Patents Examined by Thomas Black
  • Patent number: 8620504
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: setting a target boost voltage to a maximum value when a request for changing a sub power supply is made; temporarily increasing discharge electric power of a main power supply and then restricting discharge electric power of the sub power supply before switching; shutting off a gate of a converter on the sub power supply side; performing processing for shutting off an SMR corresponding to the sub power supply before switching; connecting an SMR corresponding to a sub power supply after switching when an absolute value of a current is equal to or lower than a predetermined value; canceling shut-off of the gate of the converter on the sub power supply side; canceling temporary increase in discharge electric power of the main power supply and restriction of discharge electric power of the sub power supply; and canceling the setting of the maximum value as the target boost voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Komata, Noritake Mitsutani
  • Patent number: 8620534
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mobile working machine with a control device, comprising a working arm, and methods for controlling the operating point of a working arm of a mobile working machine. According to the disclosure, the mobile working machine with the control device, comprising a working arm, has a working arm, a first end of which is hinged to a superstructure of the working machine. A tool is movably arranged on a second end of the working arm at an operating point. At least one first inclination sensor lies on the superstructure and at least one second inclination sensor lies on the working arm. In addition, at least one hydraulic cylinder is provided for changing the position of the operating point, said cylinder being hinged between the superstructure and the working arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Soenke Jessen, Steffen Klein
  • Patent number: 8620548
    Abstract: Secure failure diagnosis of a brake switch is enabled with a simple configuration. Inconsistency detection is performed for output signals from two brake switches 6a and 6b provided such that an operation condition of a brake pedal 1 may be detected (S102), and when inconsistency is detected, after a certain time has passed from the relevant detection point, inconsistency detection is newly performed for output signals from the two brake switches 6a and 6b (S108), and when inconsistency is detected again, a determination counter performs count of a predetermined incremental value, those operation being periodically repeated (S110), and when a count value reaches a predetermined value ? after the determination counter performs the count, the two brake switches 6a and 6b are determined to be failed (S114 and S118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shibasaki, Tetsuya Shinguchi, Takayuki Wakai, Masaaki Maeno
  • Patent number: 8620515
    Abstract: An intelligent fleet management system and a related method of operation provide a higher level of legal compliance and public road safety by requiring a commercial driver an electronic form of a driver's identification in a commercial vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic form of the driver's identification is validated and additionally authenticated by a driver-specific PIN entry to a vehicle fleet management system interface device installed in a commercial vehicle. The vehicle fleet management system interface device can also communicate with a monitoring station via a data network for dynamically-generated alerts and periodic reports associated with vehicle speeds, driving pattern analysis utilizing various sensors, unexpected stops, and continuous driving which exceed a mandatory rest requirement. The monitoring station is able to disable the commercial vehicle remotely or take other actions based on an alert generated from the vehicle fleet management system interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hana Micron America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Bok Kwak
  • Patent number: 8620507
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is driven by a power unit which includes: a first rotating machine including a first rotor, a first stator, and a second rotor, wherein the number of magnetic poles generated by an armature row of the first stator and one of the first rotor and the second rotor are connected to a drive shaft; a power engine, wherein an output shaft of the power engine is connected to the other of the first rotor and the second rotor; a second rotating machine; and a capacitor. A traveling mode of the hybrid vehicle includes an EV traveling mode and an ENG traveling mode, wherein the hybrid vehicle travels with a motive power from at least one of the first rotating machine and the second rotating machine in the EV traveling mode, and the hybrid vehicle travels with a motive power from the power engine in ENG traveling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Akutsu, Noriyuki Abe, Kota Kasaoka, Masashi Bando, Satoyoshi Oya
  • Patent number: 8620528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing a risk of or avoiding a roll-over event of a vehicle, having means of an electronic controllable steering system and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit identifies the occurrence of the roll-over risk, such that control means generate a signal in order to steer the road wheels more into the direction in which the vehicle is tending to roll-over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Markus Lemmen, Dirk-Uwe Eidam, Edwin Vliem, Torsten Wey, Bengt Johan Henrik Jacobson, Johan Hultén
  • Patent number: 8620556
    Abstract: A correction method in which characteristic curves and/or correction values are produced, by way of which the drive current for one or more electrically activated hydraulic values operated in an analog fashion is measured during a pressure regulation in such a way that, during the operation of an anti-lock regulation, one or a respective characteristic curve is first prescribed and then the prescribed characteristic curve is corrected, particularly in a learning process, wherein, after a pressure build-up phase, the current pressure model value (Pmod) is compared to and/or analyzed using a model locking pressure level (Pmax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jochen Müller, Jochen Zimmermann, Robert Schmidt, Dieter Burkhard
  • Patent number: 8620525
    Abstract: A system for performing posture control of a motorcycle is such that in outputting a synthesized output by adjusting a yaw direction output and a roll direction output outputted from a displacement detection sensor by an adjustment part respectively, a synthesized output in which the yaw direction output is larger than the roll direction output is outputted when a vehicle speed is low, and a synthesized output in which the roll direction output is larger than the yaw direction output is outputted when the vehicle speed is high. Accordingly, in either a case where the vehicle is traveling at a low speed or a case where the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the displacement and the behavior of a motorcycle 10 can be detected with high accuracy thus eventually realizing a control of the posture of the motorcycle 10 with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Araki, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Tsuda, Tsubasa Nose
  • Patent number: 8620508
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is driven by a power unit which includes: a first rotating machine including a first rotor, a first stator, and a second rotor, wherein the number of magnetic poles generated by an armature row of the first stator and one of the first rotor and the second rotor are connected to a drive shaft; a power engine, wherein an output shaft of the power engine is connected to the other of the first rotor and the second rotor; a second rotating machine; a capacitor; and a transformer that steps up an output voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Akutsu, Noriyuki Abe, Kota Kasaoka, Masashi Bando, Satoyoshi Oya
  • Patent number: 8612098
    Abstract: A drive arrangement (1) for driving a motor (9) in a seat belt pre-tensioner incorporates a power supply circuit (6) in the form of an H bridge and a voltage boost circuit 16 which are controlled by a control unit (17). The control unit (17) controls the voltage boost circuit (16) to increase the voltage output to the motor (9) to speed up the rotation of the motor (9) whilst the motor (9) winds in slack in a seat belt (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Antoine Fouilleul, Roger Darraba
  • Patent number: 8612144
    Abstract: In order to provide a method for operating a navigation device, which also receives TMC data using two tuners for ascertaining an optimum travel route, using which an optimal travel route is ascertainable using the largest amount of TMC data possible, after a first search by the second tuner, the TMC data found are compared with those of the first tuner and to use the second tuner for searching for another transmitter having other TMC data. Furthermore, a navigation device of an appropriate design is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Cornelius, Heinz-Werner Pfeiffer, Ralf Duckeck, Kishore Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8612126
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving, from a data source, at least one type of information for a plurality of aircraft, calculating efficiency data based on the received information, distributing the efficiency data to users of the system and storing the calculated efficiency data, the efficiency data including an average separation between arriving aircraft, an arrival rate an airport, an elapsed time from a point of interest to an arrival of the aircraft at an airport, a comparison of an actual base leg initiation to an optimal base leg initiation for an aircraft and a comparison of an estimated time for passing fixed points on an arrival path and the actual time for passing the fixed points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: PASSUR Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: James Barry, James Cole, Thomas O'Halloran
  • Patent number: 8612091
    Abstract: An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8612094
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system, the method including, receiving a first signal, determining a velocity from the first signal, determining a scale factor from a function of the velocity, multiplying the scale factor with a damping factor, and outputting a scaled damping factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Michael K. Hales
  • Patent number: 8612137
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for tracking the parking behavior of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a circuit located within the vehicle, the circuit comprising a processor, movement detection means, location identification means, a memory, a transceiver, and a timer operably coupled together; wherein for each occurrence in which the movement detection means detects that the vehicle has entered into the parked state, the circuit is configured to: (1) measure at duration that the vehicle remains in the parked state; (2) identify the geographic location of the vehicle; (3) detect whether the vehicle transitions into the non-parked state from the parked state; (4) upon the duration exceeding a predetermined minimum time threshold, storing parking information data relating to the occurrence in the memory as a parking instance; and (5) upon the duration failing to exceed the predetermined minimum time threshold, discarding the parking information data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan Harris, Meir Schwartz, Meir Hayman
  • Patent number: 8612076
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for enabling antilock braking in a vehicle which is propelled at least by an electric motor. The method includes detecting tendency of locking of the at least one wheel by comparing actual rate of change of speed of the at least one of the motor, wheels, transmission, shaft and ground speed with expected rate of change of speed of at least one wheel, wherein the vehicle is being decelerated. Based on the tendency of locking at least regenerative braking is modulated to prevent locking of at least one wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chetan Kumar Maini, Prakash Ramaraju, Suresh Veerabetappa Munirangiah, Basab Paul, Sajith Abdul Hameed
  • Patent number: 8612096
    Abstract: A steering system (100) includes: a variable transmission ratio mechanism (19); a limiting mechanism (20) and control means (30). The variable transmission ratio mechanism (19) varies a transmission ratio between a steering angle and a steered angle. The limiting mechanism (20) suppresses a variation in the transmission ratio of the variable transmission ratio mechanism (19). The control means (30) controls the variable transmission ratio mechanism (19). For example, the variable transmission ratio mechanism (19) uses a motor (40) to vary the transmission ratio, and the control means (30) controls a magnitude of current supplied to the motor to control the variable transmission ratio mechanism (19). The control means decreases a rate of contribution of I operation in feedback control over the variable transmission ratio mechanism (19) when the limiting mechanism (20) is operated as compared with a rate of contribution of I operation when the limiting mechanism (20) is not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimiaki Ono
  • Patent number: 8612072
    Abstract: The system herein disclosed automatically detects whether an engine control unit instance number of a multi-engine marine vessel needs changing. Each engine control unit is electronically paired with a respective servo controller. A vessel controller is in communication with the servo controllers. The vessel controller commands in turn each servo controller to switch on its paired engine control unit, read the instance number of its paired engine control unit, switch off its paired engine control unit, and convey the instance number back to the vessel controller. The vessel controller then compares the instance numbers of the engine control units. If at least two instance numbers of the engine control units are duplicates of each other, the vessel controller ascertains that at least one of the instance numbers of the engine control units needs to be changed and assigns a new instance number to one of the engine control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Garon, Neil Garfield Allyn, James Steven Monczynski, Thomas Samuel Martin
  • Patent number: 8612099
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a harness coupled to the occupant by surrounding a portion of the occupant, a winding mechanism fixed to the vehicle and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, and a flexible linking member having a first end coupled to the harness and a second end coupled to the winding mechanism. The linking member is configured to selectively wind and unwind from the winding mechanism. When the winding mechanism is in the first mode of operation, the linking member may be unwound from the winding mechanism to allow the occupant to move freely about the vehicle. When the winding mechanism is in the second mode of operation, the winding mechanism winds the linking member to pull the harness toward the winding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Nicklaus John Pelliccia
  • Patent number: 8606441
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: setting a creep torque reflection ratio; if brake is applied and the vehicle is currently stopped, updating the creep torque reflection ratio to 0; if brake is not applied and despite that the brake fluid's pressure is larger than a hydraulic pressure value, determining that brake hold control is currently exerted, and reducing the creep torque reflection ratio, as based on a map having the brake fluid's pressure as a parameter, to update the creep torque reflection ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoshiro Ueoka