Patents Issued in March 2, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170057327
    Abstract: A front fin of a front movable louver is axially supported immediately inside of an air outlet, and an auxiliary fin is axially supported in a recessed portion under the front fin. The front fin and the auxiliary fin are joined via a link member, and opposite side end portions at an upstream side of the auxiliary fin are axially supported via pivots. An inclined surface is provided on a distal end portion at a downstream side of the auxiliary fin. A recessed portion cover to overlay the recessed portion is attached to the recessed portion. When the front movable louver is operated so as to turn, the auxiliary fin turns so as to project its distal end portion upward through an opening in a front portion of the recessed portion cover and make the inclined surface of its distal end portion hit against an air flow flowing under the front fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Howa Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro SHIBATA, Hidekazu MAKIMURA, Yosuke MATSUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170057328
    Abstract: A wind direction adjuster enabling an operation of a louver with a stable operation load and providing an excellent operation feeling is provided. An axial support body is axially supported to a cylindrical case body turnably so as to have an axis along a direction crossing an axial direction of the case body. A louver is axially supported to the axial support body turnably so as to have an axis along a direction crossing the axis of the axial support body. A ball unit is set in any one of the case body and the louver as a load setting unit that sets a turning load of the louver. A receiving unit that slidably receives the ball unit is set in the other one of the case body and the louver. A coil spring urges one of the ball unit and the receiving unit to be pressed against the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Toru SANO
  • Publication number: 20170057329
    Abstract: A structure for fixing a delta glass for a vehicle is provided to fix and support a rear end portion of the glass on a door frame from which a C-pillar is omitted. The structure includes a delta outer reinforcing panel that is fixed on an upper portion of a door inner panel at a rear end portion of a door frame. A delta inner reinforcing panel is fixed to be positioned inside the delta outer reinforcing panel. A rear channel is installed between the delta outer reinforcing panel and the delta inner reinforcing panel to allow a rear end portion of the delta glass to be inserted into and supported by the rear channel. Additionally, a delta garnish is installed to cover the outside of the delta outer reinforcing panel and the delta glass is fixed between the rear channel and a division channel installed on the door frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Sang Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20170057330
    Abstract: A door trim panel includes a panel and an armrest supported by the panel. The armrest includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion each extend from the panel. The armrest includes a middle portion that extends from the top portion to the bottom portion. The bottom portion is thicker than both the top portion and the middle portion, and the middle portion is thicker than the top portion. The relative thicknesses of the top portion, the bottom portion, and the middle portion facilitate energy absorption and control the deformation mechanism during an impact. A door inner is disposed opposite the door trim panel, and a foam block is disposed between the door trim panel and the door inner. The foam block absorbs the residue of energy. The door trim panel includes shelves that extend from the door trim panel and that support part of the armrest to withstand a vertical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Muhsin M. Hamdoon, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Linh Doan, Jonathan Clarke, Robert Bartus, Stephen Dreher
  • Publication number: 20170057331
    Abstract: A golf cart enclosure system for a golf cart having a passenger cabin, a roof mounted on a frame for covering the passenger cabin and a front windshield. The system comprises a guide rail secured to the frame proximate the roof and a panel of a length sufficient to extend from the guide rail to the golf cart passenger cabin below. A plurality of swivel rollers is provided, wherein a first end of the swivel roller rollably engages the guide rail and wherein a second end of the swivel roller is fastened to the panel. The panel slidably moves along the guide rail from a closed position where the panel is fully extended to an open position where the panel is retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Fifon, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred M. Guzzetta
  • Publication number: 20170057332
    Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open-top truck trailer, with a flexible tarp that rolls onto and unrolls from a roll bar as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The roll bar is connected to the trailer by two telescoping arms which each have a lower portion that slides within an upper portion to telescope and adjust the length of the telescoping arms as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The telescoping arms each have two bearings, which are on opposite sides of the telescoping arm and which are separated along the length of the telescoping arm, so that when forces are applied to the telescoping arm during use, the bearing surfaces aid in sliding the lower portion within the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20170057333
    Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
  • Publication number: 20170057334
    Abstract: A sound insulation member has a fitting portion and a sealing portion. The fitting portion is attached to at least one of a door front-side end portion and a door rear-side end portion of an inner weather strip that is disposed at an upper portion of a door inner panel, and is fitted into the inner weather strip. The sealing portion fills a gap between the inner weather strip and the door inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, VTEC CO., LTD., NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Masaru TOYOTA, Susumu OOTSUKA, Kouji SUZUKI, Yasuaki KAWAKAMI, Yuichiro INAYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20170057335
    Abstract: A hybrid drive arrangement of a motor vehicle, which has a main transmission having an input shaft and housing. An electric machine, that can operate either as a motor and a generator, has a stator and rotor which, on the input side, is connected to the main transmission. A planetary gearset is arranged between the rotor and the transmission input shaft. The transmission input shaft has a central oil bore and transverse bores for supplying oil to the planetary gearset and the electric machine. The planetary gearset and the electric machine are accommodated in a hybrid housing. The hybrid housing is connected to the transmission housing of the main transmission by an oil return line. The oil stream passing into the oil return line is in heat-transferring connection, by way of a partition wall, with a coolant which flows through a cooling duct arranged radially outside the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Rayk GERSTEN, Markus BAUR
  • Publication number: 20170057336
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel drive assembly, particularly useful in an aircraft, is provided. The vehicle wheel drive assembly is mounted completely within a space defined by structural dimensions of a vehicle wheel and includes a drive means controllable to power the wheel and move the vehicle autonomously on a ground surface, a gear assembly drivingly connected to the drive means, and a clutch assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly. The clutch assembly is operatively mounted with respect to the gear assembly completely within an interior portion of a vehicle wheel axle on which the wheel drive assembly is mounted, thereby maximizing the space functionally available for all of the other components of the wheel drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Joseph Goldman
  • Publication number: 20170057337
    Abstract: A vehicle front section air intake structure of a vehicle, equipped with a radiator support, comprises a radiator grille; a hood inner panel; a radiator support cover disposed between an upper end portion of the radiator support and the hood inner panel; and an air intake duct that guides air toward an engine. The radiator support cover includes a cover ventilation section that causes an air current from the radiator grille to flow between the radiator support cover and the hood inner panel, and an air guidance port that guides the air current toward the vehicle rear side. The cover ventilation section is provided with plural upper side bars and plural lower side bars, both extending along a vehicle front-rear direction. The upper side bars are disposed alternating with slits in the vehicle width direction and the lower side bars are disposed at a vehicle lower side of the slits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki KUNIMASA
  • Publication number: 20170057338
    Abstract: A side covering body for a motorcycle includes an under-the-seat covering for covering a vertical gap between a seat and a vehicle body frame from an outer side and a rear covering disposed rearwardly of the under-the-seat covering. The under-the-seat covering has a front portion formed with a shroud portion that covers an outer side of a radiator and guides the incoming wind towards the radiator. The under-the-seat covering and the rear covering are connected together via a joint portion, while having respective outer side surfaces held substantially in flush with each other. The joint portion has an upper end positioned rearwardly of an intermediate portion of the seat with respect to a forward and rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Inagaki, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170057339
    Abstract: In a fuel cell vehicle, a stack case containing a fuel cell stack is mounted in a front box. Exhaust ducts are connected to openings formed in an upper panel of the stack case. A right exhaust duct connected to the exhaust ducts is opened to a right fender part, and a left exhaust duct connected to the exhaust ducts is opened to a left fender part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAGAWA, Manabu TANAKA, Mitsunori MATSUMOTO, Shuichiro IWATSUKI, Momoka HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170057340
    Abstract: A tank device, in particular in a vehicle, has a pressure tank for storing fuel and a fuel line for filling the pressure tank which extends from outside of the pressure tank through a tank opening up to a free line end in the interior of the pressure tank. The fuel line in the pressure tank has at least one line outlet through which the fuel can flow out of the fuel line into the pressure tank. The fuel line, between the tank opening and the free line end, has a flexible line section such that the flexible line section moves when the pressure tank is filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich STAHL, Julius BASLER-MEIER, Andreas PELGER, Thomas GRUBER
  • Publication number: 20170057341
    Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mark S. Wilenski, Michael P. Kozar, Amy E. Bahe
  • Publication number: 20170057342
    Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a wall including plurality of connected cells each cell having an elastic wall portion and a stiffened wall portion and at least one source of pressure associated with one or more of the plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Kozar, Mark S. Wilenski
  • Publication number: 20170057343
    Abstract: A self-sealing bladder including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and a plurality of flexible sealing flaps extending inwardly from the interior surface of the liquid bladder wherein, in response to a hole formed in the bladder that establishes an unwanted flow of liquid from the bladder, at least one sealing flap responds to the unwanted flow of fluid by bending towards and at least partially covering the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Kozar, Mark S. Wilenski, Amy E. Bahe
  • Publication number: 20170057344
    Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Kozar, Mark S. Wilenski, Amy E. Bahe
  • Publication number: 20170057345
    Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mark S. Wilenski, Michael P. Kozar, Amy E. Bahe
  • Publication number: 20170057346
    Abstract: A filler neck housing or charging housing for insertion into a body opening in a motor vehicle, comprising a housing section with a first sealing section and a second sealing section, the first sealing section being provided on an outer edge, which can be inserted into the body opening, of the housing section and being designed to bear in a sealing manner on the body opening, and the second sealing section being provided on a passage opening in the housing section, into which a tank filler pipe or a plug-in charging connector can be inserted, the second sealing section being designed to bear in a sealing manner against the tank filler pipe or the plug-in charging connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Juergen HERZIG
  • Publication number: 20170057347
    Abstract: A structure of a fuel door is provided. The fuel door includes a sector-shaped gear that uses a rotating shaft in conjunction with a hinge of fuel door, a first spring having a first end coupled to a housing and a second end coupled to the gear. The first spring applies an elastic force and rotates the gear in a direction that opens the fuel door. A latch is rotatably coupled to the housing by a hinge component having one end of the latch parallel to the rotating shaft of the gear. The latch has a first surface in contact with an exterior circumferential surface of the gear to restrict rotation of the gear and a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing, and a second end in contact with a second surface of the latch, the second spring translates the latch toward the gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Seong-Muk Lee
  • Publication number: 20170057348
    Abstract: A cooperating rack structure comprising at least two modules affixed to legs and a method of reduced weight vertical storage of fuel tanks for use in motor vehicles wherein the fuel tanks form a cooperating portion of the rack superstructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Mark Arold, Joseph Hudak, Christopher Jaeger, Tae Kim, Derrin Olischefski
  • Publication number: 20170057349
    Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus includes: a drive source; drive axles driving the rotation of vehicle wheels with power from the drive source, via drive shafts connected to first end portions of the drive axles; a transmission unit connected to second end portions of the drive axles, and transmitting the power to the drive axles; a casing accommodating at least the transmission unit, and provided with opening portions through which the drive axles pass such that the first end portions are positioned outside the casing; bearings rotatably supporting one of the drive axles inside the casing; and a cylindrical member formed into a cylindrical shape with both open ends, and in which the one drive axle is disposed between the bearings in such a way as to coaxially pass through the cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazumi OGAWA, Tsuyoshi KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20170057350
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, an input shaft, a first output shaft, which is arranged substantially coaxially with the input shaft and is operatively drive-connected to the input shaft, a second output shaft, which is arranged offset in relation to the input shaft and which is or can be operatively drive-connected to the input shaft via an offset mechanism, in the form of a flexible traction drive, and via a clutch unit, an actuator unit which serves for actuating the clutch unit, the actuator unit comprising a ramp mechanism having a first ramp disk fixed to the housing and a second, axially displaceable ramp disk, and a carrier shaft which is embodied as a hollow shaft and which at least partially encloses the input shaft, the carrier shaft being rotatably supported on the first ramp disk via a radial bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Stocker
  • Publication number: 20170057351
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel chassis design that is functionally identical to the chassis represented in the U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/059,062, 14/087,552, and 14/246,108. Based on a ladder-type structure representative of one ordinarily designed for a utility vehicle or truck, the novel chassis includes a frame that is constructed with a low slung middle section and high arched front and rear sections. This way, the powertrain is located in the middle section at the same level as are the suspension control link frame mounting points. In contrast, the powertrain in the chassis represented by the cited applications is located above the suspension control link frame mounting points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bandy
  • Publication number: 20170057352
    Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom. The secondary driveline comprises a differential, a pair of shafts, and a side shaft coupling that selectively interrupts power transmission between the differential and one of the shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, James P. Downs, Richard S. Silbert
  • Publication number: 20170057353
    Abstract: A vehicle driver monitoring system includes a supervisor computerized device and an operator computerized device. The system may also include a key container device. The devices of the vehicle driver monitoring system work in conjunction with each other to monitor various aspects of the user's operation of a corresponding vehicle during use. If a key container device is used, the devices also work to limit the operability of a vehicle key. For example, the supervisor computerized device is configured to remotely receive vehicle monitoring information, such as location information, speed information, and operator information, from the operator computerized device as the operator drives the vehicle. Further, the optional key container device is configured to selectively allow to the operability of a vehicle key based upon vehicle access info, identity and sobriety information as related to the user and as provided by the operator computerized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Griffin
  • Publication number: 20170057354
    Abstract: A vehicle power control system includes a driving force control unit configured to limit a driving force during acceleration of a vehicle when the vehicle is in a predetermined power control driving state. The driving force control unit includes a notification unit configured to tactilely notify a driver via a throttle manipulator that a driving force limit state occurs during the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Takashi NISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20170057355
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes a speed limit obtaining unit that obtains a speed limit for a road in front of a vehicle, a curve information obtaining unit that detects a curve on the road, and calculates a distance from a current position of the vehicle to a start position of the curve and a radius of curvature of the curve, a calculating unit that calculates a first maximum speed at which the vehicle does not deviate from a traveling lane on the curve, based on the radius of curvature, and a control unit that controls the vehicle such that a speed of the vehicle at the start position becomes substantially equal to the first maximum speed, when the first maximum speed does not exceed the speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka OIKAWA, Shin TANAKA, Edgar Yoshio MORALES TERAOKA
  • Publication number: 20170057356
    Abstract: A seamless instrument cluster is provided herein, and a method for providing a seamless instrument cluster as well. The seamless instrument cluster includes an antireflective (AR) film. The AR films may be provided with an airgap disposed between. Also discussed herein is providing an instrument cluster with an applique with a fade pattern. The aspects disclosed herein may be implemented with an instrument cluster employing a neutral density (ND) filter situated between an antiglare surface on a front layer of the applique and a rear layer of an ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: James Frederick Krier, Paul Fredrick Luther Weindorf, Carl Richard Evans
  • Publication number: 20170057357
    Abstract: A vehicle including a system for intuitive control of a vehicle component is disclosed. The vehicle may include the vehicle component, a sensor unit associated with the vehicle component that is configured to detect a touch command applied to the sensor unit by a user, a controller, and a drive. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sensor unit and the drive may be coupled to the vehicle component. The controller may generate a control signal based on the touch command applied to the sensor unit and may cause the drive to alter a condition of the vehicle component in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Cory Denis Borghi
  • Publication number: 20170057358
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmitting and receiving control device, applied to a vehicle including an on-vehicle power storage device that transmits and receives power to and from an external power supply device and a communication unit that performs bidirectional communication to transmit and receive the power, includes a determination unit that determines, when an abnormality occurs in the bidirectional communication performed before transmitting and receiving the power, whether or not to continue the bidirectional communication in accordance with a content of the abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki NAKAGAWA, Ryo TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20170057359
    Abstract: A current collecting device for an electrical load that can travel in a direction of travel along a conductor line, with at least two sliding contact pieces arranged on a rocker one after another in the direction of travel. The rocker is mounted on a rocker arm about a rotation axis extending perpendicularly to the travel direction, through which rocker arm the rocker can be moved towards a conductor for contact of the sliding contact pieces with an electrically conductive conductor strand of the conductor line. A conductor line system includes such a conductor line and at least one such electrical load. The current collecting device and conductor line system provide a reliable guiding of the current collecting device contact in the conductor strand of the conductor line, as well as reliable energy transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: DIETMAR LANG
  • Publication number: 20170057360
    Abstract: A method of regenerative braking includes providing an electric motor including at least one stator and a rotor, a speed of the rotor, a motor controller that regulates a current level in the stator winding, a power inverter which controls an energy flow to the stator terminal, and an energy storage system (ESS) which exchanges energy with the motor. A battery management circuit is between the power inverter and the ESS, and a processor has an associated memory storing a regenerative braking (RB) algorithm. The RB algorithm during braking causes the motor controller to execute determining an RB torque value from the rotor speed that maximizes regenerative braking current, and the power inverter is used to redirect the RB current to maximize a power transfer from the motor to the ESS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: ARAVIND SAMBA MURTHY, DAVID PATRICK MAGEE
  • Publication number: 20170057361
