Patents by Inventor Timothy PANAGIS
Timothy PANAGIS 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).
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Patent number: 11845433Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a brake module operably coupled to a braking system to provide a braking torque request, a steering module operably coupled to a steering system to provide a steering input request, a power supply, and a power management module. The power supply is operably coupled to the brake module and the steering module to provide power to the brake module and the steering module. The power supply has a power budget indicating a maximum power providable to the brake module and the steering module. The power management module is operably coupled to sensors to receive a power draw indication from one of the brake module or the steering module and control power draw of the other of the steering module or the brake module to maintain a combined power draw of the brake module and the steering module below the power budget.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brandon Beauvais, Timothy Panagis, Chad Michael Korte, Daniel A. Gabor
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Publication number: 20230391334Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a brake module operably coupled to a braking system of the vehicle to provide a braking torque request to the braking system, a steering module operably coupled to a steering system of the vehicle to provide a steering input request to the steering system, a power supply, and a power management module. The power supply may be operably coupled to the brake module and the steering module to provide power to the brake module and the steering module. The power supply may have a power budget indicating a maximum power providable to the brake module and the steering module. The power management module may be operably coupled to one or more sensors to receive a power draw indication from one of the brake module or the steering module and control power draw of the other of the steering module or the brake module to maintain a combined power draw of the brake module and the steering module below the power budget.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Brandon Beauvais, Timothy Panagis, Chad Michael Korte, Daniel A. Gabor
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Patent number: 11807062Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a collaborative relationship between a vehicle and a UAV. In one exemplary implementation, a computer that is provided in the vehicle uses images captured by an imaging system in the UAV together with images captured by an imaging system in the vehicle, to modify a suspension system of the vehicle based on a nature of the terrain located below, or ahead, of the vehicle. The computer may, for example, modify a suspension system before the vehicle reaches a rock or a pothole on the ground ahead. In another exemplary implementation, the computer may generate an augmented reality image that includes a 3D model of the vehicle rendered on an image of a terrain located below, or ahead of, the vehicle. The augmented reality image may be used by a driver of the vehicle to drive the vehicle over such terrain.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Lazarevski, Austin Thind, James Carthew, Timothy Panagis, Nelson Brock
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Patent number: 11697383Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle active chassis power system includes determining, via a processor, a minimum output voltage/current threshold for an aggregated power supply associated with an active chassis operation, and generating an aggregate State of Function (SoF) indicative of a maximum voltage/current budget for an output of the vehicle active chassis power system. The aggregate SoF is based on a primary power source voltage/current output and a power storage voltage/current output. The method further includes causing to control an active chassis power system actuator based on a minimum voltage/current value associated with the aggregate SoF. Causing to control the active chassis power system actuator can include publishing the aggregate SoF to a braking actuator, a steering actuator, or to a domain controller that actively distributes an aggregated power supply capability SoF to a braking actuator and a steering actuator based on one or more present vehicle states.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Eifert, Pankaj Kumar, Timothy Panagis, Peter Phung
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Publication number: 20220371531Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle active chassis power system includes determining, via a processor, a minimum output voltage/current threshold for an aggregated power supply associated with an active chassis operation, and generating an aggregate State of Function (SoF) indicative of a maximum voltage/current budget for an output of the vehicle active chassis power system. The aggregate SoF is based on a primary power source voltage/current output and a power storage voltage/current output. The method further includes causing to control an active chassis power system actuator based on a minimum voltage/current value associated with the aggregate SoF. Causing to control the active chassis power system actuator can include publishing the aggregate SoF to a braking actuator, a steering actuator, or to a domain controller that actively distributes an aggregated power supply capability SoF to a braking actuator and a steering actuator based on one or more present vehicle states.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Eifert, Pankaj Kumar, Timothy Panagis, Peter Phung
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Publication number: 20220297495Abstract: A method of automatically applying damping force interventions for a suspension system of a vehicle may include receiving ride height information from a plurality of ride height sensors associated with respective individual wheels of the vehicle, and receiving vehicle speed information. The method further includes determining, based on the ride height information, vehicle speed and timing information, whether a trigger event has occurred. The method also includes generating damping intervention signals to selected ones of the respective individual wheels of the vehicle responsive to determining that the trigger event has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Tom Sawarynski, Jason Michener, Chris Michael Paiva, Ali Abdallah, Timothy Panagis, Andy Robert Vrenko, Adam Stroup
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Publication number: 20220289270Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein to center a steering wheel. An example vehicle includes a steering assistance system, an axle including a wheel, memory, and a processor to execute instructions to identify a first position of the wheel, detect a request to move the wheel to a second position, adjust the wheel from the first position to the second position via the steering assistance system, disengage the steering assistance system, the disengagement of the steering assistance system to cause the wheel to move to a third position, the third position offset from the second position by an angular offset in a first direction, adjust the wheel to a fourth position, the fourth position offset from the second position by the angular offset in a second direction different than the first direction, and disengage the steering assistance system, the disengagement of the steering assistance system to cause the wheel to move to the second position..Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Daniel James Nichols, William James Bouse, Justin Sekula, Alex Parker, Zhongzhou Yang, Timothy Panagis, Zheng Tan, Bo Lin
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Patent number: 11413922Abstract: A method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle includes identifying an amplitude and a frequency of at least one harmonic event in a topology of a surface to be traversed by the vehicle, and, with a controller, altering at least one response characteristic of at least one adjustable component of the suspension system based on at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic event. Systems and methods relate to controlling vehicle suspension systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Paul Miska, Timothy Panagis
