Patents Issued in January 22, 2019
  • Patent number: 10183653
    Abstract: The invention refers to an on-board vision and cleaning system comprising a sensor unit mounted in a vehicle body, a cleaning fluid source, a cleaning fluid pump, a nozzle carrier, at least one cleaning fluid nozzle attached to the nozzle carrier, wherein the nozzle carrier is designed as a swivel arm which upon actuation may be flipped from a tilted back position which is a rest position into an elevated position which is an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Chris Davies, Steven Shields, Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 10183654
    Abstract: An assembly for securing to a body part of a motor vehicle, a headlamp washer that is retractable through an opening made in this body part, the assembly having a support intended to receive the headlamp washer and a base, wherein one or the other of the base or the support comprises integrally produced connecting elements, these connecting elements being dimensioned such that they, alone, allow the body part to be sandwiched between the base and the support and allow this sandwiching to be maintained durably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Raphael Jeanton, Sebastien Rivoire
  • Patent number: 10183655
    Abstract: Disclosed is a monobloc mounting bracket for a foot parking brake. The mounting bracket includes a pedal arm connection plate having a shaft installation hole at one side of one surface so as to rotatably install one end of a shaft for pivotably installing the pedal arm; a fixation plate extended to be bent in one direction from a front end of the pedal arm connection plate and having one pair of fixation holes so as to be fixed to the dashboard via multiple fixation members; a release member extended rewards from a rear end of the pedal arm connection plate and provided to install the release member via pin; and a cable suspension plate extended to be bent in a direction opposite to the fixation plate from a lower end of the pedal arm connection plate and having a cable suspension hole so as penetrate and suspend one end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: DONGWOUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ho Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10183656
    Abstract: A road slope estimation system providing road grade information for vehicle automatic parking assist system includes synchronized filters for processing vehicle speed differentiation to obtain vehicle acceleration to be compared with chassis accelerometer signal. Road grade information is extracted based on the comparison of the two signals. The system includes a dynamic compensator module to minimize the chassis accelerometer signal disturbance caused by chassis dynamic response to vehicle motion. The system further includes a predictive filter to obtain the steady-state filter result during the filter transient stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: William Chin-Woei Lin, Yixin Chen, Ke Ding, Xiao He
  • Patent number: 10183657
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes a piston seal installed in a circumferential groove. The piston seal includes an annular base section, an inner circumferential lip section protruding from an inner circumferential side of the base section to come in sliding contact with an outer circumferential surface of a piston, an outer circumferential lip section protruding from an outer circumferential side of the base section to abut the circumferential groove, and an intermediate protrusion section protruding from between the inner circumferential lip section and the outer circumferential lip section of the base section to a forward side of the outer circumferential lip section. A step difference section is formed at the outer circumferential side. The circumferential groove has a step section that always abuts an outer circumferential surface of the step difference section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadatomo Matsumura, Yoichi Kumemura
  • Patent number: 10183658
    Abstract: A filter assembly for separating and removing a liquid from a compressed fluid stream includes a filter element for separating the liquid from the fluid, a purge valve, and an elongated valve operator for actuating the purge valve. The top of the filter element has a shroud that decreases the flow area of the entering fluid stream to induce a vortex of the fluid, allowing the liquid to separate from the fluid. The purge valve is located at the bottom of the filter element for draining the separated liquid. The elongated valve operator axially extends through the filter element and is moveable by an actuating piston located at the top of the filter element, in response to elevated pressure in the filter assembly. The filtered air is dried through a desiccant body and then outputted from the filter assembly to be used in an air brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Martin Tomchak, Peter Popoff
  • Patent number: 10183659
    Abstract: A camera is configured to be mounted facing a front of a vehicle. A computer is programmed to receive first and second images from the camera, determine a height of an obstacle located to the front of the vehicle using at least the first and second images, and, based at least in part on the height of the obstacle, send an instruction via a communications bus to a component controller to control a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10183660
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle engine is presented, wherein during a first condition, a vehicle controller is placed in a sleep mode following a vehicle-off event and then awoken following a duration, at which time contents of an air intake system hydrocarbon trap are purged to a fuel vapor canister by operating an electric motor to rotate the vehicle engine in a reverse direction. Rotating the vehicle engine in a reverse direction causes atmospheric air to enter an intake of the engine via an exhaust of the engine, desorbing hydrocarbons bound to the air intake system hydrocarbon trap. By porting the desorbed hydrocarbons to the fuel vapor canister, bleed emissions from the air intake system hydrocarbon trap may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies,LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10183661
    Abstract: A power take-off system and method is provided for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator, an electrical machine, a power take-off summing planetary and a power take-off brake. The power take-off system includes a controller and a human-machine interface. The controller is configured to receive an input from the human-machine interface to select one of a variable speed power take-off mode, an electrical power generation mode, and a full power fixed ratio power take-off mode of operation. In the variable speed power take-off mode, electrical power from the electrical generator and rotational power by the power take-off system are output, and the electrical machine receives electricity and provides rotational power. In the electrical power generation mode, the electrical generator and the electrical machine both provide electrical power. In the full power fixed ratio mode, no electrical power is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Roger W. Burjes
  • Patent number: 10183662
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle using an engine driving a generator to supply power to electric drive motors through a system power bus, and a method for controlling power regeneration in a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. Ground drive controllers associated with the drive motors are configured to determine a slope of a surface on which the vehicle is driving and set a maximum downhill speed of the vehicle based thereon. A generator controller, in response to the drive motors generating power through regenerative braking, regulates power on the bus by directing the generated power to recharge the battery when the battery has capacity, reducing an output of the generator to the bus when the battery is fully charged, and driving a driveshaft to drive the engine with the generator to consume excess power on the bus when the generator output is reduced to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Patent number: 10183663
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations in a hybrid vehicle. While an engine is cranked via motor torque, engine fueling is delayed until the engine speed is sufficiently high and the engine has been rotating in a forward direction continuously for a threshold duration. A disconnect clutch between the engine and motor is slipped while the engine cranks, the clutch engaged only after the engine has run up to the motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10183664
    Abstract: A battery system is provided. The system includes a battery and a sensor unit having a voltage sensor that detects a voltage of the battery and a current sensor that detects a charging and discharging current of the battery. A power relay assembly of the system includes a main relay that connects between the battery and a vehicle system. Additionally, a battery management system (BMS) applies different diagnostic error code confirm conditions to the voltage sensor and the current sensor when a multi-error of the voltage sensor and the current sensor is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Boram Yang, Hyun Soo Park
  • Patent number: 10183665
    Abstract: An automated parking system has a parking entrance unit, a vehicle transport shuttle, shuttle trail means, plurality of parking locations and a controller. The controller is adapted to establish communication with an autonomous vehicle (AV) to be parked in the parking system, to receive signal from the AV indicating that the AV is ready to be controlled by the controller, to receive signal indicating that the parking system is ready to receive and park the AV, to control the movement of the AV toward the vehicle transport shuttle, to control the movement of the vehicle transport shuttle toward a designated parking location and to control the movement of the AV toward the designated parking location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: UNITRONICS AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventor: Haim Shani
  • Patent number: 10183666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a valid lane marking (38 to 42; 56, 58) with the aid of a camera system (16) of a vehicle (12), in particular a road vehicle. With the aid of a camera (17) of the camera system (16) several pictures with an image of an area in front of the vehicle (12) are taken successively as a picture series and image data corresponding to the respective picture (30, 54, 66) are generated. The image data of at least a part of the pictures (30, 54, 66) of the picture series are processed, at least a first lane marking (38 to 42) and a second lane marking (56, 58) different from the first lane marking (38 to 42) being detected in at least one picture (30) of the picture series. A vehicle (34) driving ahead of the vehicle (12) is detected in at least two successively taken pictures (30, 54) and its position (P1 to P4) relative to the first lane marking (36 to 42) as well as its position (P1 to P4) relative to the second lane marking (56, 58) is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventor: Robert Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 10183667
    Abstract: A mobile machine includes a set of human presence sensors that comprise one or more optical sensors, one or more thermal sensors, and an additional sensor that senses a characteristic of a human. The contribution of the various sensor values generated by the sensors is determined based on environmental conditions. A human presence metric, indicative of human presence, is generated from the contributions of the various sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Christopher D. Turner, Duong M. Le, Uwe Vollmar, Travis J. Davis
  • Patent number: 10183668
    Abstract: A travel control apparatus comprises a first detector configured to detect an obstacle around a subject vehicle traveling in a first lane and a second detector configured to detect a second lane adjacent to the first lane. The travel control apparatus sets a first range at a target position for lane change in the second lane. The travel control apparatus detects a range in the second lane as a second range located at a side of the subject vehicle, and the obstacle is absent in the range in the second lane. The apparatus permits the subject vehicle to change lanes when the second range includes the first range. A method estimates whether another vehicle traveling in the second lane comes away from the subject vehicle and corrects to reduce the first range or increase the second range when the other vehicle is estimated to come away from the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Takae
  • Patent number: 10183669
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive unit is provided. The vehicular drive unit includes a continuously variable transmission, and a clutch. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit that is configured to acquire an oil temperature of hydraulic oil for controlling the continuously variable transmission and the clutch, and control the clutch such that a torque capacity of the clutch becomes smaller than a torque capacity that is set in a case where an oil temperature of the hydraulic oil is higher than a predetermined oil temperature, when the oil temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined oil temperature, or control the continuously variable transmission such that a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission becomes equal to or larger than a lower limit set in advance when the oil temperature of the hydraulic oil is equal to or lower than the predetermined oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Ishiizumi, Tsuyoshi Fujikane, Koji Hattori, Akira Hino, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 10183670
    Abstract: The drive system from the engine (1) to the drive wheels (7) of a vehicle is equipped with a torque converter (2), which has a lock-up clutch (3), and a variator (4). Said engined car is provided with a lock-up control means for controlling the engagement/disengagement of the lock-up clutch (3) and a gear change mode switch-controlling means (FIG. 8) for performing control to switch between a “continuously variable gear change mode” and a “DSTEP gear change mode.” While traveling, the gear change mode switch-controlling means (FIG. 8) prohibits gear change by the “DSTEP gear change mode” when the detected oil temperature is at or below a lock-up engagement-permitting threshold for permitting engagement of the lock-up clutch (3) and allows gear change by the “DSTEP gear change mode” when the detected oil temperature is higher than the lock-up engagement-permitting threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoaki Honma, Akihiro Tanabe, Tomoko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10183671
    Abstract: A system for managing a lockup clutch in an off-road truck includes an engine, a transmission and a torque converter coupled between the engine and the transmission. The torque converter has a lockup clutch that when engaged directly couples the engine to the transmission. The system also includes a transmission controller that disengages the lockup clutch responsive to sensing a missed shift in the transmission, and subsequent to sensing a completed shift, sets an engine speed limit corresponding to a gear associated with the completed shift, and reengages the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Steffes, Raymond E. Durbin, Arthur Melvin Morris, Mark E. Hull, Matthew A. Johnson, Jeffrey Hynes
  • Patent number: 10183672
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprises providing a vehicle having an internal combustion gasoline engine including multiple cylinders and wherein the engine is operating in a deactivated cylinder mode, receiving a torque request if a cylinder reactivation torque smoothing mode is active, setting a variable torque ratio to 1.0 if the torque request is greater than a fast exit threshold torque, setting the variable torque ratio to 0.0 if the torque request is less than a slow exit threshold torque, setting the variable torque ratio to a value between 0.0 and 1.0 if the torque request is between the fast exit threshold torque and slow exit threshold torque, and calculating a component of final engine output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chad D. Kromrey, Zhong Li, Nigel K. Hyatt, Andrew J. Harkenrider
  • Patent number: 10183673
    Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Miller, Omar Abdel-Baqi
  • Patent number: 10183674
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a step-ratio automatic transmission having clutches engageable to provide forward and reverse gears, an electric machine selectively coupled to the transmission, a main pump powered by the electric machine and supplying oil to actuate selected transmission clutches, a gear selector configured for selecting a transmission gear, and a controller configured to stop the electric machine when the gear selector selects park or neutral, to operate the electric machine in a speed control mode using a higher controller gain in response to the gear selector selecting forward or reverse while the electric machine is stopped until the electric machine and the main pump reach a first speed threshold to reduce engagement delay of at least one of the transmission clutches, and to operate the electric machine using a lower controller gain when the electric machine and the main pump exceed the first speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 10183675
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, in order to start up an engine, an ECU executes one of first engine start-up control for starting up the engine using a starter motor and second engine start-up control for starting up the engine by coupling the engine to drive wheels using a clutch while the hybrid vehicle is traveling. The ECU notifies the user of information for prompting the user to stop the hybrid vehicle in a predetermined notification mode using a notification apparatus, when the ECU determines that the following conditions i) and ii) are both satisfied while the hybrid vehicle is performing electric traveling, i) a motor generator is in a malfunctioning state, and the engine needs to be started up, and ii) a vehicle speed is lower than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 10183676
    Abstract: A system for use in a vehicle for determining an indication of the type of terrain in the vicinity of the vehicle, the system comprising; means configured to receive sensor output data from at least one vehicle-mounted sensor (12, 22) which is configured to receive a reflected signal from the terrain; means configured to calculate at least two parameters from the sensor output data; means configured to convert the at least two parameters to a data point for a cluster model comprising a plurality of clusters of pre-determined data points, wherein each cluster corresponds to a different terrain type; and means configured to define to which one of the clusters the data point belongs, so as to determine an indication of the terrain type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Hoare, Thuy-Yung Tran, Marina Gashinova, Aleksandr Bystrov, Mikhail Cherniakov
  • Patent number: 10183677
    Abstract: Example ice and snow detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method activates an ice and snow detection system in response to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway near a vehicle. The method receives data from multiple vehicle sensors and analyzes the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway. If ice or snow is identified on the roadway, the method adjusts vehicle operations and reports the ice or snow condition to a shared database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Ashley Elizabeth Micks, Sneha Kadetotad, Harpreetsingh Banvait, Ashok E. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 10183678
    Abstract: A device, a sensor arrangement, a system and a method are provided for checking the plausibility of sensor data. The plausibility of the results of processing of sensor data is checked with an independent module by an alternative verification method at each stage, and quality indicators are calculated for the reliability of the calculated data from this plausibility check, which can be taken into account during further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Coni Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Wladimir Klein, Urban Meis
  • Patent number: 10183679
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for controlling operation of a vehicle. Driver assistance system (DAS) data may be used for controlling one or more function of the vehicle via a driver assistance system. Driver profile data (DPD) is generated and/or received that includes training data from sensor monitoring of a driver's usage characteristics for at least one feature of a vehicle type during a driver-controlled mode of vehicle driving. The DPD is processed with the DAS data to determine if the DPD conform to one or more safety metrics. A driver profile data file may be created by weighing the portions of the DAS data with the DPD that do not conform with the safety metrics. One or more functions on the vehicle may be controlled via the driver profile data file using the driver assistance system during one of a semi-autonomous and fully autonomous mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, AUDI AG
    Inventor: Markus B. Huber
  • Patent number: 10183680
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for controlling an application for a vehicle are provided. The mobile terminal includes an acceleration sensor configured to detect a motion of the mobile terminal, a magnetic sensor configured to detect a magnetic field, a first control unit configured to determine whether the detected motion and the detected magnetic field correspond to a pre-defined condition of entering a vehicle, and output a signal according to the determination, and a second control unit configured to execute the vehicle application based on the signal received from the first control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Soo Lim, Hyuk Kang, Sang Don Kim
  • Patent number: 10183681
    Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail wherein a linear induction motor's (‘LIM’) connection to an assembly, to which the monorail/vehicle is attached, enables the LIM to essentially assist an air bearing, positioned between the rail and assembly, such that less air pressure is required. In some embodiments, a control system assists in adjusting the air pressure supplied—e.g., based on LIM data and/or weight (of vehicle and/or cargo). Further disclosed is a compliant air bearing that minimizes air loss during vertical and lateral curves, including embodiments where the air bearing is positioned relative to the rail such that a plenum area is smaller than a semi-enclosed cavity area. Additionally disclosed is a brake system that includes a brake pad attached to the air bearing that is engageable without the need to adjust the air bearing's air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Gonzalo Duran Ariza
  • Patent number: 10183682
    Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Trinity Rail Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cencer, Robert C. Ortner, George S. Creighton, Andrew Brown, James R. Mitzenberg
  • Patent number: 10183683
    Abstract: A control system includes a communication device onboard a vehicle system approaching or entering an airflow restricted area along a route and one or more processors. The communication device configured to receive status messages that contain data parameters representative of ambient conditions within the airflow restricted area. The processors are configured to monitor the ambient conditions and determine different power output upper limits that a trail propulsion vehicle of the vehicle system can generate within the airflow restricted area based on the ambient conditions and different power outputs generated by a lead propulsion vehicle of the vehicle system. The processors further configured to communicate instructions to control the lead propulsion vehicle within the airflow restricted area to generate the power output of the different power outputs that results in the greatest total available power output of the vehicle system as the vehicle system travels within the airflow restricted area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Roy James Primus, Jennifer Lynn Jackson
  • Patent number: 10183684
    Abstract: A system includes an energy management system disposed onboard a vehicle system configured to travel on a route during a trip. The energy management system is configured to receive trip information from a second vehicle system that includes one or more constraints including at least one of speed, distance, or time restrictions for the vehicle system along the route. The energy management system is further configured to generate a trip plan for controlling movement of the vehicle system along the route during the trip. The trip plan is generated based on the one or more constraints. The trip plan has a plan speed profile that designates speeds for the vehicle system according to at least one of distance or time during the trip. The energy management system is further configured to control movement of the vehicle system during the trip according to the plan speed profile of the trip plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Brian Nedward Meyer, James D. Brooks, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Dan Dai, Anup Menon
  • Patent number: 10183685
    Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven Morris King, Henry William Long
  • Patent number: 10183686
    Abstract: A mobile gas container cart, having a base configured to receive a gas container. The mobile gas container cart includes a set of wheels coupled to the base, each wheel of the set of wheels having a diameter of at least twelve inches. The cart includes a handle extending from the base and an extension extending from the base in a direction opposite the handle. A third wheel may be positioned at an end of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Chad Goodwin
  • Patent number: 10183687
    Abstract: A pushcart includes a steering unit, a main wheel, a dolly portion, an auxiliary wheel, a connecting unit, a slope angle sensor, a gyrosensor, and a case. On one end of the steering unit, there is provided a cylinder-shaped hinge unit that is supported in a rotatable manner at the other end of the connecting unit on the opposite side to the main wheels, and a holding portion is provided on the other end of the steering unit. A controller performs inverted pendulum control in which the main wheels are rotated based on the detection results of the gyrosensor and the slope angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kubo, Kenichi Shirato
  • Patent number: 10183688
    Abstract: Drive-side engagement protrusions (66, 66) formed on the outer surface of a drive-side cam (29a) are press-fitted in engagement cutouts (75, 75) formed in a second joining section (70) of an adjustment lever (23a), and a fitting hole (74) formed in the second joining section (70) of the adjustment lever (23a) is fitted over and affixed, by interference fit, to the portion of a rod-like member (17a), which is located near one end thereof in the axial direction. As a result, the adjustment lever (23a), the drive-side cam (29a), and the rod-like member (17a) are joined so as to be rotatable together. The provided structure can prevent the adjustment lever from rocking and rattling even in an unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiye Zhang
  • Patent number: 10183689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering column apparatus including an impact energy absorbing mechanism for absorbing an impact energy at a secondary collision. The impact energy absorbing mechanism includes an energy absorbing section that serves as a load generating section for absorbing the impact energy. The energy absorbing section includes (a) a resistive member that extends along an axial direction of the middle jacket and is fixed to the middle jacket and (b) a wire having a bent portion that is wound around the resistive member to have a curvature and a front portion that is fixed to the upper jacket, the front portion being at a more forward position than the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Matsuno, Koji Sawamura, So Tanaka, Tadao Ito, Aya Shimada, Masatoshi Sakamoto, Reo Katakura
  • Patent number: 10183690
    Abstract: This rotation-linear motion conversion apparatus (10) includes: a pinion shaft (20) in which a pinion gear (22) is formed; a rack bar (30) in which a rack gear (32) that engages with the pinion gear (22) and a support surface (31) along a longitudinal direction are formed; and a support part (40) that supports the rack bar (30) movably along the support surface (31). The support part (40) prevents a movement of the rack bar (30) in a direction X perpendicular to a surface (30a) in which the rack gear (32) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Minami, Yuji Tachikake, Toshihisa Sakamoto, Kazuhiko Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10183691
    Abstract: A torque transmission joint transmits torque between a drive shaft and a driven shaft. The torque transmission joint includes: a coupling including: a first concave-convex portion which is provided on one of inner and outer circumferential surfaces thereof and is engaged with a drive-side concave-convex portion of the drive shaft with a gap; and a second concave-convex portion which is provided on the other of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces and is engaged with a driven-side concave-convex portion of the driven shaft with a gap; a drive-side elastic member which is provided between the drive shaft and the coupling to be torque-transmittable; and a driven-side elastic member which is provided between the coupling and the driven shaft to be torque-transmittable. A concave-convex shape of the first concave-convex portion and a concave-convex shape of the second concave-convex portion are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 10183692
    Abstract: A driving device includes a motor portion, a control portion, a casing, a first frame end, a second frame end, and a fixation member. The first frame end or the second frame end, which is fixed to the casing, includes a plurality of first flange portions protruding outward in a radial direction of the motor portion. The casing includes a plurality of second flange portions corresponding to the plurality of first flange portions, the plurality of second flange portions being fixed to the first flange portions by the fixation member. The plurality of first flange portions and the plurality of second flange portions are located inside an imaginary square circumscribing the casing in cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naohiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10183693
    Abstract: A slide member (26) is externally fitted to an outer peripheral surface of an outer ring (20) configuring a tip side bearing (9a) for supporting a tip portion of a worm shaft (6a) so as to be displaceable in an axial direction. A first inclined cylindrical face portion (32) which is an inclined surface disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the slide member (26), and a second inclined cylindrical face portion (30) which is an inclined surface disposed on an inner peripheral surface of a guide member (28) internally fitted and fixed to a holding hole (10a) of a housing (3a) are fitted to each other so as to be slidable in an inclined direction of the respective inclined cylindrical face portions (32, 30). An elastic ring (29) which biases a bearing holding member (26) against to one side in the axial direction is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 10183694
    Abstract: A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A generator controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Alyn G. Brown
  • Patent number: 10183695
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the position of a movable steering member (1, 2, 3) belonging to a steering mechanism (4) of a vehicle that comprises at least a first movable member (1), such as a shaft (1) of an assistance motor (M), and a second movable member (2), such as a rack (2), which cooperate with each other by means of at least one first link (L1), said method comprising a step (a) that involves measuring the position (?1) of the first member (1), then a step (b) that involves calculating the instantaneous position (?2) of the second member (2) from said position of the first member (?1), and a correction step (d) during which the calculation of the position (?2) of the second member (2) is adapted, taking into consideration the offset (???) in the position of the second member (2) that results from the elastic deformation of the first link (L1) under the force (C1) transmitted by the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Romaric Pregniard, Loïc Bastien, Christophe Ravier, Sébastien Bourdrez
  • Patent number: 10183696
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a steering system of a vehicle is provided. A detection unit is configured to obtain a compass heading, a global positioning system (GPS) heading, or both. A processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to determine whether a vehicle is on a straight line path using the compass heading, the GPS heading, or both, and to selectively implement a feature of the steering system based on whether it is determined that the vehicle is not on a straight line path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Oblizajek, Stephen R. Pastor, David M. Caldwell, John D. Sopoci
  • Patent number: 10183697
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a system and a method for controlling autonomous steering according to a required torque from a driver assistance system, in which when outputting a driving current by the required torque, a compensation current is output by applying gains according to a car speed, steering angle, steering angle speed, and required torque to a variation in torque by the rotation of a steering wheel, thereby achieving autonomous steering with the smooth rotation of the steering wheel without intermittent interruptions even in high friction between the car and the road depending on road conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Gun Lee
  • Patent number: 10183698
    Abstract: Suitable for frame vehicles, the kit provides a frame to be mounted on the chassis with attachment devices at a head section and at a middle section of the frame that supports an electric motor, a transmission and at least one battery system. Replacement of the conventional engine and transmission by the frame-mounted unit can be fast. The frame can be attached at the middle section using shear bolts to avoid impeding a crumple of the chassis during a front impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Services Automobiles GranTuned Inc.
    Inventors: Duy-An Ta, Noël Giguère, François-Nicolas Lanciault
  • Patent number: 10183699
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10183700
    Abstract: A vehicle lower part structure includes a side frame, a floor crossmember, a rectangular tubular rocker, and a connection member. The connection member is provided downward of the floor crossmember in a vehicle up-down direction between the side frame and the rocker, is in surface contact with and joined to each of a lower wall portion of the floor crossmember and a vertical wall portion on an inner side of the rocker in the vehicle-width direction, is formed of a single part into a rectangular tubular member, and has a vehicle front-rear direction as an axial direction of the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koi Hata
  • Patent number: 10183701
    Abstract: Integrated bumpers are presented including: a suspension assembly including, a suspension plate coupled with a robotic device chassis along a top surface of the robotic device chassis, a number of radially disposed springs positioned along a portion of a perimeter of the suspension plate and coupled with the suspension plate, and a number of cutouts positioned along the perimeter of the suspension plate; and a cover coupled with the suspension assembly, the cover including, a number of spring anchors coupled with the number of springs, which in some embodiments may be radially disposed, and a number of tabs aligned with the number of cutouts to limit movement of the suspension plate. In some embodiments, integrated bumpers further include: two impact sensors positioned along a second portion of the perimeter, the two impact sensors detecting movement between the suspension assembly and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventors: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Alex Douglas Powers, Shahin Fathi Djalali
  • Patent number: 10183702
    Abstract: A sidewall assembly for a trailer including: a plurality of composite sandwich panels; and at least one composite side post coupled to the plurality of composite sandwich panels, each of the at least one composite side post including an outer post and an inner logistics post coupled to the outer post, wherein the outer post is formed with flexible metallic material and the inner logistics post is formed with hard metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD
    Inventors: Leszek Jaworski, Alvaro Frausto, Humberto Benitez