Patents by Inventor Timothy Gordon

Timothy Gordon 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: 12539840
    Abstract: A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination. The system comprises at least one torque generating component for inducing movements of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer; a control unit configured to, during driving of the vehicle combination, activate the torque generating component and apply a pre-determined control action to the torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer; and at least one detection unit configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer. The invention also relates to a probing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Gordon, Yangyan Gao
  • Patent number: 12534079
    Abstract: A method of selecting a location of a tracking point for a vehicle unit of a vehicle includes dynamically adapting the location of the tracking point based on a vehicle speed. In some examples, the location of the tracking point for a relatively high speed is located (along the vehicle unit) in front of the location of the tracking point for a relatively low speed. Also disclosed is a method of determining a reference location of the tracking point for a reference speed. The method comprises evaluating vehicle motion behavior for a plurality of candidate locations of the tracking point, and selecting one of the candidate locations as the reference location based on vehicle motion behavior metric values acquired through the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Timothy Gordon, Shammi Rahman
  • Patent number: 12489264
    Abstract: A tool to facilitate attachment and detachment of cable connectors. The tool includes a backstop plate for engaging a cable connector receptacle housing, an overmold plate for engaging a cable connector being insertibly connected into a cable connector receptacle, and a rotational means passing through a rotational acceptor formed as part of the overmold plate and rotatably attached to the backstop plate. The rotational means causes the overmold plate to approach the backstop plate upon application of a first spin direction of the rotational means and causing the overmold plate to recede from the backstop plate upon application of a second spin direction of the rotational means. The overmold plate approaching the backstop plate causes the engaged cable connector to be insertibly connected into the cable connector receptacle housing and the overmold plate receding from the backstop plate causes the engaged cable connector to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Scaglione, Paul Samaniego, Oswald J. Mantilla, Daniel Ruiz, Mateusz Koziol, Michael T. Peets, Kyle Olson, Timothy Gordon, Brianna Malcolm
  • Patent number: 12420788
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle to follow a reference path (P), the method comprising obtaining the reference path (P) to be followed by the vehicle, determining a goal point (G) along the path (P) to be used as a steering reference from a vehicle location (x) in vicinity of the path (P), where the goal point (G) is distanced along the path (P) by a preview distance (Dp) measured from a reference location (x, G0) associated with the vehicle location (x), where the preview distance (Dp) is determined at least partly based on a lateral deviation (y) of the vehicle location (x) from the reference path (P), such that the preview distance (Dp) increases with an increasing lateral deviation (y) from the reference path (P), and decreases with a decreasing lateral deviation (y), and controlling the vehicle on the basis of the goal point (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Shammi Rahman, Timothy Gordon, Leon Henderson
  • Patent number: 12377845
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle to follow a reference path (P), comprising determining a goal point along the reference path to be used as a steering reference from a vehicle location in vicinity of the path, where the goal point is distanced along the path by a preview distance measured from a reference location associated with the vehicle location, determining a direction w1 of a first flow field associated with the reference path, determining whether a lateral deviation of the vehicle location from the reference path exceeds a threshold lateral deviation, and controlling the vehicle in accordance with the direction w1 of a first flow field if the lateral deviation exceeds the threshold lateral deviation, and otherwise controlling the vehicle in accordance with the direction wpipe of a pipe flow substantially parallel to the reference path or in accordance with an optimization-based path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Timothy Gordon, Shammi Rahman, Leon Henderson
  • Patent number: 12358509
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed in a vehicle control unit for controlling motion of a heavy-duty vehicle. The method includes obtaining a vehicle motion request, wherein the vehicle motion request is indicative of a target curvature and a target acceleration, determining a motion support device, MSD, control allocation based on the vehicle motion request, determining a dynamic wheel slip angle limit based on the vehicle motion request, where dynamic wheel slip angle limit increases with a decreasing target acceleration, and controlling the motion of the heavy-duty vehicle based on the MSD control allocation constrained by the dynamic wheel slip angle limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Leon Henderson, Timothy Gordon
  • Publication number: 20240429669
