Vehicle Or Vehicle Component Patents (Class 219/202)
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Patent number: 11653420Abstract: A brake system comprising a brake disc, a wheel hub connected to the brake disc, and a bearing assembly mounted around the wheel hub, the brake system further comprising: a first electric circuit embedded inside the brake disc; a second electric circuit embedded inside the wheel hub and electrically connected with the first electric circuit; and a third electric circuit embedded inside the bearing assembly and electrically connected with the second electric circuit, wherein when an electric current flows to the first electric circuit through the second and third electric circuits, the first electric circuit generates heat for applying to the brake disc.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Yongxing Jin
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Patent number: 11618302Abstract: The present invention relates to a PT heater and, more specifically, to a PTC heater which: mechanically fixes a heating element, a terminal, an insulating layer, and a heat-radiating unit, which constitute the PTC heater, by bending a fixing projection of a hook structure formed at a heat rod; and further has an auxiliary fixing protrusion capable of fixing the position of the heating element so as to increase the adhesiveness between the PTC element and the heat-radiating unit, thereby enabling performance to improve and facilitating assembly through the heat rod.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Hanon SystemsInventor: Jung Sam Gu
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Patent number: 11618575Abstract: An ice detector apparatus for an aircraft includes a heater strip and a temperature sensor. The heater strip is configured to be mounted to an external surface of an aircraft and the temperature sensor is coupled to the heater strip. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature profile of the heater strip, wherein the temperature profile is indicative of an extent of icing. The temperature profile may be indicative of whether the aircraft is operating in an appendix C icing-envelope or an appendix O icing-envelope. The temperature sensor may include a plurality of temperature sensors coupled along a length of the heater strip, such that the temperature profile comprises a spatial temperature map of the heater strip.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Galdemir Cezar Botura, James A Mullen
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Patent number: 11619422Abstract: An electric heating device includes a housing having a partition wall which separates a connection chamber from a heating chamber for dissipating heat and from which at least one receiving pocket protrudes into the heating chamber as a heating rib. A PTC heating device with at least one PTC element and conductor tracks for energizing the PTC element with different polarities, which are electrically conductively connected to the latter and which are electrically connected in the connection chamber, are received in the housing. The PTC element and at least one of the conductor tracks are received in a heater casing. The heater casing is pressed into the receiving pocket subject to plastic deformation of the heater casing and/or the receiving pocket.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Daniil Salahub, Patrick Kachelhoffer
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Patent number: 11582836Abstract: An apparatus for heating a window of a vehicle comprises an electrical storage unit configured to store an electrical charge and a plurality of heating circuits disposed on a window of the vehicle. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to monitor the electrical charge of the electrical storage unit and selectively activate one or more of the heating circuits based on the electrical charge.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mary Caye Catherine Spieth, Mukesh Kumar, Lawrence C. Karas, David Stewart, Andrew Phillips, Ajay Pal, Yang Yang
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Patent number: 11577845Abstract: A heated composite structure and a method for forming a heated composite structure. The structure includes carbon fibers embedded within a thermoplastic matrix. The carbon fibers are connected with first and second electrodes that are configured to be connected with an electric source such that applying current to the electrodes causes current to flow through the embedded carbon fibers to provide resistive heating sufficient to heat the composite structure to impede formation of ice on the composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: QARBON AEROSPACE (FOUNDATION), LLCInventors: Kyle B. Hardman, Mark A. Calder, Ian C. Derx
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Patent number: 11578893Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device (1) for an air-conditioning housing, said heating device (1) comprising a heating body (2) supplied with current for heating an air flow passing through said heating body (2), said heating body (2) comprising heating elements through which said current passes and which are arranged in electrically insulated tubes (4) of the heating elements, said heating elements being controlled via a distribution unit (3), said heating device (1) comprising means for earthing a plurality of metal elements distributed in the heating body (2) and the distribution unit (3). Said heating device (1) is characterised in that said earthing means consist of a single earthing circuit which passes through the heating body (2) and the distribution unit (3) and is formed by arranging said metal elements in series with direct contact between said metal elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Valeo Systemes ThermiquesInventors: Yann Couapel, Erwan Gogmos
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Patent number: 11573028Abstract: A heater assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system has a heater and a controller enclosure. The heater has a plurality of heating elements in a frame that has two opposing ends. The controller enclosure has two end walls and a plurality of side walls in a non-rectangular polygonal configuration. One of the two opposing ends of the frame is coupled to one of the two end walls such that an orientation of the heating elements may be changed based on respective locations of the plurality of side walls of the controller enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Anthony J. Reardon, Praveen M. Gotakhindi, Sriram Ramanujam, Karan Garg
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Patent number: 11571951Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a connector system, e.g., for connecting an electrical component with a circuit board. The connector system includes an electrical heater-function-component having an electrical component-contact-surface for an electrical connection of the electrical heater-function-component. A circuit-board having an electrical board-contact surface is provided for an electrical connection of the circuit-board. A connector assembly connects the heater-function-component with the circuit-board. The connector assembly is arranged at the electrical component-contact-surface and the electrical board-contact-surface for connecting the heater-function-component with the circuit-board.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventors: Guillaume Daudon, Nicolas Edel, Gilles Magnier, Eric Marlier, Jerome Stoeckel
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Patent number: 11571950Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device for use in vehicles, particularly to a device for heating a fluid, for example air, water, or liquid coolant. The device is particularly designed for vehicles the main propulsion system of which is not a combustion engine and which therefore lack residual heat from the engine. The present invention is characterized by the use of a chassis with a planar configuration and an inner chamber in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port and a heating plate. The chassis comprises at least one window and the heating plate has a heating region closing the window of the chassis for heating the fluid housed in the inner chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventors: Xoan Xosé Hermida Domínguez, José Antonio Sanromán Prado, Alejandro Vargas Curto, Matías Baleato Peón, José Miguel Sánchez Lobato
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Patent number: 11548538Abstract: A heating floor panel unit of a railcar includes: a heater-equipped floor panel; a first flange horizontally projecting from one end of the floor panel in a car longitudinal direction and fixed to a carbody by a fastening member; and a second flange horizontally projecting from the other end of the floor panel in the car longitudinal direction and fixed to the carbody by a fastening member. The first flange and the second flange are located at such a height that upper ends of the fastening members are located below an upper surface of the heater-equipped floor panel. The first flange, as viewed from above, is located in such a manner that a position of the first flange in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first flange projects does not overlap a position of the second flange in the orthogonal direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: KAWASAKI RAILCAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshinobu Tanigawa, Takahiro Kawashima
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Patent number: 11535083Abstract: An inspection system includes a thermal camera and an inspection processor. The thermal camera is mountable on a vehicle and configured to perform imaging of a heat transfer part of heating and cooling equipment mounted on the vehicle. The inspection processor is configured to execute, after causing the heating and cooling equipment to start operation, operation check inspection of determining whether the heating and cooling equipment normally operates on the basis of an image of the heat transfer part obtained by the imaging by the thermal camera, and to, in executing the operation check inspection, perform a modification process of modifying an imaging state of the thermal camera to enable the heat transfer part to be imaged by the thermal camera.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Mototsugu Suzuki
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Patent number: 11512873Abstract: An electrical connection interface (100) of a device for electrically heating a flow of air flowing within a ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle comprises, in a panel (102), at least one notch that is dimensioned for receiving a connection terminal (126) mounted at the end of an electrode of a heating element of the electric heating device. The electrical connection interface comprises at least one device for limiting the shear (101) of the connection terminal which extends proud from the panel (102) adjacent to the notch.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Valeo Systemes ThermiquesInventors: Laurent Tellier, Frédéric Pierron, Serif Karaaslan, Yann Couapel
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Patent number: 11505162Abstract: Fluid connection (12) for a wiper blade (14) of a windshield wiping system, wherein a heating element (16) is arranged in a lumen (18) and protrudes from an opening (18) of the lumen (18), wherein a tubular sealing means (10) is able to be arranged on the opening (20) and closes the opening (20) in a fluid-tight manner and fixes the heating means (16).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ilija Pjescic
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Patent number: 11498465Abstract: A heating device for a vehicle seat, that includes at least one heating surface that is at least in sections permeable to heat radiation; and at least one heat generator arranged at least partially behind the at least one heating surface. The at least one heat generator is configured to generate the heat radiation and to emit the generated heat radiation in a direction of at least one heating surface. The at least one heating surface has a plurality of emission zones that are spaced apart from one another, for emitting the heat radiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: GENTHERM GMBHInventors: Rüdiger Spillner, Jens Keller
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Patent number: 11491847Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided. The heating apparatus includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element and a power controller configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the PTC heating element. The power controller is configured to vary a current of the pulse width modified signal linearly with respect to a temperature of a space being heated by the PTC heating element.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chih-hung Yen, Taeyoung Han, Bahram Khalighi, Kuo-huey Chen, Shailendra Kaushik
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Patent number: 11480365Abstract: A retaining body for heating elements, in particular oval and round heating elements, having an outer part assembly and an inner part assembly which is arranged inside the outer part assembly and forms an elastic connection with the outer part assembly under mechanical tension, wherein the outer part assembly and/or the inner part assembly has/have a plurality of receptacles which are arranged distributed in the circumferential direction and in each of which a heating element is arranged, and the outer part assembly and the inner part assembly each comprise a polygon profile with polygon corners and polygon sides which connect the polygon corners.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: STEGO-HOLDING GMBHInventor: Ulrich Lerche
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Patent number: 11479081Abstract: The vehicle air conditioning apparatus comprises at least one physical condition information sensor which detects information on physical conditions of passengers in a vehicle as physical condition information. The vehicle air conditioning apparatus selectively executes an outside-air circulation control for discharging air from an interior of the vehicle to outside of the vehicle and introducing outside air to the interior of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle and an interior-air circulation control for taking the air from the interior of the vehicle and returning the taken air to the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle air conditioning apparatus executes the outside-air circulation control when the electronic control unit determines that at least one of the passengers has an infection, based on the physical condition information.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhiro Fukazawa, Michio Ikeda, Kenta Miyahara, Masaru Ando
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Patent number: 11467536Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a controlled sound field. In one example, the system and method perform or include receiving a sound wave emitted from a sound source; determining, with an electronic processor, a pattern of at least one of an amplitude change and a phase change necessary to create a desired sound field using the sound wave; determining, with the electronic processor, a plurality of passive sound-modulating elements needed to generate the pattern of at least one of the amplitude change and the phase change; and constructing the plurality of sound-modulating elements to generate the controlled sound field.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Yangbo Xie, Steven Cummer
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Patent number: 11458801Abstract: Heating and/or cooling a vehicle interior, and in particular a steering wheel, may include receiving a heating/cooling request, automatically directing heated/cooled air from an HVAC duct through louvers adjacent to a steering wheel into a passenger compartment, and automatically rotating the steering wheel back-and-forth to change the location where the heated/cooled air is blown onto the steering wheel. This may include automatically telescoping and automatically tilting the steering wheel as well. Moreover, an infrared camera may be employed to determine where best to rotate the steering wheel for heating/cooling.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Patent number: 11462784Abstract: A battery module, and a battery pack having a module housing capable of effectively increasing an energy density while enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency, includes a cell assembly having a plurality of secondary batteries; and a module housing having at least one sidewall and configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an inner space defined by the sidewall. The sidewall has at least one coolant flow path, and at least one injection hole is formed in an outer surface of the sidewall so as to extend to and communicate with the inner space.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Inventors: Jin-Yong Park, Kyung-Mo Kim, Seung-Joon Kim, Jeong-O Mun, Eun-Ah Ju, Ho-June Chi, Hee-Jun Jin
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Patent number: 11440375Abstract: A radiant heater device for generating a radiant heat, includes a substrate portion having a plate shape and made of an electrically insulating material, a surface member having a sheet shape and disposed on one surface side of the substrate portion, and a heat generation portion formed on the other surface side of the substrate portion. The surface member is formed of a fiber fabric that is provided with a space portion recessed toward the substrate portion in a thickness direction of the surface member and that restricts a heat transfer in a surface direction of the surface member by the space portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Hideki Seki, Kimitake Ishikawa, Hiroyasu Oide, Yusuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 11432374Abstract: A PTC heating device exhibits a good degree of efficiency while providing good electrical insulation of the device's PTC element. The insulation of the PTC heating device comprises a film and a layer that is bonded to the film and made of brown compact which comprises non-sintered ceramic particles. Also disclosed is a method in which ceramic particles are provided with a binding agent, and the mass thus produced is applied in a planar manner onto a film and bonded to the film. The multilayer insulation thus produced is placed around the PTC element and the conductor tracks, and the binding agent is subsequently removed, at least in part.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Ahmad Asafi, Tobias Semmler
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Patent number: 11408742Abstract: In an information processing device, an acquisition unit acquires current position information of a vehicle. A route search unit searches for a route from a departure place via the current position of the vehicle to a destination based on the current position information of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroaki Takeyama, Xin Jin, Norihiro Nakamura, Hideki Kasezawa, Kensuke Takeuchi, Hajime Morikawa, Yoko Sakurai
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Patent number: 11400832Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes a target battery that is externally chargeable and externally power feedable, a sensor that detects a temperature of the target battery, and a controller that performs charging control, discharging control, and temperature increase control of the target battery. The temperature increase control is control for increasing a temperature of the target battery by selecting any of external electric power and battery power and generating heat with the selected electric power. The controller receives a leveling signal that requests for power leveling. When the temperature of the target battery is lower than a first temperature during external power feed requested by the leveling signal, the controller performs the temperature increase control by using battery power before the external power feed requested by the leveling signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toru Nakamura, Tadatsugu Udono, Chiaki Kanda
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Patent number: 11358502Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a first part, a second part with a second foam part, and a barrier with a permeable portion and a non-permeable portion. The vehicle seating assembly also includes an air passageway extending through the first part, the second foam part, and the permeable portion of the barrier and an air mover fluidly coupled to the air passageway for moving air through the air passageway.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Charles Shipley, Steven Walter Nunez, Timothy Owen Hamlin, Lucian Vacarescu
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Patent number: 11345244Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device includes an auxiliary power supply; and an auxiliary power supply control unit configured to switch a mode of the auxiliary power supply to an output mode or a non-output mode when electric power is output from a main power supply to a drive motor. The auxiliary power supply control unit is configured to switch the mode to the non-output mode when a required power value required by the drive motor is equal to or smaller than a predetermined power value and to switch the mode to the output mode when the required power value is larger than the predetermined power value, the predetermined power value being set to a value smaller than outputtable electric power that is electric power outputtable from the main power supply.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Toyoki Sugiyama, Koji Nishi, Shinichi Sawada, Takumi Mio, Fumihiko Sato, Satoshi Shinoda, Yukihiro Komatsubara
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Patent number: 11339947Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for melting cold weather related obstructions (snow, ice, frost, etc.) off of vehicle lamps by heating the lens of the housing, thus restoring the normal operating abilities (e.g., brake light illumination, running light illumination, turn signal illumination). This can allow for an efficient signaling process (e.g., to the following vehicle), thus raising the general level of safety on the roads.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Panor Corp.Inventors: Mike Monpremier, Raymond Sassoon
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Patent number: 11333152Abstract: A pump device may include a motor, an impeller to turn by use of drive power of the motor, and a circuit board for controlling the motor; the pump device being able to become low-profile in an axial direction of a turning center shaft as a turning center of the impeller. In a pump device, there are formed a wall part surrounding a circuit board and a substrate contacting surface, which contacts a lower surface of the circuit board in order to locate circuit board, in a pump case. In the wall part, there is shaped a cutout part that is cut out downward from an upper end surface of the wall part, and meanwhile a leading wire, whose one end side is soldered to the circuit board, passes through the cutout part in such a way as to be drawn out to an outer side of the wall part. In the pump device, a cutout bottom part, which is a lower end part of the cutout part, and the leading wire do not contact each other so as to be detached from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroki Kuratani
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Patent number: 11319923Abstract: A vortex generator for a wind turbine blade includes: a platform portion to be fixed to a surface of the wind turbine blade; and at least one fin erected on the platform portion. The platform portion includes marks disposed on a pair of opposite positions in an outer edge region of the platform portion and indicating orientation of the vortex generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Koji Fukami, Daisuke Wakata, Yuji Yatomi, Takashi Yamamura, Yoshihiro Fujioka
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Patent number: 11320567Abstract: Snow sensors methods and mechanisms for snow sensor reading, methods for controlling assemblies used with snow sensors, such as snow removal systems and assemblies and related components, as well as component combinations and related methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: CEM Products, LLCInventor: Charles Edgar Pierce
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Patent number: 11295878Abstract: A PTC thermistor module for a temperature control device may include at least one PTC thermistor element, two electrically insulating insulator plates, and a plurality of electrical conductors. The PTC thermistor element may have a flat element cross section, two opposing large outer surfaces, and two opposing small outer surfaces connecting the two large outer surfaces. The two insulator plates may be respectively connected to one of the two large outer surfaces. The plurality of electrical conductors may be configured as a plurality of electrically conductive conductor coatings, which may each be disposed on an associated insulator plate of the two insulator plates. At least one first conductor coating may be electrically connected to a first large outer surface of the two large outer surfaces. At least two second conductor coatings may be electrically connected to a second large outer surface of the two large outer surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Inventors: Nicolas Edel, Gilles Magnier, Eric Marlier, Pascal Miss, Jerome Stoeckel, Falk Viehrig
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Patent number: 11287102Abstract: A heater is provided for a vehicle illumination assembly. The heater includes a heat transfer body, a heat source, and a mounting base. The heat transfer body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a higher emissivity than the bottom surface. The heat source is affixed in heat transfer relation with the heat transfer body. The mounting base is configured to affix the heat transfer body within a housing of a vehicle illumination assembly to provide the top surface of the heat transfer body in radiant heat transfer relation with a light transmissible portion of the vehicle illumination assembly. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Van Straten Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: George A. Van Straten
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Patent number: 11255508Abstract: A lamp or lens assembly for a motor vehicle that includes electrically conductive traces for defogging or deicing the lens. Aspects include a light transmissive lens coupled to a lamp housing. The light transmissive lens may define a curved cross-section with a curvature extending across the length and/or the width of the lens. The lens may include one or more electrically conductive traces positioned on a surface of the lens, the electrically conductive traces optionally extending across and curving with the curvature of the light transmissive lens. One or more coatings may optionally cover the conductive traces and a portion of the lens surface leaving portions uncovered. The electrically conductive traces may extend outwardly away from the surface of the lens with height that is greater than their width.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jiabiao Ruan, Sankalp Pampattiwar, Ammar Ali, Cesar Perez-Bolivar
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Patent number: 11243009Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating a fluid (2), comprising a heating body (4) having a through passageway (6, 8) for the fluid and provided with at least one groove (14) on its outer surface; at least one electrical resistance (24) housed in the at least one groove (14) of the heating body. The device further comprises at least one closure plate (20) of the at least one groove (14) overlying the at least one resistance (24).Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Inventor: Nino Volante
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Patent number: 11221408Abstract: A radar unit assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body structure and a grille assembly mounted to the vehicle body structure. A radar unit is connected to the grille assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Jasvir Singh
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Patent number: 11211931Abstract: According to various implementations, a sensor mat includes a mat substrate, a sensor electrode, and a shield electrode. At least a portion of the sensor and shield electrodes are spaced apart from and parallel to each other on a first surface of the mat substrate. The shield electrode is electrically coupled to a voltage source to create a capacitance between the shield electrode and the sensor electrode, and the sensor electrode is used to detect a change in the capacitance. The shield electrode may also be alternately used for heating the surface of the vehicle part adjacent the mat. For example, the sensor may be disposed adjacent a portion of a steering wheel or a seat assembly and is used for sensing presence of an occupant's hands or body adjacent the steering wheel or seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Blaine J. Dolcetti, Phillip B. Maguire
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Patent number: 11181627Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic element and an element accommodation case. A side wall portion of the element accommodation case has a tubular shape surrounding a directional central axis. A bottom wall portion and a top wall portion of the element accommodation case cover ends of the side wall portion in a direction along the directional central axis. The top wall portion has a diaphragm portion. The bottom wall portion supports the ultrasonic element. For example, the ultrasonic element is opposed to the diaphragm portion across a gap defining an interval corresponding to an integral multiple of half of a wavelength of ultrasonic vibration. Alternatively, the diaphragm portion is formed of a material having an acoustic impedance of 50×105 Pa·s/m or more and 5000×105 Pa·s/m or less, and has a thickness of 1 mm or less.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Itaru Ishii, Tomoki Tanemura, Tatsuya Kamiya
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Patent number: 11180062Abstract: A seat for a passenger compartment, for example a vehicle passenger compartment. The seat has a backrest that includes a heating device for heating the space behind the backrest. The heating device includes, from front to back of the backrest, an insulating layer which is a foam, a heating layer, and an outer layer which forms the back of the backrest. The assembly of the insulating layer and the heating layer is achieved by compression on at least their peripheries.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: FAURECIA SIÈGES D'AUTOMOBILEInventors: Elise Beaurepaire, Anne-Sophie Cabouillet
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Patent number: 11161444Abstract: A floor mat assembly for use on a floor comprises a floor mat, a first adhesive layer, a heating element, a second adhesive layer, and an insulative foam support layer. The floor mat comprises a topside for interaction with a person. The heating element is bonded to an underside of the floor mat with the first adhesive layer to heat the floor mat. The foam support layer is bonded to an underside of the heating element with the second adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Jesse R. Neely, Steven M. Wardlow, Chad A. Dow, Andrew M. Pietsch
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Patent number: 11155143Abstract: Disclosed is a system for managing power in a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) installed on a trailer, having: a TRU controller configured to execute a range extender mode of operation to manage operations of the TRU and TRU components, wherein the TRU controller: selects a power management strategy from a plurality of demand-side power management strategies; determines, from the selected power management strategy, operational parameters for a TRU; and executes the generated operational parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Veronica Adetola, Yinshan Feng
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Patent number: 11124042Abstract: A vehicle heating device includes a heat storage material, a heat recovery unit, a footrest, and a heat controller. The vehicle heating device heats an occupant with heat stored in the heat storage material. The heat recovery unit recovers thermal energy from at least one of a heat source generated by a vehicle or a natural heat source from outside of the vehicle. The heat storage material stores the recovered thermal energy. The footrest is provided at a front portion of a vehicle seat disposed in a vehicle cabin, and has the heat storage material packed inside a heat insulating material. The heat controller heats the footrest by radiating the heat stored in the heat storage material at a predetermined timing with respect to the occupant to be on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Tsunoda
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Patent number: 11108352Abstract: A method for controlling a motor configured to provide propulsion for a mobile platform includes determining whether to activate a preheat mode based on a temperature of a motor and, upon determining to activate the preheat mode, controlling a preheat current provided to the motor to enable self-preheating of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Qiu Lan, Changxing Zhou
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Patent number: 11083051Abstract: An exemplary running board assembly includes a running board with a deck having a plurality of spaced-apart raised sections. The raised sections are made of a thermally conductive polymer and include an electrically conductive element configured to allow electric current to flow through the raised sections.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Stuart C. Salter, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Jeffrey Alan Mesko
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Patent number: 11032875Abstract: Various implementations include a vehicle component heating system that includes an electrode disposed within a sensing zone, and a processor. The electrode generates heat for a surface of a vehicle component within the sensing zone and senses proximity of an occupant to the sensing zone. The processor selects a heating percentage of a duty cycle for generating a heating signal, a sensing percentage of the duty cycle for generating and measuring a sensing signal and reporting the measured sensing signal, and an idle percentage of the duty cycle during which neither the heating nor the sensing signal is generated, wherein the sum of the heating, sensing, and idle percentages is 100%. The processor generates the heating signal and/or generates and measures the sensing signal and reports the measurement of the sensing signal based on the selected percentages.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Jason Lisseman, Blaine Dolcetti, Valerie D. Gardner
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Patent number: 11001213Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12V and the second bus segment is at 24V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Zeljko Deljevic, Phillip M. Marine, Daniel J. Martin, William C. Taylor, Hanyang B. Chen
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Patent number: 10994042Abstract: A volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, an electrical assembly that is received within the housing and includes a heater, and an adjustment assembly that is coupled to the housing and is configured to support a cartridge. The adjustment assembly is movable between a maximum output position, an intermediate output position, and an off position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Kevin Harrity, Alex Mecker, Chris A. Koontz
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Patent number: 10988027Abstract: An exemplary wheel well heating method includes, among other things, in response to an environmental condition, generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle. The method further includes powering the generating with power from a power source that is external to the vehicle. Another exemplary wheel well heating method includes generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle, and adjusting the generating in response to a state of charge of a power supply of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Huebner, Pietro Buttolo, David Brian Glickman
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Patent number: 10982101Abstract: A method of making CNT films is described in which the film is washed with a mild acid treatment. The method generates a CNT film that is not sensitive to moisture or fluctuations in moisture. The method involves the use of anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, as aqueous dispersing agents and their modification to a hydrophobic matrix after deposition. In the course of conducting the work described here, we made the surprising discovery that washing with an aqueous acidic solution resulted in a decrease in resistance through the material. The invention also includes CNT composites made by the inventive methods and a CNT composite comprising CNTs and anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans further characterized by a low cationic content and a high conductivity and/or small CNT particle size as measured by SEM.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Amy M. Heintz, Chad M. Cucksey, Anthony D. Duong, Randy L. Jones, Michael D. Crenshaw
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Patent number: 10974630Abstract: An electrical heating element (1) comprises a core string (2) and an electrically conductive wire (4), which is wrapped about the core string (2), follows the core string (2) and is electrically insulated with respect to the core string (2). A path (10) defined by the core string (2) includes a sequence of alternating first (11) and second (12) sections, wherein the wire (4) is wrapped in a pitch which, in the first sections (11), is generally smaller than in the second sections (12). The electrical heating element (1) can be used, e.g., in a heatable seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventors: Mattias Persson, Daniel Josefsson