Patents by Inventor Andreas D. Dixon

Andreas D. Dixon 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: 12228087
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electronic throttle body includes an engine speed setting device having a first terminal coupled to a source for a reference voltage, a second terminal coupled to a first end of a conductor and means for varying a level of resistance between the first and second terminals. The level of resistance is indicative of a desired engine speed. The second terminal outputs an analog engine speed signal indicative of the desired engine speed on the conductor. An electronic control module includes an engine speed signal processing circuit including a resistor coupled between a node located between the first and second ends of the conductor and one of a voltage supply and a voltage return. A controller coupled to the second end of the conductor is configured to generate a control signal for the electronic throttle body responsive to the engine speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Bradley J. Roche
  • Publication number: 20240301837
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electronic throttle body includes an engine speed setting device having a first terminal coupled to a source for a reference voltage, a second terminal coupled to a first end of a conductor and means for varying a level of resistance between the first and second terminals. The level of resistance is indicative of a desired engine speed. The second terminal outputs an analog engine speed signal indicative of the desired engine speed on the conductor. An electronic control module includes an engine speed signal processing circuit including a resistor coupled between a node located between the first and second ends of the conductor and one of a voltage supply and a voltage return. A controller coupled to the second end of the conductor is configured to generate a control signal for the electronic throttle body responsive to the engine speed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Bradley J. Roche
  • Patent number: 11644002
    Abstract: An assembly for an engine includes a control module including a controller operable to control at least certain aspects of the operation of the engine, a display including an input connected to the controller, and a wireless receiver connected to the controller. The wireless receiver is arranged to receive a signal from a wireless device to cause the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine and wherein the input when actuated causes the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine. In at least some implementations, no keyed ignition switch is provided to start the engine and the engine is started only via the wireless device or the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Publication number: 20220213855
    Abstract: An assembly for an engine includes a control module including a controller operable to control at least certain aspects of the operation of the engine, a display including an input connected to the controller, and a wireless receiver connected to the controller. The wireless receiver is arranged to receive a signal from a wireless device to cause the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine and wherein the input when actuated causes the controller to send an engine start signal to cause starting of the engine. In at least some implementations, no keyed ignition switch is provided to start the engine and the engine is started only via the wireless device or the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Patent number: 11300090
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an engine includes providing power to a control module and/or a controller included in the control module, providing an engine start input where the engine start input is communicated with the controller, determining or detecting actuation of the engine start input, sending a signal from the controller to begin an engine starting procedure to start the engine, providing multiple engine operating mode inputs via the module, determining or detecting actuation of one of the engine operating mode inputs, and controlling the engine in accordance with one or more predetermined engine control instructions associated with the engine operating mode that is associated with the actuated engine operating input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Patent number: 11047355
    Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Patent number: 11015560
    Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Publication number: 20200318553
    Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Publication number: 20200277923
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an engine includes providing power to a control module and/or a controller included in the control module, providing an engine start input where the engine start input is communicated with the controller, determining or detecting actuation of the engine start input, sending a signal from the controller to begin an engine starting procedure to start the engine, providing multiple engine operating mode inputs via the module, determining or detecting actuation of one of the engine operating mode inputs, and controlling the engine in accordance with one or more predetermined engine control instructions associated with the engine operating mode that is associated with the actuated engine operating input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe