Acoustic Wave Patents (Class 340/446)
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Patent number: 11610295Abstract: A system for detecting the operating condition of components of an implement may include an implement, a first sensor comprising one of an acoustic sensor or a vision-based sensor, a second sensor comprising the other of the acoustic sensor or the vision-based sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The controller may receive performance data from the first sensor indicative of a performance of the implement. The controller may further monitor the performance data received from the first sensor and identify an area of interest relative to the implement. Additionally, the controller may control an operation of the second sensor to collect component data indicative of an operating condition of at least one component of the implement located within the area of interest.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Phillip Duane Dix, Daniel Geiyer, Aditya Singh, Brett McClelland, Navneet Gulati
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Patent number: 9963002Abstract: Embodiments may provide a pressure module, a transceiver module, a control module, methods and computer programs for providing information related to a tire pressure. The pressure module is configured to provide information related to a pressure of a tire in a vehicle, comprises a pressure determiner configured to determine the information related to the pressure of the tire, and further comprises a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive information related to an instruction to provide the information related to the pressure of the tire and to wirelessly transmit the information related to the tire pressure. The transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive in the same frequency band. The transceiver module is configured to wirelessly transmit information related to an instruction to provide information related to a pressure of a tire to the tire pressure module and to wirelessly receive the information related to the tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: André Peine
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Patent number: 8902056Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system where the position and orientation of a receiver antenna associated with the tire pressure monitoring system is at a location that is proximate the tire pressure monitoring system. In one embodiment, the receiver antenna is positioned beneath a vehicle chassis. The location of the receiver antenna can be determined by system performance prediction tools that include mean-time-to-warning verses packet error rate curves for a desired packet error rate and packet error rate verses signal-to-noise ratio curves for various operational scenarios and different classes of vehicle that provides a necessary signal-to-noise ratio for a wireless link, and operational scenarios that established desired levels of performance and reliability.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vikas Kukshya, Hyok Jae Song, Hui Pin Hsu, Richard W. Wiese
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Patent number: 8775017Abstract: A method for wear control of vehicle tires, includes: detecting deformation of an inner surface of a first tire by means of a first sensor; determining a first level of wear of the first tire; detecting a deformation of an inner surface of a second tire by means of a second sensor; determining a second level of wear of the second tire; comparing the first and second levels of wear with each other; and generating a notification signal representative of the comparison. Also disclosed is a system for wear control of vehicle tires, a method of determining the wear of a tire and a system for determining the wear of a tire.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Pirelli Tyre, S.p.A.Inventors: Massimo Brusarosco, Federico Mancosu
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Patent number: 8680980Abstract: A blank tire pressure monitoring device includes a housing having an air valve at one end and connection terminals at an opposite end, a circuit board mounted in the housing and carrying a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, an analog-digital converter electrically connected with the pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the acceleration sensor, a general purpose I/O terminal unit electrically connected with the connection terminals of the housing; an embedded microcontroller module electrically connected with the general purpose I/O terminal unit and the analog-digital converter and having built therein a flash memory, a microcontroller core and a special-function register controller, a LF receiver electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module, and a transmitter electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module; and a method is still also disclosed for setting up a blank tire pressure monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Cub Elecparts Inc.Inventors: San-Chuan Yu, Chih-Ming Chiang, Yuan-Tung Hung, Chao-Ching Hu
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Patent number: 8482393Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission with at least one sensor (15), associated with the motor vehicle transmission, for picking up measurement signals at the motor vehicle transmission and transmitting them by a wireless unit to a transmission control unit (12) of the motor vehicle transmission. In each case, an RFID-responder (16) is associated with each sensor (15), which transmits the respective measurement signals concerned to an RFID-reader (17), associated with the transmission control unit (12). The RFID-reader (17) transmits wirelessly to the RFID-responder (16), associated with the sensor (15) concerned, electrical energy for operating the sensor (15) and for operating the RFID-responder (16) associated with the sensor (15).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Alexander Graf, Rolf Schmitz
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Patent number: 8473202Abstract: A automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem. The general purpose computer includes a program execution module to selectively start and stop processing of a program of equipment instructions and to generate a plurality of move commands. The real-time computer subsystem includes a move command data buffer for storing the plurality of move commands, a move module linked to the data buffer for sequentially processing the moves and calculating a required position for a mechanical joint. The real-time computer subsystem also includes a dynamic control algorithm in software communication with the move module to repeatedly calculate a required actuator activation signal from a joint position feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: C.H.I. Development Mgmt. Ltd. XXIV, LLCInventor: John R. Lapham
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Patent number: 8452477Abstract: Wireless transmission from sensor devices included in tires is coordinated by a receiving unit associated with the tire, or transmission coordinator. In more detail, every sensor device is made aware of an overall time window available for transmission, and based on at least this information, it calculates a dedicated timeslot for the transmission of its data within such time window. This coordinated transmission makes possible a strong reduction of the probability of collisions and transmission errors, and reduces the number of transmissions, so as to comply with the limited power resources available at each sensor device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Sinem Coleri Ergen, Xuening Sun
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Patent number: 8423228Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a decrease in air pressure of a tire attached to a vehicle includes a rotation speed detection means for periodically detecting rotation speeds of tires of respective wheels of the vehicle; a rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means for calculating a rotation wheel speed ratio between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle; a wheel torque calculation means for calculating a wheel torque of the vehicle; an initialization means for obtaining a relation at a normal internal pressure between the wheel torque and the rotation wheel speed ratio; a comparison means for comparing the rotation wheel speed ratio with the rotation wheel speed ratio at a normal internal pressure obtained from the wheel torque and the relation; and a determination means for correcting the comparison result by a front-to-rear direction acceleration and determining whether there is a tire having a decreased air pressure or not.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yuji Oshiro
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Patent number: 8090492Abstract: The apparatus comprises a measured signal detector 11, a vehicle parameter obtainer 12, a sideslip angle temporary estimator 13, a sideslip angle differential corresponding value computer 14 and a sideslip angle real estimator 15. A sideslip angle temporary estimate value is computed from one or plural vehicle parameters including at least the mass. A sideslip angle differential corresponding value is computed from a measured signal and the vehicle parameters including no mass. A sideslip angle is derived from the sideslip angle temporary estimate value and the sideslip angle differential corresponding value. A sideslip can be detected without a steering angle detection mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: National University Corporation Tokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyInventors: Masao Nagai, Yohei Michitsuji, Pongsathorn Raksincharoensak
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Patent number: 8085141Abstract: A self-diagnostic acoustic wave touch actuated switch assembly includes a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity, a transducer operatively connected to the acoustic wave cavity, a processing unit, and at least one light emitting member operatively connected to the processing unit. The transducer is configured to generate a trapped acoustic wave within the acoustic wave cavity. The processing unit is operatively connected to one or both of the acoustic wave cavity and/or the transducer. The processing unit may be configured to activate the at least one light emitting member when the processing unit detects one or both of a switch malfunction and/or a potential switch malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Gerald W. Hill, Brian J. Truesdale, Slawomir P. Kielian
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Patent number: 8026802Abstract: There is provided a vehicle abnormality detection method detecting an abnormal state in which a high temperature occurs due to maladjustment of a vehicle bearing mechanism section or vehicle brake mechanism section, and a device thereof and a sensor unit thereof. By use of the sensor unit 100 mounted in a rim 31, an air temperature within a tire 2 is sensed as a first temperature and a temperature (second temperature) of the rim 31 is sensed as a temperature related to at least one of a temperature of the vehicle bearing mechanism section and a temperature of the vehicle brake mechanism section 40. Then a temperature difference between the first and second temperatures is calculated and when the temperature difference is a predetermined value or more, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the vehicle bearing mechanism section or vehicle brake mechanism section 40. The abnormality is thus detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimura
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Patent number: 7948365Abstract: A tire air pressure monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units and a receiver. The pressure sensor units are mounted near corresponding tires to measure tire air pressures and transmit transmission signals indicating the respective measured tire air pressures. The receiver has an antenna element, a variable capacitor and a power supply source. The variable capacitor is coupled to the antenna element. The power supply source supplies electric power to the antenna element. The voltage supplied to the variable capacitor is controlled so that a current flowing in the antenna element is changed and its directivity is changed. Thus, the transmission signals will be received more surely.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Takatoshi Sekizawa
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Patent number: 7898400Abstract: A system for determining when a vehicle is departing from the current lane. The system includes a processor, an imaging sensor, and an inertial sensor assembly. The imaging sensor is in electrical communication with the processor to provide a vehicle position signal and a preceding lane structure. The inertial sensor assembly is in electrical communication with processor to provide acceleration and rotational information about the vehicle. Based on a combination of the vehicle position, the preceding lane structure, the acceleration information, and the rotational information, the processor generates a warning signal to alert the driver.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Salah Hadi, Stephen Decker
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Patent number: 7839270Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system which may easily identify information transmitted from each of detecting devices without registration of identification information of the detecting devices and a transponder thereof are provided. A display is disposed in a distal end of the transponders all connected in series through a cable. Each of the detecting devices detects conditions in a predetermined portion of a vehicle and transmits vehicle information including measurement results, its own identification information and the number of transmissions. Each of the transponders determines whether the vehicle information transmitted from the detecting devices is received or not based on the identification information of the detecting devices registered in advance, and transmits the vehicle information to the transponder connected to the transmitting side or the display, when it determines that the vehicle information is to be received.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimura
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Patent number: 7796676Abstract: A signalling system is provided which can be used to update the prices of goods which are electronically displayed on supermarket shelves. The signaling system may include a first signalling device having an input terminal for receiving electrical message data received from a central computer system, a spread spectrum encoder for encoding the received message data and an electroacoustic converter for converting the encoded data into corresponding acoustic signals and for transmitting the acoustic signals from the transmission medium and for converting the received acoustic signals into corresponding electrical signals, a spread spectrum decoder for decoding the received signals and a message regenerator for regenerating the message data transmitted by the first signalling device from the signals output by the decoder.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Intrasonics LimitedInventor: Michael John Barclay
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Patent number: 7791461Abstract: A tire management system includes a sensor module secured to inside of a tire that is mounted on a vehicle, for measuring a tire state value and transmitting the measured data to the vehicle side, and a receiver module secured to the vehicle side for transmitting a signal demanding the measured data to the sensor module at a predetermined cycle and receiving the measured data transmitted from the sensor module. The sensor module measures a tire status value at a predetermined cycle, judges whether the measured data is out of a predetermined normal range, and immediately transmits the measured data and an abnormal state data through a predetermined channel exclusively used for transmitting the abnormal state data to the receiver module, if the data is judged to be out of the normal range. With this structure, if an abnormal state occurs, the receiver module can receive the abnormality without any delay, while preventing shortening of the cell life.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Keiji Oda, Koji Takao
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Publication number: 20100102944Abstract: A pressure sensing device, such as a tire pressure monitoring unit comprises a pressure sensor for measuring pressure of a fluid, such as air or an inert gas, in an environment external to the device, such as within the cavity of a tire. A hollow resonator, or standing wave tube, is coupled to the pressure sensor. The resonator has a free end exposed to the external environment to the extent that pressure variations in the fluid are propagated through the hollow resonator to the pressure sensor via the free end. The hollow resonator has a resonant frequency substantially matching a target frequency such that resonance is established in the tube at the resonant frequency in response to the presence of an audio signal in the fluid having a frequency that substantially matches the target frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventor: William David Lynn
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Patent number: 7688191Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
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Patent number: 7656282Abstract: A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus includes a second transceiver provided on the body of a vehicle which changes its operation alternately between a second transmitter and a second receiver mode, thereby intermittently transmitting a radio wave. A first transceiver provided on a wheel of the vehicle operates in a first receiver mode to receive the radio wave, thereby charging a charging unit. When the charging unit has been sufficiently charged, the first transceiver changes operation thereof from the first receiver mode to a first transmitter mode, in which the first transceiver first repeatedly transmits an informing signal at predetermined time intervals for a predetermined time period and then transmits a pressure signal. When the informing signal is received by the second transceiver in the second receiver mode, the second transceiver keeps its operation in the second receiver mode until the pressure signal is completely received.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Takashi Saitou, Akira Takaoka, Nobuya Watabe, Hideki Saito, Tomohiro Kuno
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Patent number: 7647827Abstract: A method, system and program storage device are provided for machine diagnostics, detection and profiling using pressure waves, the method including profiling known sources, acquiring pressure wave data, analyzing the acquired pressure wave data, and detecting if the analyzed pressure wave data matches a profiled known source; the system including a processor, a pressure wave transducer in signal communication with the processor, a pressure wave analysis unit in signal communication with the processor, and a source or threat detection unit in signal communication with the processor; and the program storage device including program steps for profiling known sources, acquiring pressure wave data, analyzing the acquired pressure wave data, and detecting if the analyzed pressure wave data matches a profiled known source.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jason William Pelecanos, Douglas George Heintzman, Jiri Navratil, Ganesh N. Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 7602279Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
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Patent number: 7551069Abstract: A vehicle tyre data monitoring system has a wheel mounted sensor means that is adapted to transmit one or more of pressure, temperature, angular velocity, and force vector data for a tyre as a digital serial datagram through a two-wire communication channel to a chassis mounted reader means. The communication channel is adapted to simultaneously supply power to the sensor means and receive the data for processing and subsequent display to a user of the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Inventor: Phillip Albert Cohen
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Patent number: 7508301Abstract: A tire monitoring system for a vehicle having tires determines if two tires share a same side of the vehicle based on a state of each of the two tires. In at least one embodiment, a first output signal indicative of a state of a first tire and a second output signal indicative of a state of a second tire are transmitted and received. A determination as to whether the first tire and the second tire are on a same side of the vehicle based on the state of the first tire and the state of the second tire is made.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Keith Albert Christenson
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Patent number: 7432801Abstract: A method of detecting a rapid leak of gas contained in an automobile tire based on periodic measurements of a pressure Pa and a temperature Ta of the gas. The method includes determining a reference pressure Pcref, calculating an alarm threshold pressure Sref from the reference pressure Pcref, calculating a temperature-compensated pressure Pc at each measurement acquisition period, and comparing the compensated pressure Pc with the alarm threshold pressure Sref, wherein the leak is detected if the compensated pressure Pc is less than the alarm threshold pressure Sref.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive ElectronicsInventors: Cyrille Verrier, Regis Leberon
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Patent number: 7412312Abstract: A system for automatically determining a public transport vehicle emergency braking characteristics, in particular of a railway vehicle, includes elements (1) for measuring the vehicle speed, elements (2) for measuring the distance travelled by it, and elements (3) for triggering an emergency braking of the vehicle to actuate its braking elements (4). The system includes elements for detecting (5) the activation of the elements (3) triggering the emergency braking and elements for detecting (5) when the vehicle stops, adapted to activate/deactivate the operation of elements (9) acquiring data concerning the speed and the distance travelled by the vehicle for a time interval running between the activation of the emergency triggering elements and the moment the vehicle stops, and elements (9) for analyzing the data to deliver at least a information concerning the distance travelled by the vehicle during the time interval.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Regie Autonome des Transports ParisiensInventors: Julien Leblanc, Bruno Perrin, Vincent Poupinet
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Patent number: 7397352Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for localising the position of at least two emission units, especially for monitoring at least one parameter for a plurality of wheels pertaining to a motor vehicle. The average power of the reception signals of a central evaluation and control unit (5) is detected. The aim of the invention is to improve the reliability of a correct localisation. To this end, at least two association criteria are used to associate the reception signals or emission units with positions or regions, when the examination of a reliability criterion for the first association criterion does not produce a sufficiently high reliability for the association carried out.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Fischer, Jürgen Spotka
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Patent number: 7391306Abstract: When the tire reaches a limit of wear level, tire wear indicators generate an acoustic signal by knocking the ground. Magnetic, optical and mechanical versions exist. A detector made of a microphone located under the vehicle and a processing central unit switches on a warning included in the dashboard. In a more sophisticated version, the detector recognizes the incriminated wheel using the phase of the acoustic signal and the information from the ABS™. Application to the detection of the decay of a tire, or any other type of wear surface such as pad, or similar, and to the detection of the presence of snow chains or spikes.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Dufournier Technologies SASInventor: Arnaud Dufournier
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Patent number: 7391308Abstract: A transmitter module has a sensor module that includes a plurality of sensors and operates intermittently, a signal processor module that permits transmission of an output of the sensor module to a receiver module at given permission timings, a radio transmission module that wirelessly transmits data when the transmission is permitted, and a power source that supplies power to each module. The signal processor module has a microcomputer and an interval timer that outputs a first timing signal when a count value corresponds to a set value. The microcomputer is activated by the first timing signal and changes the set value in a compare register according to a vehicle operation state.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventor: Keiichi Iwazumi
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Patent number: 7392119Abstract: A method and device for locating the position, on the right or on the left, of a vehicle wheel. The wheel is equipped with two magnetic sensors having axes of maximum sensitivity lying in a plane that is secant to the axis of rotation of the wheel and which are offset from one another in this secant plane by a predetermined angle ?. As the vehicle moves in a given travel direction, a signal generated by the variation in a magnetic field is measured at the terminals of each of the magnetic sensors to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted from one another by an angular value equal to (+ or ?) ?, this phase shift is used to determine the direction of wheel rotation, and from such direction and the travel direction, the location, on the right or on the left, of the wheel is deduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Continental Automotive FranceInventors: Pierre-Yves Allard, Gilles Dulac
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Patent number: 7362218Abstract: A tire monitor for mounting to a vehicle as part of a remote tire monitoring system includes a tire condition sensor to produce a tire condition signal, a controller coupled to the tire condition sensor to control operation of the tire monitor, and a radio circuit coupled to the controller to transmit radio signals based at least in part on the tire condition signal. A shock sensor is coupled to the controller of the tire monitor to produce a motion signal indicating motion of the tire monitor.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Kenneth McCall, William David Stewart
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Patent number: 7333022Abstract: A safety monitoring mechanism of a wafer fabrication platform is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a vibration sensor mounted at the loading apparatus of the wafer fabrication platform for detecting vibration generated during the operation of the loading apparatus; a determination module for receiving the vibration detected by the vibration sensor and to convert the vibration into digital signals and for contrast analysis with the preset standard signal range; and an alarm apparatus which produces an alarm signal to operator when the detected digital signal by the vibration sensor exceeds the standard signal range for being abnormal after contrast analysis with that of the module.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Welltech Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Yu-Hung Huang
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Patent number: 7333008Abstract: A tire deflation warning system having a means for detecting the rotational speeds of wheels on a vehicle and a means for judging tires with reduced air pressure from the rotational speed information of the wheels including a means for judging whether driving force works to respective wheels or not a means for calculating a vehicle speed when driving force works to respective wheels, a means for comparing the average of the rotational speeds of the driving wheels against the average of the rotational speeds of the following wheels, with the average of the rotational speeds of the driving wheels against the average of the rotational speeds of the following wheels at normal air pressure in running state in which the vehicle has driving force and a means for judging that the air pressures of the all wheels which are mounted on the vehicle are simultaneously reduced, or that the air pressures of the driving wheels are reduced by the result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Minao Yanase
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Patent number: 7327244Abstract: A valve device includes a metal tube fixed to a tire rim of a vehicle. A valve is mounted in an end of an air passageway of the metal tube. A transmitter includes two switches respectively connected to two contact members fixed on the metal tube. A Bourdon tube includes a fixed end in communication with the air passageway of the metal tube and a movable end. When a tire pressure of the tire is in a normal range, the movable end of the Bourdon tube is between the contact members, leading to an open circuit. When the tire pressure is too high or too low, the movable end of the Bourdon tube is in contact with one of the contact members. One of the switches is turned on to activate the transmitter to send a signal for reminding the driver of the abnormal tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Inventor: Hui-Cheng Chung
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Method for warning deflation of tires and system thereof, and judgment program of deflation of tires
Patent number: 7327243Abstract: A method for warning deflation of tires which can detect the deflation of 2 wheels at the same axle including a following axle, the simultaneous deflation of 4 wheels or the abrasion of tires only by the information of wheel speeds is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Kawasaki -
Patent number: 7323976Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
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Patent number: 7323975Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle with at least one tire includes at least one pressure sensor adapted for sensing pressure inside the at least one tire. The system also includes at least one indicator adapted to communicate a stop signal indicating that pressure inside the at least one tire is equal to a target pressure. The indicator is also adapted to communicate a continue signal indicating that pressure inside the at least one tire is unequal to a target pressure. The continue signal is adapted to indicate how close the pressure inside the at least one tire is to the target pressure. The tire pressure monitoring system further includes a controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the at least one indicator. The controller is adapted to determine the target pressure according to a predicted operating condition of the at least one tire.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Wallace T. Hall, Richard J. Knoll, Brian K. Bartnick
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Patent number: 7319381Abstract: A signal receiving apparatus includes a receiving circuit board having a signal receiving circuit formed on one side of an insulating substrate, a wide conductive pattern formed on the other side of the insulating substrate that faces a forming position of the signal receiving circuit, and a printed radiating conductor formed on the other side of the insulating substrate deviated from a position that faces the forming position of the signal receiving circuit. In the signal receiving apparatus, an input stage of the signal receiving circuit, an output stage of the printed radiating conductor, and the wide conductive pattern are conductively connected on the receiving circuit board, and received signals are supplied to the signal receiving circuit, by using the printed radiating conductor and the wide conductive pattern as an antenna, through a conductive connection point thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsuya Shibata, Hideki Yanagimoto
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Patent number: 7301446Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of an undersized, e.g., mini-spare, or an underinflated, oversized or overinflated tire or tires on a passenger motor vehicle improves operation of traction control, stability and anti-lock brake systems by compensating for such operating anomalies. The method includes the steps of sensing the steering angle, sensing the actual rotational speeds of each wheel, determining the actual vehicle speed, calculating each expected wheel speed based upon the sensed steering angle and wheel speeds, calculating each tire diameter based upon the calculated wheel speeds and, finally, determining whether such diameters are within various defined ranges which permit normal operation, permit reduced function operation, or require system shut down.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: E. David Ray, Dan Reich, Todd Ferguson
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Patent number: 7289021Abstract: Apparatus and method in the use thereof attaches an annular transponder unit to an annular tire surface, the transponder unit being of a type having a sensor housing coupled to an annular antenna. The apparatus includes a rotary turntable for supportably rotating a tire having an annular tire surface in an accessible disposition and an arm proximately disposed to the turntable and having end-of-arm tooling for attaching the transponder unit section by section to the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated. The tooling includes a gripping mechanism engaging the sensor housing and placing the sensor housing at a preselected location on the annular tire surface and a guide mechanism engaging the annular antenna and positioning the annular antenna section by section along the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Douglas Raymond Weaver, Joseph Carmine Lettieri, Gary Edwin Tubb, Dwayne Richard Huston, James Michael Hart, William Allen Rex, Robert Allen Birch
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Patent number: 7259663Abstract: A pressure detection sensor for detecting a tire internal air pressure and a wheel side communication device for transmitting a detection result of the pressure detection sensor using a preset transmission mode are provided on each wheel. The detection result from the pressure detection sensor is transmitted to an ECU via a vehicle body side communication device provided on a vehicle body. The ECU is able to notify a transmission mode determination device provided on each wheel that adjustment of the tire internal air pressure is being performed by manipulating a state of the tire internal air pressure. The transmission mode determination device determines a transmission mode to be used by the wheel side communication device such that a transmission frequency of a notification related to the occurrence of an abnormality of the wheel is reduced while adjustment of the tire internal air pressure is being performed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Ogawa
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Patent number: 7250851Abstract: Each sensor is provided with an emitter and the vehicle is provided with a corresponding receiver adapted to receive signals emitted by each sensor. The receiver is provided with at least one antenna disposed such that it is not located substantially equidistantly from the sensors, the antennas being located on a same side of the vehicle. The location of the sensors is carried out by analyzing the power of the field received by the receiver of each antenna for each sensor, the field power received by one antenna being the greater, the nearer to the antenna is the sensor that emitted the corresponding signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Siemens VDO AutomotiveInventor: Philippe Lefaure
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Patent number: 7245208Abstract: A tire condition detecting system has transmitters and a receiver. The transmitter is installed in a plurality of wheels and the receiver is installed in a chassis of a vehicle. The receiver has a controller which determines transmission timings in which a transmitting/receiving unit transmits the electrical wave for electrical charging to the transmitters. Moreover the controller detects an electrical wave from a nearby vehicle at the transmission timing. If the detected wave from the nearby vehicle is stronger, the controller waits for a predetermined period before making the transmitting/receiving unit transmit the electrical wave.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventor: Nobuya Watabe
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Patent number: 7205885Abstract: A wheel sensor communication system (10) includes a primary coil (30) and a secondary coil (32), which operate as an electromagnetic transformer which is uncoupled mechanically but coupled electrically through a vehicle wheel assembly rotational interface. The electromagnetic transformer provides for the transfer of energy and data from a sensor (18) to a controller (14).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Steven P. Kulha
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Patent number: 7173521Abstract: To issue a warning against an improper (a lowered) air pressure in accordance with a vehicle state and driver's presence/absence, the warning system includes air pressure measuring means for measuring an air pressure of a tire of a vehicle; air pressure judging means for judging whether or not the air pressure is proper; warning issuing means for issuing, if a result of the judgment is negative, a warning; and driver on-board judging means for judging whether or not a driver is on board the vehicle; and driver detecting means for detecting whether or not the driver is in the proximity to the vehicle. If the results of the judgments by the air pressure judging means and the driver on-board judging means are negative and a result of the detection by the driver detecting means is positive, the warning issuing means issues the warning outside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihiko Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7148793Abstract: A tire parameter sensing system (12) for a vehicle (10) having a plurality of tires (16, 18, 20, 22) comprises a plurality of tire-based units (34, 36, 38, 40). Each tire-based unit (34, 36, 38, 40) being configured to receive initiation signals and, in response thereto, to transmit response signals (54, 56, 58, 60). A vehicle-based unit (42) receives the response signals (54, 56, 58, 60) and transmits the initiation signals (90). A plurality of signal masking devices (44, 46, 48, 50) is coupled to the vehicle-based unit (42). The signal masking devices (44, 46, 48, 50) have associated tire locations on the vehicle (10) and are actuatable for masking the initiation signals (90) near the associated tire locations. The vehicle-based unit (42) controls the signal masking devices (44, 46, 48, 50) so as to control the tire location from which a tire-based unit responds to the initiation signals (90).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: TRW Automotive US LLCInventor: Xing Ping Lin
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Patent number: 7132937Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a passive wheel lift detector (58) that generates a passive wheel lift signal, an active wheel lift detector (60) that generates an active wheel lift signal, and an integrated wheel lift detector (62) coupled to the passive wheel lift detector (58) and the active wheel lift detector (60). The integrated wheel lift detector (62) generates a final wheel lift signal in response to the passive wheel lift signal and the active wheel lift signal. The final wheel lift signal may be used to control a safety device such as a rollover prevention system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Joseph Carr Meyers, Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown
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Patent number: 7116217Abstract: In an internal memory of a reception controller such as, for example, a ROM, a correction table is stored for correcting air pressure data. The reception controller receives a signal representing vehicle speed from a speedometer of the vehicle. The reception controller obtains a correction value from the correction table on the basis of the vehicle speed signal to add and deduct the correction value obtained and the air pressure data received. For this reason, the reception controller can obtain corrected air pressure data.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Youichi Okubo
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Patent number: 7109856Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A–C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
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Patent number: 7102499Abstract: An electronic communication device for a tire includes a radio device and an antenna intended to be attached to or embedded in a tire, the antenna being spirally or helically shaped to absorb tensile and bending stress applied by the tire. The antenna body may be a wire formed of spring steel, brass or zinc coated spring steel, or spring brass. A coating of insulating material coats the radio device and antenna for mounting on or in, and operation in, a tire structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: David Myatt