Patents by Inventor Thomas Gacka

Thomas Gacka 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).

  • Publication number: 20240421755
    Abstract: A device for mounting a solar panel to a vehicle includes a base frame, and a plurality of actuators pivotally coupled to the base frame and pivotable about respective pivot axes. Each actuator is transitional between a retracted position and an extended position. The device additionally includes a hub coupled to the actuators respective spherical joints. The spherical joints are configured to allow the hub to move relative to the actuators about two axes. A panel support frame is coupled to the hub and is configured to be engageable with a solar panel. The panel support frame is selectively positionable relative to the base frame via selective positioning of the actuators between their respective retracted and extended positions, and via selective pivoting of the actuators relative to the base frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Gacka, Masoud Vaezi
  • Patent number: 10730505
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an intelligent vehicle controller, an electric motor, a battery, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and an electrical generator coupled to the ICE configured to provide electricity to the battery and the electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller receives ICE power level shifting data from the electrical generator, ICE, battery, and electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller determines a desirable torque and/or a desirable revolutions per minute (RPM) for the ICE based on the received ICE power level shifting data by utilizing an efficiency map that includes fuel efficiency contours and noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) level lines for the hybrid electric vehicle. The intelligent vehicle controller may have first and second vehicle operation modes, and may derive first and a second desirable power levels for the ICE in the first and second operation modes, based on the ICE power level shifting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC
    Inventors: Mehran Bidarvatan, Thomas Gacka
  • Patent number: 10640062
    Abstract: A system for intelligent power management for a vehicle includes a fuel efficiency sensor, a dynamometer, an noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) sensor, and a measurement unit & map generator. The fuel efficiency sensor measures fuel efficiencies of the vehicle. The dynamometer senses torques and revolutions per minute (RPMs) of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The NVH sensor measures NVH level, for example noise and/or vibration levels, of the vehicle. The measurement unit & map generator produces an efficiency map including a plurality of fuel efficiency contours, a plurality of NVH level lines, and a plurality of power level curves. The efficiency map includes at least one vehicle operation point that corresponds to an acceptable NVH level and/or a desirable fuel efficiency, and that represents a desirable torque and a desirable RPM of the ICE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LLC
    Inventors: Mehran Bidarvatan, Thomas Gacka
  • Publication number: 20190344734
    Abstract: A system for intelligent power management for a vehicle includes a fuel efficiency sensor, a dynamometer, an noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) sensor, and a measurement unit & map generator. The fuel efficiency sensor measures fuel efficiencies of the vehicle. The dynamometer senses torques and revolutions per minute (RPMs) of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The NVH sensor measures NVH level, for example noise and/or vibration levels, of the vehicle. The measurement unit & map generator produces an efficiency map including a plurality of fuel efficiency contours, a plurality of NVH level lines, and a plurality of power level curves. The efficiency map includes at least one vehicle operation point that corresponds to an acceptable NVH level and/or a desirable fuel efficiency, and that represents a desirable torque and a desirable RPM of the ICE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mehran Bidarvatan, Thomas Gacka
  • Publication number: 20190344776
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an intelligent vehicle controller, an electric motor, a battery, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and an electrical generator coupled to the ICE configured to provide electricity to the battery and the electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller receives ICE power level shifting data from the electrical generator, ICE, battery, and electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller determines a desirable torque and/or a desirable revolutions per minute (RPM) for the ICE based on the received ICE power level shifting data by utilizing an efficiency map that includes fuel efficiency contours and noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) level lines for the hybrid electric vehicle. The intelligent vehicle controller may have first and second vehicle operation modes, and may derive first and a second desirable power levels for the ICE in the first and second operation modes, based on the ICE power level shifting data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mehran Bidarvatan, Thomas Gacka