assigned to Control Technology
  • Publication number: 20130099736
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger includes a pair of battery terminal clamps and a light source disposed on one or both of the terminal clamps. The terminal clamps are coupled to a battery charging base unit via cabling and configured to be secured to terminals of a battery, in order to convey electrical power from a charging power supply disposed in the base unit to the battery. The light source, powered by a separate power supply than the charging power supply, is used to provide illumination of the battery so that the terminal clamps may be correctly attached to the battery terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Julie Christine Roberts, Daryl Charles Brockman, Gerald Jay Demirjian, Timothy Corcoran Repp
  • Patent number: 8424339
    Abstract: A motor coolant method and system is used to cool a compressor motor (36) in a refrigeration system having a multi-stage compressor (38). The compressor includes a first compressor stage (42) and a second compressor stage (44), the first compressor stage providing compressed refrigerant to an input of the second compressor stage. The motor coolant system has a first connection with the refrigerant loop to receive refrigerant into the motor cavity for cooling, the received refrigerant provided from a system component having a high pressure, and a second connection with the refrigerant loop to return refrigerant to an intermediate pressure greater than an evaporator operating pressure. The pressure inside the motor cavity may be approximately the pressure within the first stage discharge and second stage suction to minimized seal leakage between the motor cavity and the internal pressures of the first and second stage compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Steven T. Sommer
  • Patent number: 8424971
    Abstract: A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William T. Hentges, Vasile E. Bozintan, Tod A. Shivak, Srinivasa N. Sanku
  • Patent number: 8427501
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of calibration of a display device by iteration in order to optimize an electrical control voltage of the display device, the calibration method comprising a measurement of an optical contrast of the display device and a calculation of an electrical control voltage value, the optical contrast measurement and the calculation of the electrical voltage value being carried out once during each calibration step, the optimization of the electrical control voltage being carried out starting from an initial value of the electrical control voltage and ending with a final value of the electrical control voltage, the calibration method being carried out by means of an initial calibration step and by means of a calibration refinement step, the initial calibration step being carried out once during the calibration method, the calibration refinement step being carried out once or several times during the calibration method, the approximation of the final value of the electrical con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Christophe Bardot
  • Patent number: 8428391
    Abstract: A system for providing stitched video from a first camera and a second camera to an electronic display system includes a processing circuit configured to associate a view a first camera with an approximate location. The processing circuit is further configured to build relationship data between the first camera and a second camera using the approximate location. The processing circuit is further configured to transform video from the first camera relative to video from the second camera, the transformation based on the relationship data. The processing circuit is further configured to use the transformed video to cause the stitched video to be provided to the electronic display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Youngchoon Park
  • Patent number: 8428755
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal normally provided by a proportional plus integral (PI) control module to a process system includes a processing circuit configured to modify the signal of the PI control module by exaggerating the rate of change of the signal and an output for providing the modified signal to the process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Timothy Salsbury
  • Publication number: 20130095868
    Abstract: A method for pairing a first wireless device with a second wireless device includes gathering a first wireless communications characteristic about communications between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The method further includes gathering second wireless communications characteristics about communications between the first wireless device and at least one wireless device other than the second wireless device. The method further includes generating a relative gain array from the communications characteristics and computing the pairing between the first wireless device and the second wireless device using the generated relative gain array. The method further includes configuring the first wireless device and/or the second wireless device based on the computed pairing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology Company
  • Publication number: 20130097037
    Abstract: A technique is provided for selection of a component for a vehicle, such as in a retail establishment. The technique is particularly suited for selection situations where a range of products may be available depending upon the particular vehicle, such as batteries, tires, and so forth. A series of displays are provided to users that may be accompanied by audio and/or video prompts and information. An image of the vehicle is displayed, as well as an image of recommended products, to enhance the confidence of the consumer in making the selection. Data related to use of the system interface may be collected to provide feedback to retail establishments, manufacturers, and others as to stock, order, manufacturing and other needs based upon customer information detected through use of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Dale A. Gospodarek, Bradley A. Beers, Rodger W. Eich, Grant E. Carmichael
  • Publication number: 20130089775
