Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: 9616869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic braking system for a land vehicle, having at least one wheel brake; a master brake cylinder, which is designed to displace hydraulic fluid into the at least one wheel brake upon actuation of the braking system by the driver; a pump, which is designed to displace hydraulic fluid into the at least one wheel brake; a plurality of valve arrangements; a control unit, which is designed to actuate the pump and the plurality of valve arrangements; and a temporary store, which is connected hydraulically to the at least one wheel brake and to an input of the pump. The temporary store comprises a restoring element and is designed to accommodate a hydraulic fluid reserve volume during a rest state of the braking system, and to make the accommodated hydraulic fluid reserve volume available to the pump for displacement into the at least one wheel brake during an actuation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Marx
  • Patent number: 9616870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for operating an electrohydraulic motor vehicle brake system comprising a master cylinder, an electromechanical actuator for generating a hydraulic pressure at a plurality of wheel brakes and a set of electrically actuable valve arrangements. The set of valve arrangements comprises a first valve arrangement between the master cylinder and every wheel brake. The first valve arrangements can be controlled in the multiplex operation to generate, by means of the electromechanical actuator, the respective brake pressure intended for each of the wheel brakes. According to an aspect of this technique, the method comprises the steps of: generating a feedback current during the multiplex operation by operating an electric motor of the electromechanical actuator as a generator and supplying the feedback current to at least one electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Knechtges, Stefan Grieser-Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9616871
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a brake system, including: transmitting a valve operating command to an inlet valve an outlet valve calculating a valve operating time of each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on a difference in pressure between both ends of each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve; performing the linear or On-Off control for increasing pressure and calculating the quantity of brake oil passing through the inlet valve and, the ON-OFF control for decreasing pressure and calculating the quantity of brake oil passing through the outlet valve; and calculating hydraulic pressure in the wheel brake cylinder based on the quantity of brake oil passing through the inlet valve and the quantity of brake oil passing through the outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Youn Kim
  • Patent number: 9616872
    Abstract: A main piston assembly for a service valve portion of a brake control valve for a railway vehicle braking system includes a service graduating valve and a service slide valve. The graduating valve includes a first side having a porting pattern defined therein. The service slide valve includes a graduating valve seat having a porting pattern in a first side and a service slide valve face having a porting pattern in an opposing second side. The porting patterns of the first side of the graduating valve, the graduating valve seat, and the service slide valve face are configured to perform an accelerated application valve function venting brake pipe pressure to atmosphere and to direct pressure from an accelerated release reservoir to the service graduating valve to discontinue the accelerated application valve function when a slight brake pipe over-reduction condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Gary M. Sich, Michael S. Plechey
  • Patent number: 9616873
    Abstract: Provided is a brake hydraulic device for a vehicle, including: a base body having a hydraulic pressure path for brake fluid formed therein; an electromagnetic valve; an electromagnetic coil; a pressure sensor; and a housing attached to the outer surface of the base body. The housing includes a peripheral wall part and an intermediate wall part partitioning a space inside the peripheral wall part into a front side and a rear side. A plurality of bus bars on the coil side to be electrically connected to the electromagnetic coil, and a plurality of bus bars on the sensor side to be electrically connected to the pressure sensor are embedded in the intermediate wall part. A hierarchy region where the bus bars on the coil side and the bus bars on the sensor side are positioned in a hierarchy state with each other in the front-rear direction is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Autoliv Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoyasu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9616874
    Abstract: A method for checking an isolation valve of a braking system of a vehicle includes the steps of: operating at least one pump of a brake circuit of the braking system which is hydraulically connected via the isolation valve to a brake master cylinder of the braking system for a predefined pump running time; measuring at least one value regarding a pressure present in the brake circuit; and determining, in consideration of the at least one measured value, whether the isolation valve is mechanically blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Maucher, Tobias Leng, Stefan Strengert
  • Patent number: 9616875
    Abstract: A piston stroke sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a piston and a piston tube, and a proximity sensor supported on the brake unit. The proximity sensor may determine the location of the piston within the brake unit based on the position of the piston tube relative to the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be an inductive proximity sensor. A groove may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in a non-applied position, the proximity sensor may detect metal of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in an applied position, the proximity sensor may not detect the metal of the piston tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Glyn A. Finch, Jr., Maria Koon, Peter D. Mathern
  • Patent number: 9616876
    Abstract: A verification system for an end-of-train unit for a train having a first pressure sensor for determining the air pressure in a brake pipe, the system including: at least one additional pressure sensor to monitor or sense the air pressure in the brake pipe; and a computer to: receive or determine pressure data from the first pressure sensor; receive or determine pressure data from the at least one additional pressure sensor; compare the pressure data received or determined from the first pressure sensor with the pressure data received or determined from the at least one additional pressure sensor; and implement or facilitate an action based at least partially upon the results of the comparison. An improved end-of-train unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore E. Allwardt
  • Patent number: 9616877
    Abstract: While an engine (drive source) is being driven, when a long pressing operation (selection operation on a predetermined shift range) on an N-range button via a SBW shifter is executed, an engine drive/stop button blinks to notify a driver (step S1 and step S2). During the blinking of the engine drive/stop button, when the engine drive/stop button is pressed and the engine (drive source) is stopped, a neutral range is maintained without being switched to a parking range automatically (step 3 and step 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Tanida
  • Patent number: 9616878
    Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes an MG which is connected with an input shaft of a manual transmission via a first clutch that is operated by a press operation to a clutch pedal and an internal combustion engine which is connected with the MG via a second clutch. The hybrid vehicle is allowed to execute an EV traveling mode where: the internal combustion engine is stopped; the internal combustion engine and drive wheels are separated by the second clutch; and the drive wheels are driven by the MG. In the control apparatus, when the EV traveling mode is executed, a required torque is obtained based on an accelerator opening degree, and a required transmission torque is obtained based on an operation amount to the clutch pedal. And, when a smaller one of the required torque and the required transmission torque is greater than a determination value, the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 9616879
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a controller divides a route into route segments. The controller operates a traction battery over the route segments to achieve a target state of charge upon completion of one of the route segments. The target state of charge is based on a target battery power defined by a classification for each of the route segments including the one of the route segments according to a set of fuzzy rules applied to vehicle acceleration and road grade associated with the route segments. Fuzzy rules may be applied to the classification for each of the route segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 9616880
    Abstract: A shift control method for preventing a starting stage implementation failure of a hybrid electric vehicle may include operating a driving motor included in the hybrid electric vehicle to have an RPM of the driving motor in a predetermined range, operating an automatic manual transmission (AMT) included in the vehicle to implement a starting stage, and operating the driving motor to allow the AMT to implement a neutral stage and a clutch gear restricted to an input shaft of the AMT to rotate up to one gear tooth when the starting stage is not implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Pil Jang
  • Patent number: 9616881
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a powertrain are provided. The vehicle may include a controller programmed to operate a powertrain in a hybrid mode. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to a request to operate the powertrain in electric mode, transition powertrain operation from the hybrid mode to the electric mode without shifting gears until a change in accelerator pedal position exceeds a threshold following the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 9616882
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a coast stop control section (60) which stops a fuel supply to an engine (E) when a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined vehicle speed, an accelerator pedal is not depressed, a brake pedal is depressed, and a select position of a continuously variable transmission (1) is in a traveling position; and a low return control section (50) for retuning a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission (1) to a low side after the engine (E) is restarted in a case where the transmission gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission (1) is a midway ratio which is higher than a predetermined transmission gear ratio, when detecting that the coast stop control section (60) is operated and the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hironori Miyaishi
  • Patent number: 9616883
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a mechanical oil pump that is driven by an engine and an electric oil pump that is driven by an electric motor, and is configured to activate the electric oil pump when traveling in an electric traveling mode, in which the engine is stopped and traveling is executed by a driving force from a driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Morihiro Nagamine, Akira Takano, Shintaro Oshio, Takuro Hirano, Yoshihisa Kodama, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9616884
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle including a dual clutch transmission are provided. A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle including a dual clutch transmission (DCT) may include: determining whether an engine start condition is satisfied in a state in which an engine is stopped; determining whether a slip control entry condition of a shift clutch of the DCT is satisfied when the engine start condition is satisfied; increasing a speed of a driving motor by slipping the shift clutch when the slip control entry condition is satisfied; determining whether a lock-up condition of an engine clutch is satisfied while increasing the speed of the driving motor; locking up the engine clutch when the lock-up condition of the engine clutch is satisfied; and increasing engagement force of the shift clutch when the engine clutch is locked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Teh Hwan Cho, Kwonchae Chung, Chang Min Lee, Seunghan Lee, Jungeol Song, Namil Choi
  • Patent number: 9616885
    Abstract: A vehicular acceleration suppression device reduces the degradation in the drive performance due to the acceleration suppression control activated outside the parking region. A parking frame line candidate which is a candidate of a parking frame line is extracted from a bird's-eye view image acquired by performing a bird's-eye view conversion on a captured image around a vehicle, and a parking frame line candidate corresponding line corresponding the parking frame line candidate is extracted from the captured image of the front of the vehicle. Then, the parking frame line candidate corresponding to the parking frame line candidate corresponding line length of which is longer than a parking frame line length threshold is eliminated from the candidate to be detected as the parking frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Osamu Fukata, Akira Morimoto, Daisuke Oiki, Daisuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9616886
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to the operation of an autonomous vehicle relative to forward objects in an external environment are described. At least a forward portion of the external environment can be sensed to detect an object therein. A size adjustment factor can be determined to predict a laterally innermost point of the detected object relative to the autonomous vehicle. A driving maneuver for the autonomous vehicle can be determined based at least partially on the predicted laterally innermost point of the detected object relative to the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xue Mei, Naoki Nagasaka, Bunyo Okumura
  • Patent number: 9616887
    Abstract: A driving assistance device for a vehicle includes an object detection section for detecting objects present on the periphery of an own vehicle and determines whether the own vehicle is located within a predetermined region from an intersection. The driving assistance device extracts, from the detected objects, a first moving object which may come into collision with the own vehicle as the own vehicle enters the intersection. The driving assistance device extracts, from the detected objects, a second moving object crossing a road on which the first moving object is traveling between the own vehicle and the first moving object, and acquires motion information of the second moving object crossing the intersection. The driving assistance device determines that the own vehicle can enter the intersection when acquiring the motion information of the second moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Takagi
  • Patent number: 9616888
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a sensor that detects a speed of at least one nearby vehicle and outputs a speed signal representing the speed of the at least one nearby vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processing device programmed to determine a set point speed based on the speed signal output by the sensor. The processing device generates a command signal to control a host vehicle in accordance with the set point speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 9616889
    Abstract: Provided are a cruise control system for controlling a driving device and a corresponding method. The cruise control system includes: an information collector configured to obtain road information and driving information; a first path generator configured to generate a first change path connecting a first lane changing start point and a first lane changing end point on a straight road, based on the road information and the driving information; and a second path generator configured to generate a driving road corresponding to an actual road from the straight road, based on the road information, and generate a second change path connecting a second lane changing start point and a second lane changing end point on the driving road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinhan Lee
  • Patent number: 9616890
    Abstract: When employing an adaptive cruise-with-braking (ACB) system to control host vehicle braking reaction distance, a plurality of trigger conditions (e.g., environmental parameters) are monitored. If one or more of the monitored parameters exceeds a predefined threshold, a trigger event is detected, and at least one of a braking reaction distance (BRD) and a following distance limit shape (FDLS) are adjusted. The BRD and FDLS adjustments may be predefined according to the type and/or magnitude of the trigger event. Trigger events may be weighted or prioritized such that higher priority trigger event types correspond to larger BRD reductions, etc. Monitored trigger conditions may include adverse weather, dangerous road terrain or topography, high traffic density, erratic forward vehicle behavior, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: David J. Taneyhill, Andrew J. Pilkington
  • Patent number: 9616891
    Abstract: A guidance system and method is provided which is suitable for guiding a follower vehicle such that it follows a leader. It includes a system for localizing the leader relative to the follower vehicle. At least two distance measuring devices designed to be carried by the follower vehicle are provided, each being suitable for measuring a distance from a reference point of the follower vehicle, associated with the distance measuring device, to the leader. The reference points are spaced apart from one another, and a computer is provided which is, programmed to deduce the position of the leader relative to the follower vehicle from the distances measured by the measuring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: France Brevets
    Inventor: Philippe Gosset
  • Patent number: 9616892
    Abstract: A shifting system for a vehicle includes an engine with a throttle connected to a transmission. An activating assembly is connected to the transmission, the throttle and a brake. The activating assembly is capable of activating the transmission to change direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: American-Iowa Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Shane D. Simon
  • Patent number: 9616893
    Abstract: Automatic turn-sensing ground speed reduction systems and related methods for walk-behind, self-propelled machines are disclosed. In one aspect, automatic turn-sensing ground speed reduction systems and related methods can include a control unit and a sensor. The sensor can be configured to transmit a signal to the control unit. In some aspects, the sensor can include a gyroscope that can be configured to transmit the signal to the control unit, the signal corresponding to an angular velocity of the walk-behind machine measured about a vertical axis perpendicular to a ground surface on which the walk-behind machine can be self-propelled. The control unit can be configured to automatically adjust a ground speed of the walk-behind machine during turning movement of the walk-behind machine based upon the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Bejcek
  • Patent number: 9616894
    Abstract: A stepless transmission 1 is provided for preventing drive wheels from being driven despite the driver's intention during vehicle deceleration. A control device 40: when the required drive force of the vehicle is 0, controls the output rotational speed Ne of a travel drive source 50 to be Ne2, and controls the transmission gear ratio i of the transmission 1 so that the transmission 1 in the case where the Ne is Ne1 changes from a first state to a second state; and when the vehicle speed V is less than a boundary speed Vgn, controls the ratio i to be a state maintaining transmission gear ratio ign that enables the first state to be maintained even during vehicle deceleration. In the second state a rotational drive force is transmitted from an input shaft 2 to an output shaft 3. In the first state the transmission is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsunehiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9616895
    Abstract: A controller and control strategies minimize shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift during regenerative braking by maintaining the transmission input speed substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing. The controller and the control strategies control the regenerative braking torque during a downshift occurring during regenerative braking in such a way that the transmission input speed is maintained substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing during a torque phase of the downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9616896
    Abstract: A control interface for a first vehicle operation of an autonomous vehicle. The control interface detects an autonomy activation signal to enable a first automated controller to control the first vehicle operation. The control interface then couples the first automated controller to a vehicle control platform configured to manage the first vehicle operation in response to input signals. For example, the control inter face may include a double-throw electromechanical relay that switchably couples the vehicle control platform to one of the first automated controller or a manual input mechanism. The control interface then provides the input signals to the vehicle control platform from the first automated controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Letwin, Morgan Jones
  • Patent number: 9616897
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining data about road conditions as they pertain to an individual vehicle, using this information to build a model of vehicle behavior as a function of its environment, and aggregating information concerning multiple vehicles along with data from other sources in order to predict vehicle behavior in future environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Fathym, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Powers, John C. Mickey, E. Duer Reeves
  • Patent number: 9616898
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a computer in a vehicle, and the computer includes a processor and a memory. The computer is configured to determine an operational state of a vehicle, calculate a road grade value from data from a first sensor, calculate an effective road grade value from a torque demand value, update modeling variables to map the road grade value substantially to the effective grade value when the operation state is determined to be a steady-state condition, and calculate a road grade characteristic with the road grade value and the modeling variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Mario D'Amato, Jonathan Thomas Mullen, John Ottavio Michelini, Steven Joseph Szwabowski, Dimitar Petrov Filev
  • Patent number: 9616899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing worksite operations based on operator conditions are disclosed. One method includes receiving first data including one or more of a worksite model and information relating to actual operation of a worksite, wherein the worksite model includes a simulated operation of a machine associated with the worksite. Second data may be received, the second data associated with an operator of a machine at the worksite and including one or more of nutritional data, health data, and sleep data. An operation state may be determined based at least on the first data and the second data. A response may be generated based at least on the determined operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Sprock, Michael Hatfield, Timothy Crane
  • Patent number: 9616900
    Abstract: A system, for use at a vehicle to estimate vehicle roll angle and road bank angle, in real time and generally simultaneously. The system includes a sensor configured to measure vehicle roll rate, a processor; and a computer-readable medium. The medium includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising estimating, using an observer and the vehicle roll rate measured by the sensor, a vehicle roll rate. The operations also include estimating, using an observer and a measured vehicle roll rate, the vehicle roll angle, and estimating, based on the vehicle roll rate estimated and the vehicle roll angle estimated, the road bank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-ken Chen, David M. Sidlosky, Jin-Jae Chen, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
  • Patent number: 9616901
