Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A system for sharing a fleet of vehicles among a plurality of users, where in preferred embodiments the shared vehicles are electrically powered, the system comprising a system control computer that assigns vehicles in response to requests by users, and monitors system performance, a computer subsystem through which users request vehicles for trips, and a vehicle subsystem within each vehicle that is in communication with the system control computer allowing the system control computer to monitor the location and status of each vehicle in the vehicle sharing fleet.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: In relocating vehicles to a port running short of vehicles from another port, the seriousness of shortage is considered. A first computing section computes the number of expected demands. A second computing section computes the number of expected vehicles. An excess/shortage count computing section computes excess or shortage from the difference between the number of demands and the number of vehicles. An evaluation value computing section computes an evaluation value indicative of the degree of seriousness of vehicle shortage. A vehicle relocation setting section sets relocation by considering the evaluation value, namely the degree of seriousness of vehicle shortage.

Abstract: The position of a vehicle is to be detected accurately while suppressing the consumption of a battery. In accordance with instructions given from a position detection service center a base station issues requests at certain intervals. A vehicle V, upon receipt of a request, issues an answer signal containing ID information. On the basis of the answer signal the position detection service center decides the position of the vehicle V and offers the position information to a control center on demand. Electric power is supplied from a vehicular battery to an answer signal issuing member installed in the vehicle V. Even after a main power supply switch is turned OFF, the supply of electric power from the battery is continued, thus permitting an answer to a request from the base station. Consequently, the control center can determine a vehicular stop position accurately.

Abstract: A vehicle managing system including a vehicle to be lent to a user and a plurality of ports used for parking the vehicle. The plurality of ports include a first port which is located in the vicinity of a station of a transportation facility, and a second port which is located in the vicinity of both a residential area where a first user who uses the station resides and a place of destination for a second user who uses the station. In the vehicle managing system, the users are divided into a plurality of groups based on a direction of the vehicle between the first port and second port and a time zone using the vehicle, and the vehicles are alternately assigned to a group that moves to the station and another group that moves from the station based on the order of the time zone using the vehicle.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A vehicle allocation system oversees the operation of a plurality of auto-piloted vehicles, used to transport passengers between major ports such as airports, train stations, shopping malls, etc. The vehicle allocation system establishes a search time interval and predicts passenger demands and the status of the monitored vehicles within the search time interval. A predetermined number of vehicles are assigned to each of the ports in an area. Each port includes a parking lot or queue to accommodate waiting vehicles and a terminal which notifies a host computer of the number of currently available vehicles, passenger demands for vehicles, vehicle destination information, arrival information and so forth. The host computer has a memory storing predicted demand data based upon past demand history. The host computer calculates any excess or deficiency of vehicles in the ports on the basis of the predicted demand data and the information obtained from the terminals within the search time interval.

Abstract: A vehicle managing system including a vehicle to be lent to a user and a plurality of ports used for parking the vehicle. The plurality of ports include a first port which is located in the vicinity of a station of a transportation facility, and a second port which is located in the vicinity of both a residential area where a first user who uses the station resides and a place of destination for a second user who uses the station. In the vehicle managing system, the users are divided into a plurality of groups based on a direction of the vehicle between the first port and second port and a time zone using the vehicle, and the vehicles are alternately assigned to a group that moves to the station and another group that moves from the station based on the order of the time zone using the vehicle.

Abstract: The position of a vehicle is to be detected accurately while suppressing the consumption of a battery. In accordance with instructions given from a position detection service center a base station issues requests at certain intervals. A vehicle V, upon receipt of a request, issues an answer signal containing ID information. On the basis of the answer signal the position detection service center decides the position of the vehicle V and offers the position information to a control center on demand. Electric power is supplied from a vehicular battery to an answer signal issuing member installed in the vehicle V. Even after a main power supply switch is turned OFF, the supply of electric power from the battery is continued, thus permitting an answer to a request from the base station. Consequently, the control center can determine a vehicular stop position accurately.

Abstract: A vehicle allocation system oversees the operation of a plurality of auto-piloted vehicles, used to transport passengers between major ports such as airports, train stations, shopping malls, etc. The vehicle allocation system establishes a search time interval and predicts passenger demands and the status of the monitored vehicles within the search time interval. A predetermined number of vehicles are assigned to each of the ports in an area. Each port includes a parking lot or queue to accommodate waiting vehicles and a terminal which notifies a host computer of the number of currently available vehicles, passenger demands for vehicles, vehicle destination information, arrival information and so forth. The host computer has a memory storing predicted demand data based upon past demand history. The host computer calculates any excess or deficiency of vehicles in the ports on the basis of the predicted demand data and the information obtained from the terminals within the search time interval.

Abstract: A vehicle allocation system oversees the operation of a plurality of auto-piloted vehicles, used to transport passengers between major ports such as airports, train stations, shopping malls, etc. The vehicle allocation system establishes a search time interval and predicts passenger demands and the status of the monitored vehicles within the search time interval. A predetermined number of vehicles are assigned to each of the ports in an area. Each port includes a parking lot or queue to accommodate waiting vehicles and a terminal which notifies a host computer of the number of currently available vehicles, passenger demands for vehicles, vehicle destination information, arrival information and so forth. The host computer has a memory storing predicted demand data based upon past demand history. The host computer calculates any excess or deficiency of vehicles in the ports on the basis of the predicted demand data and the information obtained from the terminals within the search time interval.

Abstract: A radial turbine combining a twin scroll structure and a variable area nozzle structure which is suitable for use as the exhaust turbine of a turbocharger for an automotive internal combustion engine. The first scroll passage is provided with no flow control means while the second scroll passage is provided with a variable area nozzle unit so that only the first scroll passage is used with the second scroll passage substantially closed in low speed range of the engine and the variable area nozzle unit is activated only when the rotational speed of the engine is increased beyond a certain value. Alternatively, by providing a control valve in the first scroll passage, it is possible to adjust the variable area nozzle unit with the control valve kept closed in low speed range, and to open up both the variable area nozzle unit and the control valve in high speed range.

Abstract: A variable-displacement turbine includes a turbine wheel disposed in a housing, a scroll passage defined in the housing around the turbine wheel, at least one fixed vane and at least one movable vane disposed between the scroll passage and said turbine wheel and arranged alternately in the direction of rotation of the turbine wheel, the fixed and movable vanes jointly defining a variable nozzle which has an opening adjustable in response to angular movement of the movable vane. At least one of the fixed vane and the movable vane has a bypass passage defined therein in bypassing relation to the variable nozzle.

Abstract: A turbocharger comprises a compressor housing, a turbine housing, and a central housing with a shaft rotatably supported therein. The shaft supports on its respective opposite ends a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel that are rotatably disposed in the compressor housing and the turbine housing, respectively. The central housing has a large water jacket near the turbine housing and substantially coextensive therewith for storing cooling water to cool bearings which support the shaft. The turbine housing accommodates a shroud including a vane holder on which fixed and movable vanes are alternately supported for directing exhaust gases to the turbine wheel through variable restrictions. The vane holder or base plate has a radially outer flange and an annular boss which position the shroud axially and radially with respect to the central housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbine comprising a turbine wheel, a turbine scroll passage defined in a turbine casing around the turbine wheel for introduction of gas to the turbine wheel, and an axial central passage defined in the turbine casing for ejection of gas from the turbine wheel, wherein: a plurality of variable nozzles are arranged outside of a throat section having a locally minimum cross section which is defined in the turbine casing around the turbine wheel. The variable nozzles may be defined by fixed vanes and moveable vanes which cooperate with each other in such a manner that each of the moveable vanes and the corresponding fixed vane define a substantially smooth and continuous airfoil. The moveable vanes may be pivotally supported by a back plate of the casing while the fixed vanes may be integrally provided with a fixed vane member having a disk portion which defines a surface opposing the inner surface of the back plate.

Abstract: A variable-displacement turbine includes a turbine wheel, and a turbine housing accommodating a turbine wheel and having an exhaust inlet tubular member for introducing a stream of exhaust gases from an engine, top and base plates having confronting parallel annular end surfaces, respectively, concentric with the turbine wheel, the top and base plates defining a passage for supplying and guiding the stream of exhaust gases through the exhaust inlet tubular member to the turbine wheel from its outer periphery, and a vane mechanism disposed annularly in surrounding relation to the turbine wheel and between the annular end surfaces.