Vehicle Patents (Class 703/8)
  • Patent number: 10198878
    Abstract: Methods and systems for logging driving information associated with a vehicle when driven are disclosed. In one aspect, a mobile telecommunications device is provided that is adapted for installation to a vehicle and configured to log driving information associated with the vehicle when driven. The mobile device is arranged to register the start of a driving period during which the mobile device is installed to the vehicle and the vehicle is being driven by a driver. The mobile device is also arranged to process sensor data during the driving period to derive driving information associated with how the vehicle is driven. The mobile device is also arranged to store a selection of the driving information to a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew William Wright
  • Patent number: 10162010
    Abstract: A wireless network based battery management system is provided, which comprises an off-board subsystem and an on-board subsystem, wherein the off-board subsystem comprising an off-board data storage for storing historic data of a on-board battery system and data of other battery systems, and an off-board data processing device for analyzing and processing the stored data and establishing and validating off-board battery models, mapping the accurate and complex off-board battery models into a simple off-board battery model, and generating parameters of the simple off board battery mode, and wherein the on-board subsystem selects a simple on-board battery mode corresponding to the simple off-board battery mode, updating parameter of the simple on-board battery mode with those of the simple off-board battery mode, and calculates battery status of the on-board battery system. A method of using the wireless network based battery management system described above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: MingLiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10124780
    Abstract: Disclosed may be a method for controlling counter steering of a vehicle, which, in a counter steering section for controlling over-steer while a vehicle travels a curve, prevents lateral force from being decreased by maintaining a braking pressure according to an operation of an antilock braking system (ABS) for a vehicle wheel (a front axle curve-travelling outer wheel) of a counter steering target at an optimal slip level (before an improvement of a target slip), and improves steering performance by forming a linear yaw rate in a direction for counter steering without a delay in forming the yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: In Yong Jung, Dong Hoon Kang, Sang Hyup Lee, Joon Sang Jo, Kyun Sang Park
  • Patent number: 10094094
    Abstract: A shovel performing a work by being operated by a driver includes a lower running body, an upper turning body mounted on the lower running body and a control device that controls an operation of a hydraulic actuator in response to an operation applied to an operation lever. A cabin is provided in the upper turning body. An attaching part is provided in the cabin and is capable of attaching a multifunctional portable information terminal having a display and input function, a wireless communication function and a voice recognition function. The attaching part includes a connecting part connected to the multifunctional portable information terminal. The control device performs data communication with the multifunctional portable information terminal through the connecting part, and supplies electric power from an electric accumulation part of the shovel to the multifunctional portable information terminal through the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10069920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an online service outside the vehicle by using an operating device of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining an operating input performed by a user on the operating device and selecting one of several service functions of the online service depending on the operating input. This selection capability should be adapted to the vehicle type-dependent operating concept of the motor vehicle. The operating elements available on the operating device are determined and converter data, which contain a control instruction for controlling the selection of the service function depending on operation signals of the determined operating elements, are provided. The selection of the service function then takes place depending on the operating element operated during the operating input and depending on the converter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Stefan Sellschopp
  • Patent number: 10066369
    Abstract: A shovel performing a work by being operated by a driver includes a lower running body, an upper turning body mounted on the lower running body and a control device that controls an operation of a hydraulic actuator in response to an operation applied to an operation lever. A cabin is provided in the upper turning body. An attaching part is provided in the cabin and is capable of attaching a multifunctional portable information terminal having a display and input function, a wireless communication function and a voice recognition function. The attaching part includes a connecting part connected to the multifunctional portable information terminal. The control device performs data communication with the multifunctional portable information terminal through the connecting part, and supplies electric power from an electric accumulation part of the shovel to the multifunctional portable information terminal through the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9922469
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations that include receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for one or more vehicles. The data for each of the one or more travel parameters being represented with distribution ranges. For each of the one or more vehicles, operations include calculating one or more metric values based on the one or more travel parameter data distributions. Operations also include assigning a score to each of the one or more vehicles based on the calculated one or more metric values, and, presenting a ranking of the one or more vehicles based on the assigned scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventors: Justin Ashton, Neal Ennis Brenner
  • Patent number: 9904879
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire at least one image group including at least one image; a creating unit configured to create a layout candidate by laying out images included in an image group that has been acquired by the acquisition unit; an evaluating unit configured to evaluate the layout candidate created by the creating unit, based on individual evaluation of each of the images in accordance with a feature of a subject in the images that have been laid out in layouts; and an output unit configured to output the layout candidate created by the creating unit, at a predetermined output size. The feature of the subject in the images includes a size of the subject in the image identified by an output size of the layout candidate output by the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kawai, Yusuke Hashii, Kiyoshi Umeda, Hiroyasu Kunieda, Hiroyuki Sakai, Naoki Sumi, Tohru Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9781207
    Abstract: A dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit receives a data access request. An estimated end of life is determined for a plurality of DST execution units. A subset of the plurality of DST execution units is selected, based on a threshold number associated with the data access request and further based on the estimated end of life for the subset of the plurality of DST execution units. The data access request is executed via the subset of the plurality of DST execution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Shirley, Jr., S. Christopher Gladwin
  • Patent number: 9678776
    Abstract: Suppressing enabled newer facilities of an older simulated machine. This makes the native machine appear just like the corresponding older simulated machine. The invention creates the Allowed Facilities Table (AFT) that includes all the facilities of each simulated machine that needs to be supported and queries all the installed facilities of the simulated machine. It reads each machine facility of the simulated machine and checks the AFT that includes the state of all the facilities that are allowed to be enabled for the simulated machine to see if this installed facility is also enabled in the AFT. If the installed facility is also enabled in the AFT, then this facility may be used by the software without any problems. Otherwise, this facility should not be used. A system and program product for carrying out the method are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Louis P. Gomes
  • Patent number: 9676382
    Abstract: Hybrid vehicle design circuitry quantifies values for utility/disutility variables of a hybrid vehicle design by evaluating a hybrid vehicle model over a collection of drive cycles/routes. The utility/disutility values include at least one of: total time or additional time beyond a reference time needed for the hybrid vehicle design to complete the drive cycles/routes, a fraction or number of the drive cycles/routes for which the hybrid vehicle design fails to achieve a target velocity, and amount of time or distance over which the hybrid vehicle design fails to achieve a target acceleration or the target velocity over the drive cycles/routes. The hybrid vehicle design circuitry calculates one or more specifications of a hybrid vehicle design based on the utility/disutility values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David E. Schwartz, Bhaskar Saha, Simon Barber, Sean Garner, John Hanley
  • Patent number: 9600541
    Abstract: Provided is a method of processing and analyzing vehicle driving big data, the method including: refining vehicle driving data of raw data; acquiring statistical data based on the refined vehicle driving data; and performing mining analysis based on at least one of the refined vehicle driving data and the acquired statistical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOOKMIN UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMY CORPORATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Eun Mi Choi, Won Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 9438529
    Abstract: A computing resource of a provider network is scheduled to undergo a process. During execution of the process, data associated with the process is monitored. An expected profile of the monitored data during execution of the process is determined. The expected profile is determined based on the type of the computing resource. Based on a comparison between the monitored data and the expected profile, a determination is made as to progress of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Marcin Piotr Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9436172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test installation for testing control programs for a real robot installation, particularly for a lacquering installation, having a plurality of robot controllers (2.1-2.n), which each contain a control program and correspond to robot controllers (2.1-2.n) in the real robot installation, at least one control unit (4) for co-ordinating the robot controllers (2.1-2.n), wherein the control unit (4) contains a control program and corresponds to a control unit (4) in the real robot installation, and also having a first data bus (3) which connects the robot controllers (2.1-2.n) to one another and/or to the control unit (4), wherein the first data bus (3) corresponds to a data bus in the real robot installation. It is proposed that the test installation additionally have a modelling device (9) which is connected to the first data bus (3) and simulates peripheral components of the real robot installation, so that the control programs can be tested without the peripheral components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sandra Schmitz, Gerhard Alonso Garcia, Michael Fella
  • Patent number: 9417853
    Abstract: A method for generating a code from a reference model for use in an electronic control unit for vehicles. An intermediate language model is created from which a code can be generated, which implements the behavior of the reference model. The intermediate language model comprises a first plurality of parameters and information and a second plurality of parameters and information. The intermediate language model is adaptable on the basis of the first plurality of parameters and information, so that a code adapted to a particular control unit can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: dSPACE digital signal processing and control engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Fischer
  • Patent number: 9336680
    Abstract: A rotating wheel of a vehicle is detected by evaluating the Doppler shift of a measuring beam emitted by a detector unit passed by the vehicle, reflected by the wheel and returned in Doppler-shifted form. In a relative position to the wheel, the vehicle comprises an onboard unit, which can establish a radio communication with a transceiver having a known location in the detector unit. The direction and distance of the onboard unit from the transceiver are measured on the basis of at least one radio communication between the same. The radiation direction or radiation position of the measuring beam is controlled in accordance with the measured direction and distance and taking into consideration the aforementioned relative position and location. The relative position is stored in the onboard unit and is read from the onboard unit by way of a radio communication for the purpose of the aforementioned consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventor: Oliver Nagy
  • Patent number: 9336242
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a controller configured to create a first set of thumbnail images for a first set of images among a plurality of images; and a display configured to display at least a portion of the first set of thumbnail images generated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Wonsik Choi, Beobki Chung, Hyeongjin Kim, Minsup Kim
  • Patent number: 9327558
    Abstract: A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jon I. Stuckey, Justin E. Hayes, Chris Swartzwelder
  • Patent number: 9330576
    Abstract: A computer based simulation system for virtual training for vehicle crews is disclosed. The vehicle crew training system (VCTS) simulates crew positions for different military vehicles. Two or more crewman modules are networked together to support a partial or full vehicle crew. The crewman modules are self-contained devices that are modular in hardware and software design, easily reconfigurable, and that require minimal facility space, allowing use in restricted environments such as trailers. The VCTS is modular at the crew position level; crewman modules are added or deleted as required to meet a particular training need. One of the crewman modules can be a gunner module, which provides an unrestricted view of the simulated environment to the gunner by means of a display and a simulated vehicle-mounted weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Raydon Corporation
    Inventors: Sean C. Moran, Donnie R. Klein, Mark D. Haack, Sharon E. Lay, Christopher J. Howard, Michael J. Dineen, Jerry R. Hubbard, William M. Araki
  • Patent number: 9280895
    Abstract: A system and method automatically detect traffic violations on roadways or portions thereof that are restricted for use only by permitted vehicles. The system comprises a controller, a vehicle sensor, and a camera. The vehicle sensor detects vehicle movement on a restricted roadway. Data from the camera and the vehicle sensor are analyzed by the controller to detect a vehicle traveling on the restricted roadway, to gather static vehicle information to determine whether the detected vehicle is permitted to use the restricted roadway, and to determine whether movements of the detected vehicle on the restricted roadway constitute a violation of traffic rules in effect on the roadway. The method captures at least one image of a vehicle on a region of the roadway, detects a vehicle in the region, collects vehicle movement information, and detects a violation of traffic rules in effect using at least the collected vehicle movement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: American Traffic Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jigang Wang, Kenneth M. Young
  • Patent number: 9260140
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method of collision measurement for a vehicle. According to one embodiment, a plurality of photonic crystals configured to produce a color change state are distributed on an area of the vehicle. Furthermore, a location tag is also positioned on the vehicle for providing mapping data relating to the location of the photonic crystals along said vehicle. Upon receiving external crash impact, a measurement of force is computed based on the color change state of at least one photonic crystal caused by the crash impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventor: Babak Makkinejad
  • Patent number: 9245089
    Abstract: A broadband liner design optimization includes utilizing in-duct attenuation predictions with a statistical fan source model to obtain optimum impedance spectra over a number of flow conditions for one or more liner locations in a bypass duct. The predicted optimum impedance information is then used with acoustic liner modeling tools to design liners having impedance spectra that most closely match the predicted optimum values. Design selection is based on an acceptance criterion that provides the ability to apply increasing weighting to specific frequencies and/or operating conditions. One or more broadband design approaches are utilized to produce a broadband liner that targets a full range of frequencies and operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Douglas M. Nark, Michael G. Jones
  • Patent number: 9224307
    Abstract: A method for managing a training arena for training an operator of a host vehicle includes the procedures of generating a training arena model, updating the training arena model according to gathered real time training arena data, and managing the selected virtual entity for simulating a real entity. The training arena model is updated according to the selected virtual entity data, deriving from the training arena model an operator arena model, producing a representation of the operator arena model. The representation of the operator arena model is presented to the operator and the selected virtual entity is managed according to the training arena model as would have been detected and as could have been perceived by the selected virtual entity were the virtual entities real.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Ofer Livneh
  • Patent number: 9177486
    Abstract: A shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft and a distal second end of the shaft being interfaced to a shifter mechanism. A first force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft, outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a forward/rearward direction and a second force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Training System LLC
    Inventors: Aaron M. Best, J. Ken Barton, David J Havell, Reginald T. Welles, Darrell R. Turpin, James W. Voorhees, John Kearney, Camille B. Price, Nathan P. Stahlman, Aaron J. Turpin, Aaron M. Purvis
  • Patent number: 9129519
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting whether a vehicle will come to a stop at an intersection is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Massachussetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Georges Aoude, Vishnu Rajeswar Desaraju, Jonathan P. How, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Patent number: 9111237
    Abstract: An approach that evaluates an effectiveness of a monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, there is a performance evaluation tool, including an evaluation component configured to receive visual media at a monitoring system monitored by a set of users, and evaluate a monitoring performance of the set of users in response to a simulated alert within the visual media. The performance evaluation tool further comprises an analysis component configured to predict an effectiveness of the monitoring system based on the performance of the set of users in response to the simulated alert within the visual media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arun Hampapur, William D. Pfelfer, Jr., Bemice E. Rogowitz, Mercan Topkara
  • Patent number: 9098657
    Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a contact surface definition involving lower order and quadratic finite elements (QFE) in a FEA model used for numerically simulating an impact event are disclosed. FEA model is organized by one or more groups of finite elements. Each group represents one of the product's parts and is identified by a part ID. Further, the FEA model is configured with one or more contact surface definitions for detecting contacts amongst the parts due to the impact event. For each determined group that is determined to contain QFE, a new group is created. The new group is associated with a unique part ID. Contact segments for the new group are then generated in accordance with a set of predefined rules for subdividing one or more geometric shapes associated with the QFE. Contact surface definitions are updated by replacing each determined group with the new group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Livermore Software Technology Corp.
    Inventor: John O. Hallquist
  • Patent number: 9064415
    Abstract: Tracking traffic violations within an intersection and use of a destination location are disclosed. Initially, two or more first images from a first camera having a first field of view are received. Next, a first unique identifier of a first vehicle and a violated traffic restriction within the intersection are determined based on the two or more first images. Next, two or more second images from a second camera having a second field of view are received. A second unique identifier and a first characteristic of a second vehicle are determined based on the two or more second images. Next, two or more third images from a third camera having a third field of view are received. That the second vehicle is stopped in a destination location at a first time and that the second vehicle has left the destination location at a second time are determined based on the two or more third images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: CLOUDPARC, INC.
    Inventors: Steven David Nerayoff, Thompson S. Wong
  • Publication number: 20150149135
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed to produce a model that predicts performance of a ship by creating an initial model based on relationships between factors related to the ship during operation and parameters representing primary dynamic input data that depend on the factors. Measurement results are obtained from sensors during the operation of the ship for producing a set of new dynamic input data to be used in the model. If a difference between a simulation result and an actual operation exceeds defined threshold criteria, the model is improved by repeatedly producing new sets of dynamic input data until defined quality criteria are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Kalevi Tervo
  • Publication number: 20150149124
    Abstract: A verification method for an aircraft system comprises retrieving logical design data associated with the system, and physical design data associated with the system; extracting data from a computer model of the system; converting the retrieved logical and physical design data and the extracted data into a common data format; and performing a difference analysis of the logical and physical design data with the extracted data from the model to identify any non-conformances between the logical design data, the computer model and the physical design data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brent L. Hadley, Patrick J. Eames, Michael P. Sciarra, Joseph F. Floyd, Charles Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20150149136
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system are disclosed for evaluation of the performance of a ship. Performance variables of a ship and dynamic input parameters that affect the performance variables are defined. The dependencies between the performance variables and the dynamic input parameters are then learned automatically to provide an initial model for simulating the performance. The initial model is updated to be used as the model in further operation and further updating the model until the model meets preset quality criteria for a model to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY, AG
    Inventor: Kalevi Tervo
  • Publication number: 20150149137
    Abstract: A method for designing an aircraft includes defining an initial catalog of requirements for at least one aircraft design. An optimization of the at least one aircraft design is carried out based on the catalog of requirements in terms of anticipated operating costs. A predefined total flight network is simulated with the at least one aircraft design and a total flight network efficiency is determined. It is then checked as to whether the determined total flight network efficiency constitutes an optimum. The catalog of requirements is adapted and an iteration is performed upon a determination that the determined total flight network efficiency does not constitute the optimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Karl Echtermeyer, Werner Coenen
  • Patent number: 9043007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel way of automatically assigning materials to 3D CAD models. A predefined material template specifies that a particular part or material name is assigned to a particular material such that all instances of the particular part name are assigned or modified automatically by the material template. By having a consistent naming convention for the parts in the CAD file, this material assignment can be performed automatically when the CAD file is imported or viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Claus Wann Jensen, Jeffrey McCartney, Thomas Teger, Henrik Wann Jensen
  • Patent number: 9043113
    Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have a travel speed sensor, at least one traction device speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a slip value associated with a traction device of the mobile machine based on signals generated by the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor, and determine a torque output value of the mobile machine. The control may also be configured to make a comparison of the slip value and the torque output value with a pull-slip curve stored in memory, and selectively update the pull-slip curve based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Padilla, Steven R. Krause, Ted E. Kingham, Kendall W. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9037440
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating flow and acoustic interaction of a fluid with a porous medium includes simulating activity of a fluid in a first volume adjoining a second occupied by a porous medium, the activity of the fluid in the first volume being simulated so as to model movement of elements within the first volume and using a first model having a first set of parameters, simulating activity of the fluid in the second volume occupied by the porous medium, the activity in the second volume being simulated so as to model movement of elements within the second volume and using a second model having a second set of parameters and differing from the first model in a way that accounts for flow and acoustic properties of the porous medium, and simulating movement of elements between the first volume and the second volume at an interface between the first volume and the second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Exa Corporation
    Inventors: Chenghai Sun, Franck Léon PéRot, Raoyang Zhang, Hudong Chen, David M. Freed, Ilya Staroselsky
  • Patent number: 9031818
