Patents Examined by Ruben Picon-Feliciano
  • Patent number: 12263831
    Abstract: A drive force control system for a vehicle configured to accurately imitate a change in a drive force in a model vehicle. A drive torque simulator computes a virtual drive torque supposed to be delivered to drive wheels of the model vehicle in response to a manual operation to manipulate the vehicle, based on torque changing factors of a powertrain of the model vehicle. An actual torque calculator computes a target torque of a motor that is practically delivered to the drive wheels in the vehicle based on the virtual drive torque computed by the drive torque simulator, taking account of torque changing factors of the powertrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 12263719
    Abstract: A control method for a vehicle includes determining whether an internal combustion engine is overheated based on driving information of the vehicle and cooling information of a passenger compartment while the vehicle is driving and an HVAC system is operating in a cooling mode, and controlling an alternator or an actuator of a switching door to reduce a cooling capacity provided by the HVAC system when it is determined that the internal combustion engine is overheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tae Woong Lim, Hyun Kyun Jung, Ji Wan Son, Han Sol Mun
  • Patent number: 12261450
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a wireless charger for a vehicle includes a communication device to receive an input from a user and information on the vehicle, and a controller to employ one of a first driving duty ratio of a cooling fan set based on the information on the vehicle, a second driving duty ratio of the cooling fan set based on the input from the user, or a third driving duty ratio of the cooling fan set through auto-tuning operation to operate the cooling fan, to enhance charging performance of the wireless charger while minimizing the feeling of the user bothered due to operating noise of a cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 12258020
    Abstract: A system and method for slowing a vehicle. Road conditions around the vehicle are monitored, and determined if those road conditions are hazardous. An engine control unit is informed of the hazardous road conditions and alters the operation of the engine control unit in response to the hazardous road conditions. When an operator of the vehicle desires to slow the vehicle down, an indication is received indicating the intent to slow the vehicle down. The vehicle is then slowed based upon the altered operation of the engine control unit by applying a vacuum to increase a manifold vacuum of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Doyle, John R. Dangler, Layne A. Berge, Jason J. Bjorgaard, Matthew A. Walther, Kyle Schoneck, Thomas W. Liang
  • Patent number: 12253865
    Abstract: A device including a main plug controlling fluid flow between a chamber and an outside of a housing by pressing against a housing seat, and a bypass plug controlling fluid flow between the chamber and a housing lateral passage. The device includes a thermostatic element with a movable part to which the plugs are connected to control backflows. For efficiency, economy and adaptability to housing geometries, the device includes an adapter, including a tubular body, inside of which a cylindrical sleeve of the bypass plug is fitted to slide, and a lateral tubing extending from an outer face of the tubular body, which has an end for connecting to the lateral passage of the housing, and which discharges into the tubular body via a hole closed by the cylindrical sleeve when the main plug is open, the cylindrical sleeve leaving the hole open when the main plug is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventor: William Da Silva
  • Patent number: 12247539
    Abstract: An ignition resumption control unit (40) is disposed that resumes control of an ignition plug (14) if a first predetermined time has elapsed or if engine rotation number has fallen below a threshold value, after receiving an engine stop signal. The ignition resumption control unit (40) executes the control of the ignition plug (14), based on resumption ignition timings (Tg(R-on)) that are timing deviating from an entire ignition timing range set in a normal working area of an engine body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: YAMABIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayato Oimatsu, Taiji Matsubara, Keigo Egawa
  • Patent number: 12240428
    Abstract: An engine heater system for supplying compressed air to an air brake of a vehicle. The engine heater system including a gas turbine. A compressor fluidly coupled to an air reservoir of the vehicle. The air reservoir fluidly coupled to an air brake of the vehicle. A shaft rotatably attached between the gas turbine and the compressor, and when the gas turbine rotates the shaft, the compressor provides compressed air to the air reservoir of the vehicle for operating the air brake of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: HotStart, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Boyce, Michael T. Abbott
  • Patent number: 12234786
    Abstract: Provided is an engine control device and an engine device that enable stable self-travelling of the engine in a limp home mode. The engine control device includes a revolution speed detection unit that detects revolution speed of the engine, and an arithmetic unit that calculates an opening of a throttle valve opened by an electronic throttle mechanism, and an injection amount of fuel injected by injectors. In an operation of the engine in the limp home mode, in a case where the revolution speed of the engine detected by the revolution speed detection unit exceeds a predetermined limiting value, the arithmetic unit performs an operation to suppress injection of the fuel to be injected by the injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michisuke Iga, Tomotaka Tanaka, Kosuke Aoki, Hiroyuki Kawasoe, Kengo Hidaka
  • Patent number: 12233848
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to start the engine with the electric machine, command a target pressure to the disconnect clutch that depends on a seal friction derived from a measured line pressure of the disconnect clutch and a rate change of the measured line pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Yuji Fujii, Akshay Bichkar, Yang Xu
  • Patent number: 12228149
    Abstract: A flush-mounted, in-ceiling exhaust fan grille for attachment to an exhaust fan housing includes a planar integration flange forming a perimeter of the grille. The integration flange includes a plurality of through holes along the perimeter. An insert may be configured for insertion within the perimeter of the integration flange. A light module may be configured to join within a central portion of the insert while maintaining an opening between an entirety of the light module and the insert. At least one spring may be attached to the insert on a first end and attached to the fan housing on a second end, wherein the at least one spring applies a force drawing the insert towards the fan housing. An exhaust fan may be provided to draw air into the fan housing through the opening between the light module and the insert to be exhausted for proper ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Jared Peterson, Ryan A. Revers, Richard R. Sinur
  • Patent number: 12228050
    Abstract: A steam turbine according to the present invention comprises: a shaft which rotates about the rotation axis thereof; a plurality of moving blades which extend in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and which are arranged along the circumferential direction; a casing main body which covers the shaft and the moving blades from the outer peripheral side; a plurality of stationary blades which are arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the casing main body; and a substance supply unit which supplies, to the surfaces of the moving blades and/or the surfaces of the stationary blades, a film forming substance that is hydrophobic, wherein the substance supply unit has a storage unit, a supply passage which is formed inside the casing and through which the film forming substance flows, and discharge units which are formed inside the moving blades and/or the stationary blades and which guide the film forming substance to the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeki Senoo, Soichiro Tabata, Tetsuya Sawatsubashi, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Kunio Asai, Ryuichi Matsubara, Kiyoshi Tatsuhara
  • Patent number: 12228067
    Abstract: A control system that uses an algorithm to control the fan speed in a cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The algorithm is adapted to maintain a cooling medium at a set temperature instead of an operating temperature range of the cooling medium. The algorithm is also adapted to maintain a cooling medium at a set temperature and to build a cooling safety margin in response to an engine output torque percentage that is below an output torque percentage setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wenling Babbitt
  • Patent number: 12221938
    Abstract: An engine device including a cylinder block for supporting a crankshaft so that the crankshaft is rotatable. Opposite side portions of the cylinder block along a crankshaft axial direction have, on one of their ends relative to the crankshaft axial direction, projecting portions protruding in a direction away from the crankshaft, and reinforcing ribs provided between side walls and the projecting portions of the opposite side portions so that the reinforcing ribs are widened at their sides close to the corresponding projecting portions, the projecting portions and the reinforcing ribs being integrally formed with the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Kozato, Hiroaki Naganawa
  • Patent number: 12221939
    Abstract: A device for rotatable mounting of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a first bearing body with a receiver for rotatable mounting of the camshaft. The device has a cylinder head or a fixing frame for fixing the first bearing body. The device has a first fixing means which fixes the first bearing body to the cylinder head or fixing frame. The first fixing means is the sole fixing means which fixes the first bearing body to the cylinder head or fixing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: MAN Truck &Bus AG
    Inventor: Peter Bogdanski
  • Patent number: 12221093
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a safety device comprising a supporting member having a first end provided with a joint part which is pivotally mounted on a side wall of the vehicle, and a second end configured to bear on the ground. The vehicle further comprises an actuator connected to the supporting member and configured to move it relative to the vehicle between an inactive position in which the supporting member is located along the vehicle side wall, with the second end at a distance from the ground, and a safety position in which the supporting member extends between the vehicle side wall and the ground, to limit vehicle roll by means of the second end bearing on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Ramachandran Sandrasekaran, Nachiappan Manickam
  • Patent number: 12215644
    Abstract: An engine controller inhibits a fuel cut when it is predicted that a lockup clutch is released after elapse of a predetermined period of time, at the time of the starting of the fuel cut. Specifically, engine controller is configured to predict (calculate) the vehicle speed after a predetermined period of time, and inhibit the fuel cut when the predicted (calculated) vehicle speed after the predetermined period of time is equal to or less than a lockup release speed. With this, it is possible to avoid a situation in which an internal combustion engine restarts fuel supply immediately after the fuel supply has been cut. Consequently, in the vehicle, the occurrence of the torque fluctuation of internal combustion engine resulting from fuel cut recovery can be suppressed, a change in acceleration in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is suppressed, and a deterioration in driving performance can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Omori, Kazuki Hirasako
  • Patent number: 12209529
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a detector that detects an external temperature of a vehicle, a vehicle speed, and a coolant temperature of an engine, an input device that receives a signal for ON or OFF operations of a heating control, and a controller configured for determining a heating load depending on the heating control when the external temperature is less than a predetermined temperature and the signal for the ON operation of the heating control is input, and controls an operation of an integrated thermal management valve, a deactivation operation of cylinders included in the engine, and an operation of an active air flap, according to at least one of the heating load and the coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Hyuck Kim, Jeong Hyeon Kim, Hee Jung Yoon, Se Jun Park
  • Patent number: 12207643
    Abstract: A system includes a server that stores pest data for each region, and a vehicle control device that receives pest data related to a current location of the vehicle from the server, and controls at least one of a sound output device or a lighting device according to driving or stopping based on the pest data received from the server. The system may actively prevent pests from approaching the vehicle according to the location and driving conditions of the vehicle to improve driver satisfaction and prevent the vehicle from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seong Un Kim
  • Patent number: 12203412
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a shaft having an inner diameter surface. A plug is mounted in the shaft. An oil nozzle is positioned to direct a flow of oil to an interior of the shaft. The plug has: a first section; a second section having an outer diameter periphery; and an axial gap between the first section and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Russell B. Witlicki, Todd A. Davis, Ryan William Lureau, Shadd Andrew Bradshaw, Christopher M. Valva
  • Patent number: 12203430
    Abstract: An engine is equipped with an engine body, a turbocharger, an exhaust gas purifier, an exhaust communication pipe. The turbocharger is connected to the engine body. The exhaust gas purifier purifies exhaust gas discharged from the turbocharger. The exhaust communication pipe connects the turbocharger with the exhaust gas purifier. The exhaust communication pipe includes: a first connection member that is connected to the turbocharger, and a second connection member that connects the first connection member with the exhaust gas purifier. A downstream end portion of the first connection member has an inner peripheral face having a cross-section of a circular shape. An upstream end portion of the first connection member has an inner peripheral face having a cross-section of an abnormal-shape that is different from the inner peripheral face of the downstream end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kasazaki