Patents by Inventor Claudia A. Ma

Claudia A. Ma 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: 12233831
    Abstract: A vehicle, a vehicle brake cooling system, a computer program product, and a method of controlling a vehicle in a manner to achieve enhanced aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and active cooling to the wheel brakes during operation of the vehicle. The vehicle includes one or more a vehicle air vents moveable between a first position and a second position, and one or more processors of a computing system. The one or more processors are configured to dynamically conduct, in response to a detection as sensor data one or more of a current position of the vehicle air vents, a current temperature of vehicle wheel brakes, and a current speed of the vehicle, a vehicle brake analysis of the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Tommy E. Stubblefield, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp, Clinton M. Hamre
  • Patent number: 12030468
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods apply, with a fan, a braking force to a vehicle that includes an axle. The fan is rotated at a first rotational speed based on a rotation of the axle that rotates at a second rotational speed. The first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed. The fan applies the braking force when the fan rotates at the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH INC
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Rachel M. Menchak, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Patent number: 11970231
    Abstract: A vehicle can include a first wheel, a second wheel, and a steering system. Either both the first wheel and the second wheel can be front wheels or both the first wheel and the second wheel can be rear wheels. The steering system can be configured to concurrently cause: (1) a steering angle of the first wheel to be at a first angle and (2) a steering angle of the second wheel to be at a second angle. A difference angle can be a difference of the first angle subtracted from the second angle and can be greater than an angle determined to comply with Ackermann steering geometry. Such a difference angle can act to securely brake the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at a location at which a three-dimensional shape of a topological relief of the location can complicate an effort to securely brake the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Patent number: 11958448
    Abstract: A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. MacArthur, Shigenori Shibata, Corey Zwegers, Rachel M. Menchak, Claudia A. Ma, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Patent number: 11530009
    Abstract: A vehicle can have: (1) a first pair of rear wheels with a first pair of tires configured to be able to bear a weight of the vehicle and (2) a second pair of rear wheels with a second pair of tires installed on the second pair of rear wheels and configured to be selectively inflatable. The first pair of wheels can be disposed on a first pair of axles. The second pair of wheels can be disposed on the first pair of axles or on a second axle. In an inflated state, the second pair of tires can be configured to be able to bear the weight of the vehicle. In a deflated state, the second pair of tires can lack being configured to bear the weight of the vehicle. An individual or a controller can cause the vehicle to have a conventional configuration or a dually configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Publication number: 20220396245
    Abstract: A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Robert C. MacArthur, Shigenori Shibata, Corey Zwegers, Rachel M. Menchak, Claudia A. Ma, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Publication number: 20220371558
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods apply, with a fan, a braking force to a vehicle that includes an axle. The fan is rotated at a first rotational speed based on a rotation of the axle that rotates at a second rotational speed. The first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed. The fan applies the braking force when the fan rotates at the first rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Rachel M. Menchak, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Publication number: 20220363327
    Abstract: A vehicle can have: (1) a first pair of rear wheels with a first pair of tires configured to be able to bear a weight of the vehicle and (2) a second pair of rear wheels with a second pair of tires installed on the second pair of rear wheels and configured to be selectively inflatable. The first pair of wheels can be disposed on a first pair of axles. The second pair of wheels can be disposed on the first pair of axles or on a second axle. In an inflated state, the second pair of tires can be configured to be able to bear the weight of the vehicle. In a deflated state, the second pair of tires can lack being configured to bear the weight of the vehicle. An individual or a controller can cause the vehicle to have a conventional configuration or a dually configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Publication number: 20220363313
    Abstract: A vehicle can include a first wheel, a second wheel, and a steering system. Either both the first wheel and the second wheel can be front wheels or both the first wheel and the second wheel can be rear wheels. The steering system can be configured to concurrently cause: (1) a steering angle of the first wheel to be at a first angle and (2) a steering angle of the second wheel to be at a second angle. A difference angle can be a difference of the first angle subtracted from the second angle and can be greater than an angle determined to comply with Ackermann steering geometry. Such a difference angle can act to securely brake the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at a location at which a three-dimensional shape of a topological relief of the location can complicate an effort to securely brake the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
  • Publication number: 20220355770
    Abstract: A vehicle, a vehicle brake cooling system, a computer program product, and a method of controlling a vehicle in a manner to achieve enhanced aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and active cooling to the wheel brakes during operation of the vehicle. The vehicle includes one or more a vehicle air vents moveable between a first position and a second position, and one or more processors of a computing system. The one or more processors are configured to dynamically conduct, in response to a detection as sensor data one or more of a current position of the vehicle air vents, a current temperature of vehicle wheel brakes, and a current speed of the vehicle, a vehicle brake analysis of the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
    Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Robert C. MacArthur, Tommy E. Stubblefield, Claudia A. Ma, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp, Clinton M. Hamre