Sectional Train Patents (Class 303/7)
  • Patent number: 11904827
    Abstract: A rotational monitoring system of at least one axle designed to identify at least one axle controlled by it having an estimated instantaneous linear speed lower than a predetermined instantaneous linear limit speed, and remove the braking force to one or more wheels of the axle identified to have an estimated instantaneous linear speed lower than the predetermined instantaneous linear limit speed, by canceling a pressure to brake cylinders associated with the at least one axle identified to have an estimated instantaneous linear speed lower than the predetermined instantaneous linear limit speed. The cancellation of a pressure is obtained by acting on an electro-pneumatic valve designed to perform a Remote Release function associated with the pneumatic circuits generating braking pressure for the brake cylinders and adapted to cancel a residual braking pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Tione
  • Patent number: 11891037
    Abstract: A system for controlling a trailer brake output circuit includes an electronic control unit having one or more processors and one or more memory modules. The trailer brake output circuit is configured to output a trailer brake output signal. Machine readable instructions cause the electronic control unit to: receive a signal from a vehicle stability control system indicating that a vehicle stability control flag is set, generate the trailer brake output signal in response to the vehicle stability control flag being set such that the trailer brake output signal ramps up to a target value over a predefined period of time, maintain the trailer brake output signal at the target value while the vehicle stability control flag is set, and output the trailer brake output signal such that the trailer brake output signal ramps down from the target value when the vehicle stability control flag changes from set to not set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam VanAntwerp, Corey Zwegers, Stephen Robertson, Takayuki Goto, Yuichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11891030
    Abstract: A braking system conducts an electronic command signal via a cable extending through multiple first vehicles in a first segment of a multi-vehicle system. The electronic command signal directs engagement or release of an air brake coupled to a brake pipe that extends along a length of the multi-vehicle system. A pneumatic command signal is communicated via the brake pipe to one or more second vehicles in a second segment of the multi-vehicle system. The pneumatic command signal directs one or more of the engagement or the release of the air brake coupled to the brake pipe in the one or more second vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles L. Wolf, Carl L. Haas, Benjamin Henniges, Mark Uehling
  • Patent number: 11845410
    Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, Randy J Salvatora
  • Patent number: 11840196
    Abstract: A control system and a related method includes determining an access state of a vehicle and communicating a locking command message from an off-board control system to remotely change the access state of the vehicle between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, an operator is unable to one or more of access a location of the vehicle, access an area internal to the vehicle, change a power setting of a component of the vehicle, or engage a propulsion system of the vehicle. The operator onboard the vehicle may be prohibited from changing the access state from the locked state to the unlocked state without assistance from the off-board control system, but the operator may be allowed to change the access state from the unlocked state to the locked state without assistance from the off-board control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Janmejay Tripathy, Irwin Morris
  • Patent number: 11820347
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic control system for braking, an emergency pressure monitoring and control unit providing weight signals, an emergency braking request signal, actual pressure signals, and provides emergency braking request signals, an emergency pressure module generating an emergency braking pressure, a braking control unit providing control signal pairs to generate corresponding braking pressures as a function of a service braking request signal or the emergency braking pressure request signal dependent upon whether the emergency braking request signal indicates an emergency braking request, and an emergency switching device comprising contact pairs which allow the connection of the control signal pairs from the braking control unit to the braking pressure generating modules when closed and prevent this connection of the control signal pairs when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Tione
  • Patent number: 11724676
    Abstract: A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer. A pressure sensing solenoid receives fluid signal from each of the first and second deliver ports and selectively passes fluid signal therefrom to a pressure sensor as a function of a brake control signal received by a controller that controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Brian J. Riley
  • Patent number: 11718180
    Abstract: A brake controller has a control dial with a series of full color LEDs arranged around the dial. The dial with its LEDs is in a module mounted on the dash of the towing vehicle and connected by a cable to a main module mounted out of sight. The dial is a rotary encoder pushbutton mounted on the same circuit board as the LED chips. Status information is output using the LEDs primarily based on color. Substantially all setting input is provided solely by user manipulation of the dial, pushing the dial in to change setting input mode, with the value of the input reflected in the number of LEDs being lit in a color corresponding to the brake controller setting being changed, as the user rotates the dial either clockwise or counterclockwise to change setting values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Joecyl Sanchez, Harsh Desai, Robert Lange, III, Praveen Reddy Muddasani
  • Patent number: 11702053
    Abstract: An electropneumatic brake control module (1) has a supply connection (2) for connecting a compressed air supply (3); a first wheel brake connection (4) and a second wheel brake connection (6); a pneumatically controlled inlet-outlet valve unit (8) for controlling a first brake pressure (PB1) at the first wheel brake connection (4) and a second brake pressure (PB2) at the second wheel brake connection (6), which is independent of the first brake pressure (PB1); and an electropneumatic pilot control unit (10) for controlling at least one main control pressure (PH) at a main valve (12) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10). The main valve (12) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10) is a pneumatically controllable 3/2-way valve (13) with a main valve control connection (12.4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
    Inventors: Julian Van Thiel, Jan Gensink
  • Patent number: 11679748
    Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic brake system (2) for a vehicle 100, with a supply coupling head (24), a control coupling head (26), and an electronically controlled trailer control module (28) includes a first supply port (28.1), a trailer supply connection (28.2) for providing a trailer supply pressure (pT) to the supply coupling head (24), a trailer control connection (28.3) for providing a trailer control pressure (pB) to the control coupling head (26), an electro-pneumatic trailer control valve arrangement (40) for providing the trailer control pressure (pB), and a tractor protection valve electronic control unit (42). The electro-pneumatic trailer control valve arrangement (40) is configured to only supply a trailer control pressure (pB) to the trailer control connection (28.3) when compressed air is supplied to the trailer supply connection (28.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
    Inventors: Joachim Amtsfeld, Henning Förster, Thilo Klostermann, Florian Schwagmeyer
  • Patent number: 11654876
    Abstract: A service and emergency braking control system for at least one railway vehicle, including a plurality of braking control modules is provided. Each braking control module is equipped for: if, when achieving a determined braking torque value from an applied braking torque, an instantaneous deceleration value is lower than the target deceleration value, increasing the applied braking torque until the instantaneous deceleration value reaches the target deceleration value, or until the maximum available adhesion from an axle controlled by said braking control module is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Tione, Matteo Frea, Luc Imbert
  • Patent number: 11648928
    Abstract: A diagnostics and maintenance tool can be used for performing diagnostics and maintenance of automotive, farming, construction, trucking, recreational and aviation vehicles & equipment. The diagnostics and maintenance tool can be used to measure distance traveled and pressure applied to brake, clutch and acceleration pedals, for example. The tool can reduce labor costs by reducing the time it takes perform certain diagnostic and maintenance activities. The tool can increase customer satisfaction by increasing accuracy and providing quantifiable data versus just going off of “human hunches.” The tool can reduce misdiagnoses by a technician who does not have to rely on “guesswork” or “process of elimination” for certain tasks. The tool may attach between a support and a component where distance traveled and applied pressure is to be measured. The tool may be pre-programmed to apply a known pressure or distance or may be remotely operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Robert E. Whitt
  • Patent number: 11634112
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for connecting a tractor hydraulic brake circuit to a trailer hydraulic brake circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic arrangement includes a coupler stage fluidly connecting a source of fluid in pressure to the trailer braking hydraulic circuit and a trailer brake valve fluidly connecting the tractor hydraulic brake circuit and the trailer hydraulic brake circuit. The hydraulic arrangement further includes a selection pilot stage fluidly connected to the source of fluid in pressure and being fluidly connectable to the trailer hydraulic brake circuit via at least a connector and a selection stage fluidly connected to the selection pilot stage and to the trailer brake valve. The selection stage being configured to impart an actuation signal to the trailer brake valve in function of an hydraulic signal coming from the selection pilot stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Marco Pietro Ciarrocchi
  • Patent number: 11618446
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to measuring rotational speeds of trailer wheels using radar. A computing device may cause a vehicle radar unit to transmit radar signals toward a wheel of trailer being pulled by the vehicle. The computing device may receive radar reflections corresponding to radar signals that reflected off the wheel and determine a rotational speed of the wheel based on the radar reflections. For instance, the computing device may identify the highest or lowest frequency in the frequency spectrum of the radar reflections and use the frequency and the wheel's radius to calculate the rotational speed of the wheel. The computing device can use rotational speed measurements for trailer wheels to monitor performance of the trailer and adjust vehicle navigation accordingly. In some instances, the computing device may determine that one of the trailer wheels requires servicing based on monitoring the rotational speeds of the trailer wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Pitzer
  • Patent number: 11572044
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating non-electric control signals for a brake system, which has a first supply source, including: at least one interface configured to be connected to a pressure accumulator; and at least one interface to output the control signals; in which the apparatus is configured to be supplied via a second supply source. Also described are a related module and an electronic brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Falk Hecker, Adnan Mustapha, Oliver Jundt, Rüdiger Weis, Jürgen Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11549630
    Abstract: In embodiments, a connector for setting a layout of a brake hose includes a first coupling member coupled to one end of the brake hose; a second coupling member disposed to be spaced apart from the first coupling member, and coupled to the caliper housing or the frame of the master cylinder; and an adjusting unit connected at one end thereof to the first coupling member, connected at other end thereof to the second coupling member, and configured to adjust a shortest length between a bottom surface of the first coupling member and an outer circumferential surface of the second coupling member and to adjust a bend angle between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, in a test for setting the layout of the brake hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HS R & A CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byeong Ju Kim, Jae Hyeok Choi, Guk Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11479224
    Abstract: A retrofit pneumatic circuit complements an existing factory braking system to preserve the original function of the driver's foot pedal while also adding the ability for a computer to actuate the brakes separately and independently. In the event where both the primary and secondary drivers are actuating the brakes at any time, the braking force applied is the maximum of the two. In the preferred approach, a shuttle valve is connected between a primary proportional valve and a copy of that proportional valve. Directional control valves are also included to isolate both the input and the output portions of the secondary circuit in order to enforce positive shutdown of computer control. One directional valve blocks a supply pressure to prevent bleeding of the system in any situation where pressure is requested when computer control is supposed to be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Locomation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Allen Dranko, Raymond Joseph Russell
  • Patent number: 11440516
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Muthukumar Jegadeeson
  • Patent number: 11400906
    Abstract: An electropneumatic parking brake module (1) includes a supply connection (2), a spring-type actuator connection (4), an inlet-outlet valve unit (10) having a first switching position and a second switching position, and an electropneumatic pilot control unit (12) for outputting at least a first control pressure (p1) at the inlet-outlet valve unit (10). In the first switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10), a spring brake pressure (pF) can be fed through directly from the supply connection (2) to the spring-type actuator connection (4) by virtue of the fact that the spring-type actuator connection (4) is connected to the supply connection (2), and, in the second switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10), when the first control pressure (p1) is below a first threshold value, the spring-type actuator connection (4) is connected to a ventilating connection (14.3) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Julian Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11377079
    Abstract: An electronically controllable brake system for a vehicle includes at least one service brake circuit with service brakes and a service brake control module. A service-brake brake pressure can be fed to the service brakes, and the service-brake control module is configured to generate a service-brake control signal as a function of a braking specification. The service-brake brake pressure can be generated as a function of the service-brake control signal and specified to the service brakes, for the implementation of the braking specification via the at least one service brake circuit, under electrical control. The brake system further includes a trailer control valve with a trailer control module. The trailer control module is configured to receive and process an electronically communicated braking specification and the trailer control valve is configured to generate and output, under the control of the trailer control module, a redundancy control pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11305746
    Abstract: A brake release system for a vehicle is described to transfer mechanical movement between two hydraulic actuators. The system includes a first hydraulic system on a removable portion of the vehicle and a second hydraulic system on a main chassis of the vehicle. The two hydraulic systems are mechanically engaged with each other where the removable portion of the vehicle attaches to the main chassis. In this way, a force applied to the removable portion of the vehicle when the vehicle's tow hook is engaged may be transferred to release the parking brake on the main chassis without a hydraulic connection between the removable portion and the main chassis. This may be useful when a removable battery frame with a tow hook makes up a separable rear portion of an electric vehicle, allowing the battery frame to be quickly and efficiently removed from the main chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ARTISAN VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Kyle Hickey
  • Patent number: 11167735
    Abstract: A method for operating a brake of a motor vehicle with at least one electronic brake signal generator and with at least one brake control device for actuating the brake based on a brake signal of the brake signal generator includes transmitting the brake signal to the brake control device. The method additionally includes transmitting an actuation of the brake signal generator as a brake signal to the brake control device in addition to a brake pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Christian Hecht
  • Patent number: 11124166
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil resupply device (40) is provided between first accumulators (15F, 15R) in a manual braking operation circuit (11) and a second accumulator (25) in an automatic brake circuit (24). The hydraulic oil resupply device (40) resupplies hydraulic oil accumulated in the second accumulator (25) to the first accumulators (15F, 15R) at the operating of a manual braking operation by an operator. This configuration can suppress a rising speed of a brake pressure at the manual operation braking from being slow. Accordingly, in a vehicular brake system, it is possible to enhance a braking capability by the manual braking operation and improve the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Takanobu Ikari, Yasutaka Tsuruga, Takayuki Satou, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11091137
    Abstract: A pneumatic braking device for a utility vehicle includes at least one pneumatically controllable spring accumulator for a parking brake of the utility vehicle and an electronic parking brake device. The electronic parking brake device has at least one electronic control unit, at least one bistable valve unit, at least one first valve unit by which a parking brake of a trailer of the utility vehicle can be deactivated when activating the parking brake of the utility vehicle, at least one second valve device which can be connected in such a way that when there is a decrease in the system pressure for supplying the parking brake of the trailer, the parking brake of the trailer can be activated, and a traction vehicle protection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Schnittger, Christian Kuhlen, Fabian Griesser
  • Patent number: 11084342
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11034238
    Abstract: A method for determining a contact force on a utility vehicle includes providing the utility vehicle with a first wheel axle and a second wheel axle, determining a drive slip of the second wheel axle, and a road surface-specific determination data set associated with a traction coefficient in dependence on the drive slip, and determining the contact force on the second wheel axle based on the drive slip of the second wheel axle and the road surface-specific determination data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Woopen, Norbert Fritz, Rainer Gugel
  • Patent number: 11015729
    Abstract: A brake system is disclosed. The brake system includes a brake stack having a stack closure pressure, a force member positioned within a cylinder, a valve configured to control the fluid pressure of the brake system, and one or more pressure transducers that generate a proportional electrical signal representative of fluid pressure within the cylinder. The brake system also includes one or more processors in electronic communication with the valve, the one or more pressure transducers, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data comprising a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the brake system to determine the stack closure pressure of the brake stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David T. Yamamoto, Steven Elliot Smith, Nima Forghani
  • Patent number: 10974268
    Abstract: A system for indicating degraded operation of a robotic paint station is provided. The system includes a paint nozzle operable to spray paint upon a work piece, a paint supply tube system including a plurality of paint supply tubes operable to supply a flow of paint to the paint nozzle, a vacuum system connected to the paint supply tube system and operable to remove air pockets from the paint supply tube system, a pressure sensor connected to the vacuum system, and a computerized robot control module. The computerized robot control module is programmed to monitor data from the pressure sensor, compare the data to a threshold pressure value, and generate a maintenance warning indicating degraded vacuum system operation based upon the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven Hawthorne Jones, Michael Andrew Cieslik, James Brenner
  • Patent number: 10906406
    Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hyliion Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Healy
  • Patent number: 10899384
    Abstract: A method for maneuvering a vehicle-trailer system in a reverse direction is provided. The method includes receiving images from a camera positioned on a rear portion of the trailer. The method includes: identifying one or more guide representations within the received images; and transmitting the received images to a user interface. The method also includes receiving from the user interface, an indication of a guide representation from the one or more guide representations. The method includes determining a path that includes maneuvers configured to move the vehicle-trailer system along the path to follow the guide associated with the identified guide representation while maintaining a minimum distance from the guide positioned behind the trailer. The method also includes transmitting to a drive system of the vehicle, one or more commands causing the vehicle-trailer system to autonomously move the vehicle-trailer system along the vehicle-trailer path in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alejandro Salcido Zarco
  • Patent number: 10864822
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system that ensures brake force in the event of failure of a brake device or a controller. In vehicle drive system, a first brake device applies a brake torque to a pair of front wheels and a second brake device applies a brake torque to a pair of rear wheels. A first brake system includes a first controller and the first brake device, and a second brake system includes a second controller and the second brake device. In the event of occurrence of failure in one of the first brake system and the second brake system, only the other brake system generates brake torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 10759241
    Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin McAllister
  • Patent number: 10759398
    Abstract: An integrated system for engaging electric brakes of a towed vehicle when the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, comprising a power source, a first junction pole configured to be connected with an electric ground, a second junction pole configured to be connected with the electric brakes of the towed vehicle, an electrical connector connecting the first junction pole with the power source, a breakaway switch, and a housing containing the power source, first and second junction poles, and the electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a first end fixedly connected with the first junction pole and the breakaway switch includes an electrical connector fixedly connected to the second junction pole. Another integrated system further housing the breakaway switch and comprising fixed connections between the first junction pole and the power source, the second junction pole and the breakaway switch, and the breakaway switch and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL BATTERY COMPANY
    Inventor: Steve Crow
  • Patent number: 10721397
    Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed for a mobile machine. The system may include a plurality of cameras mounted on the machine and configured to capture image data of an environment around the machine. The system may further include a display and a processing device. The processing device may obtain information indicative of a current position of at least one camera relative to the machine. Based on the obtained information, the processing device may select a stitching configuration out of a plurality of predefined stitching configurations. The processing device may use the selected stitching configuration to generate a surround-view image of the environment around the machine. Thereafter, the processing device may also render the surround-view image on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Ali, Douglas Jay Husted
  • Patent number: 10703315
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a center component defining a center chamber therein and first and second side components defining first and second chambers therein, respectively. The first and second side components are coupled to opposing ends of the center component with the first and second chambers in fluid communication with the center chamber. The center, first side and second side components are configured to extend substantially across a width of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes first, second and third pressure sensors in communication with the first, second and center chambers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, David James Tippy
  • Patent number: 10214241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to display means for systems for guiding a trailer while backing, and in particular to graphical display means to provide information to an operator who is steering, and controlling the accelerator and breaks by suggesting the amount of steering to apply to the towing vehicle to cause the trailer to be directed to where the operator wants the trailer to go.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
  • Patent number: 9862413
    Abstract: A method for assisting the reversal of an articulated vehicle includes recording a predefined number of positions for a first articulated vehicle for a specified path, recording the articulation angle of each articulation joint of the articulated vehicle at the predefined number of positions, recording the heading for the first articulated vehicle at the predefined number of positions, saving the recorded values for the specified path in a memory, calculating the swept area of the first vehicle for the specified path by using the recorded values and size information of the articulated vehicle, and using the swept area to control the steering of the articulated vehicle when reversing the articulated vehicle along the specified path, such that the articulated vehicle does not extend outwards of the swept area during the reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Company
    Inventor: Leo Laine
  • Patent number: 9862366
    Abstract: A brake system (1) for a commercial vehicle (100) with a trailer includes a trailer control valve (24), a supply pressure line (46), a control pressure line (44), a valve arrangement for selectively connecting either the supply pressure line (46) or the control pressure line (44) to the trailer control valve (24), and an electronic control unit (10) that is arranged to perform electronic brake control. The valve arrangement is embodied as a structural valve unit (40), that can be switched by the electronic control unit (10) between the switching states connecting a trailer-side pressure line (52) to the control pressure line (44), and connecting the trailer-side pressure line (52) to the supply pressure line (46), and is arranged to subject the trailer-side pressure line (52) to a control pressure in a brake control situation depending on corresponding commands of the electronic control unit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd-Joachim Kiel
  • Patent number: 9796365
    Abstract: An electronic-pneumatic braking system for a vehicle, for example for a heavy goods vehicle or an articulated truck, includes a TCS/ESC modulator (1), enabling control functions for a traction control system (TCS) and a vehicle stability control system (ESC). The TCS/ESC modulator (1) includes a pneumatic relay valve (2), a solenoid valve (7) and a changeover valve device (11). In order to achieve a compact size and cost savings during manufacture, only control pressure can be applied to the solenoid valve (7) and to the changeover valve device (1), while only the pneumatic relay valve (2) has a large nominal size for conveying the supply pressure to at least one wheel brake and for venting the latter. As a result, the changeover valve device (11) can be structurally integrated in a TCS/ESC modulator (1) intended for carrying out the TCS/ESC functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Couppee, Bernd-Joachim Kiel
  • Patent number: 9643587
    Abstract: A sequencing valve for an automatic parking brake. The sequencing valve has a housing with a first port for communication with a source of a brake pipe pressure, a second port for communication with an exhaust, and a third port for communication with a brake pipe pressure input of an automatic parking brake. A valve body in the housing is moveable to either isolate the brake pipe pressure from the input to the parking brake, or couple brake pipe pressure to the input so that the parking brake may be released. A pilot is interconnected to the valve body for moving the valve body from the first position to the second position and can be driven by a charging and partial release of brake pipe pressure, charging of brake cylinder pressure, or a pneumatic signal provided by an electrical or a pneumatic control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Neulieb, Howard Huber, Jr., Keith Parnapy, Christopher J. Ferguson, Jeffrey Sauter
  • Patent number: 9604613
    Abstract: A braking control system associated with a towed apparatus is provided. The braking control system includes an intelligent control, an accelerometer electrically coupled to the intelligent control, a global positioning receiver electrically coupled to the intelligent control, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the intelligent control. The braking control system may also include a wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to the intelligent control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Kyle Group, LLC
    Inventors: Byron D. Cooper, Carlton A. Saunders, Jr., Anthony M. Tate
  • Patent number: 9561784
    Abstract: A control apparatus is configured to control a brake of a unit hauled by a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of brakes for braking the wheels of the vehicle, a trailer brake for braking the hauled unit, and a parking brake for keeping the vehicle braked while it is stationary. The control apparatus includes a line for sending a fluid to the trailer brake through a control valve in order to brake the hauled unit in certain working conditions, a further line for sending a further fluid to the trailer brake in order to activate the trailer brake in other working conditions, and a valve device for controlling flow of the further fluid in the further line, the valve device being responsive to a signal indicative of the status of the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Casali, Gabriele Ferola
  • Patent number: 9527487
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Joyce, Scott J. Lauffer, Peter Francis Worrel
  • Patent number: 9352684
    Abstract: In a method for signaling a braking process on a trailer vehicle coupled to a towing vehicle, at least one light on the trailer is actuated with an emergency brake signal during emergency braking and with a normal signal during a different driving state. The emergency brake signal causes a different actuation of the light than does the normal signal. The light can be actuated by a control signal of the towing vehicle, and the actuation state of the light can be influenced by at least one control device on the trailer. The control device detects the control signal generated by the towing vehicle and fed to the trailer to actuate the light, and analyzes the control signal. If it detects that the control signal is an emergency brake signal, it does not carry out a dedicated actuation of the light, or it effects a different actuation of the light than in other cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Barlsen, Bjorn Bleckmann, Rainer Risse, Axel Stender
  • Patent number: 9338382
    Abstract: Described is an electro-optical apparatus and method for correcting myopia that includes at least one adaptive lens, a power source, and an eye tracker. The eye tracker includes an image sensor and a processor operatively connected to the adaptive lens and the image sensor. The processor is configured to receive electrical signals from the image sensor and to control the correction power of the adaptive lens to correct myopia, with the correction power dependent on a user's gaze distance and myopia prescription strength. A lower-power-consumption method of eye glint tracking is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Wenyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 9315173
    Abstract: A towed vehicle braking system and method for applying brakes to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle braking system may include a master controller, a brake pedal activation device, and a breakaway cable. The master controller may be mountable in a towing vehicle and may be selectively placed in a trailer mode or a powered vehicle mode. A brake signal wire used to apply braking power to trailer brakes may be used for communication between the master controller and the brake pedal activation device. The brake pedal activation device may use a force sensor to determine that a force applied to a brake pedal of the towed vehicle corresponds to a desired amount of braking force as indicated by the master controller. The breakaway cable may be a combination of a traditional breakaway switch and an electrical cord between the towed and towing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Gray, Vicki Shuss, Gary Kaminski, Greg Yotz
  • Patent number: 9290166
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a brake actuator, a braking control valve assembly and an emergency apply valve having a control port which is connected to the supply line by a further control line. The braking system also includes an electrically operable brake apply valve that is movable between a first position in which fluid flow along the further control line is permitted and a second position in which fluid flow along the further control line is substantially prevented and the control of the emergency apply valve is connected to a low pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Limited
    Inventors: Dudley John Harrison, Carl Robert Mellings
  • Patent number: 9254830
    Abstract: A control device for a brake system of a rail vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a friction bracket device which is dependent on frictional engagement. The control device determines a braking effect applied during a braking process on the basis of a brake pressure or brake current and at least one further parameter. Also disclosed are a brake system having such a control device and a method for determining a braking effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Schneider, Michael Schubert, Jasmina Brackovic
  • Patent number: 9221447
    Abstract: A compressed air supply system is described for a truck trailer, which includes at least one first compressed air network, which supplies a pneumatic brake system of the truck trailer with an air pressure limited according to a requirement, and at least one compressed air supply coupling between the tractive vehicle and the truck trailer for supplying compressed air, in which the at least one compressed air supply coupling is configured for a higher air pressure than the limited air pressure according to the requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Stoehr, Martin Mederer
  • Patent number: 9194707
    Abstract: A method comprises computing a metric based on the accelerometer signal to remove an acceleration due to gravity. A bandwidth of a gyroscope filter is set based on the accelerometer signal and the computed metric. The gyroscope filter uses a low-pass filter to filter a signal from the gyroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Deric W Waters, Tarkesh Pande