Patents by Inventor Todd W Nelson

Todd W Nelson 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: 12043175
    Abstract: Systems for detecting movement of a trailer having a rearward facing camera and linked to a tow vehicle. The systems include taking a first image and a second image with the camera and comparing the images. A first amount of trailer movement is determined between the second image and the first image. The systems may also take additional images and determine a second amount of trailer movement occurring between the additional images. Tracking the first amount and the second amount of trailer movement determines an amount of trailer sway. The determined trailer sway may be compared to a maximum allowable sway and, if the movement is greater than the maximum allowable sway, mitigating sway of the trailer with the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yun Qian Miao, Halit Zengin, Akram M. Abdel-Rahman, Todd W. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20230137098
    Abstract: Systems for detecting movement of a trailer having a rearward facing camera and linked to a tow vehicle. The systems include taking a first image and a second image with the camera and comparing the images. A first amount of trailer movement is determined between the second image and the first image. The systems may also take additional images and determine a second amount of trailer movement occurring between the additional images. Tracking the first amount and the second amount of trailer movement determines an amount of trailer sway. The determined trailer sway may be compared to a maximum allowable sway and, if the movement is greater than the maximum allowable sway, mitigating sway of the trailer with the tow vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yun Qian Miao, Halit Zengin, Akram M. Abdel-Rahman, Todd W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10481043
    Abstract: A method for small leak testing of an evaporative emissions system includes monitoring a vacuum pressure level of the evaporation emissions system with the engine on and actuating a canister vent valve to regulate the vacuum pressure level to a predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level. Upon turning the engine off, the canister vent valve and a canister purge valve are closed to seal the evaporative emissions system. Next, the vacuum pressure level is recorded over a predetermined time period after turning off the engine and a fault code is set when the vacuum pressure level becomes less than the predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Todd W Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190078976
    Abstract: A method for small leak testing of an evaporative emissions system includes monitoring a vacuum pressure level of the evaporation emissions system with the engine on and actuating a canister vent valve to regulate the vacuum pressure level to a predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level. Upon turning the engine off, the canister vent valve and a canister purge valve are closed to seal the evaporative emissions system. Next, the vacuum pressure level is recorded over a predetermined time period after turning off the engine and a fault code is set when the vacuum pressure level becomes less than the predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventor: Todd W Nelson