Patents Assigned to Volvo Lastvagnar AB
  • Patent number: 9194765
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying an engine torque estimation and includes estimating the engine torque based on the amount of fuel injected into the engine, where the engine torque is obtained from a fuel injection table, estimating a first vehicle weight value by a calculation based on acceleration of the vehicle and the estimated engine torque, estimating an auxiliary brake torque by using an auxiliary brake table, estimating a second vehicle weight value by a calculation based on the estimated auxiliary brake torque, and comparing the first vehicle weight value with the second vehicle weight value. The method facilitates detecting if an actual engine torque value deviates from the original engine torque value of a vehicle without measuring the engine torque with a separate torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Lars Bråthe, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9187095
    Abstract: A method for entering a preceding vehicle autonomous following mode includes the steps of registering and identifying at least one preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle by at least a first and a second sensor device, comparing the preceding vehicle with vehicle data in a remote database system, and upon a match establishing a communication channel between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, identifying to an operator of the host vehicle preceding vehicles with which the communication channel has been established, and obtaining from the operator a selection of a target vehicles to engage following of. Finally, autonomous following mode of the target vehicle is engaged, wherein a vehicle control system automatically controls at least the following three main functions of the host vehicle: forward propulsion, steering, and braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Philip Gerdt
  • Publication number: 20150314694
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus is provided including an electrical drive system and an electrical machine. The electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding. The drive system includes a first multi phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding and which is adapted to be connected to a line voltage supply by a connection means when charging a battery. The apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery. A battery can be charged without the need of a specific charger and charging with galvanic isolation is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Mats ALAKULA, Erik HOEVENAARS
  • Patent number: 9174624
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing a surging of fluids in a tank of a tank truck, during transportation, the tank truck having a drive train including an internal combustion engine, a clutch device and an automatic or automated transmission device, and the drive train is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU), which is prepared to receive input data from an arrangement for detecting a tank drive mode and sensors for sensing a load status of the tank truck. The method includes detecting a tank drive mode, calculating a launch gear, and limiting the clutch device torque gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
  • Publication number: 20150307040
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for displaying information to a driver in a vehicle, where the information includes an image, and where information is displayed by a textile material positioned on the floor of the vehicle and the information displayed is a condition outside of the vehicle, where the information is displayed in the direction in which the condition occurs outside of the vehicle. Information can be displayed to a driver of a vehicle by an information arrangement not used for other information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Anna HEYDEN, Ida ESBERG
  • Publication number: 20150306972
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus for powering an electrical machine with two different energy sources includes an electrical drive system having a battery and a super capacitor, and an electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding, wherein the drive system includes a first multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding, and wherein the apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery, where the first multi-phase bridge inverter is connected to a super capacitor, and where the drive system includes a switch adapted to connect and disconnect the DC links of the first multi-phase bridge inverter to and from the second multi-phase bridge inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Erik Hoevenaars, Mats Alakula
  • Publication number: 20150295425
    Abstract: An energy storage system balancing device arranged to perform balance processing of charge states of a plurality of energy storage systems being disconnected from each other and from external loads is provided. Each of the storage systems is divided into a plurality of cells and at least one equalization device, is arranged, in each storage system for balancing the cells within the system. The balancing device is arranged to at least collect information about voltage of at least one cell in each storage system from the equalization device/-s and determine a balancing status of the storage systems on the basis of the collected information. The balancing device is further arranged to determine a target cell voltage in dependency of the balancing status and provide the target voltage to each equalization device to control the balancing of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Hanna Bryngelsson, Niklas Legnedahl
  • Publication number: 20150267630
    Abstract: An arrangement in a vehicle engine includes an intake air manifold, an exhaust gas manifold and a plurality of cylinders, and is adapted for being operated by a dual fuel including diesel and gas fuel. The arrangement further includes an exhaust gas recirculation line connecting the exhaust gas manifold with the intake, air manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation valve arranged in the exhaust gas recirculation line, and a control unit arranged for controlling the operation of the exhaust gas recirculation valve. The arrangement further includes a knock sensor arranged on the engine and connected to the control unit; the control unit being adapted for opening the exhaust gas recirculation valve in the event that knock is detected by the knock sensor. The arrangement can permit a dual fuel engine to be used with methane gas having a wide variety of methane numbers without causing the engine to knock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Magnusson, Vittorio Manente
  • Publication number: 20150258996
    Abstract: A method is provided for providing a coaching message to a driver of a vehicle for encouraging a desired driving behavior of the vehicle, the coaching message provided by a coaching arrangement included with the vehicle, the method including determining a driving context for the vehicle, determining a coaching level for the driving context, and selecting the coaching messages to be provided to the driver using a multimodal user interface of the coaching arrangement based on a correlation of the determined coaching level and the determined driving context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Trent Victor, Peter Kronberg
  • Patent number: 9132386
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a first SCR catalyst and a second SCR catalyst positioned downstream of the first SCR catalyst. A first injector is provided upstream of the first SCR catalyst, and a second injector is provided upstream of the second SCR catalyst. The exhaust system further includes a gaseous ammonia supply device fluidly connected to the first injector for supplying gaseous ammonia to the exhaust gas by the first injector, and an ammonia-containing reductant reservoir fluidly connected to the second injector for supplying a fluid ammonia-containing reductant, such as urea, to the exhaust gas by the second injector. The first SCR catalyst has a smaller volume than the second SCR catalyst for a fast warm-up of the first SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Sören Udd, John Korsgren
