Patents Examined by Jeffrey C Boomer
  • Patent number: 10655301
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating dipper swing control. One method includes, with at least one processor, determining a direction of compensation opposite a current swing direction of the dipper and applying the maximum available swing torque in the direction of compensation when an acceleration of the dipper is greater than a predetermined acceleration value. The method can also include determining a current state of the shovel and performing the above steps when the current state of the shovel is a swing-to-truck state or a return-to-tuck state. When the current state of the shovel is a dig-state, the method can include limiting the maximum available swing torque and allowing, with the at least one processor, swing torque to ramp up to the maximum available swing torque over a predetermined period of time when dipper is retracted to a predetermined crowd position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc
    Inventors: Michael Linstroth, Joseph Colwell, Mark Emerson
  • Patent number: 10650685
    Abstract: A method for autonomous controlling of a remote controlled aerial vehicle, wherein a flight operator commands the aerial vehicle, comprising the steps of: initializing a data link between the aerial vehicle and a ground segment; determining an operation condition of the data link during use of the data link; and issuing at least one autonomous controlling command, if, as a result of the determining, a loss of the data link is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Thiele, Winfried Lohmiller, Lars Schoepfer, Hugo Heusinger, Werner Kleih
  • Patent number: 10627815
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to context aware stopping of a vehicle without a driver. As an example, after a passenger has entered the vehicle, the vehicle is maneuvered by one or more processors in an autonomous driving mode towards a destination location along a route. The route is divided into two or more stages. A signal is received by the one or more processors. The signal indicates that the passenger is requesting that the vehicle stop or pull over. In response to the signal, the one or more processors determine a current stage of the route based on a current distance of the vehicle from a pickup location where the passenger entered the vehicle or a current distance of the vehicle from the destination location. The one or more processors then stop the vehicle in accordance with the determined current stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: John Wesley Dyer, Luis Torres, Michael Epstein, Guillaume Dupre, Joshua Seth Herbach
  • Patent number: 10626748
    Abstract: A method for estimating and managing life of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes estimating a remaining useful life of a component of a gas turbine, obtaining parameters of the gas turbine, at least one of which comprises the estimate of the remaining useful life of a component of the gas turbine, assigning operating weightages to the gas turbine parameters based a plant objective, generating a set point for operating the gas turbine based on the weighted gas turbine parameters, and adjusting an operating characteristic of the gas turbine to meet the set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramu Sharat Chandra, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, David Stephen Muench, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai
  • Patent number: 10611606
    Abstract: A method for filling a gripper for bulk material, with the gripper being suspended on holding cables, raised and lowered by a crane via a controller, and acting on the bulk material with the gripper weight during the closing and filling process. By reducing the effect of the weight of the gripper on the bulk material, a fill degree of the gripper is influenced via the controller in that a tensile force acting on the holding cables is influenced in order to optimally fill the gripper. A tensile force TARGET value is determined for the holding cables via the controller and is output to a tensile force controller as an input variable. An electric motor for lifting and lowering the gripper is controlled by the tensile force controller, and an ascertained tensile force ACTUAL value of the holding cables is supplied to the tensile force controller as an input variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventors: Jürgen Rothmann, Arno van de Loo
  • Patent number: 10583831
    Abstract: A method and a system for communicating a an ego-vehicle's determined behavior to a target object is for use in a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring data of a traffic scene preferably by sensor means configured to sense an environment of the vehicle, calculating a prediction result including a target object's behaviour based on the acquired sensor data, determining an action of the host vehicle based on the prediction result and generating an actuation signal for performing the determined action, and determining a communication information indicating the determined action. The communication information is output to a communication means for communication to the target object via at least one of a lighting means of the vehicle and a car-to-x communication means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventor: Jens Schmüdderich
  • Patent number: 10586201
    Abstract: Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Andrew Cooper, Jeffrey Cooper
  • Patent number: 10576948
    Abstract: Disclosed is an example for performing aircraft braking based on real time runway condition. In one example, during landing, real time data of runway condition may be obtained using at least one sensor disposed around an aircraft. At least one brake factor may be determined based on the real time data of the runway condition. Aircraft braking may be controlled based on the at least one brake factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS GROUP INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventor: Anurag Sharma
  • Patent number: 10577120
    Abstract: A flight display system for a cockpit of an aircraft. The flight display system includes a first plurality of flight display units configured to communicate with each other in a daisy chain network. Each of the first plurality of flight display units includes a first physical network interface configured to communicate with one of the first plurality of flight display units, a second physical network interface configured to communicate with another of the first plurality of flight display units, and a flight display circuit. The flight display circuit is configured to receive avionics data via the first physical network interface and determine whether the avionics data is destined for the flight display unit receiving the data. The flight display circuit is configured to send the avionics data to the other flight display unit of the plurality of the first plurality of flight display units via the second physical network interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Brent J. Nelson, Gregory A. Crawford, Darin M. Underwood, Daniel R. Nagawiecki, Jessica L. Horaney
  • Patent number: 10556497
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a current vehicle speed exceeding a first threshold, reduce a parameter indicative of state of charge (SOC) of the battery by an offset amount that varies with an amount of predicted distance for which a predicted vehicle speed profile is less than a second threshold to prompt charging of the battery to increased SOC values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Yanan Zhao, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Davison
  • Patent number: 10556598
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for monitoring component wear to prevent premature component failure. A control system for a system having one or more mechanical or electronic components may include a life manager that monitors accumulated wear of the one or more components. The life manager may provide an alert and/or limit system operations when the accumulated wear exceeds a limit. The limit may be dynamically determined based on an operating age of the component. The limit may also be defined as a matrix of limits, each defined for a range of a particular operating condition of the component. Operating conditions may include an applied torque range for a vehicle wheel or a thermal cycle temperature range for an electronic switching component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventors: Edward Thomas Petrak, Henry Young, Jason Daniel Kuttenkuler, Jeffrey John Wolff
  • Patent number: 10549754
    Abstract: A longitudinally guiding driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for detecting currently applying events and relevant events lying ahead, which require an adaptation of the permissible maximum speed, and a function unit which, when detecting a relevant event, while taking into account the location of the relevant event lying ahead, determines a location-dependent point in time, whose reaching causes the function unit to initiate an output of prompt information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the currently permissible maximum speed to a new permissible maximum speed. The function unit is designed, in the case of an activation of the longitudinally guiding driver assistance system, while taking into account a detected currently applying event, to initiate a first output of prompt information for permitting an automatic first setting of the currently applying permissible maximum speed as the new permissible maximum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Knoller, Sebastien Mathieu, Florian Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10546498
    Abstract: In an encounter vehicle determination apparatus, a probability of a host vehicle entering a host-vehicle intersection on a host-vehicle's course on a map-is estimated. A different-vehicle intersection on a course of a different vehicle on a map either (i) along the host-vehicle's course or (ii) from a connection road with the host-vehicle intersection to the host-vehicle's course is extracted within a predetermined range based on vehicle information acquired from the different vehicle via inter-vehicle communications. A probability of the different vehicle entering the different-vehicle intersection is estimated. A probability of encounter between the host vehicle and the different vehicle at the host-vehicle intersection is calculated from the estimated probabilities of (i) the host vehicle entering the host-vehicle intersection and (ii) the different vehicle entering the different-vehicle intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichiro Funabashi
  • Patent number: 10538324
    Abstract: For reducing a risk potential of an aircraft, a safety device for the aircraft is provided, said aircraft having a flight control device for flight control of the aircraft based on global position coordinates and/or flight altitude values of the aircraft detected by a sensor apparatus of the flight control device. The safety device comprises a flight altitude detection apparatus configured to detect a current flight altitude of the aircraft independently of the sensor apparatus, a determination apparatus configured to determine whether the current flight altitude of the aircraft detected by the flight altitude detection apparatus exceeds a predetermined maximum altitude, and a rescue apparatus configured to interrupt the flight control of the aircraft when the current flight altitude of the aircraft detected by the flight altitude detection apparatus exceeds the predetermined maximum altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: METEOMATICS GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Johannes Fengler
  • Patent number: 10518674
    Abstract: A passive safety system includes a seat support structure, a seat that is connected to the seat support structure, a motion control device operable to control motion of the seat relative to the seat support structure, a sensor that provides an output signal, and a controller. The output signal is indicative of an imminent collision. The controller causes the motion control device to move the seat relative to the seat support structure in response to the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Randol W. Aikin, Malcolm J. Northcott
  • Patent number: 10471831
    Abstract: A control system for handling a fault condition on a utility vehicle includes a lithium battery, a contactor configured to control electrical access to the lithium battery, and control circuitry coupled with the lithium battery and the contactor. The control circuitry is configured to detect, while the contactor is closed to provide a set of loads of the utility vehicle with electrical access to the lithium battery, onset of a fault condition. The control circuitry is further configured to perform, in response to detection of the onset of the fault condition, a set of remedial operations to address the fault condition. The control circuitry is further configured to perform, after a predefined amount of time has elapsed since the onset of the fault condition, a subsequent operation which opens the contactor if the fault condition remains and maintains closure of the contactor if the fault condition does not remain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur James Harvey, Norman R. Padgett, John Ledden, Luke Anthony O'Hara
  • Patent number: 10457370
    Abstract: A steering system on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel movable by a vessel operator to steer the marine vessel and a variable resistance device controllable to apply a variable resistance amount to resist movement of the steering wheel. The system includes a control unit that controls the variable resistance device to determine a baseline resistance amount based on vessel speed and/or engine RPM and detect at least a threshold change in angular position of the marine vessel. The control unit then controls the variable resistance device to prevent a decrease in the resistance amount below the baseline resistance amount or to increase the resistance amount above the baseline resistance amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Poirier, Scott M. Westpfahl
  • Patent number: 10449821
    Abstract: An automobile cornering rollover prevention control system includes a controller, four hydraulic oil cylinders, a deflection measuring instrument and a rotation speed measuring instrument. The controller is mounted inside the automobile, and includes a data acquisition module, a data processing module and a data execution module, wherein the data acquisition module and the data execution module are connected to the data processing module, an input end of the data acquisition module is electrically connected to the deflection measuring instrument and the rotation speed measuring instrument, and an output end of the data execution module is connected to control ends of the four hydraulic oil cylinders respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Yancheng Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Fuhao Liu
  • Patent number: 10438486
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for autonomous vehicle fleet modeling and simulation, such as within a dynamic transportation matching system utilizing one or more vehicle types such as non-autonomous vehicles and autonomous vehicles. An autonomous fleet simulation model may be generated based on real-world parameters of an autonomous vehicle fleet, and the parameters may be modified in a simulation in order to determine optimized values that may be applied to the real-world autonomous vehicle fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna Selvam, Nicholas Chamandy, Jody Kelman
  • Patent number: 10436596
    Abstract: A latency analysis system determines a latency period, such as a wait time, at a user destination. To determine the latency period, the latency analysis system receives location history from multiple user devices. With the location histories, the latency analysis system identifies points-of-interest that users have visited and determines the amount of time the user devices were at a point-of-interest. For example, the latency analysis system determines when a user device entered and exited a point-of-interest. Based on the elapsed time between entry and exit, the latency analysis system determines how long the user device was inside the point-of-interest. By averaging elapsed times for multiple user devices, the latency analysis system determines a latency period for the point-of-interest. The latency analysis system then uses the latency period to provide latency-based recommendations to a user. For example, the latency analysis system may determine a shopping route for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean Kenneth Jackson, Daniel Victor Klein