Patents Examined by Tyrone Queen
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Patent number: 5119303Abstract: Brake-force control system (ABS) for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, with separate control of the front wheel brakes and with joint or separate rear wheel brakes which can be switched over to "select high" control or individual control and/or with a limited-slip differential at the rear axle, the switchover of the rear wheel brakes and/or of the limited-slip differential being effected at different coefficients of friction (.mu.-split) with a specifiable rate of rise dependent on the travelling speed, and in which, in order to increase directional stability during a braking procedure, a switching device is provided which blocks a switchover of the rear wheel brakes and/or of the limited-slip differential until the travelling speed from the time of the detection of different coefficients of friction has decreased to a specified value, the rate of rise of the switchover being dependent at least one the duration of the reduction of the vehicle speed to the specified value.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1989Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Daimler-Benz AGInventors: Helmut Struck, Gerhard Fischle, Bernhard Lehmann
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Patent number: 5068653Abstract: A capacitance length and/or angle measuring device has a transducer comprising a stationary part (1) forming a scale and a part (2) displaceable parallel over the surface of the scale, at a short distance therefrom and acting as a sensing unit. The opposite surfaces of the scale and sensing unit are provided with capacitor coatings (5,6,7,8,9). The mechanical quantity to be measured causes an area vibration of a capacitor, the capacitance variation resulting therefrom acting as a variable capacitive reactance in a circuit, which changes the phase position of the electrical signals. With an appropriate configuration of the capacitor surfaces one obtains a linear function between the mechanical quantity to be measured and the phase portion of the signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1984Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Assignee: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf GmbHInventors: Otto Klingler, Siegfried Gruhler, Helmut Rivinius
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Patent number: 5051910Abstract: In a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft, there is included a speed generator that outputs a speed command for the aircraft in accordance with a preselected mode. The FMS further includes an apparatus performing a method for adjusting the speed to achieve a desired arrival time. The apparatus comprises a unit for generating a speed adjustment coefficient (KSA), a unit for calculating wind forecast error, and a unit for adjusting the command speed outputted from the speed generator. The adjusting unit utilizes the KSA, actual wind speed at the current aircraft position, and wind forecast error at the aircraft position. The speed adjustment compensates for the error in the wind forecast, in order to achieve the desired arrival-time.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventor: Sam P. Liden
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Patent number: 5050081Abstract: The invention is a method and system for monitoring and directly displaying the actual thrust produced by a jet aircraft engine under determined operating conditions and the available thrust and predicted (commanded) thrust of a functional model of an ideal engine under the same determined operating conditions. A first set of actual value output signals representative of a plurality of actual performance parameters of the engine under the determined operating conditions is generated and compared with a second set of predicted value output signals representative of the predicted value of corresponding performance parameters of a functional model of the engine under the determined operating conditions to produce a third set of difference value output signals within a range of normal, caution, or warning limit values.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1988Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Terence S. Abbott, Lee H. Person, Jr.
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Patent number: 5043897Abstract: An antilock control device includes a brake operation detecting unit, a wheel speed detecting unit, a control unit which detects a request for antilock control on the basis of a brake operation signal from the brake operation detecting unit and wheel speed signals from the wheel speed detecting unit and outputs a brake pressure control signal, and a brake pressure control circuit operative in response to said brake pressure control signal. The control unit has a judging function for detecting a request for starting antilock control while the vehicle speed is between a relatively low first predetermined speed and a higher second predetermined speed and the brake operation signal is OFF and a function of deciding whether to permit or prohibit the execution of antilock control. More specifically, if no request for starting antilock is detected, permission to execute antilock control is given while the vehicle speed is higher than the first predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1990Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Masato Yoshino
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Patent number: 5029090Abstract: A method for controlling propulsion in motor vehicles is described which detects when the vehicle approaches the limiting value for lateral acceleration independently of the condition of the load, the tires, the roadway and so forth in that a measurement value for the lateral acceleration, the yaw velocity or the difference of the front wheel speeds of rotation is compared with a mathematical value determined by the use of a mathematical formula, in which method this mathematical value is phase-delayed in a filter and corrected in a first correction unit and the mathematical formula used is corrected in a second correction unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1989Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: Daimler-Benz AGInventors: Wolfgang Kuhn, Karl-Eugen Laubacher, Siegfried Neundorf, Hans-Jurgen Strohm
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Patent number: 5027275Abstract: A toe angle adjusting method is a method wherein the toe angle of the rear wheels is adjusted for only one of the rear wheels, and the toe angle adjustment for the front wheels is performed subsequent to adjustment for the rear wheels. The toe angle adjustment for the front wheels is based on a composite angle of the rear wheels, or a forward direction, decided by a relative relationship between the rear wheels. The toe angle adjustment for the front wheels includes adjustment of a toe angle for the front wheels and a horizontal adjustment of the steering wheel to a horizontal position or neutral state. The toe angle of the front wheels is adjusted in a state when the front wheels are turned, and the horizontal adjustment for the steering wheel is performed by adjusting a tire angle of the front wheels. The toe angle adjustment for the front wheels is implemented on the basis of a forward advancing direction of the vehicle. This direction is determined on the basis of the relationship between the rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Shunji Sakamoto, Tuyoshi Watanabe, Hironobu Koda
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Patent number: 5023797Abstract: The reference speed for a helicopter engine is incremented or decremented (237, 239) in dependence upon whether a specific range (miles per unit of fuel) has increased or decreased (236a) in a current period of time compared to the next preceding period of time, separated therefrom by at least 20 seconds (243, 244) to thereby set engine speed for minimizing use of fuel over distance traveled. Fuel is sampled only during steady flight (250-255).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1990Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Nicholas D. Lappos, David M. Walsh, David H. Sweet, Charles E. Greenberg
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Patent number: 5021960Abstract: A combustion fault detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, in which a cylinder signal is generated when the piston in each cylinder of the engine is located at a predetermined position, a time interval between cylinder signal is determined, and time intervals for respective cylinders are compared and computed thereby to detect when a combustion fault, if any, has occurred in a specific cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1989Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Manaka, Masami Shida
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Patent number: 5021956Abstract: A control system for a vehicle engine coupled with an automatic transmission, which comprises a controller operative to control a controllable subject, such as ignition timing, in the vehicle engine, in accordance with a controlled variable determined for the controllable subject, for varying an engine output of the vehicle engine in response to an operating condition of the vehicle engine and further for reducing the engine output so as to suppress torque shock resulting from a speed change operation carried out in the automatic transmission, a controlled variable setting device for determining the controlled variable in accordance with the operating condition of the vehicle engine and an operating condition of the automatic transmission, and a controlled variable revising device for varying the controlled variable so as to restrict variation in the controllable subject when the speed change operation is carried out in the automatic transmission under a condition in which the controllable subject is controllType: GrantFiled: April 18, 1989Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Kazuo Takemoto, Toshihiro Yamada
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Patent number: 5021957Abstract: A brake apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. The brake apparatus includes a diagonal braking pressure supply system provided between a master cylinder and wheel braking cylinders for applying braking forces to the front and rear wheels. A proportioning valve is provided in the braking pressure supply system for controlling the braking pressure to be applied to the rear-wheel braking cylinder in accordance with a control signal so as to vary the ratio of the braking pressure to the rear-wheel braking cylinder with respect to the braking pressure to be applied to the front-wheel braking cylinder. Also included is an electronic control unit which produces the control signal to the proportioning valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1989Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhisa Yoshino, Yoshifumi Kato, Yukimasa Tamatsu, Kenji Takeda
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Patent number: 5018070Abstract: A vehicle control system has a controller comprising a first section for producing a control signal to control the rear wheel steer angle so that the rear wheel steer angle remains equal to a linear combination of a proportional term obtained by multiplying the front wheel steer angle by a proportional coefficient, and a negative derivative term obtained by multiplying the time rate of change of the front wheel steer angle by a derivative coefficient, and a second section which increases the rear wheel steering amount in the direction opposite to the front wheel steering direction by increasing the absolute value of the derivative coefficient with increase in the lateral acceleration of the vehicle or the front wheel steer angle, in order to improve the yawing characteristic of the vehicle in the high lateral acceleration range.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1989Date of Patent: May 21, 1991Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takaaki Eguchi
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Patent number: 5016005Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microprocessor based telemetry apparatus and method utilizing a commercially available IBM PC-AT or compatible CPU. Three hardware cards fit in existing slots within the computer chassis. Software is provided to accomplish, in combination with the cards, what has essentially required a main frame computer heretofore. The microcomputer is equipped with novel hardware and software to provide PCM bit synchronizer/decoder, decommutator, time code reader and digital-to-analog converter functions. Data is stored in real time using interleaved buffers, novel software and a hard disk. Data can be archived on digital tape. Data logging can be carried out at sustained rates approaching 2 million bits per second, up to six times faster than with MS-DOS yet files are accessible with MS-DOS. Real-time data scaling and display of up to 128 separate parameters are accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Terametrix Systems International, Inc.Inventors: Harold L. Shaw, Randall B. Smith, Larry E. Cunningham, Barry E. Rishel, John P. Gioannini, Warren B. Harkey
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Patent number: 5014202Abstract: The application of brake pressure to limit the spin of a driven wheel in a traction control system is made adaptive to the torque demand on the engine. This is accomplished by increasing the brake pressure when an excessive spin condition is sensed at a rate that is proportional to a parameter related to engine torque. The ramp is then terminated when the wheel parameters attain certain predetermined conditions. The brake pressure ramp is terminated when the wheel jerk is negative while at the same time the wheel deceleration is below a predetermined value. After the ramp is terminated, the brake pressure of the spinning wheel is controlled based on wheel parameters such as wheel spin ratio or the difference between the speed of the spinning wheel and vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1989Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: David A. Thatcher
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Patent number: 5012416Abstract: A microprocessor controlling a shuttle shift transmission may be programmed while the gearshift lever is in neutral to preselect a forward and reverse gear into which the transmission is shifted when the gearshift lever is moved to a forward or reverse position. The microprocessor may also be programmed so that, in shifting between forward and reverse, the forward and reverse gears selected differ by a preprogrammed amount. The microprocessor may be programmed to control vehicle deceleration by selecting gears in the transmission so that the transmission and/or the vehicle engine become a load for decelerating the vehicle. In a diagnostic mode, the microprocessor executes a routine to develop a clutch calibration value which may later be used to insure uniformity of clutch operation in different vehicles, or in the same vehicle over a period of time. The normal speed ratio matching which normally takes place when shifting gears may be manually overridden by operator manipulation of the gearshift lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignees: Ford New Holland, Inc., Deere & CompanyInventors: Garth H. Bulgrien, Jim E. Goodbar, Paul W. Johnson
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Patent number: 5012422Abstract: The disclosure concerns the control of fuel injection for automatic control of engines simulating the accuracy of fuel injection control that would be obtained with flow sensors and pressure sensors, without actually employing such sensors. This is true because the theoretical model used for estimating the flow is matched with actual system performance. Maching is obtained by estimating a level of the atmospheric pressure, a flow of air passing through a throttle valve and a flow of air flowing into the cylinder, and controlling the fuel injection based upon the flow of air flowing into the cylinder. The result is a highly accurate estimation of the valves.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinsuke Takahashi, Teruji Sekozawa, Motohisa Funabashi
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Patent number: 5012423Abstract: A device and method of back-up fly by wire control, especially useful in fly by wire systems when a failure mode is encountered. The problem of back-up system controllability with the type of compliant sidestick which has minimal displacement and returns to zero upon release of the control force is solved by reducing the authority of the sidestick to a fraction of full authority actuator position capability, to provide good control sensitivity. Full authority actuator position control is provided by automatically activating a trim integrator when the sidestick reaches its displacement stops.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: McDonnell Douglas CorporationInventor: Stephen S. Osder
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Patent number: 5008665Abstract: A measuring device having a transmitter includes a measuring device section, a data processing unit, a transmitter, and a casing. The measuring device section converts measuring data into a digital value and outputs it. The data processing unit arranges the measurement data obtained in the measuring device section in a transmission data string having a predetermined format and outputs it. The transmitter transmits the transmission data, which is output from the data processing unit, by radio transmission. The transmitter is housed in the casing, which is attached to a portion near an operation section of the measuring device section, together with the data processing unit. An antenna output terminal of the transmitter is connected to the casing or a conductor portion near the casing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1990Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Assignee: Man Design Co. Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Wakatsuki, Toshiharu Okuyama, Hajime Takeuchi, Misao Shimizu, Giichiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 5008825Abstract: There is provided a controller for aiding a pilot to control an airplane's track over the ground. While the airplane is in the air, a lateral control subsystem is provided for automatically holding the aircraft aligned with a desired track angle. Control is initiated when the pilot places the airplane in a wings level condition and centers his roll axis controller (e.g., wheel or stick). An in-air track rate control subsystem is also provided. While the airplane is on the ground, a directional control subsystem is provided which enables the pilot to command track rate or heading rate with rudder pedal inputs. The track/heading rate commands are integrated to generate track/heading angle commands. Feedback control is used to position the rudder and nosewheel steering as required to make the airplane's actual track/heading follow the track/heading commands. Provisions are made to initialize the in-air lateral and on-ground directional control subsystems to provide smooth transitions during takeoff and landing.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1989Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Inventors: Arun A. Nadkarni, Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi
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Patent number: 5003476Abstract: A diagnostic system for diagnosing an electronic control system mounted on a vehicle has a diagnostic device including a call signal transmitter for transmitting a call signal to the electronic control system. The electronic control system has a call signal receiver for receiving the call signal and a data transmitter for transmitting diagnosis data to the diagnostic device. In response to the call signal, the call signal receiver operates to render the data transmitter in a signal responsive state.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1989Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiro Abe