  • Patent number: 9133807
    Abstract: A flow control system for a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided and includes an inlet port, an outlet, a return port, a 2-way control valve including a control valve member, a shuttle valve and a main valve. The control valve includes a first seat, a first resilient arrangement configured to force the control valve member towards the seat so as to close the control valve, and a first abutment that limits the lift of the control valve member away from the first seat. The first seat of the control valve is slidably arranged in the shuttle control chamber. An end stop for the first seat is provided such that the pressure in a shuttle control chamber tends to move the first seat towards the end stop. The first seat, upon its mechanical contact with a valve member is able to transmit at least a part of the force of the resilient means onto a shuttle valve body in the opening direction of the shuttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Sergi Yudanov
  • Patent number: 9127589
    Abstract: A turbo compound transmission, such as in a heavy duty or medium duty diesel engine, includes a turbo compound turbine to be driven by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, and a coupling including a first rotor including a mechanical input drive adapted to be driven by the turbine, and a second rotor including a mechanical output drive. A brake is arranged to brake and limit the rotation of the turbine. The coupling is arranged to decouple when braking with the brake, subjecting the coupling to a torque above a predetermined torque limit. A method for controlling a turbo compound transmission is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Per Persson, Martin West, Göran Haraldsson
  • Publication number: 20150232088
    Abstract: An arrangement for improving stability of a vehicle combination includes a towing vehicle and at least one towed vehicle, where the at least one towed vehicle includes an actively steered axle and/or individual brake on at least one axle, where the towing vehicle and the at least one towed vehicle each includes a lateral acceleration determining arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Kristoffer Tagesson, Leo Laine, Sogol Kharrazi
  • Publication number: 20150231964
    Abstract: A filter device, particularly an air breather filter device for venting a fuel tank, includes a housing with a first port provided as an inlet in normal operation of the filter device and a second port provided as an outlet under normal operation of the filter device. The housing encloses at least one filter and an air passage extends from the first port to the second port passing through the filter. Inside the housing a baffle unit is arranged in the housing for covering the at least one first filter in relation to the second port, wherein the baffle unit is arranged to deflect a fluid flow entering the filter device through the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Sigurd Sonderegger, Jonas Lexén
  • Patent number: 9108483
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension leaf spring assembly is arranged to be mounted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on opposite sides thereof. The leaf spring assembly has a first end, which is arranged for pivotal connection to a first bracket on the vehicle; and a second end, which is arranged for connection to a spring shackle on the vehicle. The leaf spring assembly is arranged to be connected to an axle extending transversely of the leaf spring assembly at a position intermediate the first and second ends of the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly includes two individual leaf springs arranged side-by-side with a predetermined spacing and extending between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Stefan Preijert
  • Publication number: 20150224865
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle includes a first propulsion unit for powering the vehicle, a second propulsion unit for powering the vehicle, a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), and the second propulsion unit the ECU is programmed to control the gear shift such that when a gear shift of the first propulsion unit is made in order to change the overall gear ratio from the first input shaft to the output shaft by changing the double clutch engagement from the second clutch, engaging the second power path, to the first clutch, engaging the first power path, the power connection between the second propulsion unit and the second power path is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Anders Hedman, Lisa Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 9102355
    Abstract: A method is provided for assisting a driver of a vehicle during operation by providing the driver with a desired steering feel, wherein the vehicle includes a steering arrangement including a manually operated steering device, at least one pair of ground engaging members and a mechanical interconnection between the steering device and the ground engaging members. The method includes detecting a steering angle and determining a desired steering device guiding force based on the detected steering angle, providing the driver with the desired steering feel based on the desired steering device guiding force, and detecting the steering angle in a position at a ground engaging member side of an elastic steering force transmitting element in the steering arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Jan-Inge Svensson, Sten Ragnhult
  • Patent number: 9103229
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling a variable position of vanes at a turbine in a flow channel of a turbine. The arrangement includes a nozzle ring carrying a set of vanes, each of the vanes being connected to a vane pin housed in the nozzle ring. A rotational position of the vanes is accomplished via a vane displacement drive train including a pivotally supported pivot axle, a first actuator arm arranged on the pivot axle, which first arm is connectable to a drive actuator, a second actuator arm arranged on the pivot axle, which second arm is connected to a pin engaged with an unison ring for pivoting the unison ring, and a vane arm being connected to each vane pin and the unison ring for displacement of the vanes via pivotal displacement of the unison ring, and wherein a stop screw is arranged for limiting the pivotal displacement of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Pontus Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20150217664
    Abstract: A vehicle with a driver's cab including a driver seat unit with a vertically suspended floor structure and including a steering control, a speed control, and a driver's seat. The cab is provided with a locking mechanism for preventing the floor structure from moving vertically in relation to the cab when the vehicle is immobile. The floor structure is able to move from a first position to a second position, lower than the first position, when the driver's door is opened and to move back to the first position when the driver's door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventor: Göran Levin
  • Publication number: 20150216466
    Abstract: A method for determining an operational state of a driver of a vehicle uses an awareness detection arrangement. The awareness detection arrangement includes at least a first and a second source for generating data relating to the behavior of the driver. The method includes receiving, from the first and the second source, data relating to at least one of physiological data of the driver, the operation of the vehicle, and a model of the driver operating the vehicle, comparing the data from the first and the second source with a driver state model defining a plurality of predefined driver states for each of the first and the second source, respectively, determining based on the comparison, for each of the first and the second source, a state probability for each of the plurality of predefined driver states, and weighing the determined driver states for the first and the second source with each other for determining an overall operational state probability for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Peter Tobias Kronberg, Fredrik Sandblom