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining a trajectory for a transfer of a spacecraft from a starting space body to a target space body with respect to a given central space body, wherein the determined trajectory is optimal with respect to a given space mission requirement to be met by the transfer of the spacecraft. The method comprises providing, according to the Pontryagin maximum principle, a physical-mathematical model relating model quantities and physical quantities representing the transfer of the spacecraft with respect to the given central space body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TELESPAZIO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Bolle, Christian Circi, Giuseppe Corrao
  • Patent number: 9026414
    Abstract: Methods and devices for determining speed control management settings are provided. A vehicle configuration is obtained, specifying at least a transmission, including a number of gears present in the transmission. One or more speed control management modules, such as progressive shift and/or gear down protection modules, are selected by a customer. One or more default progressive shift limits and a default gear down protection limit are calculated, along with gears for which they are active. Performance of the vehicle using the default speed control management settings is simulated and compared to typical vehicle performance. The customer may alter the speed control management settings within dynamically determined valid ranges. The speed control management settings are used in the manufacture or other configuration of the vehicle for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Erik S. Johnson, Richard Hampson, Zachary Slaton
  • Publication number: 20150115632
    Abstract: A bumper includes a bumper beam having a length and a primary front face forming an impact surface with at least one longitudinal channel formed therein. A rod is positioned in the channel and secured to the bumper beam, with the rod supporting side walls forming the channel. Upon impact, the rod supports the side walls of the channel from thin wall buckling. Thus, the material thickness of the beam can be decreased substantially (and concurrently a total weight decreased) while still maintaining a total force/deflection curve and optimal bending force of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Atsushi Iino
  • Patent number: 9020689
    Abstract: A system and methods for real-time model based vehicle structural anomaly detection are disclosed. A real-time measurement corresponding to a location on a vehicle structure during an operation of the vehicle is received, and the real-time measurement is compared to expected operation data for the location to provide a modeling error signal. A statistical significance of the modeling error signal to provide an error significance is calculated, and a persistence of the error significance is determined. A structural anomaly is indicated, if the persistence exceeds a persistence threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Smith, James M. Urnes, Sr., Eric Y. Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 9020792
    Abstract: Coupling architectural and implementation/behavioral models of a computer-based system by creating a bridge element, defining a port of the bridge element, associating the port of the bridge element with a port of an implementable element of an architectural model of a computer-based system and a port of an implementation element of an implementation/behavioral model of the computer-based system, mapping an interface member of the implementation element port to an interface member of the implementable element port, generating, from a template, skeleton source code applicable for the mapped interface member, generating a usage description element for the architectural model corresponding to the mapped interface member, generating an architectural description document from the architectural model, generating implementation code from the implementation/behavioral model and the generated skeleton source code, and generating a declaration file for an operating system service for use by the implementation code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aharon L. Aknin, Shay Atzitz, Irena Kostan, Shy Matza, Ran Rinat, Omer Shadmi, Raz M. Yerushalmi
  • Patent number: 9015017
    Abstract: A method for the computer-aided design of an aeronautic system forming all or part of an aircraft, using a criterion of maintenance time cost over a given period of use. The cost is computed as the weighted sum of a first component representing the mean flight time lost during this period, a second component representing the mean unscheduled maintenance time for this system during said period, and a third component representing the scheduled maintenance time for this system throughout said period. The configuration corresponding to the lowest time cost is then selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Thomas Maurin
  • Patent number: 9015018
    Abstract: An aircraft design system comprising a components database having designs for components configured for use in an aircraft, a materials database having materials selected for desired types of wireless signal propagation, and a boundary designer. The boundary designer is configured to identify a configuration for wireless networks in the aircraft. The boundary designer is further configured to select a number of boundaries for the wireless networks that provide a desired propagation of wireless signals for the wireless networks. The boundary designer is further configured to select a configuration for a number of the components from the designs in the components database and select a number of materials for the number of the components to form the number of boundaries for the wireless networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jason Philip Bommer, Keith J. Glover
  • Patent number: 9008855
    Abstract: An accumulated use time for cargo handling vehicles is accurately displayed by a time measuring device even if the time measuring device fails and is replaced. Units such as a display unit and a control unit of the cargo handling vehicle each include a time measuring device and a storage device. The device may perform in a synchronization mode in which the difference between the accumulated use times of both devices is made the same and a synchronization inhibition mode in which the accumulated use times are not changed. The accumulated use times are communicated between the function units, and the accumulated use time of the cargo handling vehicle and the absolute value of the difference between the accumulated use times of both measuring devices are taken into consideration. The appropriate mode is selected and the time measurement is carried out in the selected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20150094904
    Abstract: System and method for using forecast ocean currents to improve the prediction of an underwater vessel's trajectory as compared to using a simple dead reckoned path determined by vessel commanded heading and speed through the water. System and method for position-tagging long-term underwater time series data collected by a submerged mobile vehicle, and locally storing and uploading the position-tagged data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF NAVY
    Inventors: Brian S. Bourgeois, Samantha J. Zambo
  • Patent number: 8977528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus may be present for managing rework. A section in a platform having a number of composite materials needing a rework may be identified to form an identified section. A selected rework process to perform the rework of the identified section may be identified. The selected rework process may comprise a process to bond a patch to the identified section. A computer system may perform a simulation of the selected rework process to determine whether the selected rework process provides the rework for the identified section. The simulation may include a thermal analysis. The thermal analysis may take into account a number of structures associated with the identified section. The number of structures associated with the identified section may be located within a distance of the identified section such that the number of structures affect or are affected by bonding of the patch to the identified section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Craig Greenberg, Steven Donald Blanchard, Joseph Frank Floyd, Brent Louis Hadley, Lawrence S. Lindgren
  • Patent number: 8977391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a location reference system and a control module. The location reference system is configured to generate location information for a number of mobile platforms in an environment. The control module is configured to receive the location information for the number of mobile platforms from the location reference system. The control module is further configured to generate command signals for the number of mobile platforms using the location information. The control module is further configured to send the command signals to the number of mobile platforms to operate the number of mobile platforms in the environment such that operation of the number of mobile platforms emulates the operation of a number of spacecraft systems in a non-Earth terrestrial environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Vavrina, John Lyle Vian
  • Patent number: 8977529
    Abstract: On-board diagnostics for fleet maintenance is improved by embedding a microprocessor programmed with a prognostication algorithm on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8967032
    Abstract: A smart-store emulation unit is provided for use on-board a weapon platform in place of the physical presence of a smart-store. The emulation unit may be used for operator training on or testing of the smart-store on-board an operational weapon platform such as an aircraft, tank or ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Edward H. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8965743
    Abstract: A design assisting apparatus of a steering device arranges a coordinate of a handle position reference point, a coordinate of a first universal joint reference point, a coordinate of a second universal joint reference point, and a coordinate of a steering gear reference point in a three-dimensional space, calculates a reference axis passing through the second universal joint reference point from the first universal joint reference point, calculates a phase angle which is an angle between a straight line from the handle position reference point to the first joint reference point when viewed along the reference axis and a straight line from the second joint reference point to the steering gear reference point when viewed along the reference axis, and determines success or failure of a condition in which the allowable range of the phase angle allowable error is included in the allowable range of the allowable torque variation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Tomaru, Naoki Sawada, Akira Ichikawa, Ryou Oosawa
  • Publication number: 20150046133
    Abstract: A communication simulating system includes: a communication recording device that records, into a vehicle condition database, a vehicle condition including a step, a place and a vehicle stringed together, vehicle state information that has been input as communication content between a vehicle electric equipment system and a vehicle communication apparatus in a step performed at a predetermined place; a vehicle state information acquiring device that acquires vehicle state information from the vehicle condition database in accordance with a selected vehicle condition; a storage unit that stores communication definition files specifying the respective ones of the same processes as the communication processes executed by a plurality of ECUs included in the vehicle electric equipment system; and a communication control device that communicates with a vehicle communication apparatus in accordance with the communication process and the vehicle state information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Yosuke Morita, Katsunori Miyazawa, Yuki Harada, Yuichiro Ikeda, Akiei Satani