Patents by Inventor Chandrakumar Kulkarni

Chandrakumar 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).

  • Publication number: 20240067088
    Abstract: A towing vehicle includes a towing control unit with circuitry to detect whether a light is connected to the electrical harness electrically coupling the vehicle to the trailer. The towing control unit may include lamp connectivity circuits for, for example, the left turn signal and the right turn signal. To determine whether the turn light is connected, the corresponding connectivity circuit periodically generates a test signal. Based on characteristics of a response signal to the test signal. The connectivity circuit determines whether the corresponding turn signal light of the trailer is connected based on a response to the test signal. The connectivity circuit may distinguished whether an incandescent-based turn signal light, a light emitting diode (LED)-based turn signal light, and an open circuit is sensed based on the characteristics of the response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Chandrakumar KULKARNI
  • Patent number: 11738729
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20220379854
    Abstract: A trailer brake system may include a trailer brake controller comprising a manual braking control, and a trailer light controller; where the trailer brake controller comprises a brake on/off relay, which responds to the manual braking control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Chandrakumar KULKARNI
  • Patent number: 11400903
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Larry Eccleston
  • Publication number: 20220227336
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11318883
    Abstract: A towing vehicle includes a towing control unit with circuitry to detect whether a light is connected to the electrical harness electrically coupling the vehicle to the trailer. The towing control unit may include lamp connectivity circuits for, for example, the left turn signal and the right turn signal. To determine whether the turn light is connected, the corresponding connectivity circuit periodically generates a test signal. Based on characteristics of a response signal to the test signal. The connectivity circuit determines whether the corresponding turn signal light of the trailer is connected based on a response to the test signal. The connectivity circuit may distinguished whether an incandescent-based turn signal light, a light emitting diode (LED)-based turn signal light, and an open circuit is sensed based on the characteristics of the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11292439
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20210380086
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Publication number: 20200384962
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20200348327
    Abstract: System, method, and devices related to a wheel speed sensor that includes a wireless communication device and a motion sensor. The motion sensor includes an accelerometer. The wireless communication device and motion sensor are disposed in a housing. The housing is attached to an attachment member. The attachment member is selectively attached to a wheel of a towed vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Stephen James THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200317175
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10723329
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10688977
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20180339687
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Patent number: 10040437
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Publication number: 20180009421
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9758138
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20170217411
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Publication number: 20160023642
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9150201
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni