Patents by Inventor Vasilios Tsourapas
Vasilios Tsourapas 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: 11691467Abstract: An autonomous dock system for a vehicle, comprises a control system with instructions comprising steps for receiving a request to implement an autonomous dock routine. A vehicle speed and clutch position are calculated. A clutch position controller is commanded to maintain the calculated clutch position. An actual torque amount is iteratively detected as transferred across the clutch. A vehicle speed-control mechanism is commanded to maintain the calculated vehicle speed, and the actual vehicle speed is iteratively detected. When comparing the commanded vehicle speed to the detected actual vehicle speed indicates that the detected actual vehicle speed is below a speed threshold, and when the actual torque amount transferred across the clutch exceeds a torque threshold, the control system commands an increase in vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Conor H. Dodd, Nathan H. Cox, Matthew T. Boillat, Jon A. Steeby, Sujay Sirur, Rajeev Verma, Vishal V. Mahulkar, Vasilios Tsourapas, Kevin Snow
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Publication number: 20210276379Abstract: An autonomous dock system for a vehicle, comprises a control system with instructions comprising steps for receiving a request to implement an autonomous dock routine. A vehicle speed and clutch position are calculated. A clutch position controller is commanded to maintain the calculated clutch position. An actual torque amount is iteratively detected as transferred across the clutch. A vehicle speed-control mechanism is commanded to maintain the calculated vehicle speed, and the actual vehicle speed is iteratively detected. When comparing the commanded vehicle speed to the detected actual vehicle speed indicates that the detected actual vehicle speed is below a speed threshold, and when the actual torque amount transferred across the clutch exceeds a torque threshold, the control system commands an increase in vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Conor H. Dodd, Nathan H. Cox, Matthew T. Boillat, Jon A. Steeby, Sujay Sirur, Rajeev Verma, Vishal V. Mahulkar, Vasilios Tsourapas, Kevin Snow
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Patent number: 11014416Abstract: An autonomous dock system for a vehicle, comprises a control system with instructions comprising steps for receiving a request to implement an autonomous dock routine. A vehicle speed and clutch position are calculated. A clutch position controller is commanded to maintain the calculated clutch position. An actual torque amount is iteratively detected as transferred across the clutch. A vehicle speed-control mechanism is commanded to maintain the calculated vehicle speed, and the actual vehicle speed is iteratively detected. When comparing the commanded vehicle speed to the detected actual vehicle speed indicates that the detected actual vehicle speed is below a speed threshold, and when the actual torque amount transferred across the clutch exceeds a torque threshold, the control system commands an increase in vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Conor H Dodd, Nathan H Cox, Matthew T Boillat, Jon A Steeby, Sujay Sirur, Rajeev Verma, Vishal V. Mahulkar, Vasilios Tsourapas, Kevin Snow
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Patent number: 10934951Abstract: A variable speed hybrid electric supercharger assembly is controlled to regulate an adaptive state of charge of an energy storage device and/or to boost an engine based on a performance mode selected by a driver. In one example, a reference state of charge is determined based upon driving characteristics of a vehicle and compared to an actual state of charge of the energy storage device. If the difference indicates a deficit, an operation mode is selected to regenerate the energy storage device. In another example, a planetary gearing arrangement between an engine and an electric motor is configured to increase or decrease power transferred to the supercharger by the engine based upon the performance mode selected by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Robert Philip Benjey, Vasilios Tsourapas
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Patent number: 10598081Abstract: Packaged boost systems and electrical assist assemblies presented. In one example, packaged boost system includes a supercharger, a brake assembly, and a transmission assembly that are packaged together in a generally axisymmetric configuration. In one example, a packaged electrical assist assembly includes a supercharger, a transmission assembly, and a brake assembly that are packaged together in a generally axisymmetric configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Sara Rose McClellan, David James Schrock, Brian Thompson Smith, Vasilios Tsourapas
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Patent number: 10344668Abstract: A boost system for providing boost pressure to an air intake manifold of an engine includes a supercharger having rotors and a supercharger input shaft, an electric motor/generator, and a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set operates to transfer torque between the supercharger input shaft, the electric motor/generator and a crankshaft of the engine. The boost system can have a compact configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Robert Philip Benjey, Vasilios Tsourapas, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Matthew Joseph Glass, Brian Thompson Smith, Sara Rose McClellan
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Publication number: 20190040808Abstract: A variable speed hybrid electric supercharger assembly is controlled to regulate an adaptive state of charge of an energy storage device and/or to boost an engine based on a performance mode selected by a driver. In one example, a reference state of charge is determined based upon driving characteristics of a vehicle and compared to an actual state of charge of the energy storage device. If the difference indicates a deficit, an operation mode is selected to regenerate the energy storage device. In another example, a planetary gearing arrangement between an engine and an electric motor is configured to increase or decrease power transferred to the supercharger by the engine based upon the performance mode selected by the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Robert Philip BENJEY, Vasilios TSOURAPAS
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Publication number: 20190039425Abstract: An autonomous dock system for a vehicle, comprises a control system with instructions comprising steps for receiving a request to implement an autonomous dock routine. A vehicle speed and clutch position are calculated. A clutch position controller is commanded to maintain the calculated clutch position. An actual torque amount is iteratively detected as transferred across the clutch. A vehicle speed-control mechanism is commanded to maintain the calculated vehicle speed, and the actual vehicle speed is iteratively detected. When comparing the commanded vehicle speed to the detected actual vehicle speed indicates that the detected actual vehicle speed is below a speed threshold, and when the actual torque amount transferred across the clutch exceeds a torque threshold, the control system commands an increase in vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Conor H Dodd, Nathan H Cox, Matthew T Boillat, Jon A Steeby, Sujay Sirur, Rajeev Verma, Vishal V. Mahulkar, Vasilios Tsourapas, Kevin Snow
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Patent number: 10179589Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary method for optimizing vehicle performance. The method includes determining an optimized drive torque for maximizing vehicle fuel economy and detecting a driver requested drive torque. A determination is made on whether the driver requested drive torque is performance related or safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the optimized drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is not performance and safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the driver requested drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is either performance or safety related.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Zhijun Tang, Michael P. Nowak, Benjamin Saltsman, Dnyaneshwar Ambhore, Benjamin Morris, Vasilios Tsourapas, Chinmaya Patil, Hassan Al-Atat
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Publication number: 20180371933Abstract: In one aspect, the teachings presented herein include a power generation system including: a power plant having an air intake and an exhaust outlet; a boost device in fluid communication with the power plant air intake, the boost device being for pressurizing air entering the power plant air intake; a waste heat recovery device in fluid communication with the power plant exhaust outlet, the waste heat recovery device being for recovering energy from exhaust from the power plant; a first motor/generator coupled to the boost device; a second motor/generator coupled to the waste heat recovery device; an energy storage device for storing energy generated by the first and second motor/generators and for delivering power to drive the first motor/generator; a controller for controlling the first and second motor/generators, wherein the controller is configured to control the level of power generated by the waste heat recovery device based on a state of charge of the energy storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Vasilios TSOURAPAS, Sean Paul KEIDEL, Matthew James FORTINI
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Patent number: 10125698Abstract: A variable speed hybrid electric supercharger assembly is controlled to regulate an adaptive state of charge of an energy storage device and/or to boost an engine based on a performance mode selected by a driver. In one example, a reference state of charge is determined based upon driving characteristics of a vehicle and compared to an actual state of charge of the energy storage device. If the difference indicates a deficit, an operation mode is selected to regenerate the energy storage device. In another example, a planetary gearing arrangement between an engine and an electric motor is configured to increase or decrease power transferred to the supercharger by the engine based upon the performance mode selected by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Robert Philip Benjey, Vasilios Tsourapas
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Publication number: 20180045109Abstract: An engine system including a power plant, an intake assist device connected to an air inlet of the power plant, and an expander connected to an exhaust outlet of the power plant is presented. A motor/generator is connected to power the expander to selectively provide power to and capture power from the expander. An expander controller is connected to control the motor/generator connection to the expander, and is configured to select between a passive mode, where exhaust passively moves through the expander, and an active mode, where the motor/generator powers the expander to actively draw exhaust from the exhaust manifold. In one example, the air intake and exhaust flows are controlled independently of the rotational speed of the power plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew James FORTINI, Sean Paul KEIDEL, Vasilios TSOURAPAS
