Patents Examined by Todd Melton
  • Patent number: 11691611
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of electrically powering an electromechanical braking actuator (1) fitted to an aircraft wheel brake, in which the power supply current (I) delivered to the electromechanical braking actuator is saturated to a saturation value (Isat) in order to limit the current consumed by the electromechanical braking actuator and thereby limit the forces developed by the actuator. The method includes the step of determining the saturation value (Isat) as a function of an internal temperature (T) of the electromechanical braking actuator while it is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Olivier Frey, Frédéric Pithoud, Serge Barthelemy
  • Patent number: 11685263
    Abstract: A system for managing motor torque in a vehicle determines a stall metric corresponding to motor speed and determines a torque limit based on the stall metric. The system determines a desired torque value, and determines whether to generate a modification to one or more baseline torque commands based on the desired torque value and the torque limit. If the baseline torque command is not to be modified, the system generates the one or more baseline torque commands corresponding to one or more motors. If the baseline torque is to be modified, the system generates one or more modified torque commands corresponding to the one or more motors based on the modification and on the one or more baseline torque commands. The modified torque command may include a minimum value that is less than the torque limit and a maximum value that corresponds to a wheel slip torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lucas Keller
  • Patent number: 11680810
    Abstract: A maximum required electric energy for operating a vehicle along a final section of the route under electric power alone when using a specified number of electrically operated devices is estimated. A maximum total electric energy required to operate the vehicle along the route is estimated. An alternate route is determined based on determining the detected stored electric energy is less than the estimated maximum total electric energy required to operate the vehicle along the route. The alternate route is determined based on an estimated maximum total electric energy required to operate the vehicle along the alternate route being greater than or equal to the detected stored electric energy. One of a) the determined alternate route, or b) based on determining no alternate route exists, a notification is output via a human/machine interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Gerlitz, Timothy C. Bettger
  • Patent number: 11680812
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage media relating to a vehicle navigator system are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, vehicle operation data relating to one or more characteristics of operation of a motor vehicle may be received. An operation style by which an operator may operate the motor vehicle may be determined from the vehicle operation data. A vehicle location and a destination location may be received. A route may be determined from the vehicle location to the destination location according to the operation style by which an operator operates the motor vehicle. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jayashree R. Padmanaban
  • Patent number: 11678599
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control ground speed comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A pitch sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A roll sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle, or applied to control or execute a ground speed setting of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Birkland, Tyler D. Schleicher
  • Patent number: 11679834
    Abstract: A drive assistance device (24) for a saddle type vehicle (1) includes a ride sensor (37) configured to detect a ride attitude of a rider, a vehicle body behavior generating part (25) configured to generate a behavior on a vehicle body by a prescribed output, and a controller (27) configured to control driving of the vehicle body behavior generating part (25), and wherein, when the vehicle body behavior generating part (25) is actuated regardless of the operation of the rider, the controller (27) firstly controls the vehicle body behavior generating part (25) such that a low output that is lower than a predetermined original target output is generated as a predictive action, and sets an output value after that according to a change of detection information of the ride sensor (37) generated by the low output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsubasa Nose, Tsutomu Tamashima, Kiyotaka Sakai, Hiroaki Uchisasai, Yuta Kanbe
  • Patent number: 11673546
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. Data is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to a data cloud. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera to detect objects present within the field of view of the camera. Data is wirelessly received at the vehicle from the data cloud concerning a potential hazard existing exterior of the vehicle that has not yet been detected via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to the vehicular control system detecting the potential hazard via the image processor processing image data captured by the camera, the vehicular control system controls at least one vehicle function of the vehicle to mitigate collision with the potential hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Achim Gieseke, Bernhard Thaler, Goerg Pflug
  • Patent number: 11667292
    Abstract: Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a method for navigating a user vehicle may include acquiring, using at least one image capture device, a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the user vehicle; determining from the plurality of images a first lane constraint on a first side of the user vehicle and a second lane constraint on a second side of the user vehicle opposite to the first side of the user vehicle; enabling the user vehicle to pass a target vehicle if the target vehicle is determined to be in a lane different from the lane in which the user vehicle is traveling; and causing the user vehicle to abort the pass before completion of the pass, if the target vehicle is determined to be entering the lane in which the user vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Anna Clarke, Eyal Bagon, Gali Nir
  • Patent number: 11670117
    Abstract: An OTA manager, when an activation switch of a vehicle is OFF, transmits a unique identifier of each electronic control unit acquired before the activation switch was switched from ON to OFF to an OTA server via a communication line and receives update data from the OTA server via the communication line, and after the activation switch was switched from OFF to ON, the OTA manager makes a comparison between the identifiers transmitted to the OTA server before the activation switch was switched from OFF to ON and the identifiers acquired after the activation switch was switched from OFF to ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Shionoya, Tomoaki Taki
  • Patent number: 11668068
    Abstract: A bucket for an underground loading machine includes an opened bucket front and a concaved bucket back. To provide abrasive wear resistance, the bucket includes a paddle plate joined to the bucket underside of the bucket floor. The paddle plate can have a trumpet-shape tapering from flared forward edge to a plate tail disposed toward the concaved bucket back. The bucket may be configured as a wedge bottomed bucket and include a plurality of spacer wedges disposed between and spacing apart the bucket underside and the paddle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Riley A. Albers
  • Patent number: 11667254