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle having a motor is provided and includes a driving information sensor that senses driving information of the vehicle including an open value of an APS, an open value of a BPS, a driving wheel speed, a non-driving wheel speed, external temperature, battery temperature, a vehicle speed, and a shift stage. A driving motor generates a driving force and is operated as a power generator when the vehicle coasts to generate electric energy. An ABS that adjusts a braking force applied to a driving wheel. A controller changes a coast regeneration torque subject to regenerative braking by the driving motor when the vehicle is coasting, based on a difference between a driving wheel speed and a non-driving wheel speed, correction temperature determined based on the external temperature and the battery temperature, a friction coefficient of a road, and an operation condition of the ABS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Woocheol Cho, Deok Keun Shin, Teh Hwan Cho
  • Publication number: 20170057362
    Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Michael Edward Loftus, Shane Schulze, Robert K. Taenaka, Donald Charles Franks, Ming Lang Kuang, Venkateswara Anand Sankaran
  • Publication number: 20170057363
    Abstract: A hybrid energy system for providing power to a load and for providing a fast variation of DC link voltage to improve system efficiency is disclosed. The system includes a load, a direct current (DC) link electrically coupled to the load, an energy storage system having a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device arranged in series, and a bi-directional DC-DC converter electrically coupled to the DC link and to the energy storage system, the bi-directional DC-DC converter being connected to a node located between the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device and to a node connecting the second energy storage device to the DC link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kum-Kang Huh, Di Pan
  • Publication number: 20170057364
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery attached to the vehicle frame, a steering device pivotable around a steering axial line with respect to the vehicle frame, a front suspension coupled with the steering device, a front wheel attached to the front suspension so as to be rotatable around an axle, a front motor supplied with electric power from the battery to generate motive power, an electric power cable electrically connecting the battery and the front motor with each other, and a restrictor that restricts movement of the electric power cable to a stroke direction of the front suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Takeshi IGARASHI
  • Publication number: 20170057365
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles and a charging method thereof. The charging apparatus includes: a transmit coil provided to a charging station and generating a magnetic field; a reception coil generating induced electromotive force according to variation of magnetic flux of the transmit coil; a reception coil adjuster adjusting at least one of an inclination and an orientation of the reception coil; and a controller controlling at least one of the inclination and the orientation of the reception coil by controlling the reception coil adjuster according to magnitude of the induced electromotive force generated in the reception coil by the magnetic field generated in the transmit coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Korea Railroad Research Institute
    Inventors: In Ho Cho, Shin Myung Jung, Yong Jang Kwon, Byung Song Lee
  • Publication number: 20170057366
    Abstract: A source device and a method for controlling a magnetic field using two source resonators in a wireless power transmission system are provided. A device configured to control a magnetic field, includes resonators configured to form the magnetic field to transmit power to another device. The device further includes a magnetic field shape determining unit configured to determine a shape of the magnetic field. The device further includes a phase changing unit configured to change a phase of at least one of the resonators to form the magnetic field in the determined shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Young KIM, Eun Seok PARK, Jin Sung CHOI, Sang Wook KWON, Nam Yun KIM, Dong Zo KIM, Yun Kwon PARK, Young Ho RYU, Chang Wook YOON, Young Tack HONG
  • Publication number: 20170057367
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power source for an electric automobile includes at least one window including a transparent photovoltaic cell; a DC-DC converter in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and a battery in electrical communications with the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Faraday&Future Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Paryani, Phillip John Weicker, Michael Hong, Garrett David Heinen
  • Publication number: 20170057368
    Abstract: A traction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20170057369
    Abstract: A power supply system for converting and/or isolating charging power supplied to a vehicle charging system (VCS) within a battery operated vehicle. An isolation transformer allows electric isolation and/or voltage conversion between a primary power source (PPS) and the VCS. A terminal(s) of the transformer primary side is connectable to the PPS, and a terminal(s) of the transformer secondary side is connectable to the VCS. An EVSE control device is electrically connectable to the VCS. A data communication line connected to the EVSE control device and connectable to the VCS allows transmission of control signals to the VCS, monitoring coupling between secondary side and the VCS, and monitoring at least one parameter related to the charging status of the VCS during charging. The isolation transformer is a solid state transformer, and the isolation transformer and the EVSE control device constitutes an integrated unit, i.e., physically arranged in a common unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kjetil André NÆSJE, Brage W. JOHANSEN, Øyvind WETTELAND, Per H. SØRENSEN
  • Publication number: 20170057370
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad is located on a stationary wireless power transfer (“WPT”) device. The stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The apparatus includes a signal strength module that determines a signal strength of the ping signal received at the primary pad, and an alignment module that determines an amount of alignment of the secondary pad with respect to the primary pad based on the determined signal strength of the received ping signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: MARCELLUS HARPER, PATRICE LETHELLIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20170057371
    Abstract: A method for inductively charging an electric vehicle, including monitoring the surroundings of an electric vehicle during inductive charging of the electric vehicle, checking, based on the monitoring, whether an object has moved into the surroundings, interrupting the inductive charging when the check has revealed that an object has moved into the surroundings. A corresponding device, an electric vehicle and a computer program are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Stefan NORDBRUCH
  • Publication number: 20170057372
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring voltage of a battery pack for an electrified vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle, include measuring individual cell voltages and using the individual measurements to periodically update an adjustment or offset applied to the battery pack measurement to improve accuracy of the battery pack measurement. Individual cell voltage measurements may be periodically sampled and combined with the result compared to the pack voltage under predetermined operating conditions, such as when voltage changes or variation are small. A sliding window of voltage differences that satisfy one or more specified conditions, such as being within a range of a previously determined value, may be used to generate the adjustment or offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Edward LOFTUS, Xu WANG, Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH
  • Publication number: 20170057373
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided for a dual voltage power system having a first energy storage system (HV-ESS) with a first nominal voltage and second energy storage system (LV-ESS with a second nominal voltage). The electric machine includes a rotor assembly having a rotor core configured to support permanent magnets spaced around the rotor core to define a number of rotor poles. The rotor core has multiple rotor slots arranged as at least one barrier layer at each of the rotor poles. Permanent magnets are disposed in the at least one barrier layer. A stator assembly surrounds the rotor assembly. The electric machine is configured to be operatively connected with the HV-ESS. The electric machines has at least one of a predetermined efficiency at rated power, a predetermined power density, a predetermined torque density, a predetermined peak power range, or a predetermined maximum speed of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Publication number: 20170057374
    Abstract: A battery pack is provided including: a plurality of battery cells arranged in multiple battery cell rows; one or more heat exchange spaces; and a device for providing heat exchange to the battery pack. Further, the device includes a heat conduction medium passage arranged in the heat exchange spaces, such that the heat conduction medium passage surrounds multiple battery cells each battery cell row. The heat conduction medium passage is provided with at least a first group of channels and a second group of channels, which are in contact with the surface of each battery cell, and a heat conduction medium is provided in the first group of channels and the second of channels. The heat conduction medium flows in the first group of channels in a direction opposite from the flow of the heat conduction medium in the second group of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Thunder Power Hong Kong Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Hui Ho
  • Publication number: 20170057375
    Abstract: A method of operating the thermal management system in a vehicle is provided, where the thermal management system includes a heat exchanger (e.g., a radiator) and a heat source (e.g., battery pack, drive train, power electronics, etc.). After characterizing the thermal management system, whenever the system controller issues a cooling demand an appropriate set of operating settings is determined that minimizes the amount of power consumed by the system's actuators (e.g., blower fan, coolant pump) while still meeting the cooling demand. As a result, the heat source is cooled to the degree required with a minimum expenditure of power, thereby minimizing the impact on driving range and vehicle performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Gauthier, Benson Tsai
  • Publication number: 20170057376
    Abstract: A power storage system for a vehicle includes a battery, a temperature sensor, a battery heater, a charger, and a controller. The battery is configured to supply electric power to a motor for traveling of the vehicle, and configured to be charged with external power supplied from an external power supply. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the battery. The battery heater is configured to raise the temperature of the battery. The charger is configured to be connectable with the external power supply, and deliver the external power to the battery and the battery heater, respectively. The controller is configured to perform charge control. The charge control is a control that charges the battery with the external power. The controller is configured to store a map. The map specifies, for each temperature of the battery, a ratio of a temperature-elevating power supplied to the battery heater to a maximum power of the external power at the time when a charging time is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi MURATA