Patents by Inventor Michael P. Harding

Michael P. Harding 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).

  • Vehicle with engine idle-management system
    Patent number: 6836718
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention has an internal combustion engine that is controlled by an engine-control computer that is operable, when the vehicle is parked, to operate in an idle-management mode to automatically start and stop idling operation of the internal combustion engine in order to maintain desirable electrical system energy levels, maintain desirable fluid temperatures of the internal combustion engine, and/or enable maintenance of comfortable occupant cabin temperatures. Each vehicle according to the present invention has a unique configuration of safety-interlock provisions that affect when and if an idle-management mode of operation of the engine-control computer is initiated and/or maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Hasfjord, Michael P. Harding, Kenneth Bultemeier, Jr., Richard S. Justice
  • Vehicle with engine idle-management system
    Publication number: 20040199308
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention has an internal combustion engine that is controlled by an engine-control computer that is operable, when the vehicle is parked, to operate in an idle-management mode to automatically start and stop idling operation of the internal combustion engine in order to maintain desirable electrical system energy levels, maintain desirable fluid temperatures of the internal combustion engine, and/or enable maintenance of comfortable occupant cabin temperatures. Each vehicle according to the present invention has a unique configuration of safety-interlock provisions that affect when and if an idle-management mode of operation of the engine-control computer is initiated and/or maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Hasfjord, Michael P. Harding, Kenneth Bultemeier, Richard S. Justice