Patents by Inventor Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni

Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni 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: 11938766
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20240029664
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a display, a processor, and a light sensor. The processor controls brakes of a towed vehicle. The processor also controls a brightness of the display based on information received from the light sensor. The light sensor may include a light dependent resistor or a photoresistor. The processor selectively sets or adjusts the brightness of the display based on sensed ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Joseph Bradford Wells
  • Publication number: 20230249655
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Muthukumar Jegadeeson
  • Patent number: 11610556
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a display, a processor, and a light sensor. The processor controls brakes of a towed vehicle. The processor also controls a brightness of the display based on information received from the light sensor. The light sensor may include a light dependent resistor or a photoresistor. The processor selectively sets or adjusts the brightness of the display based on sensed ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Joseph Bradford Wells
  • Publication number: 20220402468
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to remote control of a brake controller for a towed vehicle. An example communication system includes a controller management application operating on a mobile device and a brake controller that includes a wireless network controller to communicatively couple to the mobile device. The controller management application manages a plurality of profiles. Each profile includes characteristics of a corresponding towed vehicle. The controller management application receives a selection of one of the plurality of profiles, and determines braking characteristics based on the selected one of the plurality of profiles. The brake controller controls a braking signal to brakes of the towed vehicle according to the braking characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Chandrakumar D. KULKARNI
  • Patent number: 11485330
    Abstract: A controller for a trailer is disclosed. An example trailer controller assembly includes a force transducer that measures a force between a trailer and a towing vehicle connected to the trailer indicative of a difference in speeds between the trailer and the towing vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the force transducer. The controller includes a brake controller that controls brakes of the trailer based on an input signal from the force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20220324276
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 11440523
    Abstract: A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller sends signals to the brakes of the towed vehicle. The brake controller sends signals to determine whether the trailer brakes are properly connected. The signals may include a pulse train. The pulse train charges hydraulic braking systems for resistive testing. The brake controller determines whether the brakes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11440516
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Muthukumar Jegadeeson
  • Patent number: 11370255
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 11358424
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Publication number: 20220166421
    Abstract: A diagnostic circuit for an electronic control unit comprises a field-effect transistor device, a comparator circuit, and a microprocessor. The diagnostic circuit detects a short to ground detection and turns off the field-effect transistor device. The diagnostic circuit may include redundant or dual short to ground protection for a field-effect transistor device. The comparator circuit generates an interrupt signal based on comparing a sensed parameter of an output signal of the field-effect transistor device to a threshold value. The microprocessor samples output from the field-effect transistor device and compares the sampled output to a power limit threshold. The microprocessor turns off the field-effect transistor device based on receiving the interrupt signal or comparison of the sampled output to the power limit threshold. Detection or prevention of a short to ground protects the field-effect transistor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Chandrakumar D. KULKARNI
  • Publication number: 20210101578
    Abstract: A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller sends signals to the brakes of the towed vehicle. The brake controller sends signals to determine whether the trailer brakes are properly connected. The signals may include a pulse train. The pulse train charges hydraulic braking systems for resistive testing. The brake controller determines whether the brakes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20200047574
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Publication number: 20200039354
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a display, a processor, and a light sensor. The processor controls brakes of a towed vehicle. The processor also controls a brightness of the display based on information received from the light sensor. The light sensor may include a light dependent resistor or a photoresistor. The processor selectively sets or adjusts the brightness of the display based on sensed ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Joseph Bradford Wells
  • Publication number: 20190359018
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20190341635
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Muthukumar Jegadeeson
  • Patent number: 10449815
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Patent number: 10377196
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 10363910
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Muthukumar Jegadeeson