Patents Assigned to DaimlerChrysler Corporation
  • Injector for an internal combustion engine fueled with hydrogen gas
    Patent number: 6941901
    Abstract: An injector for hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine, the injector comprising a mixing chamber communicating with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine via an injector tip, where a water input port and a hydrogen input port feed individually into the mixing chamber. The water-hydrogen mix in the mixing chamber when injected into the cylinder comprises water atomized by hydrogen gas in a stratified water-hydrogen-air mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Morse N Taxon
  • Integrated bypass and variable geometry configuration for an exhaust gas turbocharger
    Patent number: 6941755
    Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger comprising: a twin scroll turbine housing; a turbine wheel positioned in the twin scroll housing; an exhaust gas inlet, operatively connected to port exhaust gas through each side of the twin scroll turbine housing and onto the turbine wheel; a bypass, operatively connected to the exhaust gas inlet to port exhaust gas around the twin scroll turbine housing to bypass the turbine wheel; and a valve, operatively positioned to control exhaust gas flow to each side of the twin scroll turbine housing and the bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John R Bucknell, Ethan Bayer
  • Bilateral connecting rod apparatus
    Patent number: 6941837
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a true bilateral connecting rod apparatus having a crankshaft defining an axis of rotation and a rod journal eccentrically mounted for circular rotation about the axis, and a pair of connecting rods attached to the rod journal for reciprocating motion in a common plane extending perpendicularly through the rod journal. One or more retaining rings engage the pair of connecting rods and secure the pair of connecting rods to the journal. A common bearing insert is disposed between the pair of connecting rods and the rod journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Rummel
  • Customizable low fuel indicator system
    Patent number: 6940401
    Abstract: A customizable low fuel indicator system for a motor vehicle having an engine control unit storing the average fuel economy of the motor vehicle. A fuel tank sensor is in electronic communication with the engine control unit and is adapted to sense the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. An indicator is in electronic communication with the engine control unit. An input device is in communication with the electronic control unit for selecting a threshold distance to empty. The engine control unit calculates a distance to empty value based on the average fuel economy and the amount of fuel sensed by the fuel tank sensor. The indicator is activated by the engine control unit when the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Morse N Taxon
  • Double pivot concealed hinge
    Patent number: 6938303
    Abstract: A dual pivot hinge for a vehicle door includes a door side hinge support, and a body side hinge support, connected by a hinge arm. The door side hinge support includes a cam surface terminating in a detent. A rocker arm is pivotally mounted to the hinge arm, and includes a roller that is biased against the cam surface of the door side hinge support. A stop link is pivotally mounted between the body side hinge support and the hinge arm. To open the door, the door side hinge support pivots about the hinge arm until the roller of the rocker arm engages the detent. As the door opens further, the hinge arm pivots on the body side hinge support. The stop link prevents the hinge arm from over-rotating, and a roller and torsion rod arrangement prevents the door from inadvertently closing. Closing the door follows the reverse sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Earl L Watson, Krzysztof Michalowski
  • Energy absorbing front frame structure for a vehicle
    Patent number: 6938948
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing energy during a frontal collision of a vehicle, through the use of a front frame structure having main frame rails that include several deformable and non-deformable sections which are connected by selectively crushable junctures that are configured to predispose one or more of the junctures and sections to pivot selectively outward, rearward and upward, in a predetermined manner, during the collision. The front frame structure also includes an engine cradle, attached below the main frame rails, and having a pair of side rails that include forward and rear crushable junctures joined by non-deformable intermediate sections, with the crushable junctures of the main frame rails and engine cradle side rails being configured to predispose the intermediate sections of the engine cradle side rails to move downward and rearward during the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Troy M Cornell, Gerald F Burke, Harry Gu, Pratap Naick, Mark Kirschmann, Gregory A Beecher, Harjeet Gill, Erin Shipp, Kenneth J Haller, Michael Okuniewicz, Manfred Staisch, Dave Cottrell, Larry Ososki, Norman Hartmann
  • Controlling airflow to multiple engine modules with a single throttle body
    Patent number: 6935115
    Abstract: A multi-engine power plant, includes a first internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, a second internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, and a single throttle body operatively connected to the air intakes of both the first and second engine modules, for controlling a flow of air to the intakes of the engine modules at a common manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of both engine modules during operation of one or both of the engine modules. The power plant also includes a selectively engagable clutch for operatively coupling the output shaft of the second engine module to the output shaft of the first engine module, to thereby produce a common torque output from the first and second engine modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D Anderson
  • Vane for an air outlet
    Patent number: 6932695
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling air flow in a ventilating system of an automotive vehicle includes a series of interconnected vanes with a control knob on one of the vanes for adjusting the vanes. A chrome-plated insert fits into a slot in the knob. A rubber overlay covers the knob but exposes the insert. The method includes integrally molding the vane and the knob and in the molding process forming a slot in the knob, molding an overlay of rubber on the knob but with an opening in the overlay exposing the slot, and pressing the insert into the slot through the opening in the overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mary K Zielinski, Norman D Kleiner, Timothy W Anness
  • Articulated base with guide track for fold-in-floor vehicle seat
    Patent number: 6932424
    Abstract: A fold-in-floor vehicle seat is supported in a use position on a generally flat load floor. To move the seat into a storage position, the seat is lowered onto a portion of the load floor that acts as an articulated base for the seat. The base approximates the footprint of the seat, and covers a storage cavity directly below the seat and configured to closely receive the seat. The base is free floating with respect to the remainder of the load floor, but is pivotally connected to the vehicle by an articulating arm that allows the base to rotate about a pivot point through an arcuate section of guide track in the storage cavity, and the arm then articulates to allow the base to travel through a straight portion of track. The arm then returns to its starting position as the base traverses a second arcuate section of track, having now inverted so that the seat is lodged within the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Flip seat arrangement having upper seat back pivot
    Patent number: 6929306
    Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S Mack, Thomas S Moore, Russell C Fielding
  • Evaporative emission system integrity module
    Patent number: 6928991
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank, an engine, and a carbon canister and includes an integrated valve module that is in fluid communication with the carbon canister and the atmosphere. The module provides for venting of the system when the system is exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions, and a predetermined low negative pressure condition. The module also includes a switch that is operable to indicate when the system is in a high or low negative pressure condition for leak detection verification of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Darrin W Hurley
  • Convertible vehicle uni-body having and internal supplemental support structure
    Patent number: 6926351
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes an underbody having one or more underbody bolting flanges attached thereto, with each underbody bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to a mating bodyside bolting flange. Left and right bodyside subassemblies are joined to the underbody, with each bodyside including a supplemental bodyside support structure having attached thereto one or more bodyside bolting flanges, with each bodyside bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to one of the underbody bolting flanges after the bodyside subassemblies are otherwise joined to the underbody. The underbody bolting flanges are attached to supplemental crossmembers that are attached to and extend across the underbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen G Telehowski, Daniel W Atkinson
  • Electromagnetic hemming machine and method for joining sheet metal layers
    Patent number: 6927370
    Abstract: A hemming machine for joining an inner sheet metal panel with an outer sheet metal panel comprising: a hemming tool containing an electromagnetic coil positioned to electromagnetically crimp and/or weld the outer sheet metal panel to the inner sheet metal panel, where a backing die positioned outside the inner metallic sheet and the outer metallic sheet opposite the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John L. McClure, Suresh C. Ramalingam, James P. Lezotte
  • Reversible vehicle load floor with basin
    Patent number: 6926348
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an enclosed cargo area having a floor with a recessed area. A reversible load floor covers the recess, and includes a first, substantially flat surface and a second surface with a perimetric wall projecting therefrom. The reversible load floor is configured to cover the recess in a first position wherein the first surface is substantially flush with the surrounding floor, and in a second inverted position wherein the second surface is substantially flush with the surrounding floor. In the second position, the perimetric wall projects upwardly to form a basin for receiving cargo in a fluid tight manner to prevent spillage in the rest of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Eberhard Krueger, Preston Reynolds, Jeffery E Long, Al Maceri, Dennis Walden
  • Vehicle radio anti-theft arrangement and method
    Patent number: 6927676
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft arrangement and method relies on matching vehicle identifiers upon detection of vehicle battery cycling to confirm whether or not the component being protected is still resident in an authorized vehicle. The arrangement and method further includes a facile way for authorized personnel to override the protection mechanism using code word entries retrievable from a component manufacturer generated database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John Edens, Nabil M Issa, Abdul-Majeed Kadi
  • Flush exterior door handle
    Patent number: 6923481
    Abstract: A handle for a vehicle door is mounted on a frame by a pivot assembly for swinging movement from a door latching position to a door unlatching position. The frame is secured in an interior space of the door in a position such that when the handle is in the latching position, the handle registers with an opening in a door panel, and when the handle is in the unlatching position, the handle extends into the interior space. The pivot assembly has a hinge which provides a floating axis for the swinging movement of the handle, enabling the handle to be shifted laterally outwardly into contact with a flange on the panel when in the latching position, thereby positioning the outer surface of the handle flush with the outer surface of the door panel. A spring urges the handle laterally outwardly into contact with the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L Bruderick, Richard P Thomas, Daniel J Pearlman
  • Exhaust catalyst monitoring arrangement
    Patent number: 6922985
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an engine with an exhaust catalyst and an oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and an oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst, a method for detecting whether the catalyst has aged. Over a test block period of time, the method periodically obtains upstream data points from an oxygen sensor located upstream of the catalyst and from and oxygen sensor located downstream of the catalyst. Absolute differences are calculated between consecutive pairs of the upstream data points and the downstream data points. A ratio between the sums of absolute differences is then calculated, and the ratio is used to determine whether the catalyst has aged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Jason E Wielenga, Bill Leisenring, Douglas M Stander, Dave Carlson, Mark J Poublon, Chris J Booms, Tom Stephens, Craig Summers, Danny K Schuelke, Richard K Moote
  • Flash loader for vehicle electronic control units
    Patent number: 6925365
    Abstract: A flashloader having a standard module for receiving programming instructions and an application program via a communications port of a vehicle controller, where the flashloader further provides an MCU module for writing the received application program to reprogrammable memory within the vehicle controller, and an ECU module for determining whether a valid application program has been stored in the reprogrammable memory. Upon detection of a valid application program a microprocessor of the vehicle controller executes instructions from the reprogrammable memory and upon detection of an invalid application program the microprocessor continues to execute instructions from the bootloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: William V Luitje, Thomas H Pruett, Andrij A Birko
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D507766
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: James S McMahan, Jaclyn M Woody, Scott A Moffett, Michael S Smith
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D508441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T Moushegian, Steven W Ferrerio, Thomas G Tremont