Patents by Inventor Andrew E. Fida

Andrew E. Fida 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: 10252593
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying an attitude of a vehicle are disclosed. A user selects a trailer mode for a vehicle body. The selected trailer mode has a corresponding configuration. The vehicle determines one or more features about a trailer based on the selected trailer mode. The vehicle determines a location of a trailer hitch needed to achieve the configuration corresponding to the selected trailer mode. The location is based on the one or more features about the trailer. The vehicle actuates at least one active component in the vehicle's active suspension system to change the attitude of the vehicle body so as to cause the trailer hitch to be located in the determined location thereby causing the vehicle body to be in the selected trailer mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Fida
  • Patent number: 10054203
    Abstract: Rotational inerters are described herein that can provide torque applications in response to a rotation component. The inerter can include a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis and a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis. A first gear can be connected with the first shaft and a second gear can be connected with the second shaft. The first and second gears can be in meshing engagement with one another. In some arrangements, the first gear can be a worm gear and the second gear can be a worm. A flywheel can be connected with the second shaft. Rotation of the first shaft can cause the second shaft to rotate. Arrangements described herein can cause a torque to be applied at the first shaft that is proportional to a rate of change of the angular velocity of the first shaft about the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Fida
  • Publication number: 20180154726
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying an attitude of a vehicle are disclosed. A user selects a trailer mode for a vehicle body. The selected trailer mode has a corresponding configuration. The vehicle determines one or more features about a trailer based on the selected trailer mode. The vehicle determines a location of a trailer hitch needed to achieve the configuration corresponding to the selected trailer mode. The location is based on the one or more features about the trailer. The vehicle actuates at least one active component in the vehicle's active suspension system to change the attitude of the vehicle body so as to cause the trailer hitch to be located in the determined location thereby causing the vehicle body to be in the selected trailer mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew E. Fida
  • Publication number: 20180128359
    Abstract: Rotational inerters are described herein that can provide torque applications in response to a rotation component. The inerter can include a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis and a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis. A first gear can be connected with the first shaft and a second gear can be connected with the second shaft. The first and second gears can be in meshing engagement with one another. In some arrangements, the first gear can be a worm gear and the second gear can be a worm. A flywheel can be connected with the second shaft. Rotation of the first shaft can cause the second shaft to rotate. Arrangements described herein can cause a torque to be applied at the first shaft that is proportional to a rate of change of the angular velocity of the first shaft about the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew E. Fida