Patents Examined by Basil T Jos
  • Patent number: 10024187
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining an updated engine health factor of an aircraft engine. The method includes determining an engine health condition indicative of an engine health during operation of the aircraft engine. The method also includes determining a baseline engine power model for the aircraft engine and modifying the baseline engine power model using the determined engine condition. The method also determines an engine health factor based on a modified engine power model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alvaro Jose Soares, Jr., David Joseph McKenna, Marta Katarzyna Asack
  • Patent number: 10017173
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a torque intervention of a hybrid vehicle includes a driving information detector for detecting a torque intervention request of the hybrid vehicle, and a controller for deriving a target motor torque and a target engine torque depending on a required torque variation when the torque intervention is requested, the target motor torque being derived so that a high voltage battery does not deviate from a state of charge (SOC) charging and discharging limit, the target motor torque limiting the target engine torque to be equal to or less than a target engine torque before the intervention request to obtain a final engine torque, and the target motor torque correcting the target motor torque to a final motor torque depending on the final engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Joon Kim, Gwang Il Du, Teh Hwan Cho, Ji Hoon Kang, Seong Ik Park
  • Patent number: 10011192
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend in an upward direction away from the seat bottom. The vehicle seat further includes an electronics system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Dale J. Frye, Matthew Shinew
  • Patent number: 10005359
    Abstract: A vehicle with a manual transmission includes vibration devices on the clutch pedal and the accelerator pedal. To assist the driver, a controller activates these vibration devices when the corresponding pedal should be further released. Criteria are described for determining whether one of the pedals should be further released during various maneuvers such as vehicle launch, and gear changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Edward Bradfield
  • Patent number: 9994296
    Abstract: A user input device for controlling steering and/or propulsion of a marine vessel includes a movable member movable by a vessel operator to control the steering and/or propulsion of the marine vessel, a variable resistance device controllable to vary resistance to movement of the movable member, and a controller that controls the variable resistance device. The controller is configured to detect an unstable condition indicator and, upon detecting the unstable condition indicator, control the variable resistance device to increase resistance to movement of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Balogh, Brian J. Poirier, Scott M. Westpfahl, Suresh Venigalla
  • Patent number: 9981655
    Abstract: A work vehicle is provided having a first pair of wheels mounted to a vehicle body via a fixed axle and a second pair of wheels mounted to the vehicle body via a pivotable axle. The work vehicle includes an anti-rollover system with at least two load sensors mounted at an axle housing near different ones of the first pair of wheels to measure a downward force borne by each respective wheel, the at least two load sensors being operationally connected to a processor. The processor is configured to send anti-rollover commands to the anti-rollover system based on signals received from the at least two load sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Giuseppe Cosentino, Riccardo Morselli, Stefano Fiorati
  • Patent number: 9969270
    Abstract: Electrically powered vehicles may be equipped with both mechanical braking systems and regenerative braking systems. Regenerative braking systems improve vehicle efficiency by returning a portion of the energy lost in deceleration to the battery of the electrically powered vehicle. An electrically powered vehicle controller that provides collision avoidance functionality can maximize the energy returned to the battery of the electrically powered vehicle by maximizing the use of regenerative braking for collision avoidance. A first braking mode can include only regenerative braking for objects greater than the minimum regenerative stopping distance. A second braking mode can include composite braking using both mechanical and regenerative braking. The electrically powered vehicle controller determines the maximum regenerative braking level at least based on data provided by battery charge level or battery state sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor
  • Patent number: 9969424
    Abstract: A steering control system for a vehicle that considers the limitations of at least one of the vehicle and the environment is contemplated. The steering control system can receive a vehicle characteristic, an environmental condition, a desired amount of turning, and a desired velocity of the vehicle. Based on some, or all of these parameters, the steering control system can determine at least one of a wheel torque, a wheel angle, a wheel camber, and a wheel suspension for a desired vehicle path to enhance vehicle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Keith Alan Guy
  • Patent number: 9969386
    Abstract: A method and a system for an automated parking determines, using the geometry of the vehicle and the map of the parking space, a collision free geometric path connecting an initial state of the vehicle with a target state of parked vehicle through a set of waypoints and determines, using a kinematic model of the vehicle, a set of kinematic subgraphs forming a kinematic graph having multiple nodes connected with kinematic edges. Each waypoint defines a position and orientation of the vehicle, each kinematic subgraph connects a pair of neighboring waypoints of the geometric path, each node defines a state of the vehicle, and each kinematic edge connecting two nodes defines a collision free kinematic path connecting the two nodes according to kinematics of the vehicle. A kinematic path is selected form the kinematic graph and a reference trajectory tracking the kinematic path as a function of time is determined using a dynamic model of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yebin Wang, Devesh Jha
  • Patent number: 9965964
    Abstract: A method including retrieving a multi-dimensional map from a navigation system memory; determining an aerial route between two locations based at least partially upon the multi-dimensional map; and storing the aerial route in the navigation system memory. The multi-dimensional map includes terrain information and object information. The object information includes information regarding location and size of objects extending above ground level. The objects are in uncontrolled airspace, and the object information includes height information regarding a height above ground level of at least some of the objects. The aerial route is limited to the uncontrolled airspace, where the aerial route is over and around at least some of the objects, and where the aerial route is determined, at least partially, based upon the height information of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Bernhardt, Arnold Sheynman, Jingwei Xu
  • Patent number: 9963138
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a vehicle with a drive system comprising a power unit configuration adapted to provide power for the vehicle's operation, and further comprising a planetary gear and a first and second electrical machine, connected to components in the planetary gear via their rotors, a locking means is moved from a release position, in which the planetary gear's components are free to rotate independently of each other, to a locked position, in which two of the planetary gear's components are locked together, so that the three components in the planetary gear rotate with the same speed. The power unit configuration is controlled in order to achieve a synchronous, or substantially synchronous, rotational speed between the input and output shaft of the planetary gear, and the locking means are then moved to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Johan Lindström, Mathias Björkman, Mikael Bergquist, Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 9963222
    Abstract: The present application is at least directed to an automatically stabilized aerial platform. The platform includes one or more containers including one or more liquids. The platform also includes one or more sensors coupled to the one or more liquids. The platform also includes one or more flight controllers operatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The flight controllers are configured to automatically adjust flight control elements in real-time to compensate for sensor values indicating sloshing of the one or more liquids beyond a specified limit. The instant application is also directed to a method of automatic real-time stabilization of an aerial platform carrying at least one liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TATA SONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Piyush Mishra
  • Patent number: 9952592
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a display unit; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a flying object; and a controller configured to receive an input for setting at least one member of a created group of members to be a target, and remotely control the flying object to obtain an image of the at least one member set as the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungchae Na, Jungin Kwon, Dohwan Ahn, Hyohoun No
  • Patent number: 9950620
    Abstract: A method for displaying brake power status of a vehicle is disclosed. The method obtains vehicle status data from at least one onboard subsystem, and generates a power indicator based on the status data. The power indicator includes a charge indicator region defined by a stationary charging boundary and by a dynamic transition threshold, a friction brake indicator region adjacent to the charge indicator region and defined by the dynamic transition threshold and by a stationary friction braking boundary, and a real-time power level indicator responsive to the vehicle status data to indicate a position in the charge indicator region or the friction brake indicator region. The transition threshold moves in response to changes in the status data over time, resulting in a moving boundary between the charge indicator region and the friction brake indicator region. The power indicator is displayed on an electronic display element onboard the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ian L. Hanna, Bryan W. Shevock
  • Patent number: 9947052
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling autonomous vehicles to optimize traffic characteristics. A computing platform may receive vehicle guidance data from autonomous vehicle control systems of vehicles. Subsequently, the computing platform may identify a number of the vehicles currently operating in an autonomous mode based on the vehicle guidance data. Thereafter, the computing platform may identify a target number of the vehicles to be operated in an autonomous mode in order to optimize traffic characteristics. Then, the computing platform may generate messages directing selected vehicles to switch into autonomous mode in order to achieve the target number. Subsequently, the computing platform may send the messages directing the selected vehicles to switch into autonomous mode in order to receive incentives. Thereafter, the computing platform may award the incentives to the selected vehicles that switch into the autonomous mode as directed by the messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Mark Slusar, Surender Kumar, Sunil Chintakindi
  • Patent number: 9937809
    Abstract: A parking assistance device for aligning a vehicle coil (11) mounted on a bottom surface of a vehicle (10) with a ground coil (31) installed on a ground, detects a voltage of the vehicle coil (11), detects a change in the voltage detected, notifies a driver of first braking when the change in the voltage detected shifts from an increasing direction to a decreasing direction, and notifies the driver of second braking when the change in the voltage shifts from the decreasing direction to the increasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukinori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9934629
    Abstract: A vehicle maintenance system comprising an ECU and a port for interfacing with the ECU, the ECU configured to store diagnostic data related to the vehicle. The system further comprises a dongle configured to interface with the port to send data to the ECU and receive data from the ECU and a local device configured to communicate with the dongle and a remote computer, the local device comprising a display, a memory storing program instructions, and a processor configured to execute the program instructions to establish a communications link with the ECU via the dongle to allow the transfer of diagnostic data from the ECU to the local device, to allow the transfer of the diagnostic data from the local device to the remote computer and to receive data from the remote computer, such that the data received is used to perform a maintenance action on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: William W. Wittliff
  • Patent number: 9908516
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle brake control apparatus, and a brake control method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin-Myung Kim
  • Patent number: 9910434
    Abstract: A MAS for a machine that includes an implement, and a related method of controlling such machine is provided. The MAS may comprise a plurality of Vehicle ECMs, a local transceiver, an Ethernet LAN, a first CAN, an AECM, an environment monitoring system and an RSM. The AECM is configured to generate output control signals based, at least in part, on input from the environment monitoring system, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one of the Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The MAS is configured to execute semi-autonomous functions of the machine based on input from the environment monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson, Shane A. May, Suneel Venkata Kandula
  • Patent number: 9902495
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes at least one rotor motor configured to drive at least one propeller to rotate. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a data center including a processor; a data storage component; and a wireless communications component. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a hybrid generator system configured to provide power to the at least one rotor motor and to the data center, the hybrid generator system including a rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the at least one rotor motor; an engine configured to generate mechanical power; and a generator motor coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical power from the mechanical power generated by the engine. The data center may include an intelligent data management module configured to control power distribution and execution of mission tasks in response to available power generation and mission task priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Top Flight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Long N. Phan, Samir Nayfeh, John J. Polo, Eli M. Davis, Paul A. DeBitetto