Patents by Inventor Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN
Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN 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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Patent number: 10376772Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
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Patent number: 10343051Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
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Patent number: 10343050Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
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Publication number: 20190176646Abstract: A control system for a tiltable vehicle may include a motor controller configured to respond to backward or reverse operation of the vehicle by hindering a responsiveness of the control system (e.g., proportionally) and/or eventually disengaging a drive motor of the vehicle. Accordingly, a user may intuitively and safely dismount the vehicle by selectively commanding reverse operation. In some examples, the backward direction may be user-defined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Daniel J. WOOD
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Publication number: 20190168102Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Matthew Michael O'BRIEN
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Publication number: 20190168103Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Matthew Michael O'BRIEN
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Publication number: 20190168104Abstract: When an electric vehicle is traveling downhill, experiencing regenerative braking, or otherwise forcing the vehicle motor to turn faster than the commanded motor torque, the vehicle motor produces electrical energy that can be used to recharge a vehicle battery. However, if the vehicle battery is already nearly or fully charged, the excess electrical energy produced may damage the battery. Control systems described herein may reduce and/or dispose of the excess energy by manipulating the motor flux (i.e., direct) current and quadrature current independently.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Daniel J. WOOD, Julian DE LA RUA
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Patent number: 10307660Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel Wood, Julian de la Rua
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Patent number: 10308306Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may drive the wheel assembly in response to board orientation and rider presence information. A rider detection mechanism may include one or more strain gauges, and may be configured to detect rider presence and rider weight information. A responsiveness of the motor may be automatically adjusted based on the rider weight information.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel Wood
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Patent number: 10293243Abstract: When an electric vehicle is traveling downhill, experiencing regenerative braking, or otherwise forcing the vehicle motor to turn faster than the commanded motor torque, the vehicle motor produces electrical energy that can be used to recharge a vehicle battery. However, if the vehicle battery is already nearly or fully charged, the excess electrical energy produced may damage the battery. Control systems described herein may reduce and/or dispose of the excess energy by manipulating the motor flux (i.e., direct) current and quadrature current independently.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel J. Wood, Julian De La Rua
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Publication number: 20190144035Abstract: A vehicle of the present disclosure may include at least one pair of opposing wheels coupled to a tiltable central chassis by a four-bar linkage or the like, such that the wheels are configured to tilt in unison with the central chassis. A steering actuator and/or a tilting actuator may be discretely controllable by an electronic controller of the vehicle. The controller may include processing logic configured to maintain alignment between a median plane of the chassis and a net force vector caused by gravity and any induced centrifugal forces. Various control algorithms may be utilized to steer the vehicle along a desired path, either autonomously or semi-autonomously.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Joseph WILCOX
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Patent number: 10272319Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
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Publication number: 20190015731Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Daniel WOOD, Julian de la RUA
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Patent number: 10143910Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel Wood, Julian de la Rua
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Patent number: 10112680Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Dan Blachinsky, Julian De La Rua, Clyde Hancock
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Publication number: 20180250580Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Matthew Michael O'BRIEN
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Publication number: 20180194425Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may drive the wheel assembly in response to board orientation and rider presence information. A rider detection mechanism may include one or more strain gauges, and may be configured to detect rider presence and rider weight information. A responsiveness of the motor may be automatically adjusted based on the rider weight information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan DOERKSEN, Daniel WOOD
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Patent number: 10010784Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
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Patent number: D843532Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventor: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen
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Patent number: D850552Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventor: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen