Patents by Inventor Theodore Klaus

Theodore Klaus 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: 8657389
    Abstract: A cooperative traction control system wherein individualized control over each wheel's longitudinal slip and/or lateral skidding is provided. The system uses a combination of an existing traction and stability module linked with a drive torque actuator capable of modulating the amount of drive torque at a given wheel on a specified axle. The system permits drive torque at the slipping and/or laterally skidding wheel to be controlled, either alone or in combination with brake actuation and throttle angle control, to reduce or control wheel slip and/or lateral skid and/or vehicle motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
  • Patent number: 8321110
    Abstract: A feed forward method for controlling the distribution of torque between the front and rear axle in a four wheel drive vehicle where the slope of a hill upon which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on measured vehicle longitudinal acceleration and estimated longitudinal acceleration. The hill slope estimation is made and implemented before the wheels of the vehicle begin to slip due to the slope and low friction coefficient of the road surface. Under conditions of high vehicle speeds or severe vehicle turning, the change of torque distribution is not implemented because there is a lesser tendency for the vehicle to slip on the hill surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus, Xiaodi Kang
  • Patent number: 7845735
    Abstract: A method and system for performing the method of controlling vehicle braking where the wheel slip of individual vehicle wheels is calculated and the load upon individual vehicle wheels is determined. A first brake line correction factor is calculated based on the determined loads upon the vehicle wheels. A second brake line correction factor is calculated based on the calculated wheel slip and the first and second load brake line correction factors are used to modulate a pressure supplied to individual wheel calipers during braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus, Xiaodi Kang
  • Publication number: 20070129871
    Abstract: A feed forward method for controlling the distribution of torque between the front and rear axle in a four wheel drive vehicle where the slope of a hill upon which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on measured vehicle longitudinal acceleration and estimated longitudinal acceleration. The hill slope estimation is made and implemented before the wheels of the vehicle begin to slip due to the slope and low friction coefficient of the road surface. Under conditions of high vehicle speeds or sever vehicle turning, the change of torque distribution is not implemented because there is a lesser tendency for the vehicle to slip on the hill surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Post, Theodore Klaus, Xiaodi Kang
  • Patent number: 7089104
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
  • Publication number: 20060012245
    Abstract: A method and system for performing the method of controlling vehicle braking where the wheel slip of individual vehicle wheels is calculated and the load upon individual vehicle wheels is determined. A first brake line correction factor is calculated based on the determined loads upon the vehicle wheels. A second brake line correction factor is calculated based on the calculated wheel slip and the first and second load brake line correction factors are used to modulate a pressure supplied to individual wheel calipers during braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Post, Theodore Klaus, Ken Kang
  • Publication number: 20050258685
    Abstract: A cooperative traction control system wherein individualized control over each wheel's longitudinal slip and/or lateral skidding is provided. The system uses a combination of an existing traction and stability module linked with a drive torque actuator capable of modulating the amount of drive torque at a given wheel on a specified axle. The system permits drive torque at the slipping and/or laterally skidding wheel to be controlled, either alone or in combination with brake actuation and throttle angle control, to reduce or control wheel slip and/or lateral skid and/or vehicle motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Post, Theodore Klaus
  • Publication number: 20050165532
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Post, Theodore Klaus
  • Patent number: 6909958
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
  • Publication number: 20040230362
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James W. Post, Theodore Klaus