Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 9950708
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9950709
    Abstract: A target ratio module selectively determines a target ratio of transmission input shaft speed to transmission output shaft speed independently of an accelerator pedal position and as a function of a vehicle speed and a driver axle torque request. A first pulley valve control module controls opening of a first valve based on the target ratio. The first valve controls transmission fluid flow to a first pulley actuator. The first pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission input shaft of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure. A second pulley valve control module controls opening of a second valve based on the target ratio. The second valve controls transmission fluid flow to a second pulley actuator. The second pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission output shaft of the CVT and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Artin Farahani, Christopher Jay Weingartz, John E. Marano
  • Patent number: 9950710
    Abstract: A device for operating an apparatus comprising a first controller configured to be controlled by a first control signal, a second controller configured to be controlled by a second control signal, a control unit operatively connected to the first controller and the second controller, wherein the first controller and the second controller are both configured to operate the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Axel Freiwald, Bejoy Mathews, Antonio Vilela
  • Patent number: 9950711
    Abstract: A device having a sensor, a control unit, and a display designed for a vehicle which is designed as an at least partially self-driving vehicle. The sensor detects objects in the surroundings of the vehicle. The device displays the objects, together with the vehicle, on the display in animated form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Andro Kleen, Helge Schäfer, Daniel Ricknäs, Marc-Michael Meinecke, Pär Degermann
  • Patent number: 9950712
    Abstract: A spreading device for a pneumatic application of brake sand on rail-mounted vehicles, comprising an air source and a sand container as storage container for the brake sand or the spreading material, an outlet at the lower end of the sand container, a connecting pipe to a mixing container provided for air-charged swirling of the spreading material to form a sand stairway and a dispensing device disposed on the mixing container for the specific dispensing of the spreading material onto the rails in front of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KLEIN Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Enno Schulte, Thomas Marks, Markus Jendrock
  • Patent number: 9950713
    Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge gate assembly has first and second elements arranged in vertically stacked relationship relative to each other for controlling discharge of material from a hopper car. First and second drive mechanisms move the first and second elements, respectively, between closed and open positions. A lock assembly including first and second locks serve to maintain the first and second elements, respectively, in a closed position. The gate assembly also includes a mechanical system for positively removing the first and second locks from a locked condition relative to their respective element upon rotation of either drive mechanism. A method for controlling discharge of material through an opening defined by the railroad hopper discharge gate assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: POWERBRACE CORPORATION, MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian A. Senn, Nicholas B. Earnest
  • Patent number: 9950714
    Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a side wall cladding element and a first profile rail fastened to the side wall cladding element. The first profile rail is provided for freely positioning and securing a first holder constructed to complement the first profile rail. The first holder in turn is connected to a framework or body shell of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tobias Kehl
  • Patent number: 9950715
    Abstract: In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include generating, by an air-coupled transducer, a first ultrasonic guided wave to cause the generated ultrasonic guided wave to propagate into a rail being tested for one or more defects, wherein a frequency of the first ultrasonic guided wave is controlled by at least changing the frequency of a voltage sent to the air-coupled transducer generating the first ultrasonic guided wave; receiving, by a receiver, a second ultrasonic guided wave, wherein the second ultrasonic guided wave is received from the rail; and analyzing a signal representative of the received second ultrasonic guided wave to detect the one or more defects in the rail. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of California
    Inventor: Francesco Lanza di Scalea
  • Patent number: 9950716
    Abstract: An autonomous device for rail track inspection includes a drive wheel system propelling the device via a drive wheel system, an automatic track loading fixture for and applying a load on rails, and sensors for taking track gauge measurement. Different automatic track loading fixtures may require stopping for load and measurement, or loading and measuring while still in motion. A switch agnostic system for operation with devices on a conventional railroad track system includes a linear slider movably mounted along a linear sliding support; multiple sensors mounted to the linear slider, the sensors operable to identify a rail of a track junction; and multiple roller bearings operable to engage the rail of the track junction and control the device across the track junction in response to movement of the linear slider along the linear sliding support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Brendan English, Paul Sandin, Blair Morad, Shawn Dooley, Craig Thrall
  • Patent number: 9950717
    Abstract: There is described a peripheral post of railway field devices, comprising: a plurality of control modules operatively connected or connectable by electric cables to respective railway field devices; —a rack housing said plurality of control modules, wherein said rack comprises: —a wiring frame adapted to be permanently attached to a support surface or to an installation wall, comprising a front side and an opposite rear side and comprising on the rear side first connectors adapted to be electrically connected to end portions of said cables; —a support and containment frame of the modules adapted to house said modules and adapted to be coupled to the wiring frame by drawing said support and containment frame near the wiring frame from said front side so as to reach a coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ECM S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Santi
  • Patent number: 9950718
    Abstract: A train network management system for a train having a locomotive and railcars, including a node computer on the railcar and communicating with a high-speed network device for receiving and transmitting data over a high-speed network, and a locomotive computer on the locomotive and communicating with a high-speed network device for receiving and transmitting data over the high-speed network, where a communication path is generated between at least two high-speed network devices of the railcars and the high-speed network device of the locomotive, such that high-speed data communication is provided between the high-speed network devices of the railcars and the locomotive. A railcar network unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Michael A. Naylor
  • Patent number: 9950719
    Abstract: An operating system for operating functional units in a rail vehicle. At least one base station is provided in each car of the rail vehicle. Each base station communicates, via a wireless interface, with a mobile terminal of an authenticated user, in particular an authenticated train conductor, who operates functional units of the rail vehicle via a graphical user interface of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Kessner
  • Patent number: 9950720
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 9950721
    Abstract: A system comprises a set of sensors on a first end of a vehicle having the first end and a second end, and a controller. The sensors are configured to generate corresponding sensor data based on a detected marker along a direction of movement of the vehicle. A first sensor has a first inclination angle with respect to the detected marker, and a second sensor has a second inclination angle with respect to the detected marker. The controller is configured to compare a time at which the first sensor detected the marker with a time at which the second sensor detected the marker to identify the first end or the second end as a leading end of the vehicle, and to calculate a position of the leading end of the vehicle based on the sensor data generated by one or more of the first sensor or the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Thales Canada Inc
    Inventors: Alon Green, Walter Kinio, Rodney Ignatius, Firth Whitwam
  • Patent number: 9950722
    Abstract: A system includes a first controller, a data acquisition device, a friction modification unit, and a friction management controller. The first controller is configured to obtain an operational setting for a vehicle, and to output a first signal relating to the operational setting for controlling the vehicle. The data acquisition device is configured to obtain operational data of the vehicle as the vehicle travels, and to provide the operational data to the first controller. The first controller is configured to obtain a difference between the operational data and the operational setting, and to adjust the first signal based on the difference. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route. The friction management controller is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the operational setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, David Eldredge, Daniel Ballesty, Jared Klineman Cooper, Christopher Roney, Paul Houpt, Stephen Mathe, Paul Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott Nelson, Wolfgang Daum
  • Patent number: 9950723
    Abstract: In a method for identifying a danger zone to be monitored at a grade crossing, the following are performed: at least one radar sensor is situated at the danger zone; object trajectories from sequences over time of object positions of respective objects moving through the danger zone are ascertained by the radar sensor; the position of at least one traffic path is identified with the aid of an accumulation of object trajectories; the positions of barrier straight lines are ascertained with the aid of radar reflections of the closed barriers; and the danger zone is determined by linking information on the identified position of the at least one traffic path with information on the ascertained position of the barrier straight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Benedikt Lehnertz
  • Patent number: 9950724
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use with one or more containers shaped and configured to be retained by the apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower platform extending in a substantially horizontal direction; one or more frame members attached to and extending substantially upward from the lower platform; two or more support arms detachably engaged with and extending in the substantially horizontal direction from the frame members and adapted to removably engage with and support the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Johan Huisman
  • Patent number: 9950725
    Abstract: A reversible cart with wheels is disclosed which can be flipped from one orientation with wheels down and handles pointed upwards, to another orientation with the wheels and handles both pointed downwards (relative to the ground). In the latter embodiment, the cart functions as a table. To accomplish this, portals extend through the cart/table, at least some of which are equidistantly spaced from others, and two support beams of a handle or handles are inserted into two successive portals. The portals can be on narrow and long sides of a rectangular cart/table, allowing the handles to be inserted in various configurations, such as only on the narrow side, on both narrow sides, or on the long side. The cart/table itself can have two sides spaced apart by ribbing, creating a shelf there-between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Roman Uszynski
  • Patent number: 9950726
    Abstract: A displacement arrangement for use in a combination dolly-pallet includes an impelling member movable between first and second positions. A linkage is pivotally connected to the impelling member. When the impelling member moves between the first and second positions, the linkage moves pivotally relative to the impelling member to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Loadhog Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Joel Thompson, Scott James Buss, Robert Guy Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 9950727
    Abstract: A multi-functional folding cart including a folding cart body with a cloth pocket for containing articles. One end of the folding cart body is movably connected with a handle. A transverse rod and a fixing rod are arranged on the front and rear ends of a bottom of the folding cart body. Two wheels are located on the front end and two wheels are located on the rear end of the bottom of the folding cart body. Each of the wheels is provided with a trundle fixing frame. A stopping part and a rotating shaft are arranged on the top of the trundle fixing frame on the rear end of the bottom of the folding cart body. The rotating shaft connects the trundle fixing frame with the fixing rod. The trundle fixing frame can rotate around the rotating shaft to perform folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: QINGDAO ZHENGTAO TOOL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Pang
  • Patent number: 9950728
    Abstract: Disclosed is a collapsible furniture article. The collapsible furniture article comprises a horizontal support surface that articulates about a main support between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. A first primary leg is connected to the main support pivotally between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. A first secondary leg is pivotally connected to the first primary leg pivotally between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. The legs in the extended position are disposed to support the horizontal support surface in a horizontal position. In collapsed position, the primary legs are positioned between the collapsed support horizontal surface and the collapsed secondary legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Allan Weiser, Michael David Beltz, Adam Joseph Kessler, Conrad M. Marini
  • Patent number: 9950729
    Abstract: Provided herein is an infant wagon having improved convenience of use, wherein the infant wagon includes a front frame, a rear frame, a support frame, side frames, a front handle frame, and a rear handle frame, and is configured such that the axial distance between front wheels and rear wheels thereof is reduced, whereby it is possible to reduce the burden applied to the arms of a caregiver when the infant wagon is moved or when the direction of the infant wagon is changed, such that the radius of rotation of the infant wagon is reduced, whereby it is possible to easily change the direction of the infant wagon, such that, when the infant wagon is pushed from the rear thereof to move the infant wagon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: BRAN-NEW INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Yejin Choi
  • Patent number: 9950730
    Abstract: A baby stroller includes a frame having front and rear wheel supports, a seat rod, a push rod and a support rod. The front and rear wheel supports form a first rotating joint. The push rod includes upper and lower push rods, the lower push rod is connected to the first rotating joint. The lower push rod and the upper push rod form a second rotating joint. The support rod is rotatably connected with the upper push rod. The support rod is rotatably connected with the rear wheel support. The seat rod is rotatably connected with the front wheel support. The seat rod is rotatably connected with the support rod. Rotating the upper push rod around the second rotating joint drives the lower push rod, the support rod, the front wheel support, the rear wheel support and the seat rod to fold the stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GOODBABY CHILD PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiang Gao
  • Patent number: 9950731
    Abstract: A cup holder for an associated stroller includes a cup for releasably holding therein an associated drink container and a base detachably connected to the cup. The base includes a mounting member releasably connecting the cup holder to an associated stroller bar and a tightening mechanism separately engaging the associated stroller bar for tightening the base against the associated stroller bar and holding the cup holder at a predetermined location on the associated stroller bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Sunny Kim, Tiffany Chen
  • Patent number: 9950732
    Abstract: An adjustable ski device is disclosed herein. A ski attached to an adjustable wheel binding, to be used on strollers and chariots, with a quick release mechanism, which can be fitted and removed to and from the vehicles existing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn Patterson, Kelly Patterson
  • Patent number: 9950733
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed, according to the present invention, which enable reversible reconfiguration of a wheelchair by a user between a.) an original load-bearing configuration utilizing the conventional caster wheels of the wheelchair, and b.) a modified load-bearing configuration which confers improved functionality to the wheelchair, especially for traversing difficult or uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen C. Golden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9950734
    Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable wheels. A steering device may be coupled to one or more of the wheels. A parked state of the vehicle and a present orientation of the hydraulic steering device may be determined. The present orientation of the steering device may be compared with a neutral orientation of the steering device. Based upon a determined parked state of the vehicle and the comparing of the present and neutral orientations of the steering device, the steering device may be moved from the present orientation toward the neutral orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Benjamin C. Potter
  • Patent number: 9950735
    Abstract: A method for managing a power-steering motor configured to supply a force to assist the movement of a steering rack involves the steering rack being mounted such as to be movable between at least a first position and a second position in order to be able to change the steering angle of a steered wheel. The method includes the steps of defining a virtual end-of-travel threshold strictly between the first position and the second position. If the rack is detected as having crossed the virtual end-of-travel threshold in a predetermined crossing direction, simulating, by the power-steering motor, an end-of-travel stop by including in the assistance instruction a resistance instruction that simulates the effect of a mechanical stop, such as a spring-damper or a mass-spring-damper, preventing the actuator member from progressing further beyond the virtual end-of-travel threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Julien Barthomeuf, Pascal Moulaire, Pierre-Willem Pilaz
  • Patent number: 9950736
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a stick-slip condition in a steering system includes transmitting a periodic steering control signal to a rotary actuator to cause rotation of a steering shaft, through a torsion bar and inertia wheel, over a range of steering angles, and applying an axial force to a rack to resist rack displacement from a centered position. A steering torque output value is measured via a torque transducer. A control action is executed when a measured difference between a maximum value of a steering torque required to initiate rack motion/torque breakaway and a minimum value of the steering torque after breakaway for start-up or subsequent steering reversal exceeds a calibrated threshold. A system includes the rotary actuator, steering system, torque transducer, torsion bar, inertia wheel, linear actuator(s) providing an axial force along the rack axis to resist rack displacement from a centered position, and controller programmed as noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ian Y. Hwa
  • Patent number: 9950737
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering system (1) is described comprising a first steering circuit (2a) and a second steering circuit (2b), each of said steering circuits (2a, 2b) comprising a steering device (3a, 3b) and a steering motor (4a, 4b) connected to said steering device (3a, 3b), each of said steering devices (3a, 3b) comprising a supply port arrangement having a high pressure port (Pa, Pb) and a low pressure port (Ta, Tb), a working port arrangement having two working ports (La, Ra; Lb, Rb) connected to said steering motor (4a, 4b), a control valve (5a, 5b), and a measuring motor (6a, 6b). Such a steering system should have a comfortable steering behavior. To this end in each of said steering devices (3a, 3b) said measuring motor (6a, 6b) is arranged in a working line (19a, 20b) between said control valve (5a, 5b) and one of said working ports (La, Ra; Lb, Rb).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Soeren Liljenberg, Tom Rudolph, Tom Tychsen, Jens Vester, Poul Ennemark
  • Patent number: 9950738
    Abstract: A trailering assist system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the trailering assist system. The rearward facing camera is operable to capture image data representative of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured image data and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9950739
    Abstract: A vehicle circumference monitoring apparatus includes: an acquisition section that acquires a steering angle of front wheels of a vehicle; a trajectory calculation section that calculates a rear wheel width trajectory indicating a moving predicted path of a rear wheel of an inside of turning during turning of the vehicle by steering of the front wheels; and a display control section that superimpose-displays the rear wheel width trajectory in captured side image data output from an imaging section that captures side images of the vehicle when the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Watanabe, Tetsuya Maruoka, Itsuko Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9950740
    Abstract: An automatic driving control device performs an automatic driving control for causing a vehicle to travel along a reference travel trajectory set in a lane in advance. The automatic driving control device reflects the steering by the driver during the automatic driving control in the travelling of the vehicle in a case where the steering by the driver is detected during the automatic driving control by the steering detection unit and when a position of the vehicle in the lane width direction is included in an allowance range, and alerts the driver to the travelling of the vehicle in a case where the steering by the driver is detected and in a case where it is determined that the position of the vehicle in the lane width direction is included in the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Masaki Matsunaga, Yuichi Kumai
  • Patent number: 9950742
    Abstract: There are provided a parking guidance apparatus and method. The parking guidance apparatus is configured to recognize parking spaces in which a vehicle is to be parked within a parking lot, to set any one of the recognized parking spaces to a target parking space, to calculate a one-step parking route and a multi-step parking route depending on a steering input of a driver, to display guidance markers corresponding to the one-step parking route and the multi-step parking route so as to be distinguished from each other, and to guidance parking on the basis of the guidance markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Seob Choi, Eu Gene Chang, Jin Wook Choi, Dae Joong Yoon, Seong Sook Ryu
  • Patent number: 9950743
    Abstract: In a vehicle subframe, one of a pair of cross members includes a lower member open to a lower side of a vehicle, with an upper wall thereof having an upper wall recess depressed downward, an upper member arranged so as to cover the upper wall recess from above the vehicle and connected to the lower member, an inside space defined by the lower member and the upper member in cooperation, and a holding member connected to the lower member and the upper member in a mode in which the holding member is sandwiched between the lower member and the upper member, while penetrating the inside space in a longitudinal direction, to hold a component to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: F-TECH INC.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Yokota
  • Patent number: 9950744
    Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly includes a hood outer panel, a hood inner panel coupled to and positioned below the hood outer panel in a vehicle vertical direction, where at least a portion of the hood inner panel is spaced apart from the hood outer panel in the vehicle vertical direction such that the hood outer panel and the hood inner panel define a gap between the hood outer panel and the hood inner panel, and a reinforcement strap coupled to at least one of the hood outer panel and the hood inner panel, the reinforcement strap including a base portion and a rippled portion that extends outward from the base portion in the vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah T. Hammer, Aaron R. Steinhilb
  • Patent number: 9950745
    Abstract: A cockpit cross beam for a motor vehicle includes at least one structured metal section arranged on the driver's side, wherein the metal section exhibits cross-sectional areas varying in the axial direction and has connection elements for connecting the metal section to other structural parts of a motor vehicle body. A cockpit cross beam that permits variable steering column angles of inclination with identical steering column connection is achieved in that the metal section arranged on the driver's side in each case has rotationally symmetric cross-sectional areas as connection elements at its ends and the cross-sectional areas of the ends have a common rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Mark Hirt, Martin Hinz, Detlef Steinhöfer
  • Patent number: 9950746
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with wheels fitted with pneumatic tires, and a vehicle body including wheel wells that surround the wheels. The pneumatic tire includes a plurality of protrusions on a sidewall portion that faces a predetermined wheel well side surface. An average normal vector of the wheel well side surface is inclined with respect to a rotation axis of the wheel. In such a configuration, when the vehicle is traveling and the tires are rotating, an air flow promotion effect and rectification effect are produced due to the protrusions on the sidewall portion, and negative pressure forms between the tire and the wheel well side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Kodama
  • Patent number: 9950747
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle body component such that problems relating to conventionally proposed technology can be solved, thereby preventing increases in the number of components or manufacturing steps for reinforcement, for example. A bumper reinforce (10) includes a first component (11) and a second component (21) that are formed from channel steel with approximately U-shaped lateral cross section, and is configured by connecting the ends of the components (11, 21). Connecting portions (13, 23) of the first component (11) and the second component (21) respectively have slits (31, 41) along a direction in which the components (11, 21) are arranged. The components (11, 21) are connected with the components (11, 21) overlapping each other in a staggered manner on both upper and lower sides across the slits (31, 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN TAKAOKA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunji Mashio, Yuki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 9950748
    Abstract: In a battery frame, an upper panel is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and first reinforcements are made of sheet metal. Head portions of rivets are disposed at the upper panel side, and a diameter dimension of the head portions is set larger than that of caulking portions of the rivets. This enables a contact surface area between the rivets and the upper panel to be larger than in cases in which the caulking portions are disposed at the upper panel side. This enables peripheral edge portions of first joint holes in the upper panel to be supported by the head portions of the rivets over a large surface area. The peripheral edge portions of the first joint holes in the upper panel are thereby suppressed from breaking and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ikeda, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Shinya Kamimura, Kentaro Nakamura, Shin Terada, Tomohiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9950749
    Abstract: A vehicular instrument panel having a reinforcement that includes a plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a nylon resin, and a substrate coupled to the reinforcement comprising a plurality of chopped carbon and chopped glass fibers within a nylon resin. The plurality of chopped carbon and glass fibers in the substrate are segregated such that the carbon fibers and the glass fibers are each substantially concentrated within respective driver-side and passenger-side portions of the substrate. The substrate can also include a boundary region such that the plurality of chopped carbon and glass fibers in the substrate are substantially mixed in the boundary region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Webb, Kalyanaraman Bharathan, Tim Beard
  • Patent number: 9950750
    Abstract: An apparatus for partially covering an end of a vehicle bed includes a tailgate comprising a frame adapted for moving between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the vehicle bed. The frame supports at least one member adapted for moving along the frame to at least partially expose the end of the vehicle bed without moving the frame to the lowered position. A plurality of movable members in the form of panels may be provided, along with actuators for rotating and/or moving one or more of the panels between the raised and collapsed configuration. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Michael Babbage, Henry W. Hausler, Danielle Marie Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9950751
    Abstract: A method can be executed to diagnose an aerodynamic system and includes the following steps: (a) determining, via a controller, a first expected downforce acting on an aerodynamic element of a vehicle based, at least in part, on a current position of the aerodynamic element relative to a vehicle body of the vehicle, wherein an electric motor is operatively coupled to the aerodynamic element; (b) determining, via the controller, a second expected downforce acting on the aerodynamic element of the vehicle based, at least in part, on an electrical current used to move the electric motor in order to move the aerodynamic element from the current position to another position; (c) determining a deviation, via the controller, based on the first expected downforce and the second expected downforce; and (d) controlling, via the controller, the aerodynamic element based, at least in part, on the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward T. Heil, Joshua R. Auden
  • Patent number: 9950752
    Abstract: An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system is configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a top panel configured to be coupled to a top portion of the rear swing door to extend generally horizontally along a top portion of the rear frame of the trailer. The drag reduction system also includes a folding mechanism coupled to the top panel to move the top panel between a fully-deployed position wherein the top panel is configured to extend rearwardly generally away from the rear end of the trailer and a collapsed position wherein the top panel is configured to lie generally adjacent the rear swing door of the trailer. The folding mechanism is configured to be coupled to a door locking mechanism of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Leonard W. Baker, Brian N. Haan, Brandon S. Mullen
  • Patent number: 9950753
    Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is provided for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior cover form a drag reducing shape for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 9950754
    Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews, Jeffrey B. Manhire
  • Patent number: 9950755
    Abstract: A vehicle has an air-guiding device arranged on a lower side of the vehicle in front of a vehicle wheel. The air-guiding device includes an air-guiding body which has a side region running substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle and facing a vehicle center, and a bottom region which faces an underlying surface and is connected to the side region and is spaced apart from the lower side. In an outer region of the air-guiding body, which faces away from the vehicle center and is connected to the bottom region and is formed with a convex curvature with respect to the outer side of the vehicle, an air flow can be directed in the direction of an outer flank of the vehicle wheel, while an air flow can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via the side region guiding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Tesch, Markus Fauser
  • Patent number: 9950756
    Abstract: A track assembly for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track assembly comprising a set of wheels and an endless track disposed around the set of wheels. The endless track comprises elastomeric material to flex around the set of wheels. The endless track comprises a plurality of drive/guide lugs projecting inwardly. The set of wheels comprises a drive wheel for imparting motion to the endless track. The set of wheels may comprise a first plurality of roller wheels for rolling on a first rolling path of the inner side and a second plurality of roller wheels for rolling on a second rolling path of the inner side such that the drive/guide lugs are located between the first rolling path and the second rolling path, as well as a third plurality of roller wheels for rolling on top of the drive/guide lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Kris de Boe, Alain Lussier
  • Patent number: 9950757
    Abstract: A traction cleat for the track of a tracked vehicle, the cleat has an elongated support member having first and second ends and a central portion extending between the first and second ends, the support member ends are larger in cross-section than the central portion to provide an open region extending between the support member and a track to which it will be attached, a mounting flange extends from each of the support member ends, one of which includes mounting hardware to removably secure the traction cleat to a track, and a series of individual traction members, the traction members are disposed along the length of the support member other than at the central portion thereof so that when the cleat is secured to a track it will expel debris including ice or snow that might otherwise accumulate between the cleat and the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TIBBITS EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Tibbits
  • Patent number: 9950758
    Abstract: A system includes a docking guide comprising a first alignment guide configured to couple with a first mobile unit that supports a turbine engine and a second alignment guide configured to couple with a second mobile unit that supports a generator. The first and second alignment guides are configured to guide a coupling between the first and second mobile units to help align the turbine engine with the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Ka Lok Fong, Robert Allen Baten