Patents Examined by Erick R. Solis
  • Patent number: 12036969
    Abstract: An electric parking brake system according to one embodiment comprises: a first electric parking brake provided at a front wheel of a vehicle so as to generate a first clamping force; a second electric parking brake provided at a rear wheel of the vehicle so as to generate a second clamping force; an inclination sensor for detecting the inclination degree of the vehicle; and a control unit for determining the total clamping force required for parking on the basis of the inclination degree of the vehicle and vehicle weight information, determining the electric parking brake, to be operated, from among the electric parking brakes according to the determined total clamping force, and operating the determined electric parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gungjin Nam
  • Patent number: 12025067
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes transfer passages between a pre-chamber and a main combustion chamber, and a control unit configured to control a pre-chamber supply system coupled to the pre-chamber and a main combustion chamber supply system coupled to the main combustion chamber, wherein the control unit is configured to control the pre-chamber supply system such that a supply volume exceeds a volume of the pre-chamber and that a surplus of the supply volume is communicated to the main combustion chamber, such as during a transient operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fimml, Nikolaus Spyra, Herbert Schaumberger, Matthias Raibel, Robert Boewing
  • Patent number: 12021354
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is fitted with a pre-combustion chamber having first and second electrodes, each electrode extending through a respective electrode aperture located in a thermally conductive body portion of the pre-combustion chamber body which is located within the cylinder head or other engine body component outside the combustion chamber. The second electrode may be a ground electrode and is adjustable along an axis of the respective, second electrode aperture to adjust the spark gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Bernhard Snuis
  • Patent number: 12017496
    Abstract: This motor shaft state detection method has: a rotation determination step for determining, using a detected current waveform of a motor, whether or not to be a non-rotational state in which the rotational speed of the motor is smaller than a predetermined speed; a current determination step for determining whether or not to be a supply state in which the absolute value of current supplied to the motor is larger than a predetermined reference value; and a determination step for, when it is determined to be the non-rotational state in the rotation determination step and it is determined to be the supply state in the current determination step, determining that the motor is in a shaft locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Tokuhara
  • Patent number: 12012913
    Abstract: A fuel system cover is provided for an internal combustion engine. The fuel system cover is configured to be mounted on the cylinder head assembly to encapsulate a portion of the fuel system to provide leak prevention, mitigation, and detection capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Koeberlein, David M. Barnes, Michael T. Stanley
  • Patent number: 12012919
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection throttle body unit has a core body with two side components. The two side components each including a fuel delivery passage. Four air intake passages extending vertically through the throttle body. Valves are rotatable within the air intake passages. The valves being connected to valve shafts that rotate about respective valve shaft axes. The valve shaft axes and the fuel delivery passages are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: FUEL INJECTION TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth William Farrell, Jeremy Lynn Schmidt
  • Patent number: 12012881
    Abstract: A method determines a sensor error of a sensor in an exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle. One step of the method involves determining at least one actual sensor signal of the sensor. Another step of the method involves determining at least one target sensor signal of the sensor by means of a model. A further step of the method involves determining the sensor error of the sensor according to a deviation between the actual sensor signal of the sensor and the target sensor signal of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marius Becker, Daniel Brueckner, Klemens Schuerholz
  • Patent number: 12006886
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses reactor to create pilot fuel from the primary fuel to assist in the ignition of the primary fuel. A controller is used to maintain an operational range of a level of the pilot fuel in an accumulator. The accumulator acts as a buffer to allow the engine to continue to receive the pilot fuel during dynamic and changing conditions of the engine. The controller increases or decreases the rate of production of the pilot fuel by a pilot fuel system to maintain the operational range of the level of the pilot fuel in the accumulator. The controller can receive inputs such as pilot fuel level or power signals from the engine to adjust the rate of production of the pilot fuel to meet engine demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Axel Lohrisch, David T. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 12006897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for heating injected fuel in internal combustion engines integrated with a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the fuel immediately after heating, forming a unique set that provides great accuracy in the amount of power supplied to the heater and accuracy in fuel preheating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Limitada
    Inventors: Fernando Lepsch, Marcello Francisco Brunocilla
  • Patent number: 12006887
    Abstract: A system, method and circuit restricts the amount of a first fuel being provided to a duel-fuel engine, for example a diesel-natural gas engine; wherein a secondary circuit is provided, in parallel, to the circuit formed between the engine control unit, first fuel injector, and ground comprising a dummy load, and a normally closed switch inserted in the first fuel injection circuit; such that when the normally open switch is in a closed state the dummy load provides a resistance to the second sub-circuit, such that a total resistance in the second sub-circuit is equal to a total resistance in the first sub-circuit when the normally closed switch is in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Innovative Fuel Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Staykov, Daniel Ivan Handford, Curtis Figley, Andrei Chichak
  • Patent number: 12000351
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically deactivating engine cylinders of an engine equipped with a cylinder deactivation system, where the system and method control torsional vibration in the engine while deactivating cylinders using a computer programed with a desired firing density and a controlled range of engine vibration frequencies. The computer dynamically determines a cylinder firing pattern that provides the desired firing density while optimizing a cost function norm in the controlled range of engine vibration frequencies. The cylinder deactivation system in the engine is then controlled using the determined cylinder firing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Shaver, Dheeraj Gosala, Harikrishnan Raghukumar
  • Patent number: 11993341
    Abstract: A method for carrying out autonomous braking in a two-wheeled motor vehicle, where the necessity of vehicle deceleration is detected with the aid of a surround sensor system. When vehicle deceleration is necessary, prior to its execution, a test braking action independent of a rider and of a predefined temporal length is carried out. During or after the execution of the test braking action, a rider readiness variable characterizing the readiness of the rider to master the vehicle deceleration detected as necessary is ascertained. After completion of the test braking action, the vehicle deceleration is initiated, the time characteristic of the vehicle deceleration being a function of the rider readiness variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Anja Wahl, Markus Henzler
  • Patent number: 11993179
    Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a brake pedal position sensor, a braking torque module, an accelerator pedal position sensor, and a brake augmenter. The brake pedal position sensor is operably coupled to a brake pedal to determine a brake pedal position responsive to actuation of the brake pedal by an operator. The braking torque module is operably coupled to wheels of the vehicle to provide negative torque to the wheels based on the brake pedal position when an EBB system is in an operable state. The accelerator pedal position sensor is operably coupled to an accelerator pedal to determine accelerator pedal position for generation of positive torque to the wheels based on the accelerator pedal position when the EBB system is in the operable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Korte, Daniel A. Gabor, Thomas Svensson, Harold Felch
  • Patent number: 11981362
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual geometry of a track by a track inspection vehicle which is movable on the track, wherein reference points positioned in a lateral environment of the track are automatically recorded by a non-contacting recording system arranged on the track inspection vehicle and their respective actual distance from the track is determined. A three-dimensional trajectory of the track is recorded by an inertial measuring system arranged on the track inspection vehicle, wherein the trajectory is divided by a computing unit into trajectory sections each having a section starting point related to a first reference point and a section end point related to a second reference point, wherein a virtual longitudinal chord is defined for each trajectory section in relation to the assigned reference points, and wherein actual distances between the trajectory and the respectively defined longitudinal chord are calculated for each trajectory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TRACK MACHINES CONNECTED GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Florian Auer, David Buchbauer, Martin Bürger, Bernhard Metzger, Fabian Hinterberger
  • Patent number: 11975698
    Abstract: A method for controlling a brake system. The brake system includes an actuating device, a master brake cylinder, a brake circuit, a wheel brake, and a brake pressure generator. The brake pressure generator and the master brake cylinder are capable of being contacted, parallel to one another, to the brake circuit. A pressure generator control valve controls a first pressure medium connection between the brake pressure generator and the brake circuit. A brake circuit control valve controls a second pressure medium connection between the brake circuit and the master brake cylinder. The brake system is operated in an operating state during which the pressure generator control valve assumes an open position without a brake pressure prevailing in the brake circuit and without a buildup of brake pressure being carried out. During this operating state, the brake circuit control valve is controlled to assume an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Klepser, Armin Frueh, Dirk Foerch
  • Patent number: 11975771
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a reaction force device, a drive device, a first ECU configured to control the reaction force device, a second ECU configured to control the drive device, a first rudder angle sensor and a second rudder angle sensor each configured to detect a steering angle of a wheel and output the detected steering angle to the second ECU, and a communication line that transmits at least one of steering angles of the wheel as detected values of the first rudder angle sensor and the second rudder angle sensor from the second ECU to the first ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Sakiya Watanabe, Kenji Mori
  • Patent number: 11968060
    Abstract: A data switching device comprises at least one interface designed to communicate with a first plurality of vehicle components of the vehicle, and to communicate with a second plurality of vehicle components of the vehicle. The data switching device includes a control circuit designed to communicate with the first plurality of vehicle components based on at least one first data format, and with the second plurality of vehicle components based on at least one second data format. The control circuit is designed to provide a communication interface for the communication between the first plurality of vehicle components and the second plurality of vehicle components. The control circuit is designed to provide access to the first data of the first plurality of vehicle components by providing second data for the second plurality of vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jonas Rox, Razvan Racu, Johann Heyen, Steffen Stein
  • Patent number: 11964665
    Abstract: A vehicle speed calculating device includes a vehicle speed calculating unit configured to calculate a control vehicle speed that is acquired by estimating a vehicle body speed that is a speed at which a vehicle is actually traveling, as a state variable used to control an onboard device configured to operate to realize various functions provided in the vehicle. The vehicle speed calculating unit is configured to include an extraction function of extracting at least one wheel speed acquired from at least one wheel that is assumed to be rotating in a state in which an influence causing a difference from the vehicle body speed is likely to be small, out of wheel speeds of a plurality of wheels, and a calculation function of calculating the control vehicle speed based on the at least one wheel speed extracted by the extraction function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kodera, Toru Takashima, Koichi Nishimura, Takahito Ishino
  • Patent number: 11958462
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a brake control apparatus including a backup brake, which brake control apparatus makes it possible both to ensure deceleration, and to attain vehicle running stability. The present invention includes: a front-wheel-side braking mechanism 4 that includes a front-wheel-side electric hydraulic mechanism 6, and a hydraulic circuit system, and applies braking force to front wheels 2L, and 2R; a rear-wheel-side braking mechanism 5 that applies braking on a rear wheel side; a backup brake that is actuated in accordance with a switch to the hydraulic circuit system 15 when the front-wheel-side electric hydraulic mechanism 6 fails, and applies braking force to the front wheels 2R, and 2L; and a skid determination threshold setting section 43 that sets a skid determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ito, Kenichiro Matsubara, Wataru Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11958463
    Abstract: For operation of a hydraulic power vehicle braking system for autonomous driving, a brake pressure is generated using a second power brake pressure generator if, after a predefined first time span, no brake pressure or insufficient brake pressure has been generated using a first power brake pressure generator. The generation of the brake pressure using the second power brake pressure generator is aborted if, within a second time span, which is longer than the first time span, no error message is present from the first power brake pressure generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Bruex