Vehicle Or Vehicle Component Patents (Class 219/202)
  • Patent number: 10244656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a flow path (14, 16, 20, 22, 24) for a liquid heat transfer agent; an electric heating device (34) for generating heat and for releasing generated heat to the heat transfer agent on a heating portion (20) of the flow path; and an electronic controller (26) for controlling a heat output of the heating device. The controller (26) is provided with a heat releasing body in order to release waste heat of the controller (26) to the heat transfer agent on a preheating portion (16) of the flow path upstream of the heating portion (20). The invention likewise relates to a method for cooling the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Uwe Reinholz, Florian Larisch, Karl Goettl, Michael Staake, Stephan Buckl, Nils Elm, Thorsten Kabelitz
  • Patent number: 10232733
    Abstract: A power system of an electric vehicle, an electric vehicle including the same, and a method for heating a battery group of the electric vehicle are provided. The power system includes: a battery group; a battery heater connected with the battery group; a battery management device, configured to control the battery heater to heat the battery group when a temperature of the battery group is lower than a first heating threshold and a residual electric quantity of the battery group is larger than a running electric quantity threshold, to obtain a current throttle depth change rate of an electric vehicle in real time, and to control the battery heater to stop heating the battery group when the current throttle depth change rate reaches a preset throttle depth change rate threshold; an electric distribution box; a motor; a motor controller; and an isolation inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xingchi Wu, Hongjun Wang, Shibin Xie
  • Patent number: 10219323
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHREM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Patent number: 10207792
    Abstract: A system and method for nose cone edge delamination repair is provided. A nose cone may comprise an outer skirt having an aft edge, a flange, and a pin landing. The system and method may comprise trimming the aft edge of the nose cone to form a repaired edge. A first layer of fiberglass may be placed over repaired edge. A second layer of fiber glass may be placed over the first layer and the repaired edge. The first layer and second layer may be trimmed to create a spot face to allow for lower tolerances when installing the nose cone into a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian K. Holland
  • Patent number: 10207804
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled payload container that may be used by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport perishable items and/or items desired to be at or near a specific temperature upon arrival at a destination. The temperature-controlled payload container may be used to maintain or adjust a temperature of a delivery item, such as a food item. In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled payload container may be capable of heating items in a first portion of the container and cooling items in a second portion of the container. For example, the container may be divided by a Peltier junction, which is an electrified junction of two different conductors. In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled payload container may receive heat generated from operation of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kristofer Gentry
  • Patent number: 10206248
    Abstract: Embodiments include a heated underbody support with electrosurgical grounding, such as a heated mattress, heated mattress overlay, or heated pad for supporting a person. The heated underbody support may include a flexible heating element formed of a sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material, a first bus bar along a first edge of the heating element adapted to receive a supply of electrical power, a second bus bar extending along the second edge of the heating element, and a temperature sensor. The heated underbody support may include a layer of compressible material adapted to conform to the person under pressure from the person resting upon the support located beneath the heating element. A water resistant shell may encase the heating element, the first and second bus bars, and the temperature sensor. A return electrode wire may be electrically connected to the flexible heating element to connect to an electrosurgical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Augustine Temperature Management LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Scott A. Entenman, Rudolf A. Deibel, Garrett J. Augustine
  • Patent number: 10189429
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a compressor; a first accumulator fluidly connected with the compressor; a second accumulator fluidly connected with the compressor; a first nozzle directed at a first sensor and fluidly connected with the first accumulator; a second nozzle directed at a second sensor and fluidly connected with the second accumulator; an occupancy sensor; and a computer in communication with the compressor, the accumulators, and the occupancy sensor. The computer is programmed to, upon determining that the vehicle is unoccupied based on data received from the occupancy sensor, instruct the compressor to pressurize the accumulators of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Andre Sykula, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Patent number: 10173615
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for adapting at least one component of a vehicle. The vehicle component is operatively connected to an active material or formed from the active material. The active material is capable of changing at least one property in response to an activation signal. The activation signal is determined by at least one biometric variable of a vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for adapting a component of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Claudia Steinam
  • Patent number: 10155593
    Abstract: Anti-icing methods and aerodynamic structures having laminated resistive heaters for de-icing are described. Several of the inventive aspects utilize laminated resistive heaters comprising a carbon nanotube layer and/or capacitors to store and supply electricity. The invention also includes methods of making aerodynamic structures having de-icing or anti-icing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Brett R. Burton, Ioan I. Feier, Timothy J. Lastrapes
  • Patent number: 10153522
    Abstract: In a battery pack having one or more battery modules, each battery module includes a plurality of cylindrical batteries, and a battery holder for holding the plurality of cylindrical batteries and forming a space between itself and an adjacent member, the space being at least partially open to the outside and the battery pack further includes a heater mounted in the space, for heating the plurality of cylindrical batteries via the battery holder, and an elastic member for urging the heater onto the battery holder, and closing an opening of the space to thereby form a first space closed from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 10137760
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a PTC heater for a vehicle, which includes a plurality of cores, such as a first core and a second core, disposed independently and respectively arranged in a first passageway and a second passageway of an air-conditioning case to be controlled independently, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and weight of the air conditioner, enhancing vehicle fuel efficiency and productivity, being easily applicable to other vehicles using PTC heaters because one PTC heater is used for independent control at the right and the left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Young In Kim, Jun Min Lee, Jung Won Cho, Sang Ho Oh, Chae Geun Lim
  • Patent number: 10137759
    Abstract: A heating device for the vehicle interior of a vehicle is configured in the form of an infrared (IR) radiator with a textile-based heating band arranged, in a reflector housing. The textile-based heating band is made of a mixed yarn of basalt and stainless steel. Such a heating device can be installed in a footwell of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Jung, Klaus Richter, Dirk Huschke
  • Patent number: 10118517
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a heater fan for a body support arrangement, and specifically the heater fan has at least one air delivery arrangement and at least one heating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Winfried Helmenstein
  • Patent number: 10123378
    Abstract: A heating system for a fluid pipe system in which at least one electric heating element (RL) is assigned to at least one fluid line, said heating element, in order to apply a predetermined heating output to the fluid line, being provided with an electric operating voltage (UB) that is reduced compared to the supply voltage (U).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: VOSS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Olav Borgmeier, Tobias Etscheid, Reiner Mitterer, Thomas Schüler
  • Patent number: 10100697
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an exhaust aftertreatment system may include an outer housing, a pump, a filter assembly, an electric heating blanket, and a heater retention plate. The heater retention plate is shaped to correspond to the shapes of the pump and filter assembly. A lid of the outer housing contacts the heater retention plate and clamps the heating blanket between the heater retention plate and the pump and filter assembly so that the heating blanket takes the shapes of portions of the pump and filter assembly. The outer housing includes mounting flanges and reinforcement members extending from corresponding mounting flanges to corresponding sidewalls of the outer housing and forming a hollow space therebetween. The filter assembly includes compensation elements that contract in response to expansion of fluid within a pump housing due to freezing and expand in response to thawing of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Deenaraj Neelagal, Larry J. Geer, Ryan Barrus
  • Patent number: 10081311
    Abstract: A system for minimizing movement of ice or snow along a surface of a vehicle. The system can include a plurality of stops configured to be individually mounted to the surface in a spaced apart manner, the surface comprising at least one of a roof, a trunk, or a hood of the vehicle. Each stop may include a base for mounting to the vehicle and a fin extending upwardly from the base, the fin having a substantially upright edge to at least partially define an abutment plane configured to face toward a center of the surface and limit motion of ice or snow remaining on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel C. Newsome, Justin C. Newsome
  • Patent number: 10060649
    Abstract: A hybrid heater includes a heater core portion connected to a cooling water inflow tube and a cooling water outflow tube at one side and having an inside through which cooling water circulates, and a PTC heater portion fastened to a front of the heater core portion, inside of which a plurality of plate-type PTC rods arranged in parallel in a horizontal direction are provided, and provided at one side with a connector that is connected electrically to the plurality of PTC rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Myung Hoe Kim, In Gyu Kim, Jong Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 10046692
    Abstract: A heated light enclosure having an adaptable heating system is provided with a controlled heating system to deliver enough heat to a lens on a lamp assembly to remove snow, frost, and/or condensation without overheating the lens. By heating the lens using a combination of one or more of PTC heaters, heat sinks and heat pipes, accumulation of snow, ice, or vapor is mitigated or eliminated from a surface of the lens, thereby enabling light to transmit through the lens. Applications include lamps and bulbs on conveyance devices, including vehicles, boats, planes, and trains, as well as sedentary structures, such as lamp posts, street lights, railroad crossing markers and lights, and airport ground and runway lighting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: George A. Van Straten
  • Patent number: 10044080
    Abstract: A battery temperature raising system and a control method thereof are provided. The battery temperature raising system includes a power supply that operates a heater attached to a battery module. The heater is configured to increase a battery temperature and a variable resistor mounted on a circuit between the heater and the power supply adjusts a heating value of the heater based on an adjustment state of a resistance value. A heater relay is mounted on the circuit between the heater and the power supply and opens and closes the circuit to selectively turn on/off the heater. A first sensor senses the battery temperature and a second sensor senses a heater temperature. A controller outputs a control signal to operate the heater relay to selectively turn on/off the heater based on temperature information sensed by the sensors and a control signal to adjust the resistance value of the variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dal Kim, Shin Hyuk Yoon
  • Patent number: 10029619
    Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a main body, a rear compartment lid and at least one removable center console accessory. The main body has a forward accessory area and a rearward compartment area. The rear compartment lid is pivotally attached to the rearward compartment area. The removable center console accessory includes a thermos holder assembly having a housing installed within the forward accessory area of the main body, a pivot structure supported by the housing and a thermos supporting member. A removable thermos bottle is removeably placed in the thermos supporting member. The thermos supporting member is supported by the pivot structure for movement between a horizontal orientation in which the thermos supporting member and the thermos bottle are retained within the housing and an inclined orientation in which the thermos supporting member and the thermos bottle are pivoted upward at least partially out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John A Sahs, Antonio Manzari
  • Patent number: 10023085
    Abstract: A seat heater includes a seating heater, a protection device of a non-resettable type, a base material, and a protecting heater. The protection device has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The base material is a sheet having a first covering portion covering the first surface and a second covering portion covering the second surface, and is folded so that the first covering portion and the second covering portion face each other. The protecting heater heats the protection device. The protecting heater includes a pair of first heating portions and a second heating portion. The pair of first heating portions are formed as a meandered shape only on a surface, which faces the second covering portion, of the first covering portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yoshimoto, Takaaki Hyoudou
  • Patent number: 10000106
    Abstract: An electric heater (7) is individually arranged at a position immediately upstream of a blowing port (6) that blows an air fed by a blower (4) into a vehicle room. The electric heater (7) is formed of a cylindrical case (15) loaded in the blowing port (6) and a heat generating sheet (16) arranged in the case (15). The heat generating sheet (16) is formed of a conductive fiber sheet obtained by making a carbon fiber into paper. Furthermore, the heat generating sheet is formed into a continuous strip and radially folded along pins (22) of the case (15). The air is heated while flowing along a surface of the heat generating sheet (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahisa Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9993744
    Abstract: An atmospheric water generation system, including a casing into which an air treatment unit and a chiller unit are located, the air treatment unit being provided with a first air inlet for ambient air and a first air outlet, the chiller unit being provided with a second air inlet and a second air outlet, wherein a respectively closing member is directly associated to each first and second air inlet and outlet. The system thus can additionally be used as an air conditioning unit, when the cooled and demoistured air from the air treatment unit is directed to a closed work space. The system may additionally include a water treatment unit and a power generating unit for stand alone purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SEAS Société de l'Eau Aerienne Suisse SA
    Inventor: Flavio Giacomini
  • Patent number: 9969419
    Abstract: Various implementations include an improved steering wheel and methods of making the same. The improved steering wheel includes a carbon fiber mat that is preimpregnated with an epoxy resin that is wrapped adjacent at least a portion of a steering wheel frame. The edges of the mat that overlap are coupled together directly via the epoxy resin by heat curing the mat. The preimpregnated mat does not crack when subjected to thermal cycle tests, which is an improvement over prior art steering wheels that include raw carbon fiber mats that are coupled to the frame using a separate adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Makoto Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9963013
    Abstract: A method of heating the interior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a central heating system and several decentralized heating surfaces constructed as infrared radiators. The temperature of the vehicle interior is controllable by the central heating system and/or the decentralized heating surfaces corresponding to a heating demand of at least one vehicle occupant. For controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior corresponding to a heating demand, a power distribution takes place between the central heating system and the decentralized heating surfaces as a function of specified distribution demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Satzger, Robert Herbolzheimer
  • Patent number: 9956701
    Abstract: Payload deployment system (400) comprises a payload deployment device (402) and a payload deployment structure (406) comprising a frame (102) having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end. The frame includes an aperture (106) located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame. A heating element (116) is located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized. The frame further includes a mounting portion (104) wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher
  • Patent number: 9955803
    Abstract: A door for a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The door includes a door frame that is attachable to the case, and a glass panel assembly that is coupled to the door frame. The glass panel assembly includes a first glass panel and a second glass panel that is spaced apart from the first glass panel by a gap. The glass panel assembly further includes a conductive coating that is applied to the first glass panel, and a heater element that is coupled to the first glass panel and that is in electrical communication with the conductive coating. The door also includes a connector that extends through the first glass panel and the second glass panel and securable to the glass panel assembly, and the connector is configured to electrically connect the heater element to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond P. Twohy
  • Patent number: 9936609
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a heat dissipation mechanism of the mobile terminal and a mobile terminal having the heat dissipation mechanism. In certain embodiments, the heat dissipation mechanism includes: a shell defining at least one heat dissipation window and a moving part connected with the shell. The moving part is used for by a user to open or close the at least one heat dissipation window. The heat dissipation mechanism may be used to effectively reduce surface temperature of the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is in operation. Such a dissipation mechanism of the mobile terminal is suitable for mobile terminals and meets the demand for relatively high power consumption, ultra-thinness and miniaturization of the mobile terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuanlong Guo, Zhengwei Han
  • Patent number: 9918554
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a functional chair for human body correction and therapeutic efficacy promotion by applying heat, including: a main body which includes a sitting plate and a waist plate; a heating means to transfer the heat to a human body by using a ceramic heating element installed in the sitting plate and the waist plate; and a control unit which maintains the temperature of the heating means at a pre-established value and displays an operating status. The present disclosure provides immunity increase and health promotion by keeping a skeletal structure and organs balanced by allowing a user to keep a correct posture when they are sitting on the functional chair and by applying heat to a structure including the sitting and waist plates as a Korean traditional floor heating system, which has no influence of electromagnetic waves, does, provides convenience of portability and performs therapeutic effects for various body parts including the vertebral column, calves, feet, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Seong Jin Song
  • Patent number: 9915091
    Abstract: For low power environment management for an automobile, a method is disclosed that includes sensing an environmental condition at an automobile, comparing a level of the environmental condition to a selected threshold value, and adjusting the opening of one or more windows of the automobile based on the sensed environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Russell Stuart Gantman, Jason Grimme, Russell Speight VanBlon
  • Patent number: 9915441
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one electrical resistance heating element, two conductors connected electrically to the electrical resistance heating element to conduct electric current through the electrical resistance heating element and thereby to heat the electrical resistance heating element, a heat-conducting element for transferring heat from the electrical resistance heating element to a fluid to be heated, an electrical insulating element insulating electrically the two conductors and the at least one electrical resistance heating element, and at least one tube. The two conductors, the electrical insulating element, and the electrical resistance heating element are arranged within a cavity bounded by the tube. The heat exchanger has an adapter plate and a tube opening, each being arranged at an opening of the adapter plate, and the at least one tube being connected fluid-tight to the adapter plate, which is connected fluid-tight to an electronics housing and/or an HVAC system housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kohl, Thomas Spranger, Karl-Gerd Krumbach, Thierry Clauss
  • Patent number: 9914407
    Abstract: The rear side of a head unit bezel is shaped and arranged to receive and retain an electronic device such as a radio, cell phone, GPS receiver, roadway toll payment transponder, stolen vehicle transponder, WI-FI or Bluetooth transceiver or an antenna. Electrical connectors provided to the rear side mate with connectors on the front side of a head unit. When the bezel and head unit are connected, the electronic device in the bezel is mechanically and electrically connected to the head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Zeiger, Thomas Brey
  • Patent number: 9885761
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronics systems are provided herein. An electronics system may comprise a heating circuit and a fault detection system. The heating circuit may include a heating element. The fault detection system may include a first resistor comprising a first resistance, a second resistor comprising a second resistance, the first resistance being equal to the second resistance, a voltage level detector, and a controllable switch connected in series with the first resistor and the second resistor, the controllable switch in electronic communication with the voltage level detector. A fault may be detected in response to the first voltage being greater than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Schram
  • Patent number: 9888526
    Abstract: A process equipment heating system has a group of electric heaters and a heater checking system. The heater checking system is configured to determine a resistance value R1 for the group of electric heaters, compare the resistance value R1 with a reference resistance value RR and judge a fault condition if the resistance value R1 differs from the reference resistance value RR by more than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Edwards Vacuum LLC
    Inventors: Budd Edward Faulkner, Peter George Stammers, Brett Trevor Lawrence, Craig Richard Charles Turner, Brent Haslett, Nicholas Daniel Hutton, Matthew Demian Klepp, Mark Kollin Romeo
  • Patent number: 9874584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an electrical line having at least one thermogenerator and/or a device for inductively producing energy, determination means for determining at least one electrical characteristic parameter of an electrical current flowing in the electrical line and/or the temperature of the electrical line and/or the area surrounding the electrical line. An electrical connection exists or can be established between the determination means and the thermogenerator or the device for inductively producing energy, which connection can be used to operate the determination means with electrical energy produced by the thermogenerator or provided by the device for inductively producing energy; and connection means for establishing a mechanical connection to the electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: MICROPATENT B.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Nurnus, Fritz Volkert, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9849991
    Abstract: An ice protection system comprises deicing zones each including an envelope defining an ice-protection area. Adjacent envelopes have spanwise edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. The edge regions are provided with nonlinear contours having features which project-and-recess in a direction generally parallel to the airstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Galdemir Botura, Brian Burkett, Milan Mitrovic
  • Patent number: 9834093
    Abstract: An EHC is configured to electrically heat a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas from an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle, when a current passes through the EHC. A charger converts AC electric power supplied from an external power supply to a charging port into charging power of a power storage device by a power conversion path including an insulating transformer. The EHC is electrically connected to power lines which are provided on the primary side of the insulating transformer on the power conversion path, and to which a DC voltage is output. In a case where the EHC is operated when the vehicle travels, the charger converts the electric power from the power storage device into the DC voltage output to the power lines connected to the EHC, by a part of inverse conversion of power conversion at the time of external charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keita Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9827827
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing condensation on a windshield and other windows of a parked vehicle. One method includes following the vehicle shut down, and when a temperature of a windshield is lower than ambient dew point, transferring heat from a powertrain of the vehicle to the windshield via a coolant if a powertrain temperature is higher than the windshield temperature, and transferring heat from ambient air to the windshield via the coolant if the powertrain temperature is lower than the windshield temperature, and ambient temperature is higher than the windshield temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 9822752
    Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a heat pump supplies thermal energy to an engine to reduce engine emissions during engine starting. Further, heating the engine via the heat pump may also reduce engine friction at colder ambient temperatures where oil viscosity may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Ragazzi, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 9796376
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a rotating electric machine, an electric storage device, a power supply device, and a controller. The controller executes switching control to switch from a first electric power supply to a second electric power supply by starting the internal combustion engine. The first electric power supply is the supply of electric power from the electric storage device to the electric device. The second electric power supply is the supply of electric power from the rotating electric machine to the electric device. The controller controls the power supply device and the internal combustion engine such that the internal combustion engine is started with the first electric power supply being continued during the switching control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Shunsuke Fushiki, Tomoaki Honda, Keita Fukui, Hidekazu Nawata, Yuta Niwa, Taichi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 9776569
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element and a heater pad. The heater pad includes a heater pad substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive traces established thereat. The heater pad substrate is disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element. The electrically conductive traces may include (i) a heating trace that, (ii) first and second electro-optic control traces and/or (iii) accessory control traces. The electrically conductive traces terminate at a connector region of the heater pad substrate. An electrical connector is established at the connector region and has terminals electrically conductively connected at respective terminals of the electrically conductive traces. The electrical connector is formed as part of a back plate of the mirror reflective element assembly and is configured to electrically connect to a single wiring harness of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Kendall
  • Patent number: 9758129
    Abstract: A method of minimizing ice buildup on a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of the vehicle; (b) determining a state of the windshield wiper; (c) determining an ambient temperature of the vehicle; and (d) initiating a timer when the state of the vehicle changes from an on state if the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature and the state of the windshield wiper prior to the vehicle changing to the off state is an on state, and turning the windshield wiper to the on state after a period of time. The windshield wiper may remain on at least through a full cycle from a park zone, to a fully extended position, and back to the park zone. The wiper may remain on for a predetermined period of time determined based upon the ambient temperature or other condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Peter Francis Worrel
  • Patent number: 9756956
    Abstract: A mattress includes an inflatable lumbar support spanning across a top surface of the mattress in a position corresponding to the lumbar back area of a user when in a sleeping position. The apparatus further utilizes an electrical pump to inflate the tube to a desired firmness. A means to heat the tube for additional comfort and therapeutic benefit is also provided. The means to heat the tube as well as the inflatable connection are capable of being removable to enable repositioning or portability of the tube and means to heat the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Hannu Pekkinen
  • Patent number: 9755283
    Abstract: A heating and cooling device for a battery may include an electrically conductive base plate for thermal coupling to the battery. The base plate may include at least one fluid path for flowing through by a coolant. The device may include a carrier plate of an electrically non-conductive material, into which at least one electric heating element may be inserted. The carrier plate may be connected electrically with the electrically conductive base plate. An electrically conductive cover plate may be connected electrically with the electric heating element. The base plate, the carrier plate and the cover plate may be stacked on one another along a stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Mahle International GmbH, Behr France Rouffach SAS
    Inventors: Stefan Hirsch, Pascal Miss, Bernd Schaefer, Joachim Treier, Stephane Weingaertner
  • Patent number: 9750085
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle, which includes: a battery (3) capable of being charged from an external power source (EPS); a power generation unit (PGU) capable of charging the battery (3); an electric heater (12) configured to produce heat with electric power from an electric power source; a heater core (11) configured to heat air by using any one of waste heat from the power generation unit (PGU) and the electric heater (12); and a controller (19) configured to perform control for selectively using the waste heat from the power generation unit (PGU) and the electric heater (12) as a heat source of the heater core (11) when the vehicle is parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Suzuki, Yuki Nakajima, Naoki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9739502
    Abstract: What is described is a method for manufacturing an electrical heating device, wherein electrical heating resistors are disposed in tubes of an extruded profile, and openings are cut into a plate of the extruded profile connecting the tubes. According to this disclosure, fastening sections of the extruded profile are plastically deformed and, by means thereof, heat sinks are fastened on the extruded profile. A corresponding electrical heating device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Luppold, Alexander Dauth, Klaus Lehmann, Bernd Halbrock
  • Patent number: 9715197
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a heat source, a controller, a pressure rotator, and a nip formation pad. The controller controls the heat source such that a temperature of the fixing rotator is equal to a preset fixing temperature. The nip formation pad abuts the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator and forms a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. When a print time of a previous job is longer than a prescribed time A and a next job is started within a prescribed time B after an end of the previous job, the controller corrects the preset fixing temperature during a time from a start of the next job to an entry of a print sheet into the nip and during a time from the entry of the print sheet into the nip to a lapse of a prescribed time C after the entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Seshita, Yuji Arai, Takahiro Imada, Hajime Gotoh, Akira Suzuki, Motoyoshi Yamano
  • Patent number: 9685733
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative seat, a plurality of terminals fixed to the insulative seat and at least one magnetic element retained in the insulative seat. The insulative seat defines a vertical first mating surface and a mating portion extending forwardly from the first mating surface, the mating portion defines an inclined second mating surface. Each terminal defines a contacting portion disposed in the mating portion and a soldering portion extending outside of the insulative seat. The mating portion defines a shallow recess recessed from the second mating surface, and the contacting portion defines a free end exposed on the shallow recess and locating behind the second mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peng-Ye Zhao, Wei-Chung Lin, Wen-Yi Hsieh, Zhi-Hui Zhu
  • Patent number: 9685734
    Abstract: A power line disconnect apparatus includes a housing; an electrical connector that projects from a surface of a connector plate coupled to the housing, the electrical connector configured to receive a plug of a power cable; an ejector pin configured to project through a first aperture in the connector plate and eject the plug from the electrical connector; a microswitch configured to activate and deactivate a power circuit associated with the power cable; and a sensor pin configured to project through a second aperture in the connector plate, the sensor pin having a sensor pin extension, the sensor pin extension configured to control the microswitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Nugent, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9669937
    Abstract: In a fiber composite component for an aircraft or spacecraft which has electrically conductive fibers at least in portions, the fibers are coupled with an electrical energy source for charging with current to heat up the fibers and/or for measuring the electrical resistance of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Hauke Lengsfeld