    Abstract: A container for a battery is disclosed. The container includes first and second side walls coupled to end walls and a base forming a recess. The side walls and end walls each have an edge. A container intercell partition wall is provided in the recess and has a segment which extends above the edge of any one or more of the first side wall, second side wall, and end walls. A cover is also provided having a cover intercell partition wall with a recessed area which accommodates the extended segment of the container intercell partition wall. The cover intercell partition wall may be coupled to the container intercell partition wall by a heat seal. A method of assembling a battery container is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology Company
  • Patent number: 8413461
    Abstract: Air cooled chillers having a condenser section (300) sized to match chiller capacity and auxiliary cooling requirements satisfied by use of an independent cooling coil (314) dedicated to providing auxiliary cooling. The independent cooling coil (314) is located within the current condenser (300), but utilizes available space within the existing condenser, as well as a small portion of the airflow driven by the existing condenser fan (320). Thus, the auxiliary cooling capacity is provided with a single dedicated coil design, but which otherwise uses existing equipment and space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Kemal Yanik, Mahesh Valiya Naduvath
  • Publication number: 20130086010
    Abstract: A method for detecting and cleansing suspect building automation system data is shown and described. The method includes using processing electronics to automatically determine which of a plurality of error detectors and which of a plurality of data cleansers to use with building automation system data. The method further includes using processing electronics to automatically detect errors in the data and cleanse the data using a subset of the error detectors and a subset of the cleansers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology Company
  • Patent number: 8412357
    Abstract: A system for operating a process includes a processing circuit that uses a self-optimizing control strategy to learn a steady-state relationship between an input and an output. The processing circuit is configured to switch from using the self-optimizing control strategy to using a different control strategy that operates based on the learned steady-state relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: John E. Seem
  • Patent number: 8408654
    Abstract: A vehicle seat frame provides a tilting feature for tilting the seat cushion. The frame includes side brackets (20) with a torsion tube (60) laterally—extending through an aperture (100) of the side brackets. The torsion tube is fitted against the side bracket through an internal swaging procedure to allow smooth rotation of the torsion tube within the side brackets. The torsion tube includes an annular protrusion (200) which provides an axial locking feature that tightly secures the subcomponents placed onto the torsion tube during vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew C. Jones, Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 8408588
    Abstract: A fixture for a motor vehicle includes an airbag outlet flap in an airbag outlet region. In the region of the airbag outlet flap, at least one breaking point region is provided, along with at least one joint region. An airbag module is included that itself includes an airbag. A guide element is included such that, when the airbag is deployed, force is applied by the airbag on the guide element, force is applied to the airbag outlet flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Juergen Wittkamp
  • Publication number: 20130076498
    Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle is proposed, wherein the display device has a first display area and a second display area, wherein the first display area is provided by way of a first display in the central area of a dial, wherein the second display area is designed so as to display a display information in an electroless manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Manfred Suess, Nicolas Mehl, Isabel Hoffmann, Bernd Ludewig
  • Patent number: 8407000
    Abstract: An image-augmented inertial navigation system includes an inertial navigation system configured to estimate a navigation state vector and an imager configured to output pixel signals associated with terrain features passing through a field view of the imager. The system further includes a processing unit configured to determine a distance from the imager to each of the pixel signals for a given image frame and to determine a distance between the imager and a centroid of one or more of the terrain features passing through the field of view of the imager for the given image frame. The processing unit is also configured to track each terrain feature as the terrain features pass through the field of view of the imager. The processing unit is further configured to update the navigation state vector of the inertial navigation system based on calculated NED coordinates position information of the tracked terrain features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Vos, Behnam Motazed, Vladislav Gavrilets
  • Patent number: 8398114
    Abstract: A vehicle seat configured to retain an air bag. The vehicle seat uses selective use of adhesive tape in place of stitching to provide easier manufacturing, lower cost, improved durability and easier repairs, as well as having the adhesive tape be configured to rupture as needed in response to activation of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8399135
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Publication number: 20130063243
    Abstract: Control systems for mounting in a vehicle and for transmitting a signal to a receiver associated with a device for opening or closing a movable barrier when the receiver receives an authorized signal are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology Company
  • Patent number: 8393318
    Abstract: A furnace or other heat exchanger application for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems having condensate control. Specifically, the disclosure includes condensate control for secondary heat exchangers for use with high efficiency furnaces, particularly for small tonnage systems, such as residential or unitary systems. The application provides condensate management to permit a plurality of furnace orientations while providing resistance to corrosion due to liquid condensate, while providing a furnace system that utilizes less expensive materials and is easily fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Tabraiz Ali Khan, Robert Cabrera, Gregory Kenneth Reaser, Terry Hill