Digital Or Programmed Data Processor Patents (Class 701/102)
  • Patent number: 12103374
    Abstract: An electric drive module comprises a housing, at least one electric motor attached to the housing, a main gear wheel mechanically connected to the electric motor by mechanical gears, a gearbox, where the gearbox input member is driven by the main gear wheel, an axle differential housed in an axle differential housing and driven by an gearbox output, and drive shafts driven by the axle differential, the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the gearbox. At least a portion of the differential housing is rigidly connected to the output member of the gearbox, which allows direct connection of the gearbox and the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED DESIGN SOLUTION S.R.O.
    Inventor: Vilém Neuman
  • Patent number: 12065956
    Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine upstream of the exhaust system and having an energy network is provided. The method includes operating the energy network in an operating situation with a voltage at a starting position, wherein a heating element is associated with the exhaust system, the heating element being connected to the energy network via a switching element, wherein the heating element in a first switching state of the switching element, when the switching element is switched on, is connected to the energy network in an electrically conductive manner, and in a second switching state of the switching element, when the switching element is switched off, is electrically separated from the energy network, and changing the voltage from the starting position to a switchover position when switching the switching element between the first and second switching states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Christian Glück
  • Patent number: 12066825
    Abstract: An autonomous earth moving system can determine a desired state for a portion of the EMV including at least one control surface. Then the EMV selects a set of control signals for moving the portion of the EMV from the current state to the desired state using a machine learning model trained to generate control signals for moving the portion of the EMV to the desired state based on the current state. After the EMV executes the selected set of control signals, the system measures an updated state of the portion of the EMV. In some cases, this updated state of the EMV is used to iteratively update the machine learning model using an online learning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BUILT ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Jitendra Kikani, Noah Austen Ready-Campbell, Andrew Xiao Liang, Joonhyun Kim
  • Patent number: 12030494
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter describes a method for setting an automatic distance from and behavior with respect to a vehicle in front. The automatic distance can be optimized based on the situation and energy efficiency. A current traffic situation is detected. A traffic situation on a road section yet to be traveled can be predicted. Energy consumption depending on a variation in the distance from the vehicle in front can be measured. A distance from the vehicle in front can be set depending on the currently detected traffic situation, the predicted traffic situation, and the measured energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Elflein, Mark van Gelikum
  • Patent number: 12024214
    Abstract: A system and method that includes determining a relationship between a moving resistance of a vehicle system and one or more characteristics of the vehicle system. A trip plan may be generated based at least in part on the relationship for movement of the vehicle system through one or more sections of one or more routes based at least in part on the relationship. One or more operational settings of the vehicle system are then designated for implementing the trip plan to drive movement of the vehicle system to achieve one or more objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gayathri Seenumani, Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., James D. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11970990
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes a drive wheel, an engine and an automatic transmission configured to transmit power from the engine toward the drive wheel. When the automatic transmission is shifted, the control apparatus is configured to execute a shifting-time torque-down control by using an ignition retard method of retarding an ignition timing of the engine or a fuel cut method of restricting fuel supply to the engine. The control apparatus is configured to estimate a temperature of a predetermined portion of an exhaust pipe of the engine in a case in which the shifting-time torque-down control is executed by using the ignition retard method, and to execute the shifting-time torque-down control by using the fuel cut method when an estimated value of the temperature of the predetermined portion of the exhaust pipe is not lower than a predetermined upper-limit temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Inoue
  • Patent number: 11945446
    Abstract: An in-vehicle control device includes: a requested torque calculation unit which calculates a requested torque on the basis of a driving state of a vehicle; a requested torque change amount calculation unit which calculates the amount of change in requested torque per unit time as a requested torque change amount; an estimated generation torque calculation unit which calculates estimated generation torque estimated as being generated by an engine; an estimated generation torque change amount calculation unit which calculates the amount of change in estimated generation torque per unit time as an estimated generation torque change amount; and an abnormality detection unit which detects an abnormality of the engine on the basis of the integrated value of a difference between the requested torque change amount and the estimated generation torque change amount, and outputs abnormality determination for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemi Oono, Sadato Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11912127
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle moving on a road, wherein the vehicle includes a controller capable of activating an automated function involving emergency braking of the vehicle. The method includes automated steps consisting in after the automated function is complete, collecting information relative to the space in front of the vehicle; determining whether the space in front of the vehicle is sufficient to enable the vehicle to move forward; only if the space in front of the vehicle is sufficient, reaccelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Raphaël Ribero
  • Patent number: 11906343
    Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a truck having wheels for engaging a railroad track, a bolster supported by the truck, and a tank supported by the bolster for storing a lading. A measurement system measures the level of the lading within the tank and includes gauges and a controller. The gauges are disposed at selected points on the bolster for sensing at least one of lateral and longitudinal localized displacement experienced by the bolster during motion of the rail vehicle. The controller calculates the level of the lading within the tank and compensates for changes in the level of the lading during motion of the rail vehicle in response to signals generated by the gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Darrell Robert Krueger, Corey D. Wills
  • Patent number: 11845334
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking system for automatic locking and shutdown of a motor vehicle comprising a device for partially autonomous parking is described. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a request for automatic locking and shutdown of the motor vehicle; determining at least one feature which identifies an imminent use of the function for partially autonomous parking; evaluating the at least one feature captured and on the basis thereof determining whether a use of the function for partially autonomous parking is to be expected; delaying the automatic shutdown of the motor vehicle if it was determined that a use of the function for partially autonomous parking is to be expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Krekel, Florian Vieten
  • Patent number: 11767862
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine including a hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump, and a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator which are driven by hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump. The construction machine includes a first flow rate detector that detects a flow rate of drain hydraulic oil discharged from the first hydraulic actuator, a second flow rate detector that detects a flow rate of drain hydraulic oil discharged from the second hydraulic actuator, and an abnormality determination unit that determines abnormality of the first hydraulic actuator, based on a detection signal from the first flow rate detector, and determines abnormality of the second hydraulic actuator, based on a detection signal from the second flow rate detector. The first flow rate detector and the second flow rate detector each have a moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION CRANES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomioka
  • Patent number: 11673449
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11643112
    Abstract: A path providing device configured to provide a path information to a vehicle includes: a communication unit configured to receive map information from a server, the map information including a plurality of layers of data, an interface unit configured to receive sensing information from one or more sensors disposed at the vehicle, the sensing information including an image received from an image sensor, and a processor configured determine an optimal path for guiding the vehicle from an identified lane, generate autonomous driving visibility information and transmit the generated autonomous driving visibility information based on the sensing information and the determined optimal path, update the optimal path based on dynamic information related to a movable object located in the optimal path and the autonomous driving visibility information, and control the interface unit to shut off or start an engine of the vehicle based on the autonomous driving visibility information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jinsang Lee, Jihyun Kim, Seunghwan Bang
  • Patent number: 11634116
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that executes a feedback control properly to adjust a speed of a predetermined rotary member to a target speed. A controller is configured to: calculate an amount of change in a torque applied to the rotary member by one of the torque devices, in accordance with operating conditions of the torque devices; and calculate an amount of change in the torque applied to the rotary member by another one of the torque devices, based on a target amount of change in a synthesized torque of the torques of the torque devices and the amount of change in the torque applied to the rotary member by one of the torque devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Sasaki, Akira Eiraku
  • Patent number: 11628821
    Abstract: When an acceleration request is issued, an electronic control unit for a hybrid vehicle performs control for producing an acceleration feeling of setting a target engine rotation speed to an initial rotation speed (=basic initial value+initial value correction value) which is lower than an optimal-fuel-efficiency rotation speed at which required engine power is able to be most efficiently output and increasing the engine rotation speed from the initial rotation speed to the optimal-fuel-efficiency rotation speed at a rotation speed increase rate (=basic increase rate+increase rate correction value) based on the elapse of time. When the target supercharging pressure is high, the initial value correction value is set to a greater value and the increase rate correction value is set to a greater value than when the target supercharging pressure is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Tooru Matsubara, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Yasutaka Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 11598241
    Abstract: A reduction device includes a housing defining an input chamber configured to receive exhaust from a power source, an output chamber, an exhaust channel configured to direct the exhaust from the input chamber to the output chamber, and a longitudinal axis. The reduction device also includes a treatment unit disposed in the exhaust channel and along the longitudinal axis. The treatment unit is configured to at least partly remove pollutant species from the exhaust. The reduction device also includes an attenuation component disposed in the housing and radially outward of the treatment unit. The attenuation component is fluidly connected to the exhaust channel, and is configured to attenuate a range of frequencies corresponding to operation of the power source. Additionally, the exhaust channel prohibits exhaust entering the input chamber from exiting the housing without passing through the treatment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Lloyd Dea
  • Patent number: 11585299
    Abstract: Systems for hybrid electric engines have a fuel vapor canister (FVC) in fluid communication with (i) fuel vapor in a fuel tank with a refueling valve therebetween, (ii) an intake manifold with a canister purge valve therebetween, and (iii) atmospheric pressure (atm) with a canister vent valve (CVV) therebetween, a bypass loop around the refueling valve, and a pressure sensor upstream of both the refueling valve and the CVV. The loop has a control pump and a control valve controlling fluid communication with atm, and in a first mode, control valve and CVV open, pumps fuel vapor to the FVC for pressure control, then closes the control valve; in a second mode, control valve closed and CVV open, pumps atm to the FVC; and in a third mode, control valve and CVV open, pumps fuel vapor to the FVC to a pre-selected threshold to close the CVV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lucka, Donald P. Tinsley, III, Matthew C. Gilmer
  • Patent number: 11565580
    Abstract: A controller for a hybrid vehicle performs charging control when a shift range of the hybrid vehicle is a first range, and does not perform the charging control when the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is a second range, the charging control being control of charging a power storage device with electric power generated by a generator driven by an engine. The controller records diagnosis information when an SOC of the power storage device is equal to or lower than a first threshold value and the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is the first range, and does not record the diagnosis information when the SOC of the power storage device is equal to or lower than the first threshold value and the shift range of the hybrid vehicle is the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaroh Tanaka, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11570252
    Abstract: A vehicular arbitration system includes: a main manager configured to receive one or more requests from a plurality of first application execution units and to determine a request for operating a predetermined on-vehicle device based on the received one or more requests and a predetermined rule; and a plurality of sub-managers respectively configured to arbitrate the request determined by the main manager and a request input from at least one second application execution unit that is different from the plurality of first application execution units and to control the on-vehicle device based on an arbitration result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazumutsu Azuma
  • Patent number: 11525748
    Abstract: A method for detecting at least one characteristic parameter of a closure element (12) closing an opening. By means of a handling device (10), a movement is imposed on the closure element (12), wherein at least the interacting force between the closure element and the handing device during the movement is determined by means of a first sensor (20) integrated in the handling device, and position changes of the closure element during the movement sequence are detected by means of a second sensor (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BATTENBERG ROBOTIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Günther Battenberg
  • Patent number: 11513011
    Abstract: A storage device stores a first mapping that receives, as an input, first input variables including a previously estimated value for a fuel temperature variable, a pump variable on a state of a fuel pump, a first engine variable on a state of an engine, and an outside air temperature variable on an outside air temperature, and outputs the fuel temperature variable. Further, an execution device is configured to acquire the first input variables and estimate the fuel temperature variable by applying the acquired first input variables to the first mapping. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the fuel temperature variable by applying the first input variables to the first mapping even without providing a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Iwai
  • Patent number: 11500127
    Abstract: A precipitation index estimation apparatus includes a data collection unit and an estimation processing unit. The data collection unit is configured to collect rainfall amount data that is detected by a rainfall amount sensor in one or more vehicles positioned in a predetermined area within a predetermined period. The estimation processing unit is configured to estimate a precipitation index indicating an intensity of precipitation in the predetermined area within the predetermined period, based on the collected rainfall amount data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Osumi, Noriaki Saito
  • Patent number: 11460463
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the derived cetane number of a liquid hydrocarbon sample is disclosed. The method comprises combusting (19) the sample in a constant volume combustion chamber (45). The method comprises obtaining (23) a pressure versus time combustion profile (69) of the sample wherein the profile comprises a first region (81) and a second region (83), the first region (81) including the start of combustion, and the second region (83) relating to a later time than the first region. The method comprises selecting a single data point from the second region (83) of the combustion profile (69), said data point representing a combustion delay (CD) of the combustion profile; and calculating a derived cetane number for the sample using the time value associated with said single data point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Fogarty, David Thompson, Noel Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 11460606
    Abstract: A precipitation index estimation apparatus includes a data collection unit and an estimation processing unit. The data collection unit is configured to collect rainfall amount data that is detected by a rainfall amount sensor in one or more vehicles positioned in a predetermined area within a predetermined period. The estimation processing unit is configured to estimate a precipitation index indicating an intensity of precipitation in the predetermined area within the predetermined period, based on the collected rainfall amount data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Osumi, Noriaki Saito
  • Patent number: 11447122
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUEL SAVING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Yu, James W. Hill, Gregory W. Davis
  • Patent number: 11410472
    Abstract: A computing device-implemented method includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a first propulsion system, and, receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a second propulsion system. The distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the first propulsion system are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system. The method also includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a collection of vehicles. The distribution ranges for the collection of vehicles are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventor: Neal Ennis Brenner
  • Patent number: 11408360
    Abstract: An engine device is equipped with an engine, a supercharger having a turbine, a compressor and a waste gate valve, and a control device that controls the engine and the supercharger, and that performs an abnormality diagnosis of a relationship between an intake air amount of the engine and a supercharging pressure as a pressure downstream of the compressor in the intake pipe. The control device performs boost control for controlling the waste gate valve such that the supercharging pressure becomes higher when a predetermined condition is fulfilled than when the predetermined condition is not fulfilled. The control device further sets a threshold for use in the abnormality diagnosis, based on whether or not the boost control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Uchida
  • Patent number: 11407404
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission including an input shaft coupled to the engine, an output shaft, an electric machine, and a gearing arrangement. The electric machine is configured to actuate the gearing arrangement to change a speed ratio between the input and output shafts. A controller is programmed to, responsive to a request to manually shift the transmission to one of a predetermined number of virtual discrete speed ratios and the engine being OFF, command starting of the engine regardless of a driver-demand torque and operate the electric machine to shift the transmission to the one of the speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky, Craig Lechlitner, Seth Anthony Bryan
  • Patent number: 11407316
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control device includes: a control section controlling operation of a motor generator and a power storage device. The control section performs SOC reduction control based on determination that while the own vehicle is traveling on a travel scheduled route, a section is present in which a predetermined amount of regenerative power generation by the motor generator in the own vehicle exceeds an SOC upper limit value. The SOC reduction control reduces a current SOC of the power storage device by setting an SOC lower limit value as a lower limit, to recover all electric power generated by the regenerative power generation. The control section performs efficiency priority travel based on determination that the predetermined amount of regenerative power generation is not actually expected to be available. The efficiency priority travel places priority on vehicle fuel economy or electric power efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yutaro Ito
  • Patent number: 11401847
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust tuning valve. In one example, a method may include adjusting the exhaust tuning valve in response to a steering wheel angle input. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the exhaust tuning valve may be adjusted differently in response to a same steering wheel angle input during different driving behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Vinod Kumar Ravi, Hani Mohammad Ayesh
  • Patent number: 11396857
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jacqueline Shannon, Stephanie Olivia Engle, Albert Boniske
  • Patent number: 11394300
    Abstract: A power supply and an automotive topology that includes the power supply, the power supply having an integrated module, which includes in a common, shared module housing, a start-stop DC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter, and an auxiliary DC/DC converter, which bypasses stop/start during non-stop/start operation. A DC input port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter, DC/AC converter, and the auxiliary DC/DC converter. A DC output port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter to supply DC to critical loads of a motor vehicle, even during vehicle OFF mode. An AC output port connected to the DC/AC converter to supply AC to an external component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CASCO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carlos Daniel Diaz de Leon Miranda, Benyu Zou, Joshua Frederick Hartwig, Chieh-Kai Chang, Gary Lee Firman, II, William Awad
  • Patent number: 11377084
    Abstract: An update process updates relationship defining data by inputting, to a predetermined update map, a state of a vehicle obtained by a state obtaining process, a value of an action variable used to operate an electronic device, and a reward corresponding to an operation of an electronic device. A range in which an operation process uses, as the action variable, a value different from a value that maximizes an expected return related to the reward is defined as a return non-maximizing range. In a case in which a degree of deterioration of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined degree, a changing process changes the return non-maximizing range to a side on which the return non-maximizing range is expanded as compared to a case in which the degree of deterioration is less than the predetermined degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Hashimoto, Akihiro Katayama, Yuta Oshiro, Kazuki Sugie, Naoya Oka
  • Patent number: 11346238
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for generating exhaust energy and converting exhaust energy to electrical energy while an engine is not running. In one example, a system for an engine comprises: a first turbocharger including a first compressor driven by a first turbine, the first turbine disposed in an exhaust of the engine; a fuel burner fluidly coupled to the exhaust upstream of the first turbine; a generator coupled to one of the first turbine or an auxiliary, second turbine fluidly coupled to the exhaust downstream of the fuel burner; and one or more bypass valves configured to adjust a flow of air that bypasses the engine and is delivered to the fuel burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Mischler, Roy James Primus, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 11347495
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes: an execution unit configured to execute a control program for controlling a vehicle; a storage unit having a first program storage area to store the control program and a second program storage area to store an update program that is an updated version of the control program and created based on update data acquired from a device located outside the vehicle through a network; and an update unit that stores the update program in the second program storage area based on the update data, regardless of whether the execution unit is executing the control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Hayashidera
  • Patent number: 11345350
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that may be driven to or sold in different geographical locations that may have different engine emissions and fuel economy standards are described. The systems and methods may adjust vehicle operation to comply with standards that may be enforced where the vehicle is geographically located. The standards may apply to countries, treaty zones, race track areas, off-road areas, and other geographically related standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Scott Christensen, John Eric Rollinger, Adam Joseph Krach, Nicholas Herhusky, Michael Bastanipour, Scott Steadmon Thompson
  • Patent number: 11332119
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes an energy predictor to predict an available energy using a battery energy based on a charging energy in battery charging and a battery energy based on a learned value of a state of health (SOH) of a battery, a distance calculator to calculate a driving range using the predicted available energy and a fuel efficiency which is previously learned, and a controller to update information on the calculated driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kyu Beom Ko
  • Patent number: 11313297
    Abstract: A synchronous dynamometer assembly for applying a load to an engine during at least one portion of the combustion cycle of the engine in a synchronised manner so as to be repeatable each cycle of the engine comprises a dynamometer having a non-inductive load which is applied to the engine during operation to vary the speed of the engine. The non-inductive load is variable by varying the current delivered to it. Crankshaft monitoring means monitors the rotational position of the engine crankshaft, and combustion detection means detects a combustion event in a cylinder of the engine. Control means is operatively connected to the dynamometer for applying the load from the dynamometer to the engine for at least one part of the combustion cycle in real time such that the different loads may be applied to the engine for different parts of the combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Martin
  • Patent number: 11295044
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for dynamic determination of an environmental footprint linked to the overall mobility of a user, comprising means for measuring a trip made by the user using a smart phone application which detects modes of mobility and modes of mobility in a motorized vehicle and style of driving; means for calculating a pollution footprint of the user, accounting for the real usage and global and local pollutants emitted during a given time interval using a server or onboard electronics in a control unit or in a connected vehicle; and means for exploiting the pollution footprint, including a connected object informing one of the user and the administrative authorities of the pollution footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Laurent Thibault, Gilles Corde
  • Patent number: 11288577
    Abstract: Example implementations described herein are directed to systems and methods for estimating the remaining useful life of a component or equipment through the application of models for deriving functions that can express the remaining useful life over time. In an aspect, the failure acceleration time point is determined for a given type of component, and a function is derived based on the application of models on the failure acceleration time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuai Zheng, Kosta Ristovski, Chetan Gupta, Ahmed Farahat
  • Patent number: 11261769
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a position of an exhaust valve that regulates engine exhaust noise. In one example, the position of the exhaust valve is adjusted according to a road grade estimate. The road grade estimate may be based on a vehicle's present position on a road or a position that is a distance away from the vehicle's present position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Hani Mohammad Ayesh, Vinod Kumar Ravi
  • Patent number: 11248520
    Abstract: An engine system capable of controlling an intake air flow includes a combustion chamber, an ignition plug, an intake air flow control valve, and a controller. The controller performs, in at least a part of an operating range, SPCCI combustion in which after jump-spark ignition combustion of a portion of a mixture gas inside the combustion chamber by a jump-spark ignition of the ignition plug, compression ignition combustion of the remaining mixture gas is carried out by a self-ignition. The controller strengthens, at least in a part of the operating range of SPCCI combustion, the intake air flow inside the combustion chamber by controlling the intake air flow control valve. The controller controls, in a middle-load range of the operating range where SPCCI combustion is performed, the intake air flow control valve so that the intake air flow becomes weaker than in a high-load range and a low-load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Inoue, Tetsuya Chikada, Yusuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 11226263
    Abstract: A diagnosis apparatus is applied to an in-line three-cylinder internal combustion engine, and includes a diagnosing unit and an angular acceleration derivation unit. The diagnosing unit is configured to execute a diagnosis process for diagnosing whether there is a compression leak in any one of cylinders while the internal combustion engine is in steady operation. The angular acceleration derivation unit is configured to derive an angular acceleration of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The diagnosing unit is configured to, in the diagnosis process, when an amount of change in the angular acceleration per a predetermined period during an expansion stroke of any one of the cylinders is less than or equal to a threshold amount of change, diagnose that there is a compression leak in the any one of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Maeda
  • Patent number: 11220939
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a crankcase ventilation system. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a breach in a crankcase vent tube based on a regression of measurements of pressure in the crankcase vent tube. The regression allows the pressure measurements to be extended across an entire range of operating air flows and the breach may be identified by comparing the regressed pressure measurements to expected crankcase vent tube pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jentz, Matthew Carpenter, Dennis Blanchard, Michael Sweppy
  • Patent number: 11215094
    Abstract: A sooty smoke filter regeneration control system of a hybrid vehicle, includes an engine, a sooty smoke filter installed in an exhaust line through which exhaust gas from the engine passes, and filtering out sooty smoke included in the exhaust gas; a temperature sensor installed in the front end of the sooty smoke filter, and measuring a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the front end of the sooty smoke filter; an engine controller controlling a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the sooty smoke filter and to control fuel injection of the engine, based on information associated with a grade of a road on which a vehicle is to drive; and a hybrid control unit controlling an engine clutch disposed between the engine and a motor that assists the engine in association with engine output, in response to a request from the engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yun Chan Heo, Sang Yoon Shin, Jae Yui Kim, Hyun Mo Ahn, Min Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 11186269
    Abstract: A method of two-step variable valve lift (VVL) operation learning control for a vehicle may include: applying, by a lift controller, a VVL control to an electric two-step VVL system; determining, by the lift controller, whether the vehicle is running in an electric vehicle (EV) mode; and when the vehicle is running in the EV mode, performing, by the lift controller, a learning time securing control of allowing a VVL operation learning to be performed by engine operating for an operation avoidance area and an operation avoidance time which are applied to a secondary lift of an exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae-Hyeok Song
  • Patent number: 11168630
    Abstract: An improved method for performing a conditioning process for a particulate filter, preferably adapted for an aftertreatment system arranged downstream of an internal combustion engine. The proposed method provides for conditioning of a filter under controlled conditions such that the filter may reach a desired operation state in a more efficient and faster manner. Further, the proposed method also advantageously provides for maintaining the desired operation state, in which the filtration capacity may be at a usable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Dahlgren, Stefan Dunert, Mattias Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11149663
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein that provide for controlling torque in a vehicle. In some embodiments, desired torque values are generated and are compared to an amount of torque currently being generated by an engine. If a different amount of torque is desired, an engine speed target is altered in a linear fashion, and then converted back to a torque request to be provided to an engine ECU for implementation. Techniques disclosed herein may cause changes in torque demand to be limited in such a way to cause predictable and smooth changes in engine speed, even when engine speed and torque do not have a linear relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: Riley Sparman Kilfoyle, Christopher Balton, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
  • Patent number: 11142206
    Abstract: When a noise generation duration time predicted by a prediction unit is equal to or less than a predetermined time and it is predicted that generation of noise can be further curbed in comparison with a case in which the noise generation duration time in which noise is generated is relatively short and the noise generation duration time is greater than the predetermined time, an engine operating point control unit controls an engine and a differential unit such that an engine operating point reaches an engine operating point in an optimal fuel-efficiency operating line and thus it is possible to curb generation of noise and to curb a decrease in fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Koji Hayashi, Masato Nakano, Toshiaki Tamachi, Daiki Sato
  • Patent number: 11142181
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor as a traveling power source, and a battery in which electric power to be supplied to the motor is charged, includes: a transient operation controller performing, when absolute values of an outputtable electric power and a chargeable electric power of the battery are small at a time of a transient operation of the engine, a transient operation of controlling an operating point of the engine within a wide range from low output to high output, at a position where a thermal efficiency is lower than the thermal efficiency at a time of a steady operation, and of controlling the engine to be in a combustion state where a margin to a combustion limit is greater than the margin in the steady operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kaoru Ohtsuka