Vehicle Patents (Class 703/8)
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Patent number: 8725474Abstract: A method and system for using Bezier curves in vehicle positioning and electronic horizon applications for providing data to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications are disclosed. The Bezier curves are obtained from B-splines. The obtained Bezier curves are subdivided in a manner that allows the vehicle positioning application to derive a polyline representation in real time. Using the Bezier and polyline geometry, the vehicle positioning application provides a vehicle position approximation to the ADAS applications. Using the Bezier curves, the electronic horizon application provides curvature, slope, and heading profiles to the ADAS applications.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Navteq B.V.Inventors: Ole Henry Dorum, Marianna Gnedin
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Patent number: 8725490Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing a virtual universal translator (VUT) for a mobile device so that a user of such mobile device can use the camera and display of the mobile device to translate text from one language to another language. As the user points the mobile device's camera at a particular text string, such text string is automatically translated by the VUT into a different language that was selected by the user and this translated text is then transposed over the currently viewed image or video in the display of the mobile device. The user can utilize the VUT to continuously pass the camera over additional text strings so that the translated text displayed over the viewed image or video is continuously updated for each new text string.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Athellina R. Ahmad Athsani, Chris T. Kalaboukis
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Publication number: 20140122046Abstract: Systems and methods are described for emulating proximity operations of a spacecraft. In one embodiment, a method includes: projecting an image of a first spacecraft on a surface and initiating a proximity operation between the first spacecraft and a second spacecraft. The method further includes evaluating sensor feedback from the second spacecraft based on the proximity operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Brian Hamilton
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Patent number: 8706460Abstract: The present invention models dynamic behavior of flight vehicles for simulation, analysis, and design. The present invention allows a user to define the complexity of a flight vehicle model, and such models may be simple rigid body models, models of medium complexity, or very complex models including high order dynamics comprising hundreds of structural flexibility modes and variables related to aero-elasticity, fuel sloshing, various types of effectors, tail-wags-dog dynamics, complex actuator models, load-torque feedback, wind gusts, and other parameters impacting flight vehicles. The present invention accommodates and analyzes multiple vehicle and actuator concepts and configurations as defined in flight vehicle input data, which specifies flight vehicle parameters at a steady-state condition for modeling flight vehicle response to dynamic forces and flight control commands with respect to steady state operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Inventor: Eric T. Falangas
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Patent number: 8706459Abstract: A method for selecting a subset of at least one traffic sensor includes modeling multiple sensor types to generate at least one sensor model, creating a sample space of at least one sensor combination of multiple sensors, modeling traffic movement of a region, running a traffic simulation based on the at least one sensor model, the sample space of at least one sensor combination and traffic movement of the region, wherein the traffic simulation generates multiple candidate sets of sensors, and selecting a subset of the multiple sensors based on the multiple candidate sets of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Raj Gupta, Biplav Srivastava
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Patent number: 8706458Abstract: An apparatus and an article of manufacture for selecting a subset of at least one traffic sensor include modeling multiple sensor types to generate at least one sensor model, creating a sample space of at least one sensor combination of multiple sensors, modeling traffic movement of a region, running a traffic simulation based on the at least one sensor model, the sample space of at least one sensor combination and traffic movement of the region, wherein the traffic simulation generates multiple candidate sets of sensors, and selecting a subset of the multiple sensors based on the multiple candidate sets of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Raj Gupta, Biplav Srivastava
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Patent number: 8700185Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automatically generating an optimal configuration of a product, using logic implemented on a digital computer processing system. A general configuration will be broken down into a hierarchy of subdesigns by a designer of an artifact type. A particular instance of the type must satisfy user-specified external parametric constraints. Constraints may take the form of a range of values for some performance characteristic or to satisfy laws or business requirements. Hierarchical decomposition facilitates solution of complex problems. Criteria for a best solution may be specified for a given subdesign, a collection of subdesigns, or globally. Tentative selection of a particular subdesign may impose internally generated constraints upon a subsequent subdesign. If no acceptable solution is found for a subdesign, the candidate overall configuration rolls back to the most complete viable partial collection of subdesigns.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventors: Sermet Yucel, M. Germana Paterlini, Samuel E. Martin, William D. Headrick
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Publication number: 20140095135Abstract: Portable simulation system is a computer-based driving simulator, which uses an actual vehicle as an input device, and a portable display to present a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE) to the driver. Vehicle's steered wheels are placed atop of the turntables permitting free operation of the steering wheel. The vehicle remains immobile while its engine and power steering can be turned off during the simulation. External non-invasive sensors can be placed under the gas and brake pedals, permitting any vehicle to be used in the simulator, including the driver's own vehicle. A digital interface to the vehicle's systems, like OBD II, can be used to increase the fidelity of the simulation. A portable computer used for driving simulation and VDE presentation provides a low cost simulation option. A simple configuration of the portable simulator does not require an external power source and can be set-up and operated at any parking space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventor: Konstantin Sizov
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Patent number: 8688422Abstract: An automated three-dimensional and related data access system, said system comprising manipulating means for virtually manipulating, testing, and controlling the three-dimensional and related data. A system for controlling and adjusting three-dimensional and related data, said system comprising manipulating means for virtually manipulating, testing, and controlling the threedimensional and related data.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Kimberley Hanke
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Patent number: 8688255Abstract: In a material determining step, the material constituting an actuator and the material constituting a link are determined such that at least one of the materials contains fiber reinforced plastic. In a computing step, a computation model that defines the relationship between a control surface, the actuator, and the link is used to compute the change in gain margin with the change in a rigidity ratio, which is the ratio of the rigidity of the link to the rigidity of the actuator. The rigidities of the actuator and the link are determined in a rigidity determining step based on a result of the above-described computation, the shapes of the actuator and the link are determined in a shape determining step, and the actuator and the link are formed in a formation step, and are assembled in an assembly step.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Nabtesco CorporationInventors: Toshiaki Ogawa, Koji Itoh, Makoto Nagashima
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Patent number: 8676500Abstract: A method of providing intersection assistance with a portable electronic device to remind a user of traffic rules when the user approaches traffic intersections includes receiving an input from the user indicating a destination location for generating navigation instructions to the destination location, determining a current location of the portable electronic device according to received position signals, providing navigation instructions to the destination location according to the current location of the portable electronic device, and reminding the user of traffic rules related to intersections for a geographical location in which the portable electronic device is currently located when the portable electronic device detects that the portable electronic device is approaching an intersection, where reminding the user of traffic rules related to intersections comprises indicating a side of a second road the user should turn onto when making a turn from a first road onto the second road.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Mitac International Corp.Inventor: Geoff Walsh
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Patent number: 8666715Abstract: A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing relevant dimensioning values corresponding to an aircraft component in transonic conditions inside a predefined parameter space by means of a reconstruction of the CFD computations for an initial group of points in the parameter space using a POD reduced-order model, comprising the following steps: a) Decomposing for each flow variable the complete flow field into a smooth field and a shock wave field in each of said computations; b) Obtaining the POD modes associated with the smooth field and the shock wave field considering all said computations; c) Obtaining the POD coefficients using a genetic algorithm (GA) that minimizes a fitness function; d) Calculating said dimensioning values for whatever combination of values of said parameters using the reduced-order model. The invention also refers to a system able to perform the method.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignees: Airbus Operations S.L., Universidad Politecnica de MadridInventors: Angel Gerardo Velázquez López, Diego Alonso Fernández, José Manuel Vega de Prada, Luis Santiago Lorente Manzanares, Valentin De Pablo Fouce
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Patent number: 8666716Abstract: The present invention provides a traffic simulator which can simulate traffic conditions with high accuracy. Cautionary object searching portion searches for cautionary objects which a driver should heed when driving a vehicle model; recognized cautionary object selection portion and driver-recognized cautionary object selection portion, based on driver ability information set by data creation portion, select cautionary objects recognized by a driver from the found cautionary objects; and movement determination portion determines the movement of a vehicle model based on the selected cautionary objects.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Yonekawa, Kazuya Sasaki, Masaaki Uechi, Masumi Kobana, Hironobu Kitaoka, Hiroko Mori, Tatsuya Iwase, Tetsuo Kurahashi
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Patent number: 8650015Abstract: A device for acquiring and recording data captured in an aircraft including a plurality of sources of data streams to be recorded, at least one source of dated values of recording parameters, and a recording mechanism recording data from the data streams and parameter values, on at least one non-volatile information medium. The recording mechanism is adapted to store, in separate files, the data of the various streams of data associated with the dated values of recording parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Jean-Luc Vialatte, Sophie Calvet
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Patent number: 8646257Abstract: A method for estimating soot loading of a diesel particulate filter includes establishing a soot loading model for estimating soot loading of a nominal diesel particulate filter, adjusting the soot loading model for a subject filter to account for differences between the nominal filter and the subject filter, and estimating soot loading of the subject filter using the adjusted soot loading model. An engine with a diesel particulate filter is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.Inventors: Kenth I. Svensson, Chun Tai
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Patent number: 8645112Abstract: A distributed simulation system is composed of simulator stations linked over a network that each renders real-time video imagery for its user from scene data stored in its data storage. The simulation stations are each connected with a physics farm that manages the virtual objects in the shared virtual environment based on their physical attribute data using physics engines, including an engine at each simulation station. The physics engines of the physics farm are assigned virtual objects so as to reduce the effects of latency, to ensure fair fight requirements of the system, and, where the simulation is of a vehicle, to accurately model the ownship of the user at the station. A synchronizer system is also provided that allows for action of simulated entities relying on localized closed loop controls to cause the entities to meet specific goal points at specified system time points.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: L-3 Communications CorporationInventors: Mark Falash, Eytan Pollak, Yushan Chen, Jon Williams
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Patent number: 8645113Abstract: A method for evaluating a lightning/HIRF protection effectiveness of a vehicle design is provided. The method is performed using a computer system coupled to a database. The method includes storing in the database design service life goals and critical characteristics for at least one lightning/HIRF protection component. The method also includes storing in the database a potential for degradation of the at least one component. The potential for degradation is based at least partially on a position where the component is to be installed. The method also includes determining continued functionality of the at least one component using the computer system to compare the vehicle design to the stored design service life goals.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Gregory J. Sweers
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Patent number: 8645019Abstract: A method and system for comparing and merging fault models which are derived from different data sources. Two or more fault models are first represented as bipartite weighted graphs, which define correlations between failure modes and symptoms. The nodes of the graphs are compared to find failure modes and symptoms which are the same even though the specific terminology may be different. A graph matching method is then used to compare the graphs and determine which failure mode and symptom correlations are common between them. Finally, smoothing techniques and domain expert knowledge are used to merge and update the fault models, producing an integrated fault model which can be used by onboard vehicle systems, service facilities, and others.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Satnam Singh, Steven W. Holland, Pulak Bandyopadhyay
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Publication number: 20140012555Abstract: A method for illustrating potential benefits resulting from revised navigation procedures to a customer is described. The method includes preparing a model for a revised navigation procedure, determining a landing probability for both an existing minimum separation procedure and a minimum separation determined utilizing the revised navigation procedure, calculating a benefit associated with a difference in the landing probabilities, and validating the revised navigation procedures through demonstration and use of the revised navigation procedure model on a computer-based flight simulation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James O. Halvorson, William H. Syblon
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Patent number: 8619080Abstract: A system and method for viewing objects within a virtual environment are disclosed. A virtual camera and an object exist within the virtual environment. The camera is focused on the object such that the user of the virtual environment sees the object from the perspective of the camera. The virtual camera and the object being view are subject to the physics based rules of the simulation environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Jason Avent, Jonathan Gibson, Alkan Hassan, Richard Coles, Iain Gilfeather
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Publication number: 20130346047Abstract: A performance predicting apparatus includes an approximate model storage unit configured to store approximate models each of which is associated with one of categories, and which are used to calculate functional performance based on feature values, a feature value extracting unit configured to extract the feature values from shape data representing a shape of an object, a selection unit configured to select one of the approximate models to be used from the approximate models stored in the approximate model storage unit depending on the feature values extracted by the feature value extracting unit, and a performance calculating unit configured to calculate functional performance based on the feature values extracted by the feature value extracting unit using the approximate model selected by the selection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Fukushige, Yusuke Uda, Tokitomo Ariyoshi, Yuki Okuma, Tatsuya Okabe
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Patent number: 8615384Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for simulating mobile platforms. In one advantageous embodiment, a method is used to performing operations with a virtual aircraft network. A data processing system with the virtual aircraft network is connected to a ground network. The operations are performed with the virtual aircraft network connected to the ground network.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ian Gareth Angus, Terry Lee Davis, Timothy M. Mitchell, Leigh Wong Momii, Vincent D. Skahan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130338982Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a simulated aircraft engine accelerometer apparatus, system and method that that generates aircraft engine simulator outputs. An accelerometer signal simulator receives aircraft engine simulator outputs and generates accelerometer signal simulator outputs, and an accelerometer waveform generator receives the accelerometer signal simulator outputs and synchronizes at least one accelerometer signal simulator outputs to a reference timing signal from one of the aircraft engine simulator outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Robert B. Schwab, Jan Donald Klingman, Giang Pham
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Patent number: 8612191Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for performing a collision simulation on a two-wheeled vehicle using a virtual model of a dummy developed for use on four-wheeled vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Namiki, Toyokazu Nakamura
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Patent number: 8612066Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a control system for a machine with traction devices. The control system may have a sensor configured to sense an ambient temperature. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a load limit of a machine based on an expected speed of the machine and the ambient temperature. The controller may further be configured to enforce the load limit of the machine during loading.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Steven Wayne O'Neal
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Patent number: 8612091Abstract: An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson
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Patent number: 8612192Abstract: A vehicle simulation system includes a first simulation model that when executed simulates a software ring along with other software of a vehicle module. The vehicle simulation system further includes a second simulation model of the software ring. A bypass switch that has a first state and a second state. A bypass switching module switches the bypass switch between the first simulation model and the second simulation model based on a bypass signal and a ring enabling signal. A simulation control module executes code of a vehicle simulation model including software in-the-loop (SIL) testing of a selected one of the first simulation model and the second simulation model based on state of the bypass switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventors: Johan Larsson, Tobias Berndtson, Kenneth K. Lang, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Colin Hultengren, Michael A. Kropinski, Manmeet Mavi, Sriram Venkataramanan, David W. Wright
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Patent number: 8598977Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling driver performance in a controlled driving environment. A portable information device is provided to a driver who registers with a server computer for controlling vehicle operation in the driving environment. A record for the driver is stored in a database associated with the server computer. A vehicle is activated using the portable information device for at least an amount of time exceeding a preset threshold value. A speed level and a safety level for the vehicle are dynamically set based on the driver's performance in the driving environment. The driver's performance is monitored in the controlled driving environment and each driving violation that occurs is determined. Violation points are assigned to the driver based on each driving violation and the violation points are added to the driver record stored in the database.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Tiny Towne International LLCInventors: Pierre Maalouf, Georges Moussa
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Patent number: 8600706Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically identify causes of errors during one or more CAD processes, such as while binding external reference drawings to a host drawing and/or batch comparing sets of multiple drawings. In certain examples, a first session of a CAD program can be used to track potential crash occurrences during a second CAD program's processing of a set of drawings and dynamically replace corrupt drawings and/or broken references with blank (proxy) drawings so that the desired process can complete. Whenever the first CAD session detects a potential error event, such as when the second CAD session is interrupted for a particular length of time, the first CAD session can log the error, close the second session, and/or continue the desired process with a new CAD session.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Auto Prep, LLCInventors: Joseph P. Reghetti, Phillip M. Schaeffer
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Patent number: 8589133Abstract: Interdependencies between pairs/groups of individual systems are evaluated in determining the composition of a universal system of interdependent systems. Data tables reflecting the interdependencies are contained in a central database resident in a server's memory. Plural/multiple computers are connected to the server, each computer having running thereon at least one simulation program, each simulation program being associated with at least one individual system and being characterized by individual time steps. In each individual time step, the simulation program updates (reads data from and writes data to) the central database, and displays updated information. In each universal time step (characterizing the simulation of the universal system), all simulation programs are temporally coordinated so that each simulation program's individual time step takes place once; no universal time step is perfected until every individual time step has completed its updating of pertinent data in the central database.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Donald D. Dalessandro, Donald R. Longo, Kevin J. Brown, Michael G. Zink, Frank T. Ferrese
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Patent number: 8589121Abstract: When discretizing an analysis target part into plural elements and performing analysis, sheet thickness reduction rate or maximum principal strain at an equivalent position including a same element is compared by either a manner of combining two adjacent elements after the analysis or a manner of changing an element discretization size with two types and performing the analysis, and the element where the difference is large is extracted as a fracture risk portion. With this structure, a fracture risk portion can be extracted reliably when a fracture is predicted by a finite element method.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal CorporationInventors: Akihiro Uenishi, Takashi Ariga, Shigeru Yonemura, Jun Nitta, Tohru Yoshida
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Patent number: 8589131Abstract: This procedure proposes the appropriate equations that determine the rotor movement in order to obtain the aerodynamic actions for each blade in each iteration (the forces that are transmitted to the helicopter and the moments with respect to the articulations), and they are resolved by discretizations made in the rotor disc, such that that the blade elements of the partition are connected to the disc, which does not rotate, instead of to each blade. The blades pass through an azimuth range in each iteration, making a division of each blade longitudinally into ne elements, and the rotor disc into na sectors, corresponding to divisions of the range of azimuth angles. Therefore, partitions are made on ne·na blade elements, identifying each blade element by means of its distance to the rotor axis and its azimuth angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Indra Sistemas, S.A.Inventor: Miguel Gonzalez Cuadrado
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Publication number: 20130304443Abstract: Provided is a method for designing a current supply device for wirelessly supplying power to a vehicle having a current collection device. In the design method, the gap between the two adjacent magnetic poles of the current supply device is received as input and then the gap between the current supply device and the current collection device is determined based on the gap between the two magnetic poles. Next, the magnitude of the power to be supplied to the current supply device is determined based on the value required with respect to the magnitude of the magnetic field and the gap between the current supply device and the current collection device. According to the design method, current supply device can easily be designed since various functional requirements are decoupled from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Nam Pyo Suh, Dong Ho Cho, Chun Taek Rim, Seong Jeub Jeon, Jung-Ho Kim, Seung-Young Ahn
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Publication number: 20130297271Abstract: System and methods for improving vehicle survivability. In some embodiments, Mission information may be obtained regarding a mission of at least one vehicle. The mission may comprise a plurality of mission stages, and the mission information may comprise at least one model associated with the at least one vehicle and at least one threat to the at least one vehicle. A potential action of the at least one vehicle may be selected by calculating a numerical measure for the potential action based at least in part on a mission stage of the plurality of mission stages during which the potential action is to be taken and the at least one model.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Carl R. Herman, David Howe
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Patent number: 8577657Abstract: A method of designing an aircraft component formed by a number of elements that includes a phase to estimate the effect of a variation of a design variable on the component weight which method includes the following steps: a) providing the main primary structure basic data of the aircraft component and the Reserve Factors associated to its design criteria; b) obtaining a breakdown of the component weight by such design criteria using a fictitious weight calculated taking into account the relative importance of their critical design criteria; c) obtaining the weight effect of a design variable variation, recalculating firstly the new Reserve Factors using suitable functions for the variation of the Reserve Factors vs. the variation of the design variable and, secondly, recalculating the component weight using suitable functions for the variation of the element dimensions vs. the variation of the Reserve Factors.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.Inventors: Esteban Martino González, Jorge Antonio Bes Torres
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Patent number: 8577487Abstract: A tool is provided to allow a user to customize the components of a vehicle instrument panel from an Internet-enabled Web site. A user can navigate to a Web site and select a vehicle for configuration. From the Web site, input may be obtained regarding the components and appearance of an instrument panel such as selecting particular types of components (e.g., display panels, gauges, etc.) and arranging where the selected components are to be located. The input generated by a user is translated into a build specification for assembling the instrument panel at the manufacturer. Accordingly, the system and method serve as an interface between the Web site that obtains user configuration data and a manufacturer's system that manages assembly of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: PACCAR IncInventors: Christopher Tarte, Paul Stephen Crowe
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Publication number: 20130282347Abstract: A system and method for generating fluid flow parameter data for use in aerodynamic heating analysis. Computational fluid dynamics data is generated for a number of points in an area on a surface to be analyzed. Sub-areas corresponding to areas of the surface for which an aerodynamic heating analysis is to be performed are identified. A computer system automatically determines a sub-set of the number of points corresponding to each of the number of sub-areas and determines a value for each of the number of sub-areas using the data for the sub-set of points corresponding to each of the number of sub-areas. The value is determined as an average of the data for the sub-set of points corresponding to each of the number of sub-areas. The resulting parameter values then may be used to perform an aerodynamic heating analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventor: David Norman, JR.
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Publication number: 20130282346Abstract: Systems and methods for, inter alia, geographically based analyses of traffic being carried over a wide scale traffic network. The systems integrate geographical information systems (GIS) with traffic simulation processes to allow a user to analyze traffic patterns and loads at specific geographic locations of regions. Additionally, these systems allow for traffic analysis over a wide scale traffic network that may encompass the traffic network that exists within an geographic region and can include, as examples, the traffic networks that span across a city, that interconnect cities, that interconnect states and that run across multiple states. To this end, the systems include traffic simulators that can adaptively or controllably select between multiple traffic simulation models for simulating traffic across different segments of the traffic network. The different models provide varying levels of granularity for measurements of geographical location of a vehicle traveling over the traffic network.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Qi Yang, Howard Slavin, Kjartan Stefansson, Andres Rabinowicz, Simon Olsberg, Mary LaClair, Jonathan Brandon
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Patent number: 8565954Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided pertaining to the determination of a temperature of a vehicle motor having an ignition when the ignition is turned on following a period of time in which the ignition had been turned off. A memory stores a function having a boundary condition that comprises a prior temperature from when the ignition was turned off. A processor is coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to determine an amount of time for which the ignition has been turned on and determine the temperature of the motor using the function if the amount of time for which the ignition has been turned on is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chia-Chou Yeh, Daniel J. Berry, Paul F. Turnbull
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Patent number: 8566071Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus to train autopilots to fly a simulated aeronautical vehicle includes a three-degree of freedom gimbaled platform comprising a pitch, roll, and yaw axis; an autopilot comprising an inertial measurement unit mounted to the platform; motors that rotate the platform along the pitch, roll, and yaw axes; shaft encoders connected to the motors to calculate an angular position of the platform; motor drivers connected to the motors to power the motors; a microcontroller connected to the motor drivers; a quadrature encoder connected to the shaft encoders and the microcontroller; sensors that generate and sense environmental conditions affecting the platform and the autopilot; a flight simulator connected to the microcontroller; and a computer that executes the flight simulator causing actuation of the platform, causing the sensors to generate environmental conditions, and causing the autopilot to react to the environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Justin Lee Shumaker, Kamal Sharaf Ali
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Patent number: 8560290Abstract: Methods and systems for the design and execution of an aerospace or aeronautic system are provided. The aerospace or aeronautic system may incorporate planetary environment models and models of equations of motion. The planetary environment models mathematically represent planetary environment specifications, such as atmosphere and wind. Atmosphere models include standard day atmosphere models and non-standard day atmosphere models, and wind models include continuous wind turbulence models and discrete wind turbulence models. The models of equations of motion include models of three-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass and models for six-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass. As a result, the present invention can design and execute a target system more accurately than the conventional system that provides only standard day planetary environment models, continuous wind turbulence models, or fixed mass equations of motion models.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Inventor: Stacey M. Gage
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Patent number: 8560289Abstract: A method for simulating the behavior of a tire mounted on a vehicle in running conditions on the ground, wherein a mechanical model is provided for essentially computing the longitudinal (Fx) and transverse (Fy) stresses transmitted by the tire between the ground and the vehicle in accordance with dynamic parameters related to the physical conditions of the tire running and use and in accordance with physical tire-specific parameters. The mechanical model is set and solved in an iterative manner, under the assumption that the tire in contact with the surface of the ground has an adherence contact area and a sliding contact area and under the assumption that there is a unique x-coordinate point b that is indicative of the transition between the two contact areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Pierre Fevrier, Hervé Martin
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Publication number: 20130268256Abstract: A system for determining the pose of an articulated model of a virtual subject in carrying out a task within a vehicle occupant packaging design is described. The system uses an initial posture of the articulated model prior to the virtual subject carrying out the task as a starting point. The system determines pose throughout the carrying out of the task by the virtual subject. The pose is determined based on the parameters of the virtual subject, the design, the task to be completed, and a set of constraints restricting the motion of the virtual subject. The pose can be analyzed to determine the feasibility of a design for a human subject, without the need for live subject testing. The method is analytically derived and results in a kinematically and dynamically consistent posture in real-time without requiring iterative optimization.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventor: Behzad Dariush
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Patent number: 8554587Abstract: A rich-media system allows a user to illustrate damage and request payment in accordance with an insurance policy or another arrangement. The rich-media system includes network servers that may operate and appear to remote client applications and remote computers as if the network servers were a single computer. A damage indicator tool resident to one of the network servers enables a remote user to visually illustrate damage to an item through a rich-media application. The damage indicator may support a relative pointing device and an absolute pointing device. An incident animator tool linked to the damage indicator tool in some rich media systems enables the remote user to visually recreate an event in a second rich media application. An optional scheduler linked to the incident animator tool and the damage indicator tool may enable the remote user to schedule an appointment to have the damage inspected or repaired.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Progressive Casualty Insurance CompanyInventors: Vikki Nowak, Brian Brylinski
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Publication number: 20130262067Abstract: A method includes collecting vehicle health data from a plurality of vehicles. A peer group is identified among the plurality of vehicles. The collected vehicle health data from the peer group into a collaborative vehicle health model, the collaborative vehicle health model being applicable to a current vehicle to predict a state of at least a component of the current vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yilu ZHANG, Mark N. Howell, Xidong Tang, Fan Bai, Xinyu Du, Satnam Singh
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Patent number: 8548781Abstract: A method and system of determining a volume of a vehicle component. The system includes a computing device having a host application and analytical tool. The host application is configured to present an interface to a user and allow the user to modify a component model. The component model includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a vehicle component and has a virtual housing at least partially defining an internal cavity. The analytical tool is configured to generate a solid body representing the internal cavity and calculate a volume of the solid body. The analytical tool is configured to determine whether the internal cavity is bounded by the virtual housing, counting a number of external and internal faces traversed by the fluid during the simulated fluid flow, and determining a shortest path between the selected external and internal faces.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Richard A. Pashnik, David Wilkinson, Gregory Chessky
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Patent number: 8548774Abstract: A simulation environment for simulating a physical system or sub-system. The environment includes a plurality of elements that can be arranged to form any of a number of component objects or sub-component objects. The component or sub-component objects are assembled to form at least one assembly object that forms at least part of the system or sub-system. Each element is provided with mesh data, and rules of connectivity. The rules of connectivity govern the interconnection of the elements to form the component or sub-component objects. The mesh data for a particular element is automatically incorporated into each completed component or sub-component object that includes that particular element.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Advanced Integrated Engineering Solutions LtdInventor: Ian Reginald Walter McLuckie
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Patent number: 8548780Abstract: A method for predicting dynamic behavior of an aircraft structure, the aircraft including at least one rotary device including at least one rotor guided in rotation by at least one fixed-bracket bearing containing a shock-absorbing fluid film. The method includes using a global digital model of the aircraft structure including a basic digital model of each rotary device, generating a non-linear digital model of each shock-absorbing film (for example by developing a cavitation-free model and a model with cavitation), integrating the model of each shock-absorbing film with the global model, applying interference to at least one rotor of a rotary device, and calculating the vibration frequency of at least one rotor of each rotary device and the corresponding frequency of the vibrations generated in a critical portion of the aircraft structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.Inventors: John Skelly, Thien Phu Vo Hoang
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Publication number: 20130253782Abstract: A mobile computing apparatus simulates the performance of a virtual vehicle using the route, driving behavior and loading experience of a baseline vehicle. The baseline vehicle is instrumented and operational data is collected, forming a data set. The apparatus includes simulator logic configured to construct a duty cycle from the data set representative of the operation of the baseline vehicle during travel along the route (e.g., a loading duty cycle). The data set includes route data with distance and vehicle speed information, engine data associated with the engine, and operational element data. The logic defines a virtual vehicle that is the same as the baseline vehicle but that includes a virtual operational element, such as a transmission, that is different than that in the baseline vehicle. The logic determines a performance characteristic, such as fuel economy, of the virtual vehicle using the constructed duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Benjamin J. Saltsman, Xubin Song, Benjamin J. Morris, Chia-Hsiang Liu, Zhijun Tang
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Publication number: 20130238511Abstract: A method to develop a plan to dismantle an airframe including: enhancing a digital mock-up model (DMU) of the airframe with data identifying hazardous materials in parts of the airframe; positioning at least one cut through the DMU of the airframe; based on the position of the cut, identifying intersections between the cut and fluid conduits identified in the DMU of the airframe; analyzing the identified intersections of the fluid conduits and data regarding hazardous waste fluids in the conduits of the airframe to identify the conduits having the hazardous waste which would be ruptured by the positioned cut, and generating a report of the identified conduits that would be ruptured and have the hazardous waste.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SASInventor: Sjoerd VAN DER VEEN