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Publication number: 20180045103Abstract: Packaged boost systems and electrical assist assemblies presented. In one example, packaged boost system includes a supercharger, a brake assembly, and a transmission assembly that are packaged together in a generally axisymmetric configuration. In one example, a packaged electrical assist assembly includes a supercharger, a transmission assembly, and a brake assembly that are packaged together in a generally axisymmetric configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Sara Rose MCCLELLAN, David James SCHROCK, Brian Thompson SMITH, Vasilios TSOURAPAS
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Patent number: 9856781Abstract: An assembly for controlling air flow to an engine includes a first supercharger (20) and a second supercharger (22). The superchargers are arranged in parallel with one another and in series with the throttle (70) in the air flow to the engine cylinders, and are configured to be operatively connectable with the engine upstream in the air flow to the cylinders. The assembly includes a load device (38) selectively connectable to the first supercharger (20) and selectively alternately operable to provide energy to or receive energy from the first supercharger. The superchargers are configured to be separately selectively operatively connectable with the throttle and the crankshaft to enable different modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Vasilios Tsourapas, Robert Philip Benjey
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Patent number: 9751411Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
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Publication number: 20160319733Abstract: A boost system for providing boost pressure to an air intake manifold of an engine includes a supercharger having rotors and a supercharger input shaft, an electric motor/generator, and a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set operates to transfer torque between the supercharger input shaft, the electric motor/generator and a crankshaft of the engine. The boost system can have a compact configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Robert Philip BENJEY, Vasilios TSOURAPAS, Daniel R. OUWENGA, Matthew Joseph GLASS, Brian Thompson SMITH, Sara Rose BERGLUND
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Publication number: 20160221578Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary method for optimizing vehicle performance. The method includes determining an optimized drive torque for maximizing vehicle fuel economy and detecting a driver requested drive torque. A determination is made on whether the driver requested drive torque is performance related or safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the optimized drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is not performance and safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the driver requested drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is either performance or safety related.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Zhijun Tang, Michael P. Nowak, Benjamin Saltsman, Dnyaneshwar Ambhore, Benjamin Morris, Vasilios Tsourapas, Chinmaya Patil, Hassan Al-Atat
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Publication number: 20150377158Abstract: A variable speed hybrid electric supercharger assembly is controlled to regulate an adaptive state of charge of an energy storage device and/or to boost an engine based on a performance mode selected by a driver. In one example, a reference state of charge is determined based upon driving characteristics of a vehicle and compared to an actual state of charge of the energy storage device. If the difference indicates a deficit, an operation mode is selected to regenerate the energy storage device. In another example, a planetary gearing arrangement between an engine and an electric motor is configured to increase or decrease power transferred to the supercharger by the engine based upon the performance mode selected by the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Robert Philip BENJEY, Vasilios TSOURAPAS
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Patent number: 9221452Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary method for optimizing vehicle performance. The method includes determining an optimized drive torque for maximizing vehicle fuel economy and detecting a driver requested drive torque. A determination is made on whether the driver requested drive torque is performance related or safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the optimized drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is not performance and safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the driver requested drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is either performance or safety related.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Zhijun Tang, Michael P. Nowak, Benjamin Saltsman, Dnyaneshwar L. Ambhore, Benjamin Morris, Vasilios Tsourapas, Chinmaya B. Patil, Hassan Al-Atat
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Publication number: 20150308296Abstract: An exhaust gas energy recovery system includes an internal combustion engine, a volumetric fluid expander, and a water injection mechanism. The internal combustion engine includes an air inlet, at least one cylinder, and an exhaust gas outlet for conveying an exhaust gas stream at a first pressure. The volumetric fluid expander generates useful work at an output shaft by expanding the exhaust gas stream to a second pressure lower than the first pressure as the exhaust gas stream moves through the volumetric fluid expander. The water injection mechanism injects water into the system at a location between the air inlet of the engine and the expander to increase the volume of the exhaust received by the expander for increased power output at the expander.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Swami Nathan SUBRAMANIAN, Vasilios TSOURAPAS, Matthew James FORTINI, Bradley Karl WRIGHT, JR.