Patents by Inventor Kevin P. Blair

Kevin P. Blair 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: 20240131892
    Abstract: Suspension systems for recreational vehicles are disclosed. The suspension systems may include at least one adjustable member coupling a sway bar to respective suspensions. The suspension systems may include a torque actuator associated with a sway bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathon P. Graus, David D. Helgeson, Kyle W. Olson, Justin T. Anderson, Jacob P. Horky, Kevin P. Blair
  • Patent number: 11904648
    Abstract: Suspension systems for recreational vehicles are disclosed. The suspension systems may include at least one adjustable member coupling a sway bar to respective suspensions. The suspension systems may include a torque actuator associated with a sway bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon P. Graus, David D. Helgeson, Kyle W. Olson, Justin T. Anderson, Jacob P. Horky, Kevin P. Blair
  • Publication number: 20230049367
    Abstract: Techniques for thruster system control for a pontoon boat or other watercraft. A thruster system may comprise a plurality of thrusters used to control movement of the pontoon boat in addition to an outboard prime mover. The thrusters may be fixed and/or steerable thrusters. In examples, the thrusters may be retracted based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be damaged. The thrusters may be deployed based on identifying a condition in which the thrusters may be used to recharge an associated energy source. User input to control the thrusters may be adapted to account for external forces acting on the pontoon boat. A user interface is provided with which to control the thruster system, via which an operator manipulates a movement intent line to control the thruster system. The user interface may further comprise obstacle indicators, thereby enabling the operator to maneuver the pontoon boat accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Endrizzi, Jacob L. Stock, Austin R. Bartz, Michael J. Fuchs, Erik W. Rogers, Michael T. Yobe, Joseph P. Nuxoll, Kevin P. Blair, John E. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20220348183
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Patent number: 11400914
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Publication number: 20220016949
    Abstract: Suspension systems for recreational vehicles are disclosed. The suspension systems may include at least one adjustable member coupling a sway bar to respective suspensions. The suspension systems may include a torque actuator associated with a sway bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathon P. Graus, David D. Helgeson, Kyle W. Olson, Justin T. Anderson, Jacob P. Horky, Kevin P. Blair
  • Publication number: 20200298818
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Patent number: 10647324
    Abstract: Vehicles including a plurality of front and rear ground engaging members, a front driveline operatively coupled to a first power source, a rear driveline operatively coupled to a second power source, at least one controller operatively coupled to the first drive system and the second drive system are disclosed. The vehicles may further include a torque request input adapted to be actuatable by an operator of the vehicle. The torque request input may provide an indication of a requested torque to the at least one controller. The at least one controller may, based on the requested torque, command a first output of the first drive system to the at least one front ground engaging member and a second output of the second drive system to the at least one rear ground engaging member. Vehicle drive control systems are also disclosed. Methods of controlling torque and battery management are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Peter J. Erasmus, David F. Buehler, Markus Hoffet, Kevin P. Blair
  • Patent number: 10640101
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Publication number: 20190118792
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Patent number: 10160436
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
  • Publication number: 20180086343
    Abstract: Vehicles including a plurality of front and rear ground engaging members, a front driveline operatively coupled to a first power source, a rear driveline operatively coupled to a second power source, at least one controller operatively coupled to the first drive system and the second drive system are disclosed. The vehicles may further include a torque request input adapted to be actuatable by an operator of the vehicle. The torque request input may provide an indication of a requested torque to the at least one controller. The at least one controller may, based on the requested torque, command a first output of the first drive system to the at least one front ground engaging member and a second output of the second drive system to the at least one rear ground engaging member. Vehicle drive control systems are also disclosed. Methods of controlling torque and battery management are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Peter J. Erasmus, David F. Buehler, Markus Hoffet, Kevin P. Blair
  • Publication number: 20160167653
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Amber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma