Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9290149
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a front passenger seat includes an airbag inflatable into a generally square conical contour whose top is deployable at the front end. The airbag is mounted on a case together with an inflator by the periphery of a gas inlet port which is located proximate the front end of the airbag. The airbag includes in a passenger side wall a recessed area that is sunken forward and extends vertically generally at airbag inflation. A seam that joints peripheral edges of a base material of the circumferential wall together extends forward from the recessed area. The seam is slanted off a front and rear direction such that the front end of the seam is directed toward either left or right when the airbag at full inflation is viewed from an up and down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 9290150
    Abstract: An air bag (102 or 320) having a tether (30 or 130), the tether formed into a hook (155, 157) and loop or eye (142) configured to be looped about a structure including an inflator (332) to which the air bag and tether are to be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gaiser, Jeffrey Young, Shakir Salmo
  • Patent number: 9290151
    Abstract: An occupant protection system for a vehicle includes right and left vehicle seats; right and left inflators each mounted in a center-side side portion, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, of each of seat backs of the right and left vehicle seats; and right and left far-side airbags each mounted in the center-side side portion of each of the seat backs. The far-side airbag is partitioned into a front bag portion that protrudes toward a vehicle forward side of the side portion in an inflated and deployed state, and a rear bag portion located on a vehicle rearward side of the front bag portion. The rear bag portion is adapted to have an internal pressure higher than that of the front bag portion in the inflated and deployed state. The rear bag portion is adapted to be compressed between the seat backs when the vehicle seats approach each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9290152
    Abstract: [Object] Quietness is to be more effectively improved, without compromising stability in power transmission. [Solution] An annular internal gear member 24 is formed of a noise suppressing material having lower strength than a metal. A deformation restricting portion 22d of an annular flange shape is formed along an outer circumferential edge of a carrier 22. Accordingly, when a planetary gear mechanism is operating the internal gear member 24 is partially deformed so as to protrude radially outward of the annular shape. At this point, the protruding deformed portion of the internal gear member 24 abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the deformation restricting portion 22d. Therefore, deformation of the internal gear member 24 is effectively restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Tadayuki Asako, Takashi Sakano
  • Patent number: 9290153
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a device discovery daemon that bases access of a communication device to an on board vehicle network on device location are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AutoConnect Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Ricci, Octavian Chincisan, Alisher I. Yusupov
  • Patent number: 9290154
    Abstract: An apparatus for disabling a motor vehicle comprises an expandable head adapted to be inserted and secured into the exhaust pipe of an automobile, motorcycle, go-kart, scooter, boat, tractor or other vehicle having an internal combustion engine. A shaft of the apparatus may be configured to engage with a tool, e.g., a socket wrench, torque wrench, drill driver, or other tool, which may impart a rotational force on the shaft to radially expand a head of the apparatus and secure it within a tailpipe of a vehicle, such that buildup of pressure within the vehicle exhaust system does not expel the apparatus from the pipe. An axial bore through the shaft may be fitted at a terminal end with a pressure release valve to selectively release pressure, e.g., before removing the device, or to allow operation of the vehicle while the apparatus is secured within the tailpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Gary S. Berg
  • Patent number: 9290155
    Abstract: A protective cover for a windshield wiper blade is provided. The cover may be secured on a windshield, or windscreen, in line with any windshield wipers adapted for use on a motor vehicle such as an automobile, watercraft, or even aircraft. The cover comprises a shell sized to envelop at least a blade portion of a windshield wiper when such wiper is not in use. The shell is defined, in part, by a rear flap that is hingedly engaged along a back edge of a base and releaseable from a closed position. In operation, an activated windshield wiper will automatically exit the shell to displace water and debris on the windshield by pressing the rear flap into an open position as it pivots across a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Andrey Isayan
  • Patent number: 9290156
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connection base for carrying a wiping blade and to be attached to an adapter that can be connected to an actuation arm for forming with said adapter a mechanical connector for a wiper blade for an automobile, the adapter having an elongated shape with first and second ends, characterised in that it includes a retaining linear guide for the first end of the adapter and removable attachment means of the second end supported on the one hand by the adapter and on the other hand by the base. The present disclosure also relates to a conform adapter, to a mechanical connector formed by the adapter and the connection base, to a planar wiper blade and to a wiping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES D'ESSUYAGE
    Inventors: Guiseppe Grasso, Xavier Bousset
  • Patent number: 9290157
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal groove on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connection piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part, wherein said joint part comprises at least one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in said oscillating arm, and wherein said resilient tongue is rotatable along an hinge axis between an outward position retaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm and an inward position relea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 9290158
    Abstract: A window and/or lamp washer system for a vehicle comprising a washer fluid container, a washer fluid pump arranged in fluid communication with the washer fluid container, at least one washer fluid pressure tank for storing pressurized fluid, arranged in fluid communication with the washer fluid pump, and comprising a fluid inlet for receiving pressurized fluid from the pump and at least one fluid outlet for providing pressurized fluid in the form of a washer fluid jet, sensor means arranged to provide a signal representing the measured pressure within the at least one washer fluid pressure tank, a control unit connected to the sensor means and the washer fluid pump, and arranged to receive the signal, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the washer fluid pump based on the signal, whereby a signal representing a value below a predetermined level cause the pump to increase the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christer Dominique, Anneli Johansson
  • Patent number: 9290159
    Abstract: An air foil system that can include a complimentary pair of inner and outer air foil elements forming an openings and exits in one cross section, the opening being from 2 and 6 inches in height in the one cross section and the exit being from between about ¾ and 4 inches in height in the one cross section. The complimentary inner and outer air foil elements may form a compression chamber between the complimentary entrance and exit edges, the compression chamber having a height in one cross section that is from ½ inch to about 3 inches. A mounting assembly may be operatively connected to the inner and outer air foil elements for aligning the opening within 5 inches of the rearmost portion of rear-facing portion and mounting the air foil elements to the rear-facing portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SEE II CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick L. Scheele, Dennis I. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9290160
    Abstract: A system (80) for a vehicle comprising a rear windscreen (20) and a rear windscreen wiper (26/28), the system (80) comprising one or more tracking sensors (30) and a control unit (50); the one or more tracking sensors (30) being coupled to the control unit (50) and being configured to monitor the behavior of a driver of the vehicle and to issue data to the control unit, the control unit (50) and/or the one or more tracking sensors (30) being arranged to make a positive determination that said monitored behavior is indicative of a requirement to look through the rear windscreen (20) of the vehicle and in dependence on making said positive determination, the control unit (50) is configured to activate the rear windscreen wiper (26/28) to wipe the rear windscreen (20) and/or to activate a rear windscreen washer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Davies
  • Patent number: 9290161
    Abstract: A spray-type washer for a conveyor-type car wash comprises a support stand with a power cylinder that drives a piston. Pins on the piston ride in slots formed in a rotatable cam that is connected to a spray unit such that piston travel produces a swivel motion of a spray unit mounted on the support stand. The spray units use multiple impeller-type sprayers. The washers are used in pairs, one washer on each side of a conveyor lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Thomas E. Weyandt, Jerry A. Kotrych, Mark D. Morin
  • Patent number: 9290162
    Abstract: An improved carwash brush carriage is provided for use with a carwash structure which includes horizontally disposed first and second tubular support arms. The carwash brush carriage of this invention includes first, second, third and fourth double-flanged rollers of the sealed bearing type which are rotatably mounted on the support arms. A conversion kit is also described for converting an existing brush carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gesy
  • Patent number: 9290163
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pedal feeling adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong-Yo Ryu, Jin-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 9290165
    Abstract: A method of controlling a controllable chassis system or a safety system (44) for a vehicle (10) includes determining an added mass placed on the vehicle and relative to a known vehicle mass. A vehicle characteristic is adjusted in response to the added mass. A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a sensor (20, 28-42) that generates a signal. A controller (26) determines added mass on the vehicle (10) in response to the signal and adjusts a vehicle characteristic in response to the added mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: David Messih, Jianbo Lu
  • Patent number: 9290166
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a brake actuator, a braking control valve assembly and an emergency apply valve having a control port which is connected to the supply line by a further control line. The braking system also includes an electrically operable brake apply valve that is movable between a first position in which fluid flow along the further control line is permitted and a second position in which fluid flow along the further control line is substantially prevented and the control of the emergency apply valve is connected to a low pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Limited
    Inventors: Dudley John Harrison, Carl Robert Mellings
  • Patent number: 9290167
    Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake system includes left and right manually operated brake pedals, and left and right hydraulic brake units. A pedal lock is movable to a locking position wherein the left and right brake pedals operate in unison. Left and right brake valves are operatively coupled to the corresponding brake pedal. A solenoid operated normally closed balance valve is connected between the left and right brake units. Optional left and right solenoid operated normally open blocking valves may be connected the corresponding brake valve and the corresponding brake unit. The blocking valves and the balance valve are controlled by an ECU as a function of sensed vehicle speed and brake pedal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy E. Schick, Christian Jungkind
  • Patent number: 9290168
    Abstract: A tie rod-type brake booster including a casing provided with a front cell and a rear cell, the front cell and the rear cell sealingly joining to each other, a tie rod caulked to the rear cell through the casing, a reinforcement plate to closely contact an inner surface of the front cell to enhance rigidity of the casing, the reinforcement plate being provided with a through hole penetrated by the tie rod, and a support member formed at a penetration portion of the front cell penetrated by the tie rod to fix the reinforcement plate, wherein the support member comprises a bent portion bent from the penetration portion of the front cell, and a pressing portion perpendicularly extending from the bent portion with respect to an axial direction of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Young Jun Son
  • Patent number: 9290169
    Abstract: A control unit (17) includes a regenerative coordination control unit (17D) and a vehicle speed calculation unit (17E). The regenerative coordination control unit (17D) performs a regeneration cooperative control to distribute the hydraulic braking force and the regenerative braking force. The vehicle speed calculation unit (17E) calculates a vehicle speed. The control unit (17) calculates a basic target driving force based on: an amount of accelerator operation detected by an accelerator operation amount detecting unit (32), and the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit (17E), and adds a value corresponding to the regenerative braking force distributed by the regenerative coordination control unit (17D) to the basic target driving force, thus obtaining a target driving force to be generated by motors (4 and 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Saito, Yoshiki Ito, Masaaki Tagawa, Hitoshi Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 9290170
    Abstract: A structure for attaching a motor cylinder device to the body of the vehicle, said vehicle brake system including: an input device via which an operator inputs brake operations; and a motor cylinder device that generates hydraulic brake pressure on the basis of electrical signals based on said brake operations. Said motor cylinder device has: an electric motor that operates on the basis of electrical signals; a driving-force transmission unit that transmits driving force from the electric motor; and a cylinder mechanism that applies pressure to a brake fluid by moving a piston axially by means of the driving force transmitted by the driving-force transmission unit. A mount for attaching the motor cylinder device to the body of the vehicle is provided near the center of gravity of the motor cylinder device. This makes it possible to minimize displacement of the electric brake actuator when subjected to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Arata Inoue, Kunimichi Hatano, Takaaki Ohnishi, Kazuyoshi Akutsu, Kazuaki Murayama, Kaoru Akahane, Makoto Sawai, Kenji Hattori, Takehiro Horiuchi, Toru Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 9290171
    Abstract: A motor cylinder device (16) is configured with a cylinder mechanism (76) provided with first and second slave pistons that are displaced along a hydraulic pressure chamber; an electric motor (72) for driving first and second slave pistons; and an actuator housing (75) formed separable from the cylinder mechanism (76), wherein the actuator housing houses a gear mechanism for transmitting a rotational driving force of the electric motor (72), and a conversion mechanism for converting the rotational driving force transmitted through the gear mechanism, into a linear movement and transmitting the linear movement to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Ohnishi, Kunimichi Hatano, Kazuyoshi Akutsu, Arata Inoue
  • Patent number: 9290172
    Abstract: A collision mitigation device sets an actuation condition indicating a condition for actuating a collision mitigating section configured to mitigate collision damage when an own vehicle is in a collision. A target object is positioned near the own vehicle and detected. The collision mitigating section is actuated when a positional relationship between the own vehicle and the target object meets the actuation condition. The collision mitigation device recognizes an own vehicle traveling segment that indicates a traveling segment of a road on which the own vehicle is traveling, and recognizes whether or not the target object is present within the own vehicle traveling segment. The actuation condition is relaxed in such a manner that the collision mitigating section is more easily actuated when the target object is present within the own vehicle traveling segment, compared to when the target object is not present within the own vehicle traveling segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norio Tsuchida, Jun Tsuchida, Masayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9290173
    Abstract: In the present invention, a determination is made as to whether towing travel is under way, in which vehicle weight is increased, and when towing travel is under way, the compensating torque provided by a motor generator is decreased relative to the compensating torque provided during non-towing travel, and the torque of the motor generator is therefore reduced by a commensurate amount and fuel efficiency is enhanced. During towing travel in which the vehicle weight is large, a large drive force is usually necessary and the frequency of use of the motor generator increases; however, the compensating torque during engine start is reduced, and the load on the motor generator is thereby mitigated by a commensurate amount, and overheating and the like are suppressed. Since the inertia of the vehicle is relatively small during non-towing travel, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9290174
    Abstract: A system and method that, in response to the detection of an impaired driver, develops a scenario-dependent response with an escalating sequence of awakening actions and/or automated driving actions that are designed to mitigate the effects of impaired driving for that particular driving scenario. Some examples of awakening actions include visual, audible, haptic and/or miscellaneous warnings intended to awaken or reengage the impaired driver. If the awakening actions are ineffective, one or more automated driving actions may be used to control certain aspects of vehicle braking, steering, accelerating, etc. The scenario-dependent response is at least partially based on the state, conditions and/or environment in and around the host vehicle (i.e., the current driving scenario) and may take into account factors such as: vehicle dynamics, road characteristics, pedestrian and vehicle traffic conditions, weather conditions and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Chad T. Zagorski
  • Patent number: 9290175
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to control driving force to improve turning performance in a vehicle having an automatic transmission without causing conflict with a shifting control of the transmission. The vehicle control system comprises: a shifting means that carries out a shifting operation of the transmission based on an execution condition including an execution threshold governed by a vehicle speed and an operating amount of an accelerator performed by a driver; a driving force controlling means that carries out a turning performance improving control for stabilizing a vehicle behavior by controlling a driving force during turning; and a shifting condition correcting means that corrects a value of the operating amount of the accelerator as the execution condition during execution of the turning performance improving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Yoshikawa, Hitoshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9290176
    Abstract: A controller to control a driving-torque distribution to a front wheel and a rear wheel comprises an obtainment portion to obtain a vehicle's lateral acceleration, an engine's output torque, and a vehicle's turning radius during turning of a vehicle, a determination portion to determine a rear-wheel driving-torque distribution rate denoting a rate of the driving torque to be transmitted to the rear wheel relative to the driving torque corresponding to the engine's output torque based on the obtained vehicle's lateral acceleration, engine's output torque, and vehicle's turning radius, and a control-signal output portion to output a control signal to a driving-torque transmission device to adjust the driving torque transmitted to the rear wheel such that the driving torque to be distributed to the rear wheel is controlled according to the determined rear-wheel driving-torque distribution rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichirou Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9290177
    Abstract: An equipment operation controller implements control to disable an operation of equipment that is operated inside a vehicle cabin and not perform functions of the equipment according to such the operation, when a vehicle is traveling at or above a prescribed speed. However, even when the vehicle is traveling at or above the prescribed speed, if a travel assistance unit implements a control for travel assistance and a determination unit determines to permit the operation of the equipment then the operation of the equipment is enabled. The determination unit determines whether or not to permit the operation of the equipment, based on a risk evaluated based on information on the outside of the vehicle acquired by an outside information acquisition unit, and a state of the vehicle, and determines to permit the operation of the equipment when the risk is equal to or lower than a prescribed level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Endo, Naoya Kidokoro, Hiroshi Numagami, Koichi Mizutani, Takemi Oguri
  • Patent number: 9290178
    Abstract: A driving support system detects a target area ahead of the vehicle, a position or a moving direction, etc. of an object such as a pedestrian or another vehicle by using a camera or radar, as well as determines a probability of collision between the own vehicle and the object based on the position, etc. of the object, and performs a driving support for avoiding the collision when the probability of the collision is high. Further, a sensitivity of determination is set high when the object remains in the target area, or when the object is moving towards the target area, while the sensitivity is set low when the object is not present in the target area, or the object is moving away from the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku Sakima, Akira Isogai
  • Patent number: 9290179
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for predicting a collision are provided. The method includes calculating, by a controller, a driving trajectory of the subject vehicle based on a yaw rate using driving information of the subject vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to calculate a driving trajectory of a target vehicle for a predetermined period of time that uses driving information of the target vehicle that includes information from an imaging device, configured to obtain a front image, and radar sensors installed on a plurality of locations. Further, the method also includes predicting classified collision types by analyzing a collision possibility between the subject vehicle and the target vehicle based on the driving trajectory of the subject vehicle and the driving trajectory of the target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Woong Choi, Kwang Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9290180
    Abstract: A mining vehicle is provided, which is capable of appropriately recognizing a condition of a traveling road in front of the vehicle, preventing an obstacle on a roadside from being erroneously detected by a distance detector, and controlling the speed of the vehicle in a stable manner even when the vehicle is approaching a curved portion of the road from a linear portion of the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Ichinose, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takayuki Sato, Wataru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9290181
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. A vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle responds to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. In this regard, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Philip Nemec, Anne Kristiina Aula
  • Patent number: 9290182
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, brake actuators configured to slow the vehicle in response to braking commands, and a transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of gear sets each having a plurality of nodes, an input member that is continuously connected to the engine and to a node of one of the gear sets, a reverse clutch, a binary clutch assembly, and a controller. The binary clutch assembly is connected at least to the same gear set as the input member, and is applied with the reverse clutch when entering a reverse gear state. The controller executes a method to transmit the braking commands to the brake actuators in response to a requested garage shift into a reverse gear state when the vehicle is rolling above a calibrated speed threshold, and thereby slows the vehicle until a calibrated target slip is achieved across the binary clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, John E. Marano
  • Patent number: 9290183
    Abstract: A method of estimating road slope of a vehicle may include determining an offset value of a gravitational acceleration sensor, determining a driving distance in a longitudinal direction of the gravitational acceleration sensor, comparing a difference between a driving distance and the driving distance in the longitudinal direction of the gravitational acceleration sensor with a predetermined value, estimating a road slope by using either a driving torque or the gravitational acceleration sensor based on a result of the comparison, and controlling a shift of the vehicle according to the estimated road slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donghoon Jeong, Byeongwook Jeon
  • Patent number: 9290184
    Abstract: A tire force modeling rig and method of obtaining data for use in optimizing cornering performance in a four-wheeled racing vehicle includes first measuring unsprung weight at each wheel. The vehicle is then positioned on the tire force modeling rig. The rig includes a first set of floating scales for recording the weight at each tire on a first side of the racing vehicle, a second set of fixed position scales for recording the weight at each tire on an opposing second side of the racing vehicle, and a mechanism to effect a horizontal force onto the racing vehicle. Scale readings at each wheel are recorded, after which a first horizontal force is applied to the vehicle. With the horizontal force applied, updated scale readings at each wheel are recorded. Collected data can then be used to ascertain optimal car setup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: David A. Diel
  • Patent number: 9290185
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a haul weight are disclosed. A method includes, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, and determining the weight being hauled by the vehicle by subtracting the weight of the vehicle from the value representing the slope of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 9290186
    Abstract: One of a condition affecting a vehicle and a planned action of the vehicle are identified. An instruction is provided to actuate movement of a steering wheel in the vehicle, wherein the movement is determined according to the one of the condition and the planned action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Louis Tijerina, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • Patent number: 9290187
    Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: David Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 9290188
    Abstract: A carriage body for a railroad vehicle, said carriage body having the following: a base, two lateral walls, each of which is connected to the base, at least two longitudinal supports, each of which lies in the transitional region of the base to the lateral wall on opposing sides of the carriage body and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the carriage body, and a coupling fixing device for fixing a coupling via which the carriage body can be connected to a carriage body of another carriage. The fixing device is arranged below the base, and a lower face of the fixing device is connected directly to the longitudinal supports via a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schwiegel, Torsten Sohn, Christian Galle, Georg Kussatz
  • Patent number: 9290189
    Abstract: The coupler assembly for coupling railway wagons comprises a pulling apparatus (10) positioned between a front stop (6) and a rear stop (7) in space between central girders (1, 2) of a railway carriage. The front stop (6) is fixed rigidly to the central girders (1, 2) of the wagon frame. The solution is characterized by the fact that the rear stop (7) is mounted in a moving manner between the central girders (1, 2) of the wagon frame, and a support bracket (9), fixed permanently to the wagon frame, is positioned behind the rear stop (7), whereby an increased energy absorption unit (12) is positioned between the support bracket (9) and the rear stop (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AXTONE SPOLKA AKCYJNA
    Inventors: Jan Kukulski, Leszek Wasilewski, Jan Kochmanski, Marian Andres, Miroslaw Sum, Grzegorz Winiarz
  • Patent number: 9290190
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a defined section of a transportation track is occupied is described. The method includes inducing an audio frequency (AF) signal at a first position on the transportation track and receiving the AF signal at a second position on the transportation track. The defined section of the transportation track is located between the first position and the second position on the transportation track. The method further includes measuring a strength of the AF signal received as a function of time at the second position, and identifying an inflection point of the recorded AF signal strength. The inflection point indicates at least one of a rail vehicle entering the defined section of the transportation track and the rail vehicle exiting the defined section of the transportation track. The method further includes determining an occupancy of the defined section of the transportation track, based on the inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Koval
  • Patent number: 9290191
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an on-board train control device are provided, and are based on converting speed codes received from wayside cab-signaling devices into movement authority limits. The device determines the train location independent of the wayside train detection system, and generates and enforces stopping profiles based on said movement authority limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENES INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Nabil Ghaly
  • Patent number: 9290192
    Abstract: A controller for a spring wing on a frog that utilizes a floating piston rod carrying a fixed piston valve and a free-moving piston head is provided. When the piston rod is actuated by the opening movement of the spring wing, the piston valve separates from the piston head briefly, allowing oil to flow through the piston head in a relatively unrestricted manner. The piston head is spring biased towards the piston valve; upon contact between the piston head and the piston valve, the oil flow through the piston head stops, helping to hold the spring wing in the open position. When the spring wing begins to close, the adjustable oil flow through the controller allows the piston rod to move at a controlled rate, thereby controlling the closure rate of the spring wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Voestalpine Nortrak Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Brent Duffner, Bradley Smith, Martin Webb
  • Patent number: 9290193
    Abstract: A method and system for graphically displaying real-time system logic used for troubleshooting railroad equipment such as e.g., a grade crossing predictor. The method and system graphically display ladder logic equations used to formulate a system status output, allowing a technician or other personnel to quickly determine the cause of an anomaly reflected in the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Bamfield, Adam Moorhouse
  • Patent number: 9290194
    Abstract: A lawn bag holder apparatus capable of holding a bag in a laid-down horizontal position for racking or sweeping debris directly into the bag and in an upright position to settle debris further into the bag and tie the bag closed. The bag holder apparatus includes a base; a plurality of wheels attached to base; a platform pivotally attached to the base and moveable relative to the base between an upright position and a laid down position; a lift mechanism capable of supporting the platform in the upright position; and a hoop attachable to the platform for holding a bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Maria C. Catinchi
  • Patent number: 9290195
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a storage bag for holding equipment that is not easily stored on a utility cart. The storage bag may include a storage compartment having an opening, the storage compartment configured to accept equipment, a handle sleeve attached to an outer surface of the bag, the handle sleeve configured to engage with a handle on a utility cart, and a barrier positioned on a bottom surface of the storage compartment. The storage bag may additionally include a closing mechanism to secure the equipment in the bag. In embodiments, the storage bag has dimensions configured not to interfere with the functionality of the utility cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jay Charles Olivier
  • Patent number: 9290196
    Abstract: A method of immobilizing a shopping cart has the steps: a) providing a shopping cart braking system mountable to a forward frame member of a shopping cart, the braking system having a bracket, an axle within the bracket, an arm pivotally affixed to the axle and having a distal end pivotable about the axle between a horizontal position and a vertical braking position, with a resilient brakepad affixed to the distal end of the arm; b) mounting the braking system to a forward frame member of a shopping cart; and c) pivoting the arm from the horizontal to the braking position with the resilient brakepad acting as a brake preventing movement of the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Ellen Kusovitsky Siegel
  • Patent number: 9290197
    Abstract: A plug-on body for a clamping bolt of an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle. The plug-on body includes at least one opening for guiding the clamping bolt through the opening of the plug-on body and at least one or two damped elongated hole stops for damping an impact of the clamping bolt on an end of an elongated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Kern, Markus Domig, Hans Haugg, Michael Leitgeb
  • Patent number: 9290198
    Abstract: A joint assembly having a shaft with a retention notch, a joint coupling, a spring clip and a full insertion clip. The joint coupling including a body having a bore, with the bore receiving the shaft, and the body including a secondary fastener hole extending normal to the bore. The spring clip including a fixed end secured to the main body, a flexible middle portion, and a finger at an opposed end, the finger engaging the shaft as the shaft slides into the bore and extending into the retention notch when the shaft is in a fully inserted position. The full insertion clip having a first end secure to the main body, a flexible portion and an opposed second end having a fastener alignment hole, the fastener alignment hole aligning with the secondary fastener hole when not flexed and misaligning with the secondary fastener hole when flexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: George E. Doerr, Christopher J. Mielke, Miroslaw Zaloga
  • Patent number: 9290199
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an annular elastic member that is made of resin, that is arranged between an inner end face of a housing and an outer ring of a bearing that supports a cylindrical member that rotates coaxially with a rack shaft, and that supports the cylindrical member such that the cylindrical member is movable in the axial direction with respect to the housing; and a supporting member that restricts axial movement of the cylindrical member within a predetermined range, and that restricts radially inward movement of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Bando, Ryo Omata