Fluid And Electric Patents (Class 303/15)
  • Patent number: 11987228
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes a first axle-pressure-modulator (APM) for service-brake-chambers associated with a first vehicle-axle, a second APM for spring-brake-cylinders associated with a second vehicle-axle, wherein the second APM is connected to an electronic-brake-control-unit configured to issue a first electric-control-signal for controlling the first APM and a second electric-control-signal for controlling the second APM, a further electronic-brake-control-unit configured to issue a further first electric-control-signal for controlling the first APM and a further second electric-control-signal for controlling the second APM, an electronic-parking-brake-controller configured to issue a second pneumatic-control-signal for controlling the spring-brake-cylinders, and a pressure-modulator-unit configured to convert a pneumatic signal or an electric signal issued by the electronic-parking-brake-controller into a first pneumatic-control-signal for controlling the first APM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Tamas Adler, Kornel Straub, Huba Nemeth, Csaba Horvath
  • