Patents Examined by Kyle J Kingsland
  • Patent number: 11691747
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for fault detection for a speed sensing system of a multi-engine rotorcraft. A shaft speed for a first engine and a rotor speed for at least one rotor of the multi-engine rotorcraft are obtained. The shaft speed is compared to the rotor speed. When the shaft speed is greater than the rotor speed, a first fault in the speed sensing system is detected and a first speed sensing system fault signal is issued. When the shaft speed is less than the rotor speed, a determination is made regarding whether the first engine is coupled the at least one rotor based on a fuel flow to the first engine. A second fault in the speed sensing system is detected and a second speed sensing system fault signal is issued responsive to determining that the first engine is coupled to the at least one rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Sarah Theriault, Poi Loon Tang, Sean McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11679682
    Abstract: A haulage vehicle includes a body, a load measurement device that measures a mounted load value of the body, a traveling electric motor, and a travel control device that outputs an electric motor command value, the travel control device sets a backward movement limiting set value to ON when it is determined that the haulage vehicle is in execution of either loading work or dumping work, and sets the backward movement limiting set value to OFF when a forward position signal and an accelerator pedal command value are inputted, an electric motor command value formed of a backward movement limiting command value is outputted to the traveling electric motor when the backward movement limiting set value is ON, and an electric motor command value formed of a normal command value is outputted to the traveling electric motor when the backward movement limiting set value is OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akinori Ishii
  • Patent number: 11661895
    Abstract: A distributed control system for a turbomachine and method of operating the distributed control system are provided. In one aspect, a distributed control system includes a central controller and a distributed controller communicatively coupled thereto. The distributed controller has one or more associated local actuators and one or more associated local sensors. The actuators and the sensors are communicatively coupled with the distributed controller. If a communication link between the central controller and the distributed controller becomes faulty, the distributed controller enters an autonomous safety mode. In this mode, the distributed controller uses a combination of its own associated local sensors and past commands received from the central controller to autonomously govern its associated local actuators to maintain safe operation of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Comapny
    Inventor: Jessie Thorup
  • Patent number: 11643792
    Abstract: Provided is a wheel loader capable of exhibiting sufficient excavation performance while suppressing slip during excavation. A control device provided on a wheel loader according to the present invention is configured to determine a reduction value (?f?) of traveling drive force based on first vehicle body acceleration (av1) of a vehicle body calculated from acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, second vehicle body acceleration (av2) of the vehicle body calculated from rotational speed of wheels detected by a rotational speed sensor, and thrust (ph) of a hydraulic cylinder detected by a thrust sensor, and reduce the traveling drive force based on the reduction value and output the reduced traveling drive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ito, Keisuke Naitou
  • Patent number: 11643794
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a machine operating at a worksite, is provided. The machine includes an implement for performing one or more implement operations and is configured to be propelled by a set of ground engaging members between a first location and second location. A first input indicative of start of a travelling operation of the machine after completion of a first implement operation at the first location, is received. One or more transmission parameters associated with the machine are determined, when the machine moves from first location to second location. A second input indicative of end of the travelling operation at start of a second implement operation at the second location is received. A number of revolutions completed by ground engaging members between the first location and the second location is determined based on the transmission parameters. The number of revolutions is displayed on input/output device associated with machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Cler, Aaron Robert Shatters, Huzefa S Gulamhusein
  • Patent number: 11640179
    Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing an orientation and height of a person or load-carrying multicopter with a plurality of motors, wherein the drive of the individual motors in flight is continuously calculated by a flight control unit and correspondingly prescribed to the motors using control technology, for which purpose, based on a desired torque ?, of a desired thrust s preferably prescribed by a pilot signal, and of a motor matrix M, the drive of the motors is calculated by a motor allocation algorithm f and provided as a control signal to the motors, wherein the following applies to the drive and the corresponding motor control variables u: u=f(?, s, M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Volocopter GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Zwiener, Thomas Ruf, Walter Fichter, Johannes Stephan
  • Patent number: 11618458
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining loads on vehicle's wheels, each with a tire, is disclosed. A deformation measured value and a pressure measured value for each tire, and at least one acceleration measured value for the vehicle are detected. For the respective wheels, dynamic wheel loads are calculated according to a first model and static wheel loads are calculated according to a second model. The second model comprises at least one model parameter calculated by statistical analysis of the calculated dynamic wheel loads, the calculated static wheel loads, and the detected at least one acceleration measured value. The at least one acceleration measured value is redetected and the dynamic wheel loads are recalculated from the previously calculated static wheel loads and the at least one detected acceleration measured value according to the second model using the previously calculated at least one model parameter of the second model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Kretschmann, Parthiv Dharamshi
  • Patent number: 11618333
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric charging device for an electrically drivable motor vehicle. The electric charging device has a ground unit for positioning in the ground and for generating an alternating magnetic field for an electric charging operation. The method includes sensing a motor vehicle within a predefined perimeter surrounding the ground unit; sensing a driving parameter value of at least one driving parameter of the sensed motor vehicle at at least one respective predefinable point in time; storing the at least one driving parameter value if an electric charging operation is carried out for the detected motor vehicle; determining a driving recommendation on the basis of the at least one sensed and stored driving parameter value; and transmitting the driving recommendation if another motor vehicle is sensed within the predefined perimeter surrounding the ground unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Peer
  • Patent number: 11608072
    Abstract: An on-board device includes: an air-conditioning unit configured to perform air conditioning by blowing air-conditioning air into a vehicle cabin from an at outlet port that faces the vehicle cabin, and perform, in accordance with remote control, pre-air conditioning for air-conditioning the vehicle cabin before an occupant gets into a vehicle; a seat moving unit configured to move a vehicular seat in a seat front-rear direction, the vehicular seat being disposed such that a front face of a seat back faces the air outlet port; and a control unit configured to, when the remote control is perforated for performing the pre-air conditioning, control the air-conditioning unit such that the pre-air conditioning is performed, and control the seat moving unit such that the vehicular seat moves to a seat front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiko Onuma
  • Patent number: 11602970
    Abstract: Provided is an electric suspension device including an electromagnetic actuator that is provided between a body and wheel of a vehicle and generates a load for damping vibration of the body. It includes: a camera that detects preview image information of a road surface in front of the vehicle; a 3D gyro sensor that detects a sprung speed of the vehicle; a target load computation unit that computes a target load based on the preview image information and the sprung speed; and a load control unit that controls the load of the actuator by using the computed target load. When a detection result based on the preview image information indicates that the front road surface is even but a detection result based on the sprung speed indicates that the front road surface is uneven, the target load computation unit computes the target load based on the sprung speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Goto, Ryoma Kanda
  • Patent number: 11597360
    Abstract: Method for holding a vehicle in the stationary state, which has the following steps: (a) if the vehicle has an automatic transmission, engaging a parking lock, or if the vehicle has a manual transmission, engaging a gear, (b) at least temporarily, automatically carrying out vehicle movement monitoring by means of a sensing device; and (c) automatically activating a brake device of the vehicle in order to apply a braking force if the sensing device signals a vehicle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Baehrle-Miller
  • Patent number: 11591015
    Abstract: An assembly for plausibility checking and/or reinitializing a rear wheel steering system of a vehicle having a rear wheel steering unit, which includes at least one rear wheel actuator for adjusting a rear-wheel steering angle and a sensor for detecting the set position of the rear wheel actuator, with at least one reference sensor for detecting a reference signal and with an electronic control unit for carrying out the plausibility check and/or reinitialization of the sensor. The reference sensor is part of a vehicle unit different from the rear wheel steering unit and is designed to detect a vehicle-status-dependent reference signal. Furthermore, the control unit includes at least one mathematical model which, based on the vehicle-status-dependent reference signal, can determine a reference value and/or a reference vehicle status, with which the plausibility check and/or reinitialization can be carried out by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hubertus Eilers, Ulf Beering, Dominik Vogt
  • Patent number: 11584234
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining wheel slip information of an electrically driven wheel of a motor vehicle, according to which during travel, the speed (nE-motor) of an electric motor driving the wheel is detected and the detected speed (nE-motor) of the electric motor is used to determine the wheel slip information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Tobias Brok, Herbert Ernst
  • Patent number: 11571990
    Abstract: A detector includes a first flexible sheet, a second flexible sheet placed opposite to the first flexible sheet, and an insulation sheet intervening between them. The first flexible sheet includes a second antenna unit and first contact portions formed on a first opposing surface. The second flexible sheet includes a detection unit and second contact portions formed on a second opposing surface. The first contact portions and the second contact portions become a state of contact by an external force based on the seating of an occupant, cause the second antenna unit to output a transmission signal to the detection unit, and cause the detection unit to output a detection signal to the second antenna unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kominato, Goro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11535119
    Abstract: An ECU controls charging of a power storage device such that an SOC of the power storage device does not exceed a prescribed upper control limit. When an electrically powered vehicle moves in a downhill direction with an MG generating travel torque in an uphill direction on an uphill road (downhill-movement state), the ECU allows charging in which the SOC exceeds the upper control limit. Further, when a request to stop a system of the vehicle is made with the SOC exceeding the upper control limit, the ECU performs a discharge process of discharging the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Patent number: 11535254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an accelerator pedal position exceeding a first threshold for a predetermined time period or a lateral acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a second threshold, transition the powertrain from a nominal driving mode to a performance driving mode. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the nominal mode, maintain a power output of the electric machine at a driver demanded power defined by the accelerator pedal position. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the performance driving mode, reduce a power output of the electric machine to less than the driver demanded power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allen Magolan, Zachary John Sinisi, Francis Thomas Connolly, Paul Stephen Bryan, Minku Lee, Jason Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11530018
    Abstract: A subsea vehicle capable of supporting inspection of underwater objects while underway includes a body that provides a capability to allow the subsea vehicle to submerge underwater and follow or position near an object while maintaining an orientation to the object appropriate for inspection of, and safety requirements for, the object. The vehicle includes a set of deployable, semi-rigid arms to support the movement of inspection sensor probes near or lightly touching the inspection target with the probes. A controller helps tracks the intended inspection object using various sensor inputs along with a priori knowledge of the object to drive and position the subsea vehicle such that the appropriate orientation to the inspection target is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jami Joseph Cherami, David Chapman, Chiun-Hong Chien, Sara Rayburn
  • Patent number: 11524550
    Abstract: An air conditioning control device includes: a passenger determination unit that determines whether a passenger is in a self-driving vehicle; a travel determination unit that determines a traveling state of the self-driving vehicle; and a light blocking control unit that executes a light blocking air conditioning control for a vehicle cabin by operating a light blocking device to adjust solar radiation into the vehicle cabin from a window of the self-driving vehicle when the passenger determination unit and the travel determination unit determine that the self-driving vehicle is in an unmanned traveling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sakai
  • Patent number: 11518544
    Abstract: A driveshaft misalignment measurement system for a drivetrain of an aircraft includes a driveshaft having a first end forming a driveshaft spline and a drivetrain subsystem including a spline adapted to connect to the driveshaft spline to form a splined connection. Rotational energy is transferred between the drivetrain subsystem and the driveshaft via the splined connection. The driveshaft misalignment measurement system also includes accelerometers coupled to the drivetrain configured to detect acceleration data and a flight control computer configured to measure misalignment at the splined connection using the acceleration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Carl VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 11507111
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating and deploying fleets of autonomous in operational domains are described. A computing system may obtain data indicative of one or more capabilities of at least one autonomous vehicle, data indicative of vehicle service dynamics in an operational domain over a period of time, and determining a plurality of resource performance parameters respectively for a plurality of autonomous vehicle fleets associated with potential deployment in the operational domain. Each autonomous vehicle fleet can be associated with a different number of autonomous vehicles The resource performance parameter for each autonomous vehicle fleet can be based at least in part on the one or more capabilities of the at least one autonomous vehicle and the vehicle service dynamics in the operational domain. The computing system can initiate an action associated with the operational domain based at least in part on the plurality of resource performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie Nina Chadha, Ye Yuan, Neil Stegall, Brent Justin Goldman, Kane Sweeney, Rei Chiang