    Abstract: There is provided a mobile object including an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an outside, an acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental information detected by a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a content of detection performed by the input detection unit, and a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a driving actuator in accordance with the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of the mobile object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sakoda, Yoichiro Sako, Kohei Asada, Katsuhisa Aratani, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Takatoshi Nakamura, Mitsuru Takehara, Yuki Koga, Hiroyuki Hanaya, Tomoya Onuma, Akira Tange
  • Patent number: 9616902
    Abstract: A safety method for a passenger of a vehicle may include a control logic for detecting a current gear position in a state where the vehicle is stopped, determining whether a passenger door and a rear seat door are open, and allowing driving in a state where the passenger door and the rear seat door are closed but limiting a vehicle drive by changing the gear position to a non-drivable gear position in a state where the passenger door or the rear seat door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Han Gil Park, Chang Hyun Lee, Yang Rae Cho, Ean Soo Cho
  • Patent number: 9616903
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. In one example, a vehicle comprises a first fuel tank configured to store a first fuel, and a second fuel tank configured to store a second fuel, both the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank disposed in the vehicle, a multi fuel engine disposed in the vehicle, the multi fuel engine configured to combust the first fuel and the second fuel, a fuel injection system configured to inject the first fuel into the multi fuel engine, and a conduit configured to route the second fuel from the second fuel tank to the multi fuel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Gene Billig, Taral Shah
  • Patent number: 9616904
    Abstract: The patent was disclosed a telescopic mechanism in a telescopic hitch buffer device for use in high speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. The telescopic mechanism comprises a compression rod (2) located inside a movable housing (1) of said hitch buffer device, one end of said compression rod (2) being connected to the movable housing (1), and a bearing connector (3) encasing the compression rod (2). A guiding barrel (4) is fixedly mounted outside the bearing connector (3). An extension/retraction driving mechanism (9) is provided between the guiding barrel (4) and the movable housing (1). A locking mechanism comprises protrusions (6) distributed at the other end of the compression rod (2), and grooves (7) in engagement with protrusions (6) on the inner wall of the bearing connector (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaozhong Lv, Hui Liu, Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 9616905
    Abstract: A navigation system for a train having at least one locomotive or control car and, optionally, at least one railroad car, operating in a track network, wherein an on-board computer determines or receives location data and communicates or causes the communication of the location data and/or railway data to another locomotive or control car, another train, a remote server, or the like. A train navigation method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Kendrick W. Gawne
  • Patent number: 9616906
    Abstract: An extender accessory for a hand truck having a frame with two vertical frame portions, a plurality of cross bars connected between the frame portions, a pair of axle mounted wheels at lower ends of the frame portions and a platform extending forwardly from the lower ends of the frame portions. The extender accessory comprises an L-shaped support member being of a length longer than the width of the platform. A mechanism is for removably attaching the L-shaped support member against the lower ends of the frame portions and sit upon the platform. The L-shaped support member will overhang opposite sides of the platform, to allow the L-shaped support member to carry and stabilize a variety of loads placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIA
    Inventors: Paul Carlson, Donna Carlson
  • Patent number: 9616907
    Abstract: A hand truck is convertible to assume an expanded use mode and a flat storage mode. The hand truck includes a rolling base and a base pusher. The rolling base is arranged to support goods and to roll on ground underlying the hand truck. The base pusher is mounted on the rolling base for pivotable movement about a base-pusher pivot axis from an upright hand-truck position to a storage position to rearrange the hand truck between the expanded use mode and the flat storage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc.
    Inventor: William R Gibson
  • Patent number: 9616908
    Abstract: Mobile carts are adapted to facilitate both storage and mobility. In at least one example, a mobile cart may include a frame with a first longitudinal end and an opposing second longitudinal end. A swing-arm assembly may be coupled to the frame to pivot between a storage mode and a cart mode, where a handle is positioned adjacent the first longitudinal end of the frame and a pair of wheels are positioned beyond the second longitudinal end of the frame when the swing-arm assembly is positioned in the storage mode, and where the handle is positioned beyond the second longitudinal end of the frame and the wheels are positioned adjacent a bed portion of the frame when the swing-arm assembly is positioned in the cart mode. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Ryon Brown
  • Patent number: 9616909
    Abstract: The multi-functional wagon includes a bin for storing and transporting products such as hay, vegetables, and/or dirt. The bin includes opposing side walls, opposing end walls extending between the opposing sidewalls, and a base, which provides a lower support surface for contents in the bin. The walls are foldable from an upright position to a lowered folded position. One or more containment units and a support assembly are removably connected to support pipes at corners of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Ahmad A M A A Abul
  • Patent number: 9616910
    Abstract: Detachable umbrella mounts for coolers are provided that include a base, having two or more coupling elements spaced from one another for engaging a tow handle of a cooler when the detachable umbrella mount is in the mounted configuration, that is configured to be selectively engaged with the tow handle when the detachable umbrella mount is in a mounted configuration and, alternatively disengaged from the tow handle when the detachable umbrella mount is in an unmounted configuration, and an elongated tubular member attached to the base and extending from a base end to a top end having a top opening configured to receive at least a portion of a shaft of an umbrella. Coolers are also provided that include a container portion and a detachable umbrella mount selectively affixed thereto. Methods for selectively mounting a detachable umbrella mount to a cooler are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shade Cooler LLC
    Inventors: Michael Chaloux, Leo Mustaki
  • Patent number: 9616911
    Abstract: A cleaning cart having a base plate and a working plate arranged at a vertical distance above the base plate, the base plate and the working plate being connected to each other by a rod system arranged within the vertical distance. The rod system is formed by at least two struts extending in a non-parallel manner relative to each other, and the struts are connected to each other by a bridge-like holder, the holder being arranged in a self-retaining manner between the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Andreas Eisenhut, Christoph Zimmermann, Bruno Meier
  • Patent number: 9616912
    Abstract: A stroller apparatus includes a front and a rear leg, a side handrail respectively connected pivotally with the front and rear legs, a handle pivotally connected with the side handrail, a seat support frame including a side bar located below the side handrail and pivotally connected with the front leg and the handle, a first seat detachably installable on the side handrail facing rearward at a first position adjacent to the handle, and a second seat detachably installable on the side bar facing rearward at a second position, the second position being located below the first position and adjacent to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Robert E. Haut, Andrew J. Winterhalter, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Joseph F. Fiore, Jr., Linhai Shan
  • Patent number: 9616913
    Abstract: A direction setting device for the seat of a baby stroller includes the main backrest providing an auxiliary backrest whose bottom end is sewed with the seat fabric to form a sewing thread line via which the auxiliary backrest moves to the front end of the frame to change the seat direction. A a rear canopy is secured on the sunshade, and a switching line for turning over the rear canopy to change the direction forms at the joints of the rear canopy and the sunshade. The rear canopy is fastened to the auxiliary backrest and to the footrest respectively by a fastening element after the seat direction is switched, so that the sunshade may simultaneously change its direction. Furthermore, the tilting angle of the auxiliary backrest may be controlled by adjusting the elevation angle of the footrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Li-Te Wang
  • Patent number: 9616914
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly, and an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes a first energy absorption strap and a second energy absorption strap. The first energy absorption strap has a first portion defining an opening configured to receive a pin of an actuator and a second portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly. The second energy absorption strap has a third portion coupled to a telescope drive bracket and a fourth portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Nicholas M. Messing
  • Patent number: 9616915
    Abstract: A steering system includes an engaged member fixed to an upper jacket, an engaging member rotatably supported by a lower jacket, and an impact absorbing member including a movable portion that moves together with the engaging member at the time of a secondary collision, to absorb impact made at the time of the secondary collision. The engaged member has a plurality of engaged teeth. The engaging member comes into engagement with the engaged teeth in accordance with an operation of an operation member. At the time of the secondary collision, the engaging member is disengaged from the lower jacket, and moves along with the upper jacket while in engagement with the engaged teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakuda, Atsumune Nagatani, Yu Myohoji
  • Patent number: 9616916
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a ferrite core mounted on a wire harness connected to an electric motor and a bracket configured to fix the ferrite core to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Gotou, Daiki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9616917
    Abstract: A core of a worm wheel has an axial end surface formed with a first annular recess nad and another axial end surface formed with a second annular recess. An outer circumferential wall surface of a radially outer region of the second annular recess has a tapered surface extending from a bottom surface of the second annular recess to form an obtuse angle relative to the bottom surface, and a third annular recess formed radially outside the tapered surface. A cross-section of the third annular recess is a right-angled triangle having, as two sides, a surface parallel to the bottom surface of the second annular recess and a surface perpendicular to the bottom surface of the second annular recess. A rim portion has a first inner circumferential portion fixed to the first annular recess and a second inner circumferential portion fixed to the second annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kiyota, Takeshi Yamamoto, Fumiaki Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 9616918
    Abstract: In a vehicle steering that sets a target steering reaction force to be applied to a steering wheel on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel and that applies the target steering reaction force to the steering wheel; the target steering reaction force is set so that the target steering reaction force changes on the basis of whether a steering mode of the steering wheel is turn steering in which the absolute value of a steered angle of a steered wheel is increased or return steering in which the absolute value of the steered angle is reduced; and the set target steering reaction force is applied to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chikara Okazaki