Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Bockelmann

Thomas R. Bockelmann 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: 7564213
    Abstract: A battery control system for controlling a state of charge of a hybrid vehicle battery includes a detecting arrangement for determining a vehicle operating state or an intended vehicle operating state and a controller for setting a target state of charge level of the battery based on the vehicle operating state or the intended vehicle operating state. The controller is operable to set a target state of charge level at a first level during a mobile vehicle operating state and at a second level during a stationary vehicle operating state or in anticipation of the vehicle operating in the stationary vehicle operating state. The invention further includes a method for controlling a state of charge of a hybrid vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bockelmann, Kevin D. Beaty, Zhanijang Zou, Xiaosong Kang
  • Patent number: 7489101
    Abstract: A battery control system for hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain battery, a vehicle accessory battery, and a prime mover driven generator adapted to charge the vehicle accessory battery. A detecting arrangement is configured to monitor the vehicle accessory battery's state of charge. A controller is configured to activate the prime mover to drive the generator and recharge the vehicle accessory battery in response to the vehicle accessory battery's state of charge falling below a first predetermined level, or transfer electrical power from the hybrid powertrain battery to the vehicle accessory battery in response to the vehicle accessory battery's state of charge falling below a second predetermined level. The invention further includes a method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bockelmann, Mark E. Hope, Zhanjiang Zou, Xiaosong Kang
  • Patent number: 7104920
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle powertrain system includes a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven power transmission mechanism having a power take-off adapted to drive a vehicle accessory, and a second prime mover. The second prime mover is operable to drive the power transmission mechanism alone or in combination with the first prime mover to provide power to the power take-off through the power transmission mechanism. The invention further includes methods for operating a hybrid vehicle powertrain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Beaty, Thomas R. Bockelmann, Zhanijang Zou, Mark E. Hope, Xiaosong Kang, Jeffrey L. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6105449
    Abstract: A control for enhanced manual shifting in a computer-assisted (48) vehicular splitter-type compound transmission (16) having a synchronized main section (16A) shifted by a manually operated shift lever (31) and a controller (42). The splitter section (16B) is located at the input end of the transmission, is provided with a three-position (L, H, N) actuator (46), and is commanded to a splitter-neutral position upon sensing an intent for a main section shift to neutral and remains in splitter neutral until the main section is reengaged to reduce the forces required to synchronize the main section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Genise, Paul J. Mason, Thomas R. Bockelmann