Patents by Inventor Dallas K. Fox

Dallas K. Fox 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: 20240140238
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining, by a vehicle at a charging location, an electric grid intensity at a time period; responsive to the intensity being below a threshold, charging a battery of the vehicle; and responsive to the intensity being above the threshold, ceasing the charging of the battery; wherein the charging and the ceasing of the charging achieve a set state of charge of the battery by a set time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jaret W. Villarreal, Dallas K. Fox, Matthew Hill, Brian Vitale, Rebecca L. Kemph, Shaurya Panthri
  • Publication number: 20230352704
    Abstract: One or more example electric vehicles (EV), auxiliary thermal regulation systems for an EV, a computer-implemented methods of operating an EV, and a computer program product for operating an EV. The EV includes an FC system and an HVAC system. The FC system includes an FC stack (FCS) operable to generate electric power, and an FC thermal management system including a first thermal regulation circuit for circulation of a radiant fluid operable to thermally regulate the FCS, and a heat exchange device operable to thermally regulate the radiant fluid. The HVAC system includes a second thermal regulation circuit for circulation of a refrigerant fluid operable to thermally regulate air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a bi-directional heat pump operable to facilitate auxiliary/supplemental thermal regulation of the fuel cell stack by supplying selective auxiliary cooling and/or heating of the FCS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Dallas K. Fox
  • Publication number: 20230341231
    Abstract: A system is provided for estimating the time required for a vehicle to visit a fueling station. The system includes a fueling station server associated with the fueling station and configured to transmit, over a network, a plurality of fueling station parameters. The system also includes sensors within the vehicle; a navigation system configured to provide navigation data; and a non-transitory memory storing fuel tank parameters for the vehicle. The system also includes a processor within the vehicle configured to: based on the navigation data, determine a travel time required for the vehicle to reach the fueling station; based on the fueling station parameters, sensor data, and the fuel tank parameters, compute a fueling time required for the fueling station to fill the fuel tank; and compute a total time requirement, including the travel time and the fueling time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Dallas K. Fox
  • Publication number: 20230304636
    Abstract: An apparatus, namely an infrared (IR) interference shield, is described that can be utilized with a vehicle that employs hydrogen fueling, such as a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). For example, the IR interference shield is mounted onto the vehicle's hydrogen fueling receptacle. The IR interference shield is distinctly structured to reduce or prevent interference of IR wireless communication between a vehicle-side IR transmitter on the receptacle, and an IR receiver of the hydrogen fueling station. The IR interference shield can block interference to IR signals that may negatively affect IR wireless communication between the hydrogen fueling station and the vehicle. Thus, the IR interference shield improves reliability of the communication between the vehicle and the hydrogen fueling station, thereby improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the hydrogen refueling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: GIORGIO L. ZOIA, Hannah L. WHITE, Dallas K. FOX, Jacquelyn A. BIRDSALL
  • Patent number: 10957919
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an active fuel cooling system (“fuel cooling system”). The fuel cooling system includes a fuel tank configured to store fuel. The fuel cooling system includes one or more pipes positioned adjacent to, in contact with, or within the fuel tank that are configured to deliver refrigerant that cools the fuel tank. The fuel cooling system includes a compressor for pumping the refrigerant through the one or more pipes to cool the fuel stored within the fuel tank. The fuel cooling system includes an electronic control unit connected to the compressor and configured to operate the compressor to pump the refrigerant through the one or more pipes to cool the fuel stored in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Dallas K. Fox
  • Publication number: 20200112037
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an active fuel cooling system (“fuel cooling system”). The fuel cooling system includes a fuel tank configured to store fuel. The fuel cooling system includes one or more pipes positioned adjacent to, in contact with, or within the fuel tank that are configured to deliver refrigerant that cools the fuel tank. The fuel cooling system includes a compressor for pumping the refrigerant through the one or more pipes to cool the fuel stored within the fuel tank. The fuel cooling system includes an electronic control unit connected to the compressor and configured to operate the compressor to pump the refrigerant through the one or more pipes to cool the fuel stored in the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventor: Dallas K. Fox