Patents by Inventor Kirit A. Thakkar

Kirit A. Thakkar 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: 9069030
    Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Daniel P. Zula, Kirit A. Thakkar, Thomas J. Weed, Julie A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20150134216
    Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel P. Zula, Kirit A. Thakkar, Thomas J. Weed, Julie A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8818673
    Abstract: When detecting unacceptably large airgaps between wheel speed sensors and their exciter rings on wheel ends of a vehicle, wheel speed sensor output is filtered and monitored to detect signal amplitudes that correspond to the airgaps. When signal peak amplitude below a predetermined threshold is detected, the airgap is too large. Wheel ends having unacceptably large air gaps are indicated to the driver or technician via blink sequences (e.g., on an electronic stability program (ESP) indicator light or other suitable indicator), wherein each wheel end is associated with a unique blink sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Frashure, Thomas J. Weed, Craig S. Haehn, Kirit A. Thakkar, Julie A. Miller, Daniel P. Zula
  • Patent number: 7251549
    Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar, Majed M. Hamdan
  • Patent number: 6909956
    Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar
  • Patent number: 6862504
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting alternator condition is provided. Information is taken from the vehicle powerline and the communication links, and processed by the vehicle ECU, such as the vehicle antilocking brake system ECU, to obtain data. The battery voltage ripple amplitude is then calculated and compared at different engine speeds. If the difference in the ripple amplitude at the different engine speeds is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a signal is sent indicating that the alternator has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventors: Marv M. Hamdan, Gusztav Holler, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar
  • Publication number: 20040111207
    Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar, Majed M. Hamdan
  • Publication number: 20040049361
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting alternator condition is provided. Information is taken from the vehicle powerline and the communication links, and processed by the vehicle ECU, such as the vehicle antilocking brake system ECU, to obtain data. The battery voltage ripple amplitude is then calculated and compared at different engine speeds. If the difference in the ripple amplitude at the different engine speeds is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a signal is sent indicating that the alternator has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Marv M. Hamdan, Gusztav Holler, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar
  • Publication number: 20040034462
    Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar
  • Patent number: 6456083
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing short circuit conditions in a circuit protects circuit components from being damaged during a diagnostic operation. The apparatus includes a control processor, a control circuit coupled to the control processor, and an A/D converter coupled to the control processor and the control circuit. In operation the control processor disables operation of an A/D converter after completion of a conversion operation, enables operation of the control circuit after operation of the A/D converter has been disabled, enables operation of the A/D converter to obtain an analog signal from the control circuit after operation of the control circuit has been enabled, and disables operation of the control circuit after enabling operation of the A/D converter to obtain the analog signal. The A/D converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal and the control processor analyzes the digital signal to determine if a short circuit condition exits in the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kirit A. Thakkar, Cheryl Greenly, William Amato, Roman Marchak