Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9475473
    Abstract: A master cylinder having a primary piston and a secondary piston is described. The secondary piston is realized of plastic material; it is composed of a skirt and an end wall. The forward edge of the skirt is equipped with longitudinal slots intended to cooperate with the resupply seal to resupply the secondary pressure chamber and ensure operation in rest position whenever the brake circuit is in ESP mode. Supply occurs from the supply chamber, which is connected to the brake fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Carole Charpentier, Antony Auguste, Laurent Lhuillier, Olivier Bernadat, Marc Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9475474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle brake device which can secure the durability of a linear valve for controlling a servo pressure. The brake ECU of the vehicle brake device sets a reference servo pressure based on the operating amount of a brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped and sets a target servo pressure based on the reference servo pressure during one braking operation. Further, the brake ECU sets the reference servo pressure based on the operating amount of the brake pedal when the servo pressure calculated in response to the operating amount of the brake pedal exceeds the servo pressure change threshold value set with a deviation from the reference servo pressure calculated in response to the brake pedal operating amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyohito Takeuchi, Masaki Maruyama, Masaaki Komazawa, Yusuke Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9475475
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes: a plurality of hydraulic brakes; and a first hydraulic pressure generator including a first hydraulic pressure source and a first hydraulic pressure controlling portion that is configured to control an output hydraulic pressure of the first hydraulic pressure source to a target hydraulic pressure. The plurality of hydraulic brakes includes (a) at least one disk brake and (b) at least one drum brake. The first hydraulic pressure generator is in communication with a first brake cylinder that is the brake cylinder of each of the at least one disk brake, and is isolated from a second brake cylinder that is the brake cylinder of each of the at least one drum brake, in a case when a regenerative cooperative control is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakata, Takahiro Okano
  • Patent number: 9475476
    Abstract: A system for variably controlling the purge cycle of a locomotive air supply system air dryer pre-filtration state. A sensor in the air inlet of the air dryer provides temperature information to a controller, which calculates an appropriate purge cycle time based on the saturation partial pressure of water vapor at the actual temperature of the air entering the air dryer and the operates the drain valve according to the particular purse cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventor: Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 9475477
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing transient brake caliper drag in a motor vehicle are provided. The motor vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to, an axle, a rotor coupled to the axle, a brake caliper comprising a brake pad configured to engage the rotor, a brake pedal assembly communicatively coupled to the brake caliper, the brake pedal assembly configured to receive user input directing the brake pad to apply a force to the rotor and user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, and a processor coupled to the brake caliper, wherein the processor is configured to determine, after the brake pedal assembly receives user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, the force applied to the rotor, and command the brake caliper to retract the brake pad away from the rotor when the determined force exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Begleiter, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 9475478
    Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus and a control apparatus for controlling the hybrid drive apparatus, a hybrid drive apparatus including a differential device made of a first differential mechanism and second differential mechanism, including four rotary components; and an engine, a first electric motor, second electric motor and an output rotary member, which are respectively connected to four rotary components, wherein one of the four rotary components consists of a rotary element of the first differential mechanism and a rotary element of the second differential mechanism which are selectively connected to each other through a coupling element, and the control apparatus controlling at least one of output torques of the first and second electric motors, to reduce a difference between rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the first and second differential mechanisms selectively connected to each other through the coupling element, to a value not larger than a predetermined threshold value, before the coupling ele
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Kodama, Taku Harada
  • Patent number: 9475479
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle by engaging a parking brake if a battery state of charge is depleted below a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert David Hancasky, Bader M. Badreddine
  • Patent number: 9475480
    Abstract: A battery charge/discharge control device (20) includes an input-enabled power adjustment unit (40) having an input-enabled current value calculation unit (42) and an input power limit value calculation unit (44). The input-enabled current value calculation unit (42) uses a battery current value, a battery temperature value, and an estimated charge capacity value at the time “t” upon execution of detection, so as to obtain an input-enabled current value reduction amount per unit time during charge and an enabled current amount recovery amount per unit time when being left uncontrolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruo Ishishita, Junta Izumi, Ko Nozaki, Hitoshi Sakai, Takashi Kuzuya, Kiyohito Machida
  • Patent number: 9475481
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. The motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system are operable regardless of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Venkata Prasad Atluri, Chandra S. Namuduri, Robert S. Conell, Michael G. Reynolds, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Bob R. Powell, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 9475482
    Abstract: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine driving a pair of wheels on a first axle and a transmission drivingly connecting the internal combustion engine and the wheels on a first axle. An integrated starter-generator is mounted on the internal combustion engine crankshaft between said internal combustion engine and the transmission. The vehicle further includes an electric motor driving a pair of wheels on a first axle and a main battery pack connected to a further electric motor arranged to supply electric power for driving the wheels on a second axle. The electric drive means can comprise one electric motor driving the second axle via a differential, two electric motors each driving one half of the second axle or two electric wheel motors for the respective wheels on the second axle. An additional battery is connected to the integrated starter-generator for starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: V2 PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP HANDELSBOLAG
    Inventors: Klas Niste, Robert Eriksson, Patrik Larsson
  • Patent number: 9475483
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a controller. The controller is programmed to inhibit a scheduled transmission downshift and increase a torque of the motor for a specified period of time in response to a torque demand being greater than a maximum torque capability of the engine but less than a maximum combined torque capability of the engine and motor. Upon expiration of the specified period of time, the controller may permit the downshift to occur. The specified period of time may be based on a state of charge of a battery at a time when the torque demand exceeds the maximum torque capability of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 9475484
    Abstract: A vehicle status is judged with respect to whether the following conditions are met: the shift position of a shift lever 4 is F or R (condition 1); the brakes are inactive (condition 2); the vehicle stands still (condition 3); the accelerator pedal is depressed equal to or less than ? (condition 4); and the rotational speed of the engine is equal to or less than a medium rotational speed (condition 5). The engine is controlled such that the rotational speed is set to a minimum if conditions 1, 2, and 4 are met and condition 3 is not met or if condition 1 is met and condition 2 is not met; and the rotational speed is set to the medium rotational speed if conditions 1, 2, 3, and 5 are met or if conditions 1, 2, and 5 are met and conditions 3 and 4 are not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michio Fushiki, Naokazu Oda, Katsuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9475485
    Abstract: A method for moving off of a hybrid vehicle with a propulsion system (1) including a planetary gear with three components: a sun gear (10), a ring gear (11) and a planet wheel carrier (12). The output shaft (2a) of a combustion engine (2) is connected to a first component of an input shaft (3a) of a gearbox (3) is connected to a second component and the rotor (9b) of an electric machine (9) is connected to a third component. The propulsion system has a locking device transferable between a locking position and a releasing position respectively, in which the components rotate as a unit and with different rotation speeds respectively. The method starts from an initial state with the combustion engine idle, the locking device in the releasing position and a gear, appropriate for moving off, engaged in the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Mikael Bergquist, Johan Lindström, Anders Kjell, Mathias Björkman
  • Patent number: 9475486
    Abstract: There is provided a controller for a hybrid vehicle which can improve fuel consumption performance and driveability. A controller for a hybrid vehicle which can run in an EV drive mode in which an electric motor 101 is driven by electric power of a battery 113 only and a series drive mode in which the electric motor 101 is driven by electric power generated by a generator 107 using power of an engine 109 includes a demanded driving force calculation unit, a demanded electric power calculation unit, an available uppermost outputting value setting unit, and an engine starting determination unit. The engine starting determination unit starts the engine 109 so that the vehicle runs in the series drive mode when the demanded electric power demanded of the electric motor 101 exceeds the available uppermost outputting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 9475487