    Abstract: A method for enabling a user to temporarily customize an operating characteristic of a first vehicle feature. The method includes temporarily customizing an operating characteristic of a first vehicle feature by means of the vehicle electronic control unit based on acquired personal information. The temporary customized operating characteristic of the first vehicle feature does not remain customized more than a single driving cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Sergejs Dombrovskis
  • Patent number: 11663856
    Abstract: An indicator is provided in a vehicle for indicating necessity of change of a fuel vapor absorber in a venting line of a vehicle tank, especially a methanol tank for fuel cell vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BLUE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING APS
    Inventors: Mads Bang, Anders Risum Korsgaard, Mads Friis Jensen
  • Patent number: 11663917
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of sensors disposed at a vehicle, and a control having a data processor. Data captured by the sensors is processed at the control to determine presence of other vehicles and to determine respective speeds and directions of travel of the determined vehicles. The system determines a respective influence value for each of the determined vehicles based on a respective determined potential hazard. The system determines a plurality of potential paths of travel for the equipped vehicle to follow based on the determined respective influence values for the determined vehicles. The system selects, from the determined plurality of potential paths of travel, a path of travel for the equipped vehicle to follow that limits conflict with the determined vehicles. The system at least in part controls steering of the equipped vehicle to guide the equipped vehicle along the selected path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Goerg Pflug
  • Patent number: 11654912
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for boat launching and loading detection and management are disclosed herein. A method may include receiving, by a first device, data associated with operation of a vehicle. The method may include determining, based on the data, that the operation of the vehicle includes at least one of launching a boat into water using the vehicle or loading the boat onto the vehicle. The method may include generating map data indicative of a location associated with the operation of the vehicle. The method may include sending the map data to a second device for presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Taylor Hawley, Jeremy Lerner, Scott Huggins
  • Patent number: 11654790
    Abstract: A motor controller is described that is coupled to a drive motor and a battery pack of a vehicle. The motor controller is configured to determine a maximum discharge current of the battery pack and a rotational velocity of the drive motor. Based on the determined rotational velocity of the drive motor, the motor controller is configured to identify a curve that defines a relationship between the maximum discharge current of the battery pack and a drive current limit of the motor controller. Based on the identified curve and the determined maximum discharge current of the battery pack, the motor controller is configured to determine the drive current limit of the motor controller. The motor controller is further configured to convert a discharge current from the battery pack to a drive current subject to the determined drive current limit and supply the drive current to the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Tomcar Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Moshe Miller, Jonathan Drori
  • Patent number: 11654928
    Abstract: A vehicle operational diagnostics and condition response system includes at least an axle supporting a vehicle frame, a suspension disposed between and secured to each the vehicle frame and the axle, a load detection device interacting with the suspension and communicating with a system controller, wherein the system controller is supported by the vehicle frame, and a vehicle pairing circuit, the vehicle pairing circuit interacting with the system controller. The vehicle pairing circuit activated by the system controller in response to load detection data received by the system controller from the load detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Airgo IP, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Jankowski
  • Patent number: 11648848
    Abstract: A system for managing residual energy for an electric aircraft, wherein the system includes a battery pack incorporated in the electric aircraft, wherein the battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules and at least a pack monitor unit configured to generate a battery pack datum. The system further includes a charging component connected to the battery pack and a sensor connected to the charging component and configured to detect at least an electrical parameter of the charging component and the electric aircraft and generate a residual datum as a function of the at least an electrical parameter and the battery pack datum. The system further includes a computing device configured to receive the residual datum from the sensor, identify a residual element, generate an alert datum as a function of the residual element, and execute a security measure as a function of the alert datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11643057
    Abstract: Driving support ECU transmits a communication connection request to a help net center HNC when a driver of a vehicle has been determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, and when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has been established, the driving support ECU transmits the help signal (the positional information of the vehicle) and decelerates the vehicle at a constant deceleration to make the vehicle stop. On the other hand, when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has not been established, the driving support ECU makes the vehicle travel at a constant speed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the vehicle stop under a situation where the help net center HNC recognizes the vehicle position inside which the driver who has been determined to be in the abnormal state is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 11644831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle by switching between an autonomous control system within the vehicle and a remote operator are described herein. For the handover between the autonomous control system and the remote operator, the system can process current maneuvering parameters of the vehicle to at least select a teleoperation control type. The system can also generate a concurrent feature profile including a set of automated features that are configured to be implemented during teleoperation of the vehicle. The system can implement the handover of vehicle control according to the teleoperation control type while the vehicle autonomously or semi-autonomously operates according to the concurrent feature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Udelv, Inc.
    Inventors: Akshat Patel, Hugo Boyer, Vineet Singh
  • Patent number: 11639160
    Abstract: An emergency park brake system of an aircraft may include an electrical power interface, an electromechanical actuator, and a hydraulic brake valve. The electrical power interface may be configured to receive electrical power from a power source. The electromechanical actuator may be in selective power receiving communication with the electrical power interface and the electromechanical actuator may be mechanically coupled to and configured to selectively actuate the hydraulic brake valve. The electrical connection between the electromechanical actuator and the electrical power interface may be based on an emergency braking input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Georgin