Patents Issued in October 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9776615
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid work vehicle capable of smooth work travel using a work device with a low output internal combustion engine, while avoiding battery exhaustion. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that supplies drive power to a travel device and a work device via power transmission means, a motor generator that is driven by a battery, a load information generation part that generates load information representing a sudden increase in rotational load, an assist characteristic determination part that determines motor assist characteristics defining an assist amount and an assist time period of assist control based on load information, and a motor control unit that controls the motor generator based on the motor assist characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yushi Matsuzaki, Yoshitomo Fujimoto, Michita Kono, Shigeki Hayashi, Atsushi Shinkai, Keishiro Nishi, Hisao Mukai
  • Patent number: 9776616
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle and a control method for the vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank configured to store a fuel for the engine, a grille shutter, and an ECU. The grille shutter is configured to regulate an introduction air from an outside of the vehicle to an inside of the vehicle. The ECU is configured to determine whether or not the fuel is deteriorating. The ECU is configured to control the grille shutter such that an amount of the introduction air in a case where the fuel is deteriorating is larger than an amount of the introduction air in a case where the fuel is not deteriorating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Itoh
  • Patent number: 9776617
    Abstract: When an engine start command is generated to an engine that is in a stopped state, engine start control for cranking the engine and starting fuel combustion after increasing the engine speed is performed. In the engine start control, one of a first start pattern in which an initial combustion speed is higher than a resonance speed of the engine, and a second start pattern in which the initial combustion speed is lower than the resonance speed of the engine is selected according to the speed ratio (gear position) of a transmission. Cranking torque in the second start pattern is lower than the cranking torque in the first start pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9776618
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an assembly for charging an energy store, which assembly has: an element for converting radiation energy into electrical energy, a further element for providing electrical energy, the energy store, a control device which is coupled to the conversion element, to the further element and to the energy store, in order to control the charging of the energy store by the conversion element and the further element, as a function of prediction data which comprises weather data, and as a function of a predefined value of the state of charge of the energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Rupert Kogler
  • Patent number: 9776619
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus, which executes a regeneration increasing control, includes a stop position specifying unit specifying a stop position, a calculation unit calculating a predetermined position at which a speed of the vehicle reduces to a predetermined speed, a determination unit determining a start point of a deceleration distance as a notification position when a distance between an end point of the deceleration distance and the predetermined position satisfies a predetermined condition, a notification unit notifying the driver to turn off the accelerator, and a regeneration control unit starting the regeneration increasing control when the vehicle has travelled the distance that satisfies the predetermined condition from the notification position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junmin Cao, Haruki Oguri
  • Patent number: 9776620
    Abstract: An upper limit charging rate is limited when a speed position of an automatic transmission is high as compared to when the speed position is low, so an engine is hard to enter a high torque state even when the speed position is high. Thus, it is possible to suppress vibrations and noise that tend to occur at the time when the engine is driven at a low rotation speed and high torque. On the other hand, the upper limit charging rate increases when the speed position is low as compared to when the speed position is high, with the result that a charging rate increases, so it is possible to keep a state of charge of a battery within an appropriate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Minamikawa, Toshio Sugimura, Seiji Kuwahara, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9776621
    Abstract: During EV traveling in a CD mode, an electronic control unit determine that an engine is in a state where the engine is likely to be started when an electric power storage ratio SOC of a battery falls short of a threshold Sref, when a battery temperature Tb of the battery falls short of a threshold Tbref, when an output limit Wout of the battery falls short of a threshold Wref, when a temperature Tmg2 of a motor is higher than a threshold Tmg2ref, and when a torque limit Tm2lim of the motor falls short of a threshold Tm2limref. Then, the electronic control unit set a required torque Tr* by using a map for a CS mode in which the required torque Tr* is set to be lower than in a map for the CD mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Sato
  • Patent number: 9776622
    Abstract: A power management device of a power system manages the power generation quantity of the whole power system. A power generation control device controls a power generation device using a power generation command value (Ifccon1req) of the power generation device, said power generation command value having been acquired from the power management device via a first signal system, and a parameter (Ibat) that is directly acquired from a parameter acquisition unit via a second signal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kazuno, Yasushi Kojima, Yasutaka Sakai, Hibiki Saeki
  • Patent number: 9776623
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive electric vehicle control device is provided for a four-wheel drive electric vehicle that has a motor/generator as a drive source, and an electronically controlled coupling provided on the drive power transmission path leading from the drive source to the front and rear wheels. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle has a 4WD control unit that outputs to the electronically controlled coupling a transmission torque command value to bring about the four-wheel drive state, in accordance with the vehicle state. The 4WD control unit has a regenerative control intervention-coordinating controller that, when regenerative control by the motor/generator has intervened during the four-wheel drive state, brings the transmission torque of the electronically controlled coupling to zero before initiating regenerative control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Sugitani, Koutarou Tanaka, Keishirou Nakamura, Toshiyuki Myochin
  • Patent number: 9776624
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an electric fuel separator in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where usage of a selected higher octane or lower octane fuel fraction is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust a fuel separator speed/pressure opportunistically during regenerative braking to maximize electrical usage as well as at low load conditions to enable extended engine operation in a more fuel efficient load region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Patent number: 9776625
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes an engine configured to be mounted to a vehicle, a drive shaft mechanically connected to the engine as to drive the vehicle, a first power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to one of the drive shaft and the engine, a motor generator mechanically connected to the one of the drive shaft and the engine via the first power connecting-disconnecting unit, a second power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to the motor generator, and a supercharger mechanically connected to the motor generator via the second power connecting-disconnecting unit. The vehicle drive device can retrieve regenerative electric power efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junichi Yukawa
  • Patent number: 9776626
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide control means for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operable to control first and second actuators of a vehicle to deliver motive torque to drive a vehicle, the control means being operable to control a vehicle to transition between a first mode in which a first actuator is substantially disconnected from a driveline of a vehicle and a second actuator delivers motive torque to drive a vehicle and a second mode in which a first actuator is connected to a driveline by means of a releasable torque transmitting means and the control means controls first and second actuators to deliver respective first and second actuator target torque split values to drive a vehicle thereby to provide a driver demanded drive torque, when a transition from the first mode to the second mode is required the control means being configured to control rotation of a first actuator by means of a speed control means towards a target first actuator speed and to control a releasable torque transmitting mea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hancock, Javier Villegas
  • Patent number: 9776627
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving device includes: a first motor generator; a second motor generator; an input shaft; an output shaft; a rotating member rotatably linked to the output shaft; a connection member to which the first motor generator is connected; a connection mechanism which connects and disconnects the connection member and the rotating member; a one-way clutch connecting the input shaft and the connection member; a synchronization control portion synchronizing the rotational speed of the first motor generator with the rotational speed of the rotating member; a first engine control portion maintaining the rotational speed of an engine; a connection portion connecting the connection member and the rotating member to each other; and a second engine control portion controlling the engine such that the rotational speed of the input shaft is synchronized with the rotational speed of the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Tojo, Takahiro Misu, Shota Hirose, Shinya Harada, Tomoyuki Toyama, Yoshiyuki Komi
  • Patent number: 9776628
    Abstract: A method of automatically starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle includes defining a rotational engine speed profile to represent a desired engine speed during a starting event with a hybrid system controller, and communicating the rotational engine speed profile to an engine controller. The internal combustion engine is rotated with an electric propulsion motor of the hybrid vehicle. A spark correction offset is calculated with the engine controller based on the rotational engine speed profile. The internal combustion engine is fired with the calculated spark correction offset for a pre-determined number of firing events, with the engine controller, as the rotational speed of the engine increases. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is controlled with the hybrid system controller after the pre-determined number of firing events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: R. Anthony Hansen
  • Patent number: 9776629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an environment-monitoring system for a motor vehicle, by means of which the positions of objects in the environment laterally adjacent to, in front of, and behind the vehicle are determined. According to the invention, in order to improve the accuracy of the environment-monitoring system, the motion path is determined for a stationary object which the vehicle passes, and said motion path is used to determine the angular deviation with which the motion path determined for the stationary object deviates from the motion path of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
  • Patent number: 9776630
    Abstract: Operating a host vehicle is described as including receiving remote vehicle information indicating a geospatial state and a kinematic state for a remote vehicle, identifying host vehicle information indicating a geospatial state and a kinematic state for the host vehicle, determining a converging time to a converging location within a vehicle transportation network based on the remote vehicle information and the host vehicle information, identifying a first threshold at which a fixed deceleration of the host vehicle to the converging location is achieved using a reaction delay of an operator of the host vehicle, wherein the first threshold is a step-wise function based on the kinematic state of the host vehicle, and modifying operation of the host vehicle responsive to the converging time reaching the first threshold. A method, vehicle, and apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Goudy, Neal Probert, Jeremy Chambers
  • Patent number: 9776631
    Abstract: A system for signaling road hazards and emergency actions to nearby road users comprising a vehicle, the vehicle having at least three wheels, a vehicle control circuitry, one or more sensors, and a vehicle system controller. The vehicle control circuitry monitors data from the one or more sensors, detects hazardous situations, and controls the vehicle system controller to control the vehicle, induce a dynamic vehicle behavior, and visually signal the vehicle is performing an emergency maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURIG NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Domeyer, Heishiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9776632
    Abstract: An adaptive sensing system is configured to acquire sensor data pertaining to objects in the vicinity of a land vehicle. The adaptive sensing system may be configured to identify objects that are at least partially obscured by other objects and, in response, the adaptive sensing system may be configured to modify the configuration of one or more sensors to obtain additional information pertaining to the obscured objects. The adaptive sensing system may comprise and/or be communicatively coupled to a collision detection module, which may use the sensor data acquired by the adaptive sensing system to detect potential collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Geoffrey F. Deane, Russell J. Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan Kundtz, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David R. Smith, Philip A. Sullivan, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9776633
    Abstract: To achieve an accurate transfer of control from a system to a driver, a semiconductor device includes: a recognition unit that recognizes an object present in the periphery of a vehicle based on a result of observation of the periphery of the vehicle; a route calculation unit that calculates, based on the recognized object, a travel route for the vehicle in an automatic control mode for automatically controlling the vehicle; and a mode control unit that transfers the vehicle from the automatic control mode to a manual control mode for controlling the vehicle according to an operation by a driver, when a travel route to avoid the recognized object cannot be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuaki Terashima
  • Patent number: 9776634
    Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The method further comprises determining, based on the one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information, that one or more of the wheels of the vehicle have overcome an obstacle or are about to overcome an obstacle and that therefore a reduction in an applied drive torque to one or more of the wheels of the vehicle by a powertrain subsystem (applied drive torque) will be required to maintain the speed of the vehicle at a target set-speed of the speed control system. The method still further comprises automatically commanding the application of a retarding torque to one or more of the wheels of the vehicle to counteract the effect of an overrun condition in the powertrain subsystem from increasing the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: James Kelly, Daniel Woolliscroft, Andrew Fairgrieve
  • Patent number: 9776635
    Abstract: An auto stop-start equipped vehicle power management system includes a primary power source supplying energy to an electrical starter to crank a vehicle engine and a secondary power source coupled in parallel to the primary power source. The secondary power source supplies energy to electric loads during an engine auto stop-start operation. The electrical loads maintain vehicle subsystem functionality during the engine auto stop-start operation. The energy supplied to the electrical loads is current limited during the engine auto stop-start operation. A controllable switch decouples the secondary power source from the primary power source and starter motor during the engine auto stop-start operation. Operating parameters of the electrical loads are monitored during the engine auto stop-start operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz S. Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, William J. Bouse, Zeljko Deljevic
  • Patent number: 9776636
    Abstract: A calculation method and apparatus for calculating a starting point for acceleration/deceleration operation of a vehicle with high accuracy using more input values while at the same time keeping calculation cost and time to a minimum is disclosed herein. An ECU making up a system calculates a start point for acceleration/deceleration operation of a vehicle on the basis of traveling condition information that changes as the vehicle travels and vehicle information that changes only slightly as a result of the travel of the vehicle. As a result, if the driver maintains a throttle operator at a given opening angle or more at a point before the start point, an actuator applies a force in the direction of closing a throttle valve to the throttle operator, thereby notifying the driver that the vehicle is close to the start point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yamato Nakamizo, Tetsuya Kudo, Toraki Iwamaru, Satoshi Fukuoka, Takao Fujiwara, Masatoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9776637
    Abstract: A transmission changes gears in a MT system, an AT system, and an AMT system wherein unintended transition between an AT mode and a MT mode or between an AMT mode and a MT mode is prevented. A selector in a controller performs a mode selection control such that, when performing transition between the AT mode and the MT mode or between the AMT mode and the MT mode, the driver at least has to operate a mode switching switch while operating a clutch lever in an operation amount not smaller than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsushi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 9776638
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes an automated driving system configured to automatically control vehicle steering, acceleration, and braking during a drive cycle without operator intervention. The vehicle additionally includes a wireless communication system configured to communicate with a remote communication device. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to communicate vehicle characteristics data via the wireless communication system. The vehicle characteristics data include a vehicle status identifier indicating automated driving system control of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to, in response to a remote override request from a remote communication device, command the automated driving system to perform a minimal risk condition maneuver to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Charles A. Green
  • Patent number: 9776639
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to the field of vehicle, and provides a method and apparatus and system for generating vehicle guiding information. The method for generating vehicle guiding information comprises: receiving operating information of a vehicle, position information of a vehicle and road condition information which are sent from a vehicle client-side; generating driving behavior guiding information according to the operating information of the vehicle, the position information of the vehicle and the road condition information; transmitting the driving behavior guiding information to the vehicle client-side designated by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LAUNCH TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Qichao Chen
  • Patent number: 9776640
    Abstract: A maximum acceleration identification system determines a suitable maximum acceleration for transitioning a given motion/motor system to a target position or velocity, taking the friction of the motion system into consideration. The maximum acceleration determined by the maximum acceleration identification system can then be used by the motion control system as the acceleration limit for generating motion profiles. Thus, motion profiles can be generated that are closer to the true maximum acceleration supported by the motion system without violating the mechanical and electrical constraints of the system as characterized in part by the viscous friction, resulting in a more time-optimal move. In some embodiments, the maximum acceleration identification system can automatically set the maximum acceleration of the control system's profile generator to be equal to the derived value, thereby eliminating the need for the maximum acceleration to be selected and set by the system designer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LINESTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Gang Tian
  • Patent number: 9776641
    Abstract: A travel control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a travel environment information acquisition unit that acquires travel environment information on a travel environment where the vehicle travels; a travel information detector that detects travel information on the vehicle; and an overtaking controller that detects an overtaking target vehicle ahead of the vehicle in an identical travel lane on the basis of the travel environment information and the travel information, and overtakes the overtaking target vehicle using automatic driving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Matsuno, Harunobu Horiguchi, Hajime Oyama, Yasushi Takaso, Masato Mizoguchi, Takayuki Nagase, Eiichi Shiraishi, Shiro Ezoe, Satoru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9776643
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating range per full charge (RPC) for a vehicle. The method includes a controller which may, in response to detecting presence of a predefined condition impacting vehicle energy consumption, output to an interface by a controller a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent to which the predefined condition is affecting the RPC. An electrified vehicle including one or more vehicle components, a traction battery to supply energy to the vehicle components, one or more sensors, and a controller is also provided. The one or more sensors monitor the vehicle components, traction battery, and preselected ambient conditions. The controller is configured to, in response to input from the sensors, generate output for an interface which includes a RPC and indicia indicative of an extent of impact on the RPC by each of the ambient conditions and operation of the components and battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Jason Meyer, Craig Edward Esler, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri, Yevgeniya Sosonkina
  • Patent number: 9776644
    Abstract: An on-vehicle situation detection apparatus may include a detection unit to identify a driver and acquire driver status data and data about vehicle driving information or vehicle surrounding obstacles, a driving pattern learning unit to learn and store a driving pattern of a driver, based on the data acquired by the detection unit, a weighted value determination unit to determine a weighted value assigned to the information data acquired by the detection unit, based on the driving pattern learned by the driving pattern learning unit, a determination unit to determine a safe driving state of the driver, based on the data to which the weighted value determined by the weighted value determination unit is assigned, and a warning unit to warn the driver when the driver is determined to be not in the safe driving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In-Sung Chun, Jun-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9776645
    Abstract: An air-conditioning device has a duct that emits a flow of conditioned air and at least one circulation circuit intended for fitting out a carriage. The circulation circuit includes an air inlet through which passes an incoming airflow from the duct; at least one conduit for distributing air towards a compartment room, extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, both intended to be laid out in the carriage; a conduit for transferring conditioned air towards another adjacent air circulation circuit, which fits out a carriage adjacent to the first; and means for distributing conditioned air from the air inlet, and distributing the incoming airflow among the distribution and transfer conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Huu-Thi Do, Etienne Varin
  • Patent number: 9776646
    Abstract: A wheelset bearing for the wheelset of a rail vehicle having an internally mounted truck that includes one bearing housing per side of the wheelset that encloses the wheelset bearing for the wheelset, where the wheelset bearing and bearing housing are within the wheels in an installed state and a torsion spring serves as a roll stabilizer that is connected to the bearing housing such that the torsion springs are rigidly connected to one bearing housing each on the two ends thereof (without interconnection of draw-pressure rods) so as to implement roll stabilization for the wheelsets in a manner that is as technically simple as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventors: David Kreuzweger, Christian Kueter, Martin Teichmann
  • Patent number: 9776647
    Abstract: A method for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle inputs the ETCS data by using an apparatus which is separate from the rail vehicle. The apparatus can, for example, be constructed to be mobile and the ETCS data can be input flexibly at different locations and be transmitted to the rail vehicle, for example, by SMS. The advantage of this approach is that delays resulting from the inputting of ETCS data can be reduced and thus the rail vehicle reaches a “Start of Mission” state more quickly. An apparatus for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle with an ETCS device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Dymek, Carsten Hasselkuss, Udo Rabeneck, Christian Wilke
  • Patent number: 9776648
    Abstract: An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives and, more particularly, to a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizes remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Railserve, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Benjamin, John Roberts, Peter M. Bartek
  • Patent number: 9776649
    Abstract: A locomotive air brake control system that responds to penalty braking requests from external systems by applying a varying amount of train brake level based on monitored and calculated parameters in order to enforce a defined train condition. The system may include a minimum acceptable train braking, a condition to be achieved to prevent further application of train brakes, and a maximum train brake level to be applied in response to the request. Alternatively, the system may apply braking in stepped levels according defined thresholds for a train behavior variable of interest such as speed or deceleration. The system may be configured to incrementally apply and release train brakes during the adaptive penalty, and may also adjust the level of braking according to calculated braking capacity of the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Reynolds, Erich Leonard, John W. LaDuc, Konstantinos Vilaetis
  • Patent number: 9776650
    Abstract: A hand truck includes a quick release/attach mechanism operating according to a method for quickly and easily exchanging various tools with the hand truck, the quick release/latch mechanism including biased locking pins movably located within tubular frame members integral to the hand truck and proximal holes in the tubular frame members for receiving a projection member of the tool and spaced a predetermined distance from a hangar portion of the tool and wherein the hangar portion may be hung on a crossbar of the tubular frame and then the projection members of the tool may be coupled with and retained by the locking pins of the tubular frame. The arrangement requires no hand tools such as wrenches or screwdrivers, and no external fasteners such as pins or bolts. The geometry of the cross bars on the hand truck allow tool attachments to be captured or releases simply by tilting the hand truck forward or backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Darryl Edward Berlinger
  • Patent number: 9776651
    Abstract: A cart includes a first side board and a second side board. Each of the first and second side boards has first holes and second holes respectively defined in the upper and lower portions thereof. A first rod unit and a second rod unit are respectively connected to the first holes and the second holes of the first and second side boards. At least two shelves are movably mounted on the first and second rod units between the first and second side boards. A first wheel unit and a second wheel unit are respectively connected to the second holes at the front side and the rear side of the body so as to assemble the cart. The diameter of the second wheel unit is larger than that of the first wheel unit. The cart is light and suitable to move on an uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Chung-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 9776652
    Abstract: A stroller frame includes a bottom pipe, a rear foot, a handle, a carrier device, and a linking component. The rear foot is pivoted to the bottom pipe and the handle. A rear end of the carrier device is detachably connected to the rear foot. The linking component is pivotally bendable. Two opposite ends of the linking component are pivoted to the handle and the bottom pipe respectively. A middle portion of the linking component is pivoted to the rear foot. A front end of the carrier device is pivoted to the linking component in an engageable manner, and the linking component drives the carrier device to be folded when the stroller frame is folded. Therefore, the stroller frame can be folded into a smaller size easily, which is convenience for storage and transportation. Furthermore, depending on different situations, the carrier device can be detached from the stroller frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Zhi-Ren Zhong
  • Patent number: 9776653
    Abstract: A ski bike for gliding across a slick surface that dampens shock forces on skis and provides precise maneuverability on a slick surface. The ski bike is configured to turn through either: a rotatable handle bar sub assembly, by shifting the weight of the rider, or through a carving technique involving digging the skis into snow and following the formed carved path to turn. The ski bike dampens shock forces on the skis through a dampener that absorbs shock forces from a front ski, a front shock pivot mount that that enables lateral pivoting to absorb lateral shock forces, and a swing arm tower that enables lateral pivoting of a pair of rear skis. A stomp plate provides stability by gripping footwear of a rider and enabling passage of moisture. A frame includes a lift bar that enables the ski bike to be lifted by ski lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Obed Marrder, Nicolas Chase Wagstaff, Kevin F. Schneidle
  • Patent number: 9776654
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting one or more accessories to a vehicle with forks is disclosed. The system can include a frame comprising mounting plates, the mounting plates including at least an axle hole and a fork stop hole. The frame can also include frame rails to connect the mounting plate to an accessory mount. The system can be mounted to the forks of the vehicle using the axle hole and an axle. A fork stop can be placed in the fork stop hole and can include one or more interface points to fit the bottom of the forks. The fork stop can transmit forces from the accessory to the forks in a linear manner and to a location where the forks have additional strength. The fork stop can be designed such that it bends in response to an impact rather than breaking the forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mototrax, LLC
    Inventor: Randy Gentry
  • Patent number: 9776655
    Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle comprising a steering linkage, a steering drive, a gearbox transmitting a driving movement of the steering drive to the steering linkage, and a multi-piece housing that at least partially surrounds the steering linkage, the steering drive and/or the gearbox, having a drainage groove formed in a first contact surface of a first housing part of the multi-piece housing, the first contact surface being seated against a mating second contact surface of a second housing part of the multi-piece housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen Noll, Frederik Schubert, Albert Neufeld
  • Patent number: 9776656
    Abstract: In an electric power steering system, an ECU includes a rotation angle calculation unit, an assist torque command value calculation unit, a reference model, an angle deviation calculation unit, a PD control unit, an addition unit, and a plant observer. A proportional gain and a derivative gain which are used in the PD control unit and a first gain and a second gain which are used in a first gain multiplication unit and a second gain multiplication unit of the plant observer are set so that a characteristic equation corresponding to an equation of motion representing behavior of the electric power steering system has a double root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederic Wilhelm, Tsutomu Tamura, Robert Fuchs, Philippe Mullhaupt
  • Patent number: 9776657
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for steering system integrity testing includes positioning the vehicle with the second traction wheel within a first constraint; applying mechanical load to the first traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first traction wheel within a second constraint; applying mechanical load to the second traction wheel; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; positioning the vehicle with the first and second traction wheels on respective first and second friction surfaces; applying mechanical load to the first and second traction wheels; receiving data corresponding to a steering system operating condition; transmitting the data to a processor; and determining, via the processor, a health status of the steering system based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ibrahim A. Badiru, John T. Zuzelski, Scott R. Kloess
  • Patent number: 9776658
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes an axially movable steering member. The steering member turns the steerable vehicle wheels upon axial movement of the steering member, A connector arm connected to the steering member is movable with the steering member. A first fastener connects the connector arm to the steering member and prevents relative movement between the steering member and the connector arm. A second fastener connects the connector arm to the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: James Johnson
  • Patent number: 9776659
    Abstract: A bolted trailer frame includes frame rails provided in plural sections. The plural sections are bolted together using butt joints reinforced by one or more reinforcement brackets or plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Frick
  • Patent number: 9776660
    Abstract: A vehicle subframe is provided with a main body formed in a hollow shape by a core unit. The subframe includes: a top parallel section and a bottom rear parallel section provided to the top and the bottom of the main body; a top left sand elimination opening and a top right sand eliminating opening formed at the top parallel section; and a left bottom rear sand elimination opening and a right bottom rear sand elimination opening formed at the bottom rear parallel section. The left bottom rear sand elimination opening is provided to a site opposing the top left sand elimination opening, and is formed in a shape equivalent to the top left sand elimination opening. The right bottom rear sand elimination opening is provided to a site opposing the top right sand elimination opening, and is formed in a shape equivalent to the top right sand elimination opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Imanishi, Toshimitsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9776661
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure includes a suspension member, an inclined portion, and a receiving portion. The suspension member is disposed at a lower portion of a space portion at a vehicle body front side of a vehicle cabin. The inclined portion is provided at a vehicle body structural member that is further toward a vehicle body rear side than a rear portion of the suspension member, and has an inclined surface that, when the suspension member moves toward a vehicle body rear side, guides the suspension member toward a vehicle body lower rear side. The receiving portion has a receiving surface that, when the suspension member moves toward a vehicle body obliquely rear side as seen in plan view, receives the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Kaneko, Hiroshi Mizuo, Toshiki Iwama
  • Patent number: 9776662
    Abstract: A sub-frame structure includes right and left side members extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, and a rear cross member extending in a vehicle width direction. The sub-frame structure is configured to support a vehicle power plant such as an engine through antivibration devices, and to be supported by a vehicle body frame. The right and left side members are rigidly fixed to a vehicle body frame through bolts. A first antivibration device is mounted on a front cross beam. First bushes and second bushes are provided in order to support the front cross beam in a floating manner relative to the right and left side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Hirano, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9776663
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Craig, Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Akshay Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9776664
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle including a frame having a side sill reinforcement, the side sill reinforcement running along a length of a side of the frame, and an impact transmission structure mounted to and extending laterally outward from an exterior surface of the side sill reinforcement, the impact transmission structure having a stiffness approximately equal to a stiffness of the side sill reinforcement and being configured to communicate an impact force resulting from a side impact into the vehicle into the frame and not absorb the impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Siyang Yang, Shuo Fang, Lando C. Hamlett, Anthony Ordonio, Jr., Ryan Matthew Stokes, Yoshihisa Sugamata, Andrew K. Swayne
  • Patent number: 9776665
    Abstract: A load path control mechanism is fixed to a frame rail and includes a coupling bracket, a spacer bracket and a frame crossmember. The frame rail defines an inner chamber therein. The frame crossmember is fixed to the frame rail. The coupling bracket is disposed in the inner chamber and is fixed to the frame rail, paralleling the frame crossmember. The coupling bracket has a first projected area on a plane normal to a lateral axis. The spacer bracket, disposed on an outboard side of the frame rail, has a second projected area on a plane normal to the lateral axis. The projected areas at least partially overlap. The spacer bracket has a deformation mode responsive to a first load under which the space bracket deflects against the first side of the frame rail which deflects against the coupling bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Dario Garay Serrano, Zhibing Deng, Jamil M. Alwan, Mark Wlotkowski