Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
  • Patent number: 8655518
    Abstract: A system includes a scheduling module and a resolution module. The scheduling module determines plural initial schedules for plural different vehicles to concurrently travel in a transportation network. The initial schedules include locations and times for the vehicles to travel. The resolution module modifies at least one of the initial schedules to one or more modified schedules based on an anomaly in at least one of the vehicles or the routes that prevents one or more of the vehicles from traveling in the transportation network according to the initial schedules. The scheduling module communicates the modified schedules to the vehicles so that energy management systems disposed on the vehicles modify travel of the vehicles according to the modified schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared Cooper, Joseph Noffsinger, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Mason Samuels, Paul Houpt, Joel Kickbusch, Mahir Telatar, David Eldredge, Mitchell Scott Wills, Ramu Chandra
  • Patent number: 8655519
    Abstract: A system, method and device for controlling a rail vehicle consist configured to traverse a rail system is provided. In one embodiment, the system may include a second module configured to receive environmental data from a first module having one or more sensors, wherein the environmental data is indicative of one or more environmental conditions for a portion of the rail system; wherein the second module is further configured to conduct an assessment of the environmental data in relation to a first control parameter; the second module is further configured to communicate one or more control signals of one of the first control parameter or a different, second control parameter based on the assessment; each of the first and second control parameters relates to controlling tractive effort of the rail vehicle consist over the portion of the rail system; and the second module is further configured to communicate the one or more control signals to a third module for control of the rail vehicle consist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Elecric Company
    Inventors: Jared Cooper, David Peltz, Daniel Ballesty, Robert Bremmer, Lindsey Bradshaw, Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8655520
    Abstract: An automatic train control device including a ground control device that computes a target stop position of a train, and in-vehicle control devices that receive the target stop position transmitted from the ground control device and compute speed control patterns to control the speed of the trains, respectively. On a route, a radio-equipped train that wirelessly transmits train ID•train position to the ground control device and a radio-unequipped train coexist. The ground control device manages on-rail information acquired from each track circuit, the train ID•train position, a train ID, and a train type in association with each other, calculates stop track circuit information, and calculates the target stop position for the radio-equipped train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Tokumaru
  • Patent number: 8655521
    Abstract: A method for powering a powered system having a first power generating unit where power settings for the first power generating unit are decoupled from power settings for a second power generating unit, the method including developing a power operating plan which is independent of a coupled power setting, and determining a power setting responsive to the power operating plan. A computer software code operable within a processor and configured to reside on a computer readable media for powering a powered system having at least a first power generating unit where power settings for the at least first power generating unit are decoupled from power settings for at least a second power generating unit is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James D. Brooks, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 8655522
    Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a rotational speed detector, and a controller. The drive shaft transmits power from the engine. The propeller shaft is rotationally driven by power transmitted from the drive shaft. The rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed. The controller executes a suppression control to suppress the engine rotational speed when a change rate of the engine rotational speed is equal to or larger than a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kado
  • Patent number: 8655523
    Abstract: A vehicle control device (10) comprises a driving device (20) including an engine (22) and a rotary electric machine (24), a power circuit (30) connected to the rotary electric machine (24), a control part (50), and an ecoswitch (42). The CPU (52) of the control part (50) comprises a low fuel consumption travel instruction judgment module (60) for judging on or off of the ecoswitch (42), an operation condition switch module (62) for switching the operation condition of the rotary electric machine on the basis of the on or off of the ecoswitch (42), an engine state judgment module (64) for judging whether or not the engine (22) is in a started state or a stopped state, and a damping control module (68) for carrying out damping control when the engine (22) is stalled or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Fukushiro, Koji Yamamoto, Toshiya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8655524
    Abstract: A power supply system includes power storage units formed of battery assemblies, respectively, converters corresponding to the power storage units, respectively, and a charger receiving an electric power from an external power supply for externally charging the power storage units. An ECU estimates an SOC of each power storage unit based on the SOC of a battery block of the smallest SOC in the power storage unit. When the power storage unit attains a state allowing charging by the external power supply, the ECU controls the corresponding converter to charge the power storage unit with the charge current supplied from the charger, and derives, for each power storage unit, a charge-allowed power based on the SOC of the battery block of the largest SOC. When a total value of the derived charge-allowed powers of the respective power storage units is equal to or smaller than an actual value of the supply power supplied from the external power supply, the ECU ends the external charging of the power storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8655525
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a plurality of torque generative devices, a transmission input shaft, and a planetary gear set connecting the torque generative devices to the transmission input shaft. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a desired configuration of the powertrain and selectively grounding a gear of the planetary gear set with a selectable one way clutch based upon the desired configuration of the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Larry D. Diemer, Chunhao J. Lee, Scott William Heitzenrater
  • Patent number: 8655526
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain having an electric torque machine mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine includes monitoring a temperature state of the hybrid powertrain, determining a maximum discharging power limit of the high-voltage battery corresponding to the temperature state of the hybrid powertrain, estimating an engine drag torque associated with the temperature state of the hybrid powertrain, selecting a preferred engine cranking speed associated with the estimated engine drag torque and achievable at less than the maximum discharging power limit of the high-voltage battery, and controlling the electric torque machine to generate a magnitude of motor torque output sufficient to crank the internal combustion engine at the preferred engine cranking speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: R. Travis Schwenke, Kevin J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8655527
    Abstract: A vehicle power indication status quantity display unit displays on an indicator a vehicle power indication status quantity obtained by dividing the torque required for driving a hybrid vehicle by the upper limit value of the torque that does not excessively increase the fuel consumption. A HV eco zone of the vehicle power indication status quantity display unit is the zone that is determined by the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the HV eco zone that indicates the motor is being effectively used to drive the vehicle. A check is made to determine whether the vehicle power indication status quantity is within the HV eco zone, and, if it is determined to be within the HV eco zone, the driving being performed is diagnosed as fuel-saving driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Harumoto, Kouei Kiyo, Shojiro Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8655528
    Abstract: A method for allocating forces among the corners of a vehicle having a redundant actuator suite includes determining a set of desired forces at the center of gravity of the vehicle, and allocating the set of desired forces among the corners of the vehicle as virtual control commands using a controller. The method also includes mapping the virtual control commands at the corners to actual or true control commands at the corners, and controlling a plurality of actuators at the corners using the actual or true control commands. The actuators may include friction brakes and wheel motors. Mapping the virtual control commands may include using a Least Squares formulation. Control of the actuators may be prioritized with respect to each other using weighting matrices. A vehicle includes a controller having actuators and a controller configured for executing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Shih-Ken Chen, Valery Pylypchuk, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 8655530
    Abstract: A control device controls a vehicle to perform position adjustment between a power transmission unit and a power reception unit based on a power receiving situation of the power reception unit. A height sensor is for sensing change in vehicle height of the vehicle. The control device uses relation between the power receiving situation and a distance between the power transmission unit and the power reception unit, which is predetermined according to an output from the height sensor, to perform the position adjustment between the power transmission unit and the power reception unit based on the output from the height sensor and the power receiving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8655531
    Abstract: An electrical component control system is provided for controlling a plurality of electrical components that can be installed on an electric bicycle in which human-powered driving is assisted by a motor. The bicycle electrical component control system basically includes a control part that sets a current operation mode from at least three operation modes based on an operating state of each of the electrical bicycle components. The control part controls the electrical bicycle components in accordance with the current operation mode that was selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takao Saida
  • Patent number: 8655532
    Abstract: A method of modifying the charging target for the state-of-charge (SOC) of a hybrid vehicle battery in response to a sudden power draw includes determining that the hybrid vehicle has entered a steep grade environment, adjusting a power management scheme of the hybrid vehicle from a standard charging mode to an aggressive charging mode, and operating the hybrid vehicle operated using the adjusted power management scheme. The charging target may include both an immediate charging target and an ultimate charging target, where the immediate charging target is less than the ultimate charging target, and where adjusting a power management scheme from a standard charging mode to an aggressive charging mode includes increasing the immediate charging target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Birendra P. Bhattarai, Kevin A. Dietrich, David W. Wright, Kee Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 8655533
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle may include a motor for driving a wheel; a brake device for braking the wheel in response to a driver's operation of a brake operation member; and a controller for controlling the motor in response to the driver's operation of an accelerator operation member. The controller may include a first motor control section for causing the motor to be placed in a regenerative braking mode to generate a first regenerative braking force, when a displacement amount of the accelerator operation member decreases to an amount less than a predetermined reference displacement amount; and a second motor control section for causing the motor to generate a second regenerative braking force which is a sum of the first regenerative braking force and a predetermined additional braking force, in response to the operation of the brake operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8655534
    Abstract: An assisting force control device for use in a bicycle with an electric motor and a crankshaft includes a driving member coupled co-rotatably to the crankshaft, a strain sensor disposed on the driving member, a torque calculation unit coupled to the strain sensor for calculating and outputting a torque signal, a rotational speed detection unit mounted on the crankshaft for outputting a rotational speed detecting signal, and a control unit. The control unit includes a receiving module for receiving the rotational speed detecting signal and the torque signal, and a processing module coupled to the receiving module for generating a force control signal to control the electric motor accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: China Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Ching Yang, Chang-Yuan Lin, Wei-Feng Yen, Shi-Chuan Cheng, Kuo-Wei Huang, Yun-Sheng Sung
  • Patent number: 8655535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a method for controlling same, which involve monitoring the state of PRA which switches power supply so as to stably supply power or cut off the supply of power during the operation of the electric vehicle, and controlling of a plurality of switches for supplying power from a battery or cutting off the result of the switching, thus enabling the accurate control of switching and preventing an erroneous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Na Mi Oh, Sang Min Park, Gon Hong Min
  • Patent number: 8655536
    Abstract: In an automatic vehicle position control system, such as a satellite-based agricultural implement steering system, the satellite-based steering information is adjusted with information obtained from one or more path sensors to facilitate the automatic nudging of the vehicle to take account of inaccurate tracking of the agricultural implement relative to its tractor, terrain variations, and inaccuracies in the satellite-based steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: John William Peake, Arthur F. Lange
  • Patent number: 8655537
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode could determine a current state of the vehicle and the current state of the environment of the vehicle. The environment of the vehicle includes at least one other vehicle. A predicted behavior of the at least one other vehicle could be determined based on the current state of the vehicle and the current state of the environment of the vehicle. A confidence level could also be determined based on the predicted behavior, the current state of the vehicle, and the current state of the environment of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the confidence level may be related to the likelihood of the at least one other vehicle to perform the predicted behavior. The vehicle in the autonomous mode could be controlled based on the predicted behavior, the confidence level, and the current state of the vehicle and its environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Dmitri A. Dolgov
  • Patent number: 8655538
    Abstract: A display system for an agricultural vehicle includes a display for displaying a representation of the vehicle's location in a field in which the vehicle is operating and a control device for receiving an indication of an operating state of the vehicle and for controlling a viewing mode of the display according to the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Swenson, Paul Matthews
  • Patent number: 8655539
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of a robot cleaner in which a robot cleaner is moved at an arbitrary starting angle along a rotation trajectory having an arbitrary rotational center and rotation radius during obstacle-following traveling, whereby an obstacle-following traveling time is reduced and consequently, a movement time of the robot cleaner is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Hwan Yoo, Dong Won Kim, Jae Man Joo, Jun Hwa Lee, Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Young Jung, Hwi Chan Jang
  • Patent number: 8655540
    Abstract: A solution for further automating the identification and processing of rail vehicles is provided. Each individual rail vehicle in a series of rail vehicles is identified and data is acquired for the rail vehicle. Identification of each rail vehicle can be implemented using a set of electromagnetic beams that are emitted and detected across a set of rails in such a manner as to enable the reliable identification of individual rail vehicles. Data acquisition for the rail vehicles can include evaluation of one or more parts of the rail vehicle, particularly the rail wheels, for the presence of one or more defects. Data on the part(s), such as rail wheels, can be reliably assigned to a corresponding rail vehicle by also accounting for changes in the direction of movement of the rail vehicle in locations such as a classification yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney
  • Patent number: 8655541
    Abstract: A vehicle update system for updating a vehicle's ROM data is provided. More specifically, a telematics unit is configured to receive new ROM data transmitted from a telematics server. An electronic control unit (ECU) is configured first check to determine whether certain update conditions are satisfied and when they are satisfied, update the old ROM data to the new ROM data using at least one of a main battery and an auxiliary battery. More specifically, the update conditions are that the charged state and the voltage level for at least one of the main battery and the auxiliary battery is greater than a certain level, the vehicle is stopped or parked, and the controller area network (CAN) communication state of the vehicle is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Il You
  • Patent number: 8655542
    Abstract: An electronic tag is attached to a filter cartridge, which includes a filter. The electronic tag stores individual product information of the filter and wirelessly transmits the individual product information. A wireless receiver device is installed to a predetermined location of a vehicle, which is other than the filter cartridge and receives the individual product information transmitted from the electronic tag. A diagnostic device diagnoses whether the individual product information is received by the wireless receiver device or whether the filter cartridge installed in the vehicle has a desired filtering performance based on contents of the individual product information received by the wireless receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Narisako, Takashi Kikutani, Katsuhiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8655543
    Abstract: A vehicle on-board unit communicates with vehicles to increase the accuracy of lane centerline determination. The on-board unit includes a communication system and a controller. The controller has a vehicle path history generating component, a lane centerline determining component, and a message processing component. The vehicle path history generating section generates a host vehicle path history data. The lane centerline determining section receives a preceding vehicle message including at least a preceding vehicle centerline data from the communication system and determines a host vehicle lane centerline data indicative of a centerline of the lane based on the host vehicle path history data and the preceding vehicle centerline data. The message processing component produces a host vehicle message including the host vehicle lane centerline data, the communication system being configured to broadcast the host vehicle message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Tengler, Ronald Heft
  • Patent number: 8655544
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for tracking vehicle locations and accumulating mileage for said vehicles by detecting intervals when said vehicles are in proximity to mobile devices and utilizing the location aware sensors of said mobile devices to determine vehicle locations. Proximity between mobile devices and vehicles is determined by short range data communication identification. Multiple vehicles and drivers may thus be tracked for trip, interval, or overall mileage traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kaarya LLC
    Inventors: William Fletcher, Douglas MacGlashan, Brian Billett, Ujjual Nath, Gaurav Sharma
  • Patent number: 8655545
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first sensor that provides first data indicating at least one of vehicle speed and ambient temperature. The system also includes a shutter control module. The shutter control module includes a first sub-module that provides a first amount of modification to an opening amount for a shutter based on the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Songping Yu, Bryon Wasacz, Michael Prucka
  • Patent number: 8655546
    Abstract: A vehicle driving support apparatus in which a cruise control unit starts to blink a hazard light when it is determined that a subject vehicle is stopped by collision prevention control through an automatic braking intervention. The blinking is continued until a predetermined operation input is performed by a driver so as to call the attention of a driver of a following vehicle or the like even if the driver is upset due to a sudden stop of the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Natori, Hiroki Kato
  • Patent number: 8655547
    Abstract: One embodiment is a safety device for children and pets who is about to be left alone in a vehicle with engine off and doors close. With a control box (80) that transmit a signal from the temperature sensor (81) and motion sensors (82), (82a). This control box (80) is made with a mother board not seen and a reserve power backup unit (96) which is always charged by the automobile's (70) electrical system. In addition it has a voice box (85) that will say EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY through the speakers (86). It's all power by the car's 12-volt batter (89a). Other embodiment are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Lo'Vel Steele
  • Patent number: 8655548
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a controller and a detecting member. The controller is configured to control an operation of an electrical bicycle component by selectively outputting a control parameter. The detecting member detects an electrical connecting state between the controller and a manually operated input member for changing a setting of the electrical bicycle component. The controller outputs a predetermined control parameter based on the electrical connecting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8655549
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control apparatus is provided with a lane detecting device, a future position estimating device and a vehicle control device. The lane detecting device detects a lane marker of a lane. The future position estimating device estimates a future transverse position of a host vehicle after a prescribed amount of time. The vehicle control device executes a vehicle control such that a yaw moment is imparted to the host vehicle toward a middle of the lane. The yaw moment is imparted upon determining that the future transverse position is positioned laterally farther toward an outside of the lane from the middle of the lane than a prescribed widthwise lane position that is determined in advance using the lane marker as a reference. The vehicle control device suppresses an impartation of the yaw moment device when a recognition degree of the lane marker is lower than a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Masahiro Kobayashi, Ko Sato, Shuhei Nishimaki
  • Patent number: 8655550
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes an electric assist motor, a controller, a first corrector, and a second corrector. The electric assist motor is configured to assist steering according to a steering assist amount. The controller is configured to control the steering assist amount in accordance with an input steering force. The first corrector is configured to correct the steering assist amount with a correction amount in accordance with a steering torque during running on a cant road. The second corrector is configured to correct the correction amount in accordance with a steering angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Nakamura, Norio Yamazaki, Shigenori Takimoto, Yoshimichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8655551
    Abstract: A method and a device for the assisted parking of a motor vehicle into a parking space are provided. The method comprises the following method steps: approaching the parking space; measuring the parking space using sensors situated on the motor vehicle; calculating a setpoint parking path and indicating the setpoint parking path on a display; indicating the actual parking path on the display such that the actual parking path may be adapted to the setpoint parking path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Danz, Jan Egelhaaf, Wei-Chia Lee, Benjamin Steiner
  • Patent number: 8655552
    Abstract: A control device and a method for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are provided, at least two acceleration signals being provided by at least two acceleration sensors oriented in different spatial directions. The orientations are angled in relation to a coordinate system oriented toward the vehicle longitudinal direction. The at least two acceleration signals are transformed on at least two axes of the coordinate system. The triggering signal is generated as a function of the comparison of the at least two acceleration signals and the transformed acceleration signals. The passenger protection arrangement is triggered as a function of the triggering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Hiemer
  • Patent number: 8655553
    Abstract: A monitoring system is for an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle supply equipment. The electric vehicle supply equipment is structured to communicate with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The monitoring system includes a monitoring component structured to monitor communication and monitor energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, a storage component cooperating with the monitoring component to store information corresponding to the monitored communication and the monitored energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, and a power supply structured to power at least one of the monitoring component and the storage component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Geraldo Nojima, William E. Wilkie
  • Patent number: 8655554
    Abstract: An autonomous seat system of an automotive vehicle and a performing method thereof are disclosed. The system and method are aimed to reduce discomfort of a passenger due to centrifugal forces resulted from vehicle's turning motion. The system includes a lane prediction unit, a control unit, and a seat adjusting unit. The lane prediction unit is utilized for obtaining lane information in front of the automotive vehicle. According to the lane information the control unit calculates the centrifugal force which the passenger experiences while sitting in a seat of the automotive vehicle, and a seat tilt angle which is required for the seat to compensate the centrifugal force after a predetermined time interval. The seat adjusting unit adjusts the seat to the seat tilt angle after the predetermined time interval so as to reduce or eliminate the ill-effect on the passenger resulted from the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Chyi-yeu Lin
  • Patent number: 8655555
    Abstract: A computing device computes at least one index value for an execution history of opening/closing movement of an openable and closable member. A sensing device outputs signals one after another in response to a change in a rotational state of the electric motor, which is sensed by the sensing device. A setting device sets a masking range for at least one of the signals based on the at least one index value. A determination device determines whether an object is pinched by the openable and closable member based on at least another one of the signals, which is outputted in a range other than the masking range, without referring to the at least one of the signals in the masking range during execution of the opening/closing movement of the openable and closable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Ono, Takahiro Sumiya, Shinichiro Noda
  • Patent number: 8655556
    Abstract: A blade control system of the present invention includes a determining part which is configured to determine whether or not a distance between a designed surface and a cutting edge of a blade is less than or equal to a threshold to be determined based on a speed, and a lift cylinder controlling part which is configured to supply hydraulic oil to a lift cylinder for starting elevation of the blade when the determining part determines that the distance is less than or equal to the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hayashi, Kenjiro Shimada, Kenji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8655557
    Abstract: A working vehicle motor control device includes: a rotational speed control device that controls a motor rotational speed in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator pedal; a travel drive device that transmits rotation of the motor to wheels through a torque converter and a transmission; a speed ratio detection device that detects a speed ratio of an input shaft and an output shaft of the torque converter; and a speed restriction device that restricts a maximum rotational speed of the motor in accordance with a speed ratio detected by the speed ratio detection device. In the working vehicle motor control device, the speed restriction device restricts the maximum rotational speed when a detected speed ratio is in an acceleration region of the motor rotational speed to less than the maximum rotational speed when a detected speed ratio is in a non-acceleration region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Hiroki Nakazono, Masaki Yoshikawa, Tadayoshi Aoki, Isamu Aoki
  • Patent number: 8655558
    Abstract: A controller is connected to a pressure sensor. The controller controls a regulator of a sub-pump in accordance with a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, detects an output of a main pump, and controls an output of an electric motor according to the output of the main pump based on a table stored beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kawasaki, Masahiro Egawa
  • Patent number: 8655559
    Abstract: Predictive tractor path adjustments improve implement tracking performance by enabling agricultural autopilots to anticipate the effect of curves, slopes, changing soil conditions and other influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: John W Peake, Gurcan Aral, Gregory D Chiocco
  • Patent number: 8655560
    Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for a vehicular drive apparatus that includes a driving power source, and a power transmission device that transmits power from the driving power source to a drive wheel are provided. It is determined that a malfunction occurs in the power transmission device, when a comparison value remains equal to or above a predetermined value for a predetermined period. The comparison value is obtained by making a comparison between an actual value and a theoretical value that relate to a rotational speed of a predetermined rotational member that constitutes at least a part of the vehicular drive apparatus. The predetermined period is set according to an operating state of the power transmission device. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it is erroneously determined that a malfunction occurs, and to quickly determine that a malfunction occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Masakazu Kaifuku, Hidenori Katoh
  • Patent number: 8655561
    Abstract: A bicycle control system includes at least one user input member, a value generating unit, a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The value generating unit includes a memory component that at least temporarily stores a generated value. The value generating unit updates the generated value that was memorized in accordance with the at least one user input member was operated. The wireless transmitter periodically transmits control signals that are indicative of the generated value. The wireless receiver receives the control signals from the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8655562
    Abstract: A method for setting a vehicle in motion: The vehicle includes a combustion engine for generating driving force for transmission to at least one powered wheel via a clutch and a gearbox. The driving force is selectively transmitted from the engine to the powered wheels by closure of the clutch. Gear changes by the gearbox are at least partly controlled by a control system. With the clutch closed and upon demand for the vehicle to be set in motion with the clutch closed, the control system activates the vehicle's starter motor with gear engaged, and uses the starter motor to accelerate the combustion engine to an initial speed which represents a speed at which the combustion engine will start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CB AB
    Inventors: Peter Juhlin-Dannfelt, Richard Boström, Peter Asplund, Johan Kingstedt
  • Patent number: 8655563
    Abstract: In a braking/driving force control apparatus, a vehicle target braking/driving force and a vehicle target yaw moment through the control of braking/driving forces of wheels are calculated, and when the target braking/driving force and the target yaw moment cannot be achieved through the control of the braking/driving forces of the wheels, the vehicle target braking/driving force after the modification and the vehicle target yaw moment after the modification are calculated such that, within the range where the ratio of the vehicle target braking/driving force after the modification and the vehicle target yaw moment after the modification coincides with the ratio of the target braking/driving force and the target yaw moment, the vehicle braking/driving force and the vehicle yaw moment by the target braking/driving forces of the wheels take the greatest values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Maeda, Kazuya Okumura, Michitaka Tsuchida, Yoshio Uragami, Kensuke Yoshizue, Satoshi Ando, Koji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8655564
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle includes at least one driving data sensor for sensing driving data that characterize the driving condition of the motor vehicle, and an electrical controller configured to initiate autonomous emergency braking of the motor vehicle when predetermined driving data has been sensed. A device is provided that is configured to detect a vehicle located in front of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The electrical controller maintains a brake of the motor vehicle in braking position or brings the brake into the braking position following an emergency braking action when a preceding vehicle is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Breuer, Ruppert Kamping, Hartmut Kitterer
  • Patent number: 8655565
    Abstract: A method for enhancing stability of a three wheel vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, each of the wheels having a tire with a tire grip threshold. The method including deploying an electronic stability system (ESS) on the vehicle, providing the ESS with input from various vehicle sensors related to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, causing the ESS to determine whether (i) a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and (ii) the tire grip threshold of any of the tires has been exceeded; and when a precursory condition indicative of a wheel lift exists and the tire grip threshold of none of the tires has been exceeded, causing the ESS to reduce the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by a first amount less than that which would cause the tire grip threshold of any of the tires to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Dagenais, Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8655566
    Abstract: A brake device for a motor vehicle has a brake pedal device (12) that can be operated by a driver with a variable force/travel pedal characteristic curve (V-PKL), a brake apparatus (20) for braking the motor vehicle with a braking effect corresponding to a degree of activation of the brake pedal device (12) and corresponding to the varible force/travel pedal characteristic curve (V-PKL), a memory device (16) with a stored characteristic diagram (KFL) of possible force/travel pedal characteristic curves and with a control device (14) for selecting the variable force/travel pedal characteristic curve (V-PKL) from the characteristic diagram (KFL) of the possible force/travel pedal characteristic curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Garbe
  • Patent number: 8655567
    Abstract: Included are pressure increasing valves and pressure reducing valves as flow control valves, placed between a brake fluid pressure generation unit on an upstream side that generates brake fluid pressure and a braking force generation unit on a downstream side that generates braking force in accordance with the brake fluid pressure to a wheel, that regulates the brake fluid pressure to the braking force generation unit by controlling the flow rate of brake fluid, and an electronic control unit is provided with: a differential pressure obtaining unit that obtains information on the difference of brake fluid pressure from the brake fluid pressure on upstream and downstream sides of the flow control valve; a hydrodynamic force obtaining unit that obtains information on hydrodynamic force induced in a valve element by the flow of brake fluid passing through the flow control valve; and a brake fluid pressure control unit that controls the flow control valve by use of the information on the differential pressure and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8655568
    Abstract: For a compressed-air-controlled vehicle brake system having at least one brake, a control process includes using a monitoring sensor to determine whether at least one component of the vehicle is not secured or is not properly positioned, and automatically activating the vehicle brakes in response to a determination that the at least one component is not secured and/or is improperly positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Barlsen, Rainer Risse, Axel Stender