    Abstract: A tool to facilitate attachment and detachment of cable connectors. The tool includes a backstop plate for engaging a cable connector receptacle housing, an overmold plate for engaging a cable connector being insertibly connected into a cable connector receptacle, and a rotational means passing through a rotational acceptor formed as part of the overmold plate and rotatably attached to the backstop plate. The rotational means causes the overmold plate to approach the backstop plate upon application of a first spin direction of the rotational means and causing the overmold plate to recede from the backstop plate upon application of a second spin direction of the rotational means. The overmold plate approaching the backstop plate causes the engaged cable connector to be insertibly connected into the cable connector receptacle housing and the overmold plate receding from the backstop plate causes the engaged cable connector to be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Scaglione, Paul Samaniego, Oswald J. Mantilla, Daniel Ruiz, Mateusz Koziol, Michael T. Peets, KYLE OLSON, Timothy Gordon, Brianna Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20240278780
    Abstract: A method of selecting a location of a tracking point for a vehicle unit of a vehicle includes dynamically adapting the location of the tracking point based on a vehicle speed. In some examples, the location of the tracking point for a relatively high speed is located (along the vehicle unit) in front of the location of the tracking point for a relatively low speed. Also disclosed is a method of determining a reference location of the tracking point for a reference speed. The method comprises evaluating vehicle motion behavior for a plurality of candidate locations of the tracking point, and selecting one of the candidate locations as the reference location based on vehicle motion behavior metric values acquired through the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yangyan GAO, Timothy GORDON, Shammi RAHMAN
  • Publication number: 20240227794
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle to follow a reference path (P), the method comprising obtaining the reference path (P) to be followed by the vehicle, determining a goal point (G) along the path (P) to be used as a steering reference from a vehicle location (x) in vicinity of the path (P), where the goal point (G) is distanced along the path (P) by a preview distance (Dp) measured from a reference location (x, G0) associated with the vehicle location (x), where the preview distance (Dp) is determined at least partly based on a lateral deviation (y) of the vehicle location (x) from the reference path (P), such that the preview distance (Dp) increases with an increasing lateral deviation (y) from the reference path (P), and decreases with a decreasing lateral deviation (y), and controlling the vehicle on the basis of the goal point (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Shammi Rahman, Timothy Gordon, Leon Henderson
  • Publication number: 20240227795
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle to follow a reference path, the method including obtaining the reference path to be followed by the vehicle, determining a goal point along the path to be steered towards from a vehicle location in vicinity of the path, where the goal point is distanced along the path by a preview distance measured from a reference location associated with the vehicle location, where the preview distance is determined at least partly based on a lateral deviation of the vehicle location from the reference path, such that the preview distance increases with an increasing lateral deviation from the reference path, and decreases with a decreasing lateral deviation, and controlling the vehicle towards the goal point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Yangyan GAO, Leon HENDERSON, Timothy GORDON, Shammi RAHMAN, Leo LAINE
  • Publication number: 20240227793
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle to follow a reference path (P), comprising determining a goal point along the reference path to be used as a steering reference from a vehicle location in vicinity of the path, where the goal point is distanced along the path by a preview distance measured from a reference location associated with the vehicle location, determining a direction w1 of a first flow field associated with the reference path, determining whether a lateral deviation of the vehicle location from the reference path exceeds a threshold lateral deviation, and controlling the vehicle in accordance with the direction w1 of a first flow field if the lateral deviation exceeds the threshold lateral deviation, and otherwise controlling the vehicle in accordance with the direction wpipe of a pipe flow substantially parallel to the reference path or in accordance with an optimization-based path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Yangyan Gao, Timothy Gordon, Shammi Rahman, Leon Henderson
  • Publication number: 20230146431
    Abstract: A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination. The system comprises at least one torque generating component for inducing movements of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer; a control unit configured to, during driving of the vehicle combination, activate the torque generating component and apply a pre-determined control action to the torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer; and at least one detection unit configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer. The invention also relates to a probing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy GORDON, Yangyan GAO
  • Publication number: 20230063613
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed in a vehicle control unit for controlling motion of a heavy-duty vehicle. The method includes obtaining a vehicle motion request, wherein the vehicle motion request is indicative of a target curvature and a target acceleration, determining a motion support device, MSD, control allocation based on the vehicle motion request, determining a dynamic wheel slip angle limit based on the vehicle motion request, where dynamic wheel slip angle limit increases with a decreasing target acceleration, and controlling the motion of the heavy-duty vehicle based on the MSD control allocation constrained by the dynamic wheel slip angle limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yangyan GAO, Leon HENDERSON, Timothy GORDON
  • Patent number: 8948972
    Abstract: A vehicle controlling method which includes detecting an engagement of a vehicle tire with a rumble strip of a road, and performing first and second vehicle controls. The first vehicle control includes operating a controller to control movement of the vehicle after the vehicle tire has disengaged from the rumble strip to bring the vehicle tire back into engagement with the rumble strip. The second vehicle control includes operating the controller to continue to control movement of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle tire in engagement with the rumble strip after the vehicle tire has been brought back into engagement with the rumble strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Jiechao Liu, Timothy Gordon, Ronald Heft
  • Publication number: 20140249718
    Abstract: A vehicle controlling method which includes detecting an engagement of a vehicle tire with a rumble strip of a road, and performing first and second vehicle controls. The first vehicle control includes operating a controller to control movement of the vehicle after the vehicle tire has disengaged from the rumble strip to bring the vehicle tire back into engagement with the rumble strip. The second vehicle control includes operating the controller to continue to control movement of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle tire in engagement with the rumble strip after the vehicle tire has been brought back into engagement with the rumble strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jiechao Liu, Timothy Gordon, Ronald Heft
  • Publication number: 20100048374
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for establishing proper quantities of components in the initial mixture to be used in the fabrication of a porous ceramic substrate. The components typically consist of a solvent, a bulk fiber such as mullite, an organic binder for use in extrusion of the green substrate, a glass/clay bonding phase that bonds the fibers upon high-temperature curing and a pore former that defines gaps between the particles and is vaporized out of the substrate during curing. By identifying the controllable factors related to each of the components, and adjusting the factors to vary the resulting strength and porosity of the cured substrate, an optimized strength and porosity performance can be achieved. The controlling factors for each component include its relative weight percent in the mixture. The fiber component is also controlled via fiber diameter, diameter uniformity, and fiber length-to-diameter aspect ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: James Jenq Liu, Bilal Zuberi, William M. Carty, Rachel A. Dahl, Jerry C. Weinstein, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, Timothy Gordon, James Marshall
  • Publication number: 20080055491
    Abstract: A video terminal may be provided. The video terminal may include internal hardware. The video terminal may include a cabinet, the cabinet enclosing the internal hardware. The video terminal may include a door movably attached to the cabinet, the door having a door opened and a door closed position. The video terminal may include a display screen movably attached to the cabinet separately from the door and having a screen opened and a screen closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy Gordon, Julien Grell, Steven McKeown, Jean-Frederic Roy, Todd Smith
  • Publication number: 20070143631
    Abstract: This invention relates to reprogramming of in-circuit programmable chips installed in video lottery terminals (VLTs) by downloading electronic information (software) to such chips. Encrypted electronic information is downloaded from a host device to a gaming terminal through a communications link. The terminal comprises a decryption component configured for decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at least two security keys, at least one said key being resident in the terminal and at least another said key being delivered to the terminal at the time of the downloading (the downloading facilitating a replacement of existing software in terminal with corresponding decrypted software obtained from decrypting the encrypted information). The encrypted information transmitted to the terminal comprises at least one next version key for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a next version of encrypted electronic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Gordon, Bartholmew Kelly, Joseph Cormier
  • Patent number: 6579252
    Abstract: A method to and apparatus to prevent injury and infection of a health-care recipient as a result of anticipated possible complications associated with any ones of a predetermined plurality of health-care procedures. The invention provides specific unambiguous warning indications prohibiting one or more of the aforementioned procedures on the outer surface of a physical barrier which is placed onto said health-care recipient in such a way that the indications are clearly visible, or alternatively affixed as a decal to the skin of the patent. The presence of said barrier is designed to significantly interferes with any reasonable application said plurality of procedures on said recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lloyd, Timothy Gordon