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a driver interface having a first driver-activated selector, and a controller. The controller selectively operates the engine according to a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the engine runs continuously. In the second mode the engine is turned off in response to a first set of operating conditions and turned on in response to a second set of operating conditions. The controller further, in response to a driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the first mode and, in response to an anticipated end of a first vehicle acceleration event subsequent the driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Soo, Bernard D. Nefcy, David Paul Tourner, Charles Vitullo, Craig Edward Esler
  • Patent number: 9475488
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid drive unit for avoiding an overcharging and an over discharging of a battery when starting or stopping an engine. The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be stored into the battery is large or to be discharged from the electric storage device is small if a state of charge of the battery is lower than a first threshold value (at step S4). The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be discharged from the battery is large or to be stored into the battery is small if a state of charge of the electric storage device is higher than a second threshold value (at step S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohsuke Tagawa, Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 9475489
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a running mode change that prevent shock generated when releasing an engine clutch in changing from a running mode to another running mode. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a running mode change occurring in the hybrid vehicle and determining whether to change a state of the engine clutch from a lock-up state to an open state while the running mode change is being processed. The controller is further configured to slip-control the engine clutch to prevent torque occurring at a point in time when the engine clutch is changed to the open state from being transmitted to a driving shaft connected to the transmission, when the state of the engine clutch is determined to be changed from the lock-up state to the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9475490
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a hybrid vehicle are provided to supply oil pressure to a transmission using an electric oil pump. The method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a driving motor, and an engine clutch connecting between the engine and the driving motor includes: detecting a failure of high voltage components for the hybrid vehicle including an air conditioner, a heater, and a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC). In response to determining a failure of at least one of the high voltage components an operation of the high voltage components in a normal state are turned off. The electric oil pump is operated with a counter electromotive force generated from the driving motor by operating the driving motor with power of the engine while a speed (RPM) of the engine is maintained at a predetermined minimum demand speed or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kilyoung Youn, Gubae Kang, Jiwan Cha, Jinho Kim, Sang-Hwan Kim, Jae-Sang Lim
  • Patent number: 9475491
    Abstract: Various manners of changing travel lanes for an autonomous vehicle are described. A target gap between a pair of neighboring vehicles located in a travel lane that is adjacent to the current travel lane of the autonomous vehicle can be identified. It can be determined whether the size of the first target gap is acceptable or unacceptable. Responsive to determining that the size of the first target gap is unacceptable, an alternative lane changing maneuver for the autonomous vehicle can be determined. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the alternative lane changing maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Nagasaka, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9475492
    Abstract: Provided is a parking assist device such that, when a vehicle has reached an area corresponding to a backing start position, the angle of a current position with respect to a target parking position is placed in an appropriate range so as to facilitate subsequent guidance to the target parking position. In the parking assist device, when a vehicle (601) has reached any of a plurality of backing start positions (603 to 605), a state control unit (112) determines whether the angle of a current position with respect to a target parking position (602) is appropriate for guidance to a target parking position (602), and, if not, displays an angle correction indicating icon (606) on an image display means (102) to provide an indication for correcting the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Okano, Hirotaka Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 9475493
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle operable to implement a speed control function, the control system being operable to: receive an input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; determine an instantaneous value of a primary target speed torque parameter corresponding to an amount of torque that should be developed at a given position in a powertrain in order to control the vehicle to travel at the target speed; and filter by means of filter means a value of a torque parameter input thereto to generate a filtered torque parameter value, the system being operable to command the powertrain to develop at said position an amount of torque corresponding to the filtered torque parameter value, wherein the system is operable to input to the filter means a secondary target speed torque parameter value determined in dependence on the primary target speed torque parameter value and a current value of filtered torque parameter generated by the filter means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Nick Brockley, Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly
  • Patent number: 9475494
    Abstract: A vehicle race track driving assistance system may include a location tracking system that tracks the location of the vehicle; a memory for holding race track data indicative of the shape and location of the race track, including a turn on the race track; a steering control system that controllably steers the vehicle; and a controller that causes the steering control system to controllably steer the vehicle into the turn on the race track when the location tracking system and race track data indicate that the vehicle is approaching the turn, the steering being in an amount that is insufficient to cause the vehicle to navigate through the turn without deviating from the race track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert C. MacArthur
  • Patent number: 9475495
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and an electric machine configured to provide drive torque and regenerative braking torque. The electric machine is selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. The vehicle additionally includes a torque converter with an associated bypass clutch coupling the electric machine and transmission. The bypass clutch has an associated torque capacity. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a braking request indicative of an anticipated regenerative braking request, increase the torque capacity prior to the regenerative braking event by a quantity corresponding to an anticipated regenerative braking torque associated with the anticipated regenerative braking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Francis Thomas Connolly, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 9475496
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to monitor at least one condition while operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle further includes a processing device configured to identify at least one occupant, select a profile associated with the occupant, and autonomously operate at least one subsystem according to the selected profile and the at least condition monitored by the at least one autonomous driving sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Eric Hongtei Tseng
  • Patent number: 9475497
    Abstract: An electric implement power management system includes an electronic controller that monitors total electric implement load and commands a transmission to reduce the speed of the traction drive wheels below the desired traction drive speed if the total electric implement load reaches a maximum allowable load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A Henson, Patrick W Cross, Eric R Funk
  • Patent number: 9475498
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle that changes over a range of an automatic transmission by operating an electric shift actuator and that starts up an engine by operating a starter motor, for example, when an occupant of a vehicle that has carried out idling stop operates a shift lever, the operation of the shift actuator corresponding thereto is started, and the operation of the starter motor is started after the lapse of a predetermined period therefrom. Thus, while the starting responsiveness of the vehicle is enhanced, a fall in battery voltage is restrained from adversely affecting the operation of the shift actuator, and the occurrence of a shock and a decrease in driveability are suppressed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Nishimura, Yusuke Nakade, Masahiro Karasawa, Kazumi Shine
  • Patent number: 9475500
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for participative sensing of road friction conditions by vehicles, collection of the friction data from a large number of vehicles by a central server, processing the data to classify friction conditions by roadway and locale, and sending notifications of the friction conditions to vehicles as appropriate. A large number of vehicles use participative sensing systems to identify road friction estimates which are reported to the central server—where the vehicles use sensor data and vehicle dynamic conditions to estimate friction. The central server stores and aggregates the friction data, filters it and ages it. Vehicles requesting advisories from the central server will receive notices of road friction conditions which may be significant based on their location and heading. Driver warnings can be issued for low friction conditions ahead, and automated vehicle systems may also respond to the notices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Donald K. Grimm, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Fan Bai, Jinzhu Chen
  • Patent number: 9475501
    Abstract: In a method for ascertaining the stress level of the driver, the setpoint trajectory of the vehicle is ascertained and compared to the actual trajectory. A higher stress level is inferred from an increasing frequency and/or magnitude of the deviation of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Folko Flehmig, Claus Marberger, Thomas Gussner
  • Patent number: 9475502
    Abstract: Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness of a driver. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The response system can modify the control of two or more systems simultaneously in response to driver behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin C. Fung, Timothy J. Dick
  • Patent number: 9475503
    Abstract: A cableway system for the transport of persons or goods has two pairs of track cables, which extend between two terminal stations, such as a valley station and a mountain station. Transport vehicles, such as gondolas, are moved along the track cables by at least one traction cable. The track cables run in a curved path in the region of at least one tower and the traction cable is guided in the region of the at least one tower via carrying rollers. At least some of the carrying rollers for the traction cable, which are located in the region of the at least one tower, are adjustable in terms of their position in relation to the two track cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Fessler, Peter Luger
  • Patent number: 9475504
    Abstract: An end bodyshell of a railcar bodyshell includes: a pair of end posts provided at a width direction middle portion of the end bodyshell; corner posts respectively provided at both width direction end portions of the end bodyshell; an end plate to which upper portions of the end posts and upper portions of the corner posts are coupled; and an end-side end beam to which lower portions of the end posts and lower portions of the corner posts are coupled. The end-side end beam includes: a middle member connecting the end posts in the width direction; and two side members each connecting the end post and the corner post in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hirashima, Shirou Honma, Kei Uchida
  • Patent number: 9475506
    Abstract: Provided is rolling stock in which a center beam is formed of an upper plate part, a lower plate part, and a pair of side plate parts located on opposite sides of the upper plate part and the lower plate part into a rectangular tube cross-sectional shape. Each of the upper plate part and the lower plate part is formed by placing a plurality of plate members on each other, at least an outermost one of the plate members is formed in a flat plate shape, and a ridge portion projecting to a tube inner side is formed in a center portion, in the width direction, of the plate member located on an inner side such that the ridge portion is continuous in a longitudinal direction of the center beam, and which has an underframe capable of preventing the upper plate part and the lower plate part from buckling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hayashi, Koji Nakao
  • Patent number: 9475507
    Abstract: To prevent separation of a truck frame and a wheel axle and to continue supporting a vehicle, even if damage has occurred to a steering device of a steering truck in which front-back support of a steering axle is performed only by a steering mechanism. A railway vehicle steering truck provided with an axle box suspension of a steering axle, which is designed to perform support in the front-back direction of an axle box which rotatably supports the steering axle, by means of a steering device having a steering link which is rotatably connected to the axle box, and a connecting link rotatably connected to a bolster, each of these being rotatably connected to a steering lever which is rotatably connected to the a truck frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimokawa, Masaaki Mizuno, Toshiyo Yamano, Tomoki Teramae
  • Patent number: 9475508
    Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster mounted transversely to a side frame pair. A mounting interface between the axel ends and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral swing truck like rocking motion of the sideframes combined with a longitudinal selfsteering capability by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that permits resistance to deflection proportionally to the weight carried across the interface. The truck may have auxiliary centering elements made of resilient elastomeric material mounted in the pedestal seats and may also have friction dampers provided with brake linings or like on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, having a disinclination to stick-slip behavior and operate to yield upward and downward friction forces that are not overly unequal and may be mounted in a four-cornered arrangement at each end of the truck bolster. Spring groups may include subgroups of springs of differing heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Jamal Hematian
  • Patent number: 9475509
    Abstract: A guided ground vehicle that travels on a track having an electric contact rail for supplying electricity to the vehicle, the rail including several electrical circuits, each electrical circuit being connected to at least one electric switching member. The vehicle includes a device for managing a derailment of the ground vehicle and generating means for generating a control signal for controlling one of the electric switching members connected to the electrical circuits positioned across from the ground vehicle, to close that electrical circuit. The device includes detecting means for detecting the derailment of the ground vehicle and processing means connected to the detecting means and to the generating means. The processing means are adapted to deactivate the generating means to inhibit the generation of the control signal, in order to cause the opening of the circuits across from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
    Inventor: Emmanuel Flamanc
  • Patent number: 9475510
    Abstract: A method for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle or control signals for the rail vehicle by way of a driver assistance system. Taking at least one journey specification into account, driving data is calculated and on the basis of the driving data: an action recommendation is generated and displayed in an action recommendation display device or a control signal that acts on a vehicle control device is generated. In order to optimize such a method in relation to an energy requirement of the rail vehicle, at least one air pressure characteristic variable is taken into account as a journey specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Porsch, Patrick Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9475511
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and methodologies that enable or improve a train operator's ability to detect when his train will or has switched tracks or routes automatically in response to the train switching tracks or route without input from the train operator. Disclosed embodiments enable automatic determination of a route that the train is currently on and the route the train is supposed to switch to and the ability to predict track/route switches before they occur. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are configured to more effectively provide proper driving instructions through the track/route change, instead of merely reacting to the track/route change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Tippey, Sean Adams, Sung-Ho Jee
  • Patent number: 9475512
    Abstract: A ladder carrier is disclosed herein. The ladder carrier includes a pair of pneumatic tires that are connected to each other through an axle. The ladder carrier further includes a support frame that is mounted on the axle. The support frame may include two bars that may be configured to hold at least one ladder such that center of gravity of the at least one ladder is supported by the pair of pneumatic tires. Further, the ladder carrier includes a base structure that may be connected between the two bars. The base structure may be connected to the two bars at a portion above the axle. The base structure may provide a platform for supporting the at least one ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Christian Stacy Rich
  • Patent number: 9475513
    Abstract: A pallet truck is provided having an electrical system that reduces wear and the likelihood of fracture of the control wiring and output cable by having a controller to which they are connected also be mounted to the steering mechanism that rotates relative to a base support portion of a truck frame, and a hydraulic power unit that permits a reduced size and height, with a manual hydraulic cylinder and cylinder body at a substantially similar height, and the cylinder body and oil storage cavity in a concentric arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BIG LIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Yuanwei Liu, Feiquan Meng, Jinhui He
  • Patent number: 9475514
    Abstract: Embodiments of medical carts and associated apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. A medical cart configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a cart base assembly, a work platform, and a height adjustment assembly carrying the work platform above the cart base assembly. The cart base assembly includes an upper portion and a touch-sensitive foot panel generally below the upper portion. The touch-sensitive foot panel includes a resilient cover having a contact surface and a contact switch underlying the resilient cover. The contact switch is operably coupled to the height adjustment assembly, and the contact switch is configured to detect for operator foot contact at the contact surface and to raise or lower the work platform via the height adjustment assembly when the operator foot contact is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CAPSA SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Rody Myron Hardy, Adam William Landis, Timothy Charles Rothwell, Eric John Webb
  • Patent number: 9475515
    Abstract: A mountable smart device holder for use on a shopping cart handle or the like. The holder includes: a front side having a generally planar surface; a lip that extends about a bottom and a side portion of the generally planar surface; a horizontal clamp and a vertical clamp proximately located in a lower corner region of the front side for holding a smart device, wherein the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp include a lifting mechanism that raises both the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp in response to pressing a single lever on one of the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp; a mounting clamp affixed to the rear side of the holder, wherein the mounting clamp includes a spring loaded claw and lever element; and an opening in the generally planar surface that provides access to the lever element of the mounting clamp from the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOUPKART, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew K. Carruthers, Charles E. Bauer, Jr., Robert Peck
  • Patent number: 9475516
    Abstract: A folding device for baby carriage has two folding groups. Each folding group has a front leg mount, a rear leg mount, and a grip mount. The front leg mount has a front mounting segment, two connecting segments formed on the front mounting segment at a spaced interval, and a receiving space formed between the connecting segments. The rear leg mount is pivotally connected to the front leg mount and has a rear mounting segment, a pivotal segment, and a connecting arm. The pivotal segment is formed on the rear mounting segment, is inserted into the receiving space, and has a pivot recess, multiple pivot boards, multiple elongated slots, and an engaging recess. The grip mount is pivotally connected to the front leg mount and the rear leg mount, and has an upper mounting segment, a linking segment, a through slot, and an engaging stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 9475517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat. The present invention also relates to a pushchair or buggy provided with such a seat. With a four-bar linkage comprising a back part, a seat part, an attaching unit and a first arm a seat is obtained wherein the center of gravity does not displace, or hardly so, during pivoting from a sitting position to a recumbent position. It hereby becomes possible for the undercarriage of a pushchair or buggy to take a smaller form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Mutsy B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Johannes Cornelius Driessen
  • Patent number: 9475518
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a rack; a pinion; a pinion shaft having the pinion on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a rack shaft having the rack that engages with the pinion; a rack guide that is provided on a side of the rack shaft opposite from the pinion shaft and guides the rack shaft along an axis of the rack shaft; a biasing member that biases the rack guide against the rack shaft to press the rack against the pinion; a guide housing that accommodates the rack guide and the biasing member; and a buffer member provided between an outer circumferential surface of the rack guide and an inner circumferential surface of the guide housing. The buffer member has a cylindrical member and an elastic member. The elastic member is disposed on at least either one of an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehisa Tomizawa, Toshi Ishida, Hiroyuki Ooiwa, Mitsuharu Minami
  • Patent number: 9475519
    Abstract: A steering stop for a steer-by-wire steering system, includes a steering shaft for functionally connecting to a steering wheel, wherein a pressure chamber is provided for each direction of rotation of the steering shaft. A rotation of the steering shaft produces a reduction in the volume of a corresponding pressure chamber, and the steering stop also comprises a hydraulic valve such that resistance against a further rotation of the steering shaft is generated by the operation of said hydraulic valve when predetermined environmental conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Nagl, Ulrich Pfeiffer, Tilo Koch, Thomas Klinger, Anne Satzke
  • Patent number: 9475520
    Abstract: When a shaft misalignment detection part detects occurrence of a shaft misalignment that is a misalignment in a relative position in a radial direction of a rotary shaft between a magnet part and a sensor part, the shaft misalignment detection part outputs a shaft misalignment determination flag to a correction part and a control change instruction part. The correction part calculates a motor rotational angle so as to reduce a detection error caused by the shaft misalignment. The control change instruction part outputs instructions of changing calculation methods so that influence by the detection error decreases to an assist torque setting part and an assist current instruction part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Yanai, Kenichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 9475521
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for failsafe detection of vehicle components are provided herein. A system for failsafe detection may include one or more touch sensors determining presence information associated with a number of hands or other appendages an operator of a vehicle has in contact with a steering wheel of the vehicle. The system may include an electronic power steering (EPS) component estimating presence information indicative of whether the operator of the vehicle has hands or other appendages in contact with the steering wheel of the vehicle. The system may include a failsafe component comparing the presence information of the touch sensors with the presence information of the electronic power steering component and generating a component determination for one or more of the touch sensors based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin C. Fung, Timothy J. Dick
  • Patent number: 9475522
    Abstract: A method and an automatically controlled vehicle for transporting an object such as an item of luggage, with two pivotable axles each having at the outer ends two wheels driven with drive motors, with a control unit which is configured to perform the steps of controlling each of the drive motors such that an at least substantially equal basic drive torque is applied to each of the wheels and, for the purpose of changing the direction of the vehicle, controlling the drive motors associated with a wheel support arm such that a steering torque which is of the same magnitude but of opposite direction is applied in addition to the basic drive torque to the associated wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: VANDERLANDE INDUSTRIES B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Wilhelmus Petronella Van Meijl, Jozef Antonius Wilhelmus Maria Van Eekelen, Aart Jan De Graaf
  • Patent number: 9475523
    Abstract: A vehicular steering control device which comprises a rudder angle varying device which changes a relationship between an operational position of steering wheel operated for steering by a driver and a rudder angle of front wheels; and a rudder angle control device which performs an automatic steering control of the front wheels for a trajectory control of a vehicle by controlling the rudder angle varying device. The rudder angle control device performs a termination control which removes a deviation in the relationship between an operational position and a rudder angle of the front wheels, namely, an N deviation when the automatic steering control is terminated. A speed of removing the N deviation is lowered when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is small, compared to when a magnitude of a steering operation speed is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisanori Mitsumoto, Takahiro Kodaira
  • Patent number: 9475524
    Abstract: A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner, Mark Keller, Bruno M. Barthelemy