Patents by Inventor Allan Lewis

Allan Lewis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11390154
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric motor-generator in a vehicle are provided. In one example, an electric motor-generator is provided that includes an engine interface configured to rotationally couple to a first engine, a transmission interface configured to rotationally couple to a first transmission of the first engine, and a rotor with a plurality of magnets at least partially surrounding a stator including a plurality of coils. The rotor is rotationally coupled to the engine interface and the transmission interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Jason Michael Sanderson, Brandon David Lint, James Trent, Brian Richard Light, Eric Pavlov
  • Publication number: 20210170854
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric motor-generator in a vehicle are provided. In one example, an electric motor-generator is provided that includes an engine interface configured to rotationally couple to a first engine, a transmission interface configured to rotationally couple to a first transmission of the first engine, and a rotor with a plurality of magnets at least partially surrounding a stator including a plurality of coils. The rotor is rotationally coupled to the engine interface and the transmission interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Jason Michael Sanderson, Brandon David Lint, James Trent, Brian Richard Light, Eric Pavlov
  • Patent number: 10926620
    Abstract: This disclosure details transmission systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary transmission systems may include a crankshaft integrated starter-generator. The crankshaft integrated starter-generator may include an electric machine and an integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly. The integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly is configured to support the electric machine and provide an interface for mounting the crankshaft integrated starter-generator relative to a torque converter. The torque converter may be mounted to a flange of the integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly that is inside the diameter of a rotor of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas McBride, Megan Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Gregory Montie, Jason Michael Sanderson
  • Publication number: 20200369278
    Abstract: This disclosure details transmission systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary transmission systems may include a crankshaft integrated starter-generator. The crankshaft integrated starter-generator may include an electric machine and an integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly. The integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly is configured to support the electric machine and provide an interface for mounting the crankshaft integrated starter-generator relative to a torque converter. The torque converter may be mounted to a flange of the integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly that is inside the diameter of a rotor of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas MCBRIDE, Megan GOULD, Duane Allan LEWIS, Gregory MONTIE, Jason Michael SANDERSON
  • Patent number: 10621868
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving, at a host vehicle, a plurality of messages transmitted using Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications indicating a heading angle and a speed of a remote vehicle; calculating an expected change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle based on the heading angle and the speed of the remote vehicle; measuring an actual change in frequency of the plurality of messages received at the host vehicle due to the Doppler effect; comparing the expected change in frequency to the actual change in frequency; and determining that the plurality of messages were not transmitted from the remote vehicle when a difference between the expected change in frequency and the actual change in frequency exceeds a predefined frequency change threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Allan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10486538
    Abstract: An electromagnetic field controlling system and method are provided. The electromagnetic field controlling system includes a magnetic field sensor that is disposed proximate to or in a vehicle that charges electric power using a wireless charging system and is configured to detect the magnitude of an electromagnetic field. An output controller adjusts output power in a power transmission side of the wireless charging system based on a comparison between a predetermined value for an electromagnetic field and the magnitude of the electromagnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor. Accordingly, the magnitude of an electromagnetic field output from a vehicle wireless charging system is controlled within a safe range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10358089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for triggering a hitch view are provided. The method includes: determining whether a hitch of a vehicle will be coupling with a trailer coupler of a trailer, in response to determining that the hitch of the vehicle will be coupling with the trailer coupler, detecting a position of the trailer coupler, and displaying a view of the trailer coupler corresponding to the detected position of the trailer coupler from among a plurality of views. The method may assist an operator of a vehicle in aligning the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10354368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ground clearance of a structure are provided. The method includes removing reflection points caused by noise from first reflection point information based on temporal persistency and generating second reflection point information, extracting visual features from an image of a camera based on convolutional neural network, projecting the second reflection point information onto the image, generating region proposals based on the projected second reflection point information and the image, the region proposals indicating potential horizontal structures above a path, detecting stationary horizontal structure above a path based on the generated region proposals, and determining distance between ground and the detected stationary horizontal structure based on the projected reflection point information and the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Shuqing Zeng, Allan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10346705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for trailer recognition are provided. The method includes detecting a face of a trailer in a first and second image, taken at first and second distances respectively, generating a bounding box around the face of the trailer in the first and second images, determining a first and second set of feature points in the bounding boxes of the first and second images, determining a correspondence between the first set of feature points and the second set of feature points and a correspondence between corners of the bounding boxes and estimating at least one dimension of the trailer by performing a least squares analysis to solve for three-dimensional real world coordinates of the first and second set of features points and the corners of the bounding boxes. The method may assist an operator of a vehicle in aligning the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Shuqing Zeng, Allan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10304210
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a camera are provided. The method includes: detecting at least one edge of fixed object in image received from a camera, determining at least one horizontal midpoint of the at least one edge, calculating a first pixel distance between the determined at least one horizontal midpoint and a pre-stored at least one horizontal midpoint, calculating second pixel distances between a plurality of points on the detected at least one edge of the fixed object and a pre-stored plurality of points of the at least one edge of the fixed object, determining whether to recalibrate the camera based on the first pixel distance and the second pixel distances, and recalibrating the camera if the determining determines to recalibrate the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10293700
    Abstract: A method includes: detecting a position of a moving, wireless charging-capable vehicle which travels over a primary coil of a wireless charging system operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle via a secondary coil installed in the vehicle; controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units such that electric current flows through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a first angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given a position of the primary coil in relation to the detected position of the vehicle; and when a switching time occurs, controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units to change the flow of electric current through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a second angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given the position of the primary coil in relation to an updated position of the vehicle as the vehicle traverses the primary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bilal Javaid, Allan Lewis, John Robb, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10197104
    Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Bradley W. Doner, Rakesh Sharma, Duane Allan Lewis, Brian John Brown
  • Publication number: 20190035057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ground clearance of a structure are provided. The method includes removing reflection points caused by noise from first reflection point information based on temporal persistency and generating second reflection point information, extracting visual features from an image of a camera based on convolutional neural network, projecting the second reflection point information onto the image, generating region proposals based on the projected second reflection point information and the image, the region proposals indicating potential horizontal structures above a path, detecting stationary horizontal structure above a path based on the generated region proposals, and determining distance between ground and the detected stationary horizontal structure based on the projected reflection point information and the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Shuqing Zeng, Allan Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180365509
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for trailer recognition are provided. The method includes detecting a face of a trailer in a first and second image, taken at first and second distances respectively, generating a bounding box around the face of the trailer in the first and second images, determining a first and second set of feature points in the bounding boxes of the first and second images, determining a correspondence between the first set of feature points and the second set of feature points and a correspondence between corners of the bounding boxes and estimating at least one dimension of the trailer by performing a least squares analysis to solve for three-dimensional real world coordinates of the first and second set of features points and the corners of the bounding boxes. The method may assist an operator of a vehicle in aligning the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Shuqing Zeng, Allan Lewis
  • Patent number: 10150375
    Abstract: A method for pairing a wireless charging system to a vehicle, includes: determining location coordinates of a target position of a vehicle parking space within a parking lot; storing the location coordinates of a center of the parking space; receiving a signal including location coordinates of the vehicle; and determining a location match using the location coordinates of the center of the parking space and the location coordinates of the vehicle to pair the wireless charging system to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180342082
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a camera are provided. The method includes: detecting at least one edge of fixed object in image received from a camera, determining at least one horizontal midpoint of the at least one edge, calculating a first pixel distance between the determined at least one horizontal midpoint and a pre-stored at least one horizontal midpoint, calculating second pixel distances between a plurality of points on the detected at least one edge of the fixed object and a pre-stored plurality of points of the at least one edge of the fixed object, determining whether to recalibrate the camera based on the first pixel distance and the second pixel distances, and recalibrating the camera if the determining determines to recalibrate the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10128698
    Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for detecting an object within a wireless charging region of an electric vehicle. The method includes applying by a controller, a voltage to the wireless charging region to generate a capacitance value and measuring by the controller, the capacitance value of an electromagnetic shield disposed on the underside of the vehicle. Further, the controller monitors the capacitance value of the electromagnetic shield; and the controller detects a change in the capacitance value when the object enters the wireless charging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Bilal Javaid
  • Patent number: 10112595
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving, at a host vehicle, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) messages transmitted using V2V communication from one or more remote vehicles; identifying at least one vehicle of the one or more remote vehicles that is ahead of the host vehicle based on information included in the received V2V messages; selecting V2V messages among the received V2V messages that were received from the at least one identified vehicle; and controlling a powertrain system of the host vehicle based on information included in the selected V2V messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Allan Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180281679
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for triggering a hitch view are provided. The method includes: determining whether a hitch of a vehicle will be coupling with a trailer coupler of a trailer, in response to determining that the hitch of the vehicle will be coupling with the trailer coupler, detecting a position of the trailer coupler, and displaying a view of the trailer coupler corresponding to the detected position of the trailer coupler from among a plurality of views. The method may assist an operator of a vehicle in aligning the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10086715
    Abstract: A method includes detecting that a wireless charging-capable vehicle is in a charging position proximate a primary coil of a wireless charging system that is operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle via a secondary coil installed in the vehicle. The primary coil includes a top coil and a bottom coil that are substantially parallel to one another, the top coil and the bottom coil coupled to one another via a plurality of cross-coil junction units each including a switching element that routes electric current through at least a portion of one or more of the top coil and the bottom coil. The method further includes setting the switching elements such that current flowing through the primary coil produces an optimal angle of magnetic flux for wirelessly charging the vehicle given a position of the primary coil with respect to a position of the secondary coil, and causing electric current to flow through the primary coil according to the set switching elements to wirelessly charge the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Lewis, Bilal Javaid, John Robb, Mohammad Naserian