Patents Issued in September 27, 2016
  • Patent number: 9452638
    Abstract: A caster includes a wheel supported for rotation about a rolling axis and a pin extending from the wheel along a pin axis in a direction normal to the rolling axis. A mounting plate includes a first aperture sized to receive the pin such that the wheel is rotatable about the pin axis. The mounting plate includes a plurality of mounting apertures arranged circumferentially around the first aperture, wherein a first of the mounting apertures is a first distance from the pin axis and a second of the mounting apertures is a second distance from the pin axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance. A bearing is positioned between the mounting plate and the wheel and is arranged to support rotation about the pin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CHOICE EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventors: Chad Aaron Linn, Joseph John Bova
  • Patent number: 9452639
    Abstract: Axle shaft assemblies for use with a vehicle include a tubular shaft formed from a material having a first modulus of elasticity. A first insert is positioned within the longitudinal cavity of the shaft at a first end, the first insert having a thickness adapted to provide the first end tubular shaft with a greater modulus of elasticity for providing a suspension characteristic to the vehicle. A second insert having the selected thickness is positioned at a second end of the shaft. Interchangeability of the inserts enables a single lightweight shaft of generally thin, continuous wall thickness to be adapted with a variety of suspension characteristics, without replacing the shaft itself, while the low modulus of elasticity of the shaft facilitates the flexibility of the axle assembly and the ability of the axle to withstand impacts without deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Mitchell Z. Dziekonski
  • Patent number: 9452640
    Abstract: An axle alignment system for a multi-axle trailer includes a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, at least one original equipment spacer, and at least one adjustable spacer. When the mounting bracket is utilized with the mounting pin and the original equipment spacer, the axle alignment system will only exclusively assume a nonadjustable, standard configuration. In contrast, when the mounting bracket is utilized with the mounting pin and the adjustable spacer, the axle alignment system will be activated and assume one of multiple possible adjusted configurations allowing one to align an axle of a multi-axle trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BBS DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Robert F. Mater, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9452641
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes two parallel wheels installed at a front wheel set or a rear wheel set, and the axes of the two wheels are not configured to be aligned on the same horizontal line, and the two wheels are installed at a frame through an adjusting module movable with respect to the frame, and a fixing module is installed between the frame and adjusting module for controlling whether to move the adjusting module with respect to the frame. The recreational vehicle is capable of adjusting the width of the rear wheel that touches the ground to enhance the variability, adaptability and practicality of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: YVOLVE SPORTS LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas O'Connell
  • Patent number: 9452642
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided with a pair of shoulder main grooves adjacent to each tread edge and a pair of center main grooves disposed axially inwardly of the shoulder main grooves to define a pair of middle portions each of which is between the adjacent shoulder main groove and center main groove. The center main grooves have groove widths larger than the groove widths of the shoulder main grooves. The respective middle portions are provided with a plurality of inner middle lug grooves extending axially outwardly of the tire from the center main groove, and a plurality of outer middle lug grooves extending axially inwardly of the tire from the shoulder main groove. The total number of inner middle lug grooves is smaller than the total number of outer middle lug grooves in each middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Iwasaki, Yosuke Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9452643
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire which comprises a land portion (10) and a land portion (20). A main groove (50) extending along the tire circumferential direction is formed between the land portion (10) and the land portion (20). The land portion (10) comprises a groove wall (10a) that forms the main groove (50). The land portion (20) comprises a groove wall (20a) that forms the main groove (50). The groove wall (10a) and the groove wall (20a) are serpentine along the tire circumferential direction (R) when seen from a plane of the tread surface, and the groove width of the main groove (50) in the tread width direction (WTR) varies in a predetermined repetition interval (?) along the tire circumferential direction. The ratio of the minimum width (WMIN) of the groove to the maximum width (WMAX) of the groove satisfies a relation of 35%?WMIN/WMAX?85%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Kiwaki, Shungo Fujita, Takaaki Kojima, Kenjiro Yamaya
  • Patent number: 9452644
    Abstract: A tire inflation system having a spindle that is configured to support a wheel bearing. A passage for routing pressurized gas may be provided with the spindle or with a sleeve that may be disposed on the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Keeney, James Keane, Michael Andrew Power, Dale Kwasniewski
  • Patent number: 9452645
    Abstract: A tire inflation system having a spindle that has a spindle fastener hole and spindle passage through which a pressurized gas flows for inflating a tire. An adapter or a fastener tube may inhibit pressurized gas from flowing from the spindle passage into the spindle fastener hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Polubinski, Timothy J. Boothby, Kevin Tracy, Nicholas S. Lakin
  • Patent number: 9452646
    Abstract: A transmitting device in a tire condition monitoring system includes a sensor having a plane sensor detecting face that senses tire information; a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the tire information; and a housing within which the sensor and the transmitter are provided, that includes an internal space in contact with the sensor detecting face of the sensor, and a ventilation hole that communicates with the internal space and the tire cavity region and that extends in a linear manner. An inside opening part of the ventilation hole is inclined with respect to the sensor detecting face, and is provided on the wall surface of the internal space that extends parallel to the sensor detecting face. An angle ? between the extension direction of the ventilation hole extending from the internal space to the tire cavity region and the normal line direction of the sensor detecting face is 10°???120°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kanenari
  • Patent number: 9452647
    Abstract: A chain attachment insert has a body with a flat underside, and provides an open loop chain attachment for receiving a chain or hook in a socket in the bed of a truck. A T-bolt portion of the chain attachment insert is received in the socket. A hole through the body extends parallel to the axis of rotation defined by the T-bolt portion, and an interference peg is vertically slidable into the hole after rotation of the chain attachment insert relative to the socket. The interference peg then rests with a portion of the interference peg in the socket to interfere with and prevent the chain attachment insert from rotating relative to the socket. A lock secures the interference peg within the hole in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis M. Bowe
  • Patent number: 9452648
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an extension apparatus and method for attaching to a trailer tongue having a trailer hitch defining a first plane. The apparatus comprises a suspension bar defining a second plane and has a proximal end and a distal end, a ball adapted to be removably received in the trailer hitch and positioned between the suspension bar proximal and distal ends and a block positioned on the suspension bar distal end. A first extension portion defines a third plane and has a proximal end and a distal end, the first extension portion proximal end defines an opening adapted to removably receive the block, and the first extension distal end having a trailer hitch adapted to removably engage a ball on a vehicle. A permanent receiver mount is adapted to removably engage at least one of the trailer tongue and the suspension bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: William J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9452649
    Abstract: A tilting trailer is proposed that includes a chassis mounted on an axle that pivots with respect to wheels of the trailer. The trailer includes an articulated drawbar mounted on the axle, the articulated drawbar being mounted so that it is free and sliding with respect to the chassis; and an actuator sliding the articulated drawbar. The articulated drawbar is V-shaped, a first end is fixed to a hitch tongue, a second end is fixed to the axle near a first wheel, and a third end is fixed to the axle near a second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CICT
    Inventor: Christian Tortellier
  • Patent number: 9452650
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a vehicular arm component which is easily manufactured and advantageous in reducing a cost without causing a steep change in a cross section. [Solution] A vehicular arm component is formed by subjecting a workpiece (W), the workpiece being a flat plate extending in a plane formed by a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, to press processing in stages so as to butt and joint two side surfaces in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Yorozu Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Matsumoto, Yoshiki Miyachi
  • Patent number: 9452651
    Abstract: A suspension mount comprises an inner plate, an elastomer member, a lower case, and an upper plate. A plate includes an extended portion extending from the circular-cylinder portion. An incline portion is integrally formed on the extended portion and clamped by the elastomer member. The elastomer member clamps the incline portion of the extended portion from the outer periphery side. Thereby, when the plate is fixed in a status that the plate and the elastomer member are contained in the case, the input in the axial direction of the mount will be decomposed into a compressive load in an axial direction and a compressive load in an axially-perpendicular direction by the incline portion. Therefore, the elastomer member is held in a status that it is precompressed in the axial direction and the axially-perpendicular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Toyota
  • Patent number: 9452652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting a height of a vehicle, which is installed between an upper end portion of a suspension spring or the suspension spring, which is installed to support a load of a vehicle, and a suspension system supporting unit which is installed to support the suspension spring, and adjusts a height of the vehicle, the device including: a motor; a screw; a gear device which transmits rotational force of the motor to the screw; and a screw guide which is moved upward and downward by rotation of the screw, in which the height of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the up and down movement of the screw guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hansoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9452653
    Abstract: A vehicle controlling apparatus includes: a vertical acceleration sensor configured to detect a vertical acceleration of a sprung mass; a power-source attitude controller configured to compute a power-source attitude control amount for a driving force outputted from a power source, the control amount making the acceleration detected by the vertical acceleration sensor an appropriate acceleration for attaining a target sprung-mass state, and to control the power source based on the power-source attitude control amount; a stroke sensor configured to detect a stroke speed of a shock absorber; and a friction-brake attitude controller configured to compute a brake attitude control amount for a braking force outputted from a friction brake, the control amount making the stroke speed detected by the stroke sensor an appropriate stroke speed for attaining a target sprung-mass state, and to control the friction brake based on the brake attitude control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9452654
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes: accessing a set of control signals, wherein at least a first control signal of the set of control signals includes a set of values associated a pressure applied to a vehicle component of a vehicle; accessing a set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values associated with the vehicle component; comparing the set of values associated with a pressure applied to the vehicle component with the set of predetermined vehicle component base-level pressure values; based on said comparing, calculating an approximate shift in a center of gravity of the vehicle; monitoring a state of at least one valve; and based on the calculating and the monitoring, determining a control mode for said at least one vehicle suspension damper that, if actuated, would compensate the vehicle for the shift in the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Philip Tsiaras, Mark Larson, Mario Galasso, Matt McLellan
  • Patent number: 9452655
    Abstract: A ride height control system includes a velocity monitor, corner ride height sensors, a processor receiving height inputs from the height sensors and velocity inputs from the velocity monitor. A cross-flow averager cooperates between the front airbags and is in communication with the processor. The cross-flow averager and the processor cooperate with the height sensors corresponding to the front corners, so as to provide a single pseudo height controller controlling, by selective actuation of the cross-flow averager, airflow between the corresponding front corners. The velocity monitor monitors forward velocity of the vehicle and provides velocity information to the processor. The processor causes the cross-flow averager to isolate the front airbags when the velocity is above a non-zero pre-set velocity and to allow a cross-flow of the airflow between the front airbags below the pre-set velocity. The pre-set velocity may be a range of velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Valid Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant W. Hiebert, Jack W. Fenkhuber
  • Patent number: 9452656
    Abstract: A damper control apparatus damps vibration of an unsprung member by controlling a damping force of a damper in a vehicle, the damper being interposed between a sprung member and the unsprung member. The damper control apparatus includes a vibration level detecting unit that detects a vibration level serving as a magnitude of the vibration of the unsprung member, and a stroke speed detecting unit that detects a stroke speed of the damper. The damper control apparatus further includes a command value calculating unit that determines a control command value, the control command value is a command value for controlling the damping force of the damper on the basis of the vibration level of the unsprung member and the stroke speed of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoo Kubota, Masatoshi Okumura
  • Patent number: 9452657
    Abstract: Ride height for use in an adaptive suspension damping system, tiltable headlamp systems, or other systems is determined for first and second wheels which are mounted to first and second suspensions having first and second control arms coupled between the respective wheels and a frame of the vehicle. An anti-roll system is coupled between the control arms. A mechanical height sensor is coupled to the first wheel to directly sense a first height associated with the first wheel. A strain sensor is coupled to the anti-roll system to generate a strain signal in response to a strain in the anti-roll system. A controller converts the strain signal to a second height associated with the second wheel. Thus, ride heights for both wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle are obtained using only one direct height measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin S. Giaier, Edmund S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9452658
    Abstract: A convertible link for use with an anti-sway bar is provided. The convertible link includes a hydraulic cylinder having a link tube and a fluid shaft. The fluid shaft includes a piston coupled to a first end of the fluid shaft, wherein the fluid shaft and the piston are slidably coupled within the link tube. Fluid flows in and out of the hydraulic cylinder to move the hydraulic cylinder between a fixed and a moveable condition. In the fixed position the fluid shaft does not move with respect to the link tube and the anti-sway bar is operational to control roll. In the moveable condition the fluid shaft is moveable with respect to the link tube and the anti-sway bar is not operational to control roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Justin Smith
  • Patent number: 9452659
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a combined heating and cooling vapor compression system are provided. The apparatus may be a vehicle and may include a cabin, a vehicle battery, a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS), and a vapor-compression system, having at least one controller, operable in a variety of modes selectable to facilitate cooling, heating, and dehumidification of the vehicle cabin. The method may include steps to adjust evaporator air temperature to control comfort, fogging and smell in the cabin by adjusting the compressor speed; regulate heat pump performance by adjusting the output of an electric heater and adjusting the flow of coolant through the RESS chiller; and evaluating and optimizing the discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor by adjusting the compressor speed and adjusting the coolant flow through the RESS chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bryan M. Styles, Mark D. Nemesh
  • Patent number: 9452660
    Abstract: The invention relates to valve system configurations for an active warm-up (AWU) system for an automobile to improve warm-up conditions without delaying cabin warm-up or defrost times. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for heating/cooling transmission fluid of an automobile by controlling the source of the heat exchange fluid for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid during different start-up conditions using a series of various valves arranged in series intermediate a first heat exchanger associated with cabin warm-up/defrost of the passenger compartment and a second heat exchanger for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Sheppard, Dario Bettio, Sachin Bhatia
  • Patent number: 9452661
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes a compressor configured to compress refrigerant, a condenser, an evaporator, a temperature sensor and a controller. The condenser receives the refrigerant from the compressor and the evaporator receives the refrigerant from the condenser. The temperature sensor is positioned proximate the evaporator to measure a temperature of air passing through the evaporator prior to entering a vehicle passenger compartment. The controller is operatively coupled to the compressor to cycle the compressor on and off based upon the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and correlation data stored in the controller that correlates temperatures at the evaporator to estimated moisture densities at the evaporator to maintain the moisture density of the air in the vehicle passenger compartment below a predetermined moisture density threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 9452662
    Abstract: A method for bending a sheet is described. The method includes the following steps: a) at least one sheet is inserted into a pre-bending ring with a movable bending ring holder, the at least one sheet is heated at least to an approximately softening temperature, and the at least one sheet is prebent in the pre-bending ring to 5% to 50% of a final edge bending, b) the pre-bent sheet is lifted out of the pre-bending ring by means of a suction device and is bent further, beyond a bending obtained in the pre-bending ring, c) the at least one sheet is laid down by means of the suction device in a final-bending ring on the movable bending ring holder and the at least one sheet is bent to a final bending, and d) the at least one sheet is cooled down in the final-bending ring and the at least one sheet is bent by means of the suction device to 100% to 130% of an overall final edge bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Benno Dunkmann, Jean-Marie Le Ny
  • Patent number: 9452663
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a shading device includes a screen, a shaft portion having a lock portion to be locked, a biasing mechanism, a locking member that is engaged at a lock position with the lock portion, and a housing in which the end portion of the shaft portion is inserted. The housing has a sliding guide portion in which the locking member is slid. The sliding guide portion is capable of guiding the locking member in a direction passing through the lock position and a lock release position, and has a lock position engagement portion for stopping the locking member from sliding at the lock position. The locking member includes a slide engagement portion that engages with the lock position engagement portion at the lock position and an operating portion that can be flexed to release the slide engagement portion from the lock position engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: HAYASHI TELEMPU Co., Ltd., NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Keisuke Watanabe, Toshiya Nishiura, Yoshihiro Tsuchimoto, Naofumi Yagame
  • Patent number: 9452664
    Abstract: A structure of a side lid for an accommodating space formed in a vehicle body comprises an upper hinge assembly disposed at an upper portion of the side lid, and connected by a cable to an upper handle; and a lower hinge assembly disposed at a lower portion of the side lid, and connected by a cable to a lower handle, wherein the side lid is configured to be opened upward by the lower handle and downward by the upper handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hyuk-Jong Kwon
  • Patent number: 9452665
    Abstract: A roof arrangement (3) of a motor vehicle is stowable and, in a closed position, extends between an upper windshield cowl and a fixed rollover hoop (6). The roof arrangement (3) has a roof frame (4) which is articulated, via a linkage (11, 13), in a mount (11) that is fixed with respect to a bodyshell. Seals (17) run on both sides of the roof frame (4) and form seal strands in the closed position of the roof arrangement. Each seal (17) is divided into three over its length. A front portion (18) of the seal (17) is fastened to the roof frame (4), a middle portion (19) of the seal (17) is fastened to a link (11) of the linkage (11, 13) and a rear portion (20) of the seal (17) is fastened to a rear surface bow (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Schulzki
  • Patent number: 9452666
    Abstract: A cushioning assembly includes a vehicle that has at least two doors. A first shield apparatus and a second shield apparatus are each coupled to the vehicle. The first shield apparatus and the second shield apparatus are positionable to cover the doors. The first shield apparatus and the second shield apparatus shield the doors from impact damage. A pump is coupled to the vehicle. The pump is in fluid communication with the first shield apparatus and the second shield apparatus. The pump selectively inflates and deflates the first shield apparatus and the second shield apparatus. A control is provided for selectively actuating and de-actuating the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: John Suh
  • Patent number: 9452667
    Abstract: A method for transporting a cargo load using a carrier aircraft includes: mounting a shield on the cargo load such that the shield is supported by the cargo load to form a protected load; and aerial transporting the protected load as a slung load from the carrier aircraft, wherein the shield serves to protect the cargo load from aerodynamic loads generated by flight of the carrier aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Corvid Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Harmon, Gregory McGowan
  • Patent number: 9452668
    Abstract: A mounting frame (20) for an electrically driven motor vehicle (10) has two longitudinal beams (30, 32) oriented in a longitudinal direction (18) of the motor vehicle (10). An electric drive unit (22) for driving the motor vehicle (10) is mounted on the longitudinal beams (30, 32). The longitudinal beams (30, 32) form a frame arrangement that is open out in the longitudinal direction (18). A flexurally stiff hollow body (28) is formed separately from the longitudinal beams (30, 32) and is fixed to the mounting frame (20). The hollow body (28) is arranged between the longitudinal beams (30, 32) and is mechanically fixedly connected to the longitudinal beams (30, 32) to form a closed frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Timo Fabian Merkel
  • Patent number: 9452669
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a frame unit including upper side tubes and lower side tubes. Front and rear ancillary tube assemblies are connected between the upper side tubes and the lower side tubes in the front and rear parts. A power unit is fixed to the lower side tubes. A heat dissipation member for cooling the power unit is mounted to the front part of the frame unit. The power unit has an air inlet port to which a cooling duct is coupled. A steering mechanism is arranged in an internal area delimited by the upper side tubes and the lower side tubes between the heat dissipation member and the power unit and includes a steering bar, an electronic steering assisting device, and a steering arm. The cooling duct and the electronic motor are respectively set on opposite sides of a steering bar center axis of the steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Ting Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9452670
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power unit with an engine that transmits drive force forward and backward to front and rear wheels via propeller shafts. The power unit is supported on a vehicle frame by engine mounts provided at three locations. An engine mount on one side of a crankshaft is farther from the center of gravity of the power unit than the other two mounts. This engine mount joins the crank case and the vehicle frame. The two other engine mounts on the other side of the crankshaft are closer to the center of gravity. These engine mounts join the vehicle frame and front and rear ends of an engine hanger that is joined to the crank case and extends forward and backward beyond at least one of a front end and a rear end of the crank case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Yasuo Hanafusa
  • Patent number: 9452671
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the battery array. The energy storage module further comprises a compliant tipped thermistor which may be installed within a flexible clip. The thermistor is positioned to monitor the temperature of one or more of the batteries within the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Bennett, Brian J. Maskew, Leonard F. Baxter, II
  • Patent number: 9452672
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electrical circuit having a motor-generator and a starter mechanism coupled to the engine. A first energy storage device is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with the starter mechanism. A second energy storage device is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with the motor-generator. A first auxiliary electric system is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with both the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. A first switch is disposed within the electrical circuit between the first energy storage device and the first auxiliary electric system. A second switch is disposed within the electrical circuit between the second energy storage device and the first auxiliary electric system. The first auxiliary electric system is disposed, within the electrical circuit, between the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Michael G. Reynolds, David W. Walters, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9452673
    Abstract: A transmission system may include a planetary gear set disposed on an input shaft receiving power of an engine, two input gears connected respectively to two rotation elements among three rotation elements of the planetary gear set, first and second motor/generators disposed on an intermediate shaft and a connecting shaft disposed in parallel with the input shaft, two intermediate gears connected respectively to first and second rotors of the first and second motor/generators, a brake selectively connecting the first rotor of the first motor/generator to a transmission housing, and two output gears fixedly disposed on an output shaft disposed in parallel with the intermediate shaft and transmitting power transmitted through one input gear of the two input gears and/or one intermediate gear of the two intermediate gears to a final reduction gear of a differential apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Baekyu Kim, Chulmin Ahn, Seok Joon Kim, SungGon Byun
  • Patent number: 9452674
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine and a hood enclosure at least partially surrounding the engine. The hood enclosure may include a front grille and a secondary grille spaced apart from the front grille. The hood enclosure may also at least partially define an airflow compartment. The work vehicle may also include a heat exchanger disposed in the airflow compartment between the front grille and the engine and at least one cooling fan disposed in the airflow compartment between the heat exchanger and the engine. The at least one cooling fan may generally be configured to generate a reversible airflow within the airflow compartment between the front grille and the secondary grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: William H. Adamson, Daniel A. Morey, Nicholas J. Prenger
  • Patent number: 9452676
    Abstract: On-board display control methods and systems are provided. In one implementation for displaying speedometer information and miscellaneous information on an instrument panel display, a nonuse region determination unit of an on-board display control device determines a nonuse speed region in a speedometer in accordance with a traveling status of a vehicle. A display control unit of the on-board display control device then exercises control such that an enlarged view of the miscellaneous information is displayed over the nonuse speed region when the nonuse region determination unit determines that there is the nonuse speech region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Oba
  • Patent number: 9452677
    Abstract: A display control apparatus for assigning a content to an area of a screen of an in-vehicle display and for displaying the content is disclosed. When a display Instruction to display a new content different from a present content to an area is generated during displaying of the present content on the area, the display control apparatus selects either one of the present content and the new content as a display target of the area based on an importance degree of the new content and an importance degree of the present content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ueda, Shigeo Katoh, Hitoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9452678
    Abstract: An adaptive, automatically-reconfigurable, vehicle instrument display method and system are described that continuously looks for a specified physical action of a driver operating the vehicle and, upon determining that the specified physical action of the driver has occurred, automatically effects a change to at least one widget in the instrument panel display of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Luis Carlos Cruz Huertas, Edgar Adolfo Zamora Duran
  • Patent number: 9452679
    Abstract: An operation management system obviates such a situation that a power substation would trip and a supply of power to overhead wires would stop. The operation management system controls operation of electric drive vehicles, each of which is provided with a trolley mode, in which the electric drive vehicle runs by power supplied to the overhead wires, and a diesel mode, in which the electric drive vehicle runs by an output from an engine. A supply margin detection unit detects a current supply margin of power and a running position detecting unit detects a current running position of the electric drive vehicle. A running mode detection unit detects a current running mode of the electric drive vehicle and a running mode determination unit determines a next running mode based on the detection results of the supply margin detection unit, running position detecting unit, and running mode detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kikuchi, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takayuki Sato, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Shinjiro Saito
  • Patent number: 9452680
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a drive motor and an engaging/disengaging mechanism having a function to permit and cut off torque transmission between the drive motor and wheels. The vehicle control device further includes a smoothing capacitor that smoothes electric power applied from a secondary battery, a drive circuit for the drive motor, a drive circuit for the engaging/disengaging mechanism, and a microprocessor for controlling each drive circuit. If it is determined that a collision of a vehicle has occurred, the microprocessor disconnects each drive circuit from the secondary battery, and outputs a command to disengage the engaging/disengaging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 9452681
    Abstract: An abnormality detector detects whether an abnormality is occurring in a power converter based on electric current that the power converter outputs and an electric current detector detects. When a value that includes the number of power converters in which an abnormality is occurring, and that indicates amount of reduction in propelling force of a vehicle satisfies a judgment criterion, a determiner determines that an increase is required in the output of the power converter in which no abnormality is occurring, among multiple power converters, to a level higher than normal output. An output controller stops the power converter if notified by the abnormality detector of an occurrence of an abnormality in the power converter. The output controller controls the output of the power converter, for which the determiner determines that the increase is required so that the output becomes higher than the normal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonobu Mihara, Yoshio Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 9452682
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission includes a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing, with the first cavity selectively open to outside of the casing. The transmission also includes a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. Furthermore, the transmission includes a power inverter module selectively disposed in the first cavity. The power inverter module includes a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module. The transmission also includes a guide attached to the platform and the casing within the second cavity such that the guide provides fluid communication between the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konstantinos Triantos, John A. Diemer, Pete R. Garcia, Kent A. Miller, Anthony P. Tata
  • Patent number: 9452683
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly for a vehicle is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a battery cell array and a thermal plate configured to support the battery cell array. The thermal plate may define an inlet port, two outer channels each having a channel inlet in communication with the inlet port, at least three inner channels disposed between the outer channels, and an outlet port. The ports and channels may be arranged such that fluid traveling through any two adjacent channels flows in opposite directions and fluid, when exiting the thermal plate, empties from one or more of the inner channels into the outlet port without first entering the channel inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Amir Jairazbhoy, George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows
  • Patent number: 9452684
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing energy services are disclosed. One method includes: reporting, by a respective asset of the first type, an identifier associated with a grid connection point that establishes a location of the respective asset of the first type at the grid connection point on the electric grid; receiving, by the respective asset of the first type, operating conditions for realizing the energy service, the received conditions being based on the established location of the respective asset of the first type on the grid; and operating the respective asset of the first type in accordance with the received operating conditions to realize the energy service. An energy service controller includes a communication unit for receiving, from a mobile asset, an identifier associated with a grid connection point connected to the asset and a processor for determining a location of the asset on the grid based on the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: THE AES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Christopher Shelton, John Michael Zahurancik
  • Patent number: 9452685
    Abstract: A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically processing status related intake associated at least in part with one or more electric vehicle recharging affairs for one or more electric vehicles by wireless electrical energy transfer affiliated at least in part with one or more dwelling associates of at least in part one or more dwelling related areas. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9452686
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling member mounted between battery cells to remove heat generated from the battery cells during charge and discharge of the battery cells, wherein the cooling member includes a plate-shaped cooling fin configured to have a structure in which two battery cell contact portions disposed in tight contact with outer sides of the battery cells in a state in which the cooling fin is disposed between the respective battery cells are continuously formed in a horizontal direction (a lateral direction) and a coolant conduit configured to have a hollow structure in which a coolant flows, the coolant conduit thermally contacting the cooling fin, the coolant conduit being located at the outside of an electrode assembly receiving part of each of the battery cells when the cooling fin is disposed between the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: JaeHun Yang, Jong Moon Yoon, Dal Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 9452687
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cold start of a fuel cell vehicle includes detecting and storing temperatures at an inlet and an exit of fuel cell cooling water a plurality of times after turning-off of the fuel cell vehicle. A start sequence is controlled based on the lowest temperature of the stored temperatures and temperatures at the inlet and exit of the cooling water at a restart of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance start-up stability and driving stability by controlling a cold start sequence according to an internal state of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORP.
    Inventors: Dae Jong Kim, Seon Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 9452688
    Abstract: Magnetic means and apparatus for implementing rail bonds and rail feeds. A rail bond embodiment comprises an electrical conductor. Mechanically and electrically coupled to each end of the electrical conductor is a magnet that comprises a magnetic material that is plated with an electrically conductive material. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet comprises a magnetic material that is disposed between two pieces of steel or other metal. In operation, the two magnets are attached to two rail sections, across a joint separating the rails, via the attractive magnetic force between each magnet and its associated rail. In this way, the electrical circuit comprising the rails is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Mark A. Williams