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Publication number: 20210155069Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a collaborative relationship between a vehicle and a UAV. In one exemplary implementation, a computer that is provided in the vehicle uses images captured by an imaging system in the UAV together with images captured by an imaging system in the vehicle, to modify a suspension system of the vehicle based on a nature of the terrain located below, or ahead, of the vehicle. The computer may, for example, modify a suspension system before the vehicle reaches a rock or a pothole on the ground ahead. In another exemplary implementation, the computer may generate an augmented reality image that includes a 3D model of the vehicle rendered on an image of a terrain located below, or ahead of, the vehicle. The augmented reality image may be used by a driver of the vehicle to drive the vehicle over such terrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Lazarevski, Austin Thind, James Carthew, Timothy Panagis, Nelson Brock
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Patent number: 11007837Abstract: Example methods and systems for optimizing vehicle ride performance are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a calculator to calculate a vertical velocity of a vehicle wheel and a comparer to perform a comparison of the vertical velocity to a threshold. The example apparatus includes a damping force manager to determine a damping force to be generated by a vehicle suspension system based on the comparison and a communicator to transmit a request including the damping force to be generated to the vehicle suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ahmed Mohamed, David Michael Russell, Russ Lee Norton, Timothy Panagis, Christopher James Dean
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Patent number: 10737544Abstract: Systems and methods to control suspension of a vehicle are disclosed. An example apparatus includes one or more processors coupled to a vehicle. The one or more processors are to generate road profile data while the vehicle is moving and generate suspension control data based on the road profile data. A suspension of the vehicle is to be adjusted based on the suspension control data. The one or more processors also determine a distance traveled by the vehicle during a time interval. The time interval is associated with generating the road profile data or adjusting the suspension. The one or more processors also adjust the suspension based on the suspension control data, the distance, and a preview distance associated with the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy Panagis, Phil Lenius, Uwe Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10634924Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a vehicle ride height, determine an angle of a display projector in a vehicle instrument panel based on the ride height, and actuate a motor to move the display projector to the projector angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy Panagis, Christopher Melgar, Peter Lazarevski
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Patent number: 10589589Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example vehicle suspension includes a yoke to couple a knuckle to an axle of the vehicle suspension. The yoke includes a post to receive the axle and a lobe projecting from the post.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, John Wesley Stanley, Vijay Bokil, James Adam Drozdowski, Timothy Panagis
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Patent number: 10532624Abstract: Methods and apparatus to calibrate height sensors of a vehicle suspension are described herein. An example method includes measuring a first voltage output of a height sensor coupled to a control arm of a suspension when the control arm is at a first position, associating the first voltage output to the first position of the control arm, measuring a second voltage output of the height sensor when the control arm is at a second position, associating the second voltage output to the second position of the control arm, measuring a third voltage output of the height sensor when the control arm is in a third position, and associating the third voltage output to the third position of the control arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Russ Lee Norton, Timothy Panagis, Daniel Lee Grohnke
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Patent number: 10435072Abstract: A steering compensation apparatus includes a road camber determiner to determine a first road camber at a road position in front of a vehicle using wheel trajectory data and height data of the road position, a road camber logic circuit to select, via a torque mapper mapping a plurality of road cambers to a plurality of first compensating torques, a first compensating torque corresponding to the first road camber and a steering controller to drive a motor to deliver the selected first compensating torque to a steering rack at the road position responsive to the first road camber.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Walsh, Timothy Panagis, Daniel Slavin
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Publication number: 20190232748Abstract: Example methods and systems for optimizing vehicle ride performance are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a calculator to calculate a vertical velocity of a vehicle wheel and a comparer to perform a comparison of the vertical velocity to a threshold. The example apparatus includes a damping force manager to determine a damping force to be generated by a vehicle suspension system based on the comparison and a communicator to transmit a request including the damping force to be generated to the vehicle suspension system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Ahmed Mohamed, David Michael Russell, Russ Lee Norton, Timothy Panagis, Christopher James Dean
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Publication number: 20190187481Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a vehicle ride height, determine an angle of a display projector in a vehicle instrument panel based on the ride height, and actuate a motor to move the display projector to the projector angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Panagis, Christopher Melgar, Peter Lazarevski
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Publication number: 20190126713Abstract: A method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle includes identifying an amplitude and a frequency of at least one harmonic event in a topology of a surface to be traversed by the vehicle, and, with a controller, altering at least one response characteristic of at least one adjustable component of the suspension system based on at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic event. Systems and methods relate to controlling vehicle suspension systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Paul MISKA, Timothy PANAGIS
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Publication number: 20190061455Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example vehicle suspension includes a yoke to couple a knuckle to an axle of the vehicle suspension. The yoke includes a post to receive the axle and a lobe projecting from the post.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, John Wesley Stanley, Vijay Bokil, James Adam Drozdowski, Timothy Panagis
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Publication number: 20190023094Abstract: Systems and methods to control suspension of a vehicle are disclosed. An example apparatus includes one or more processors coupled to a vehicle. The one or more processors are to generate road profile data while the vehicle is moving and generate suspension control data based on the road profile data. A suspension of the vehicle is to be adjusted based on the suspension control data. The one or more processors also determine a distance traveled by the vehicle during a time interval. The time interval is associated with generating the road profile data or adjusting the suspension. The one or more processors also adjust the suspension based on the suspension control data, the distance, and a preview distance associated with the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Timothy Panagis, Phil Lenius, Uwe Hoffmann