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).
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Publication number: 20240067088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventor: Chandrakumar KULKARNI
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Patent number: 11738729Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20220379854Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventor: Chandrakumar KULKARNI
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Patent number: 11400903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Larry Eccleston
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Publication number: 20220227336Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 11318883Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 11292439Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20210380086Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
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Publication number: 20200384962Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20200348327Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Stephen James THOMAS
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Publication number: 20200317175Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 10723329Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 10688977Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20180339687Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
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Patent number: 10040437Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20180009421Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 9758138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20170217411Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
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Publication number: 20160023642Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
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Patent number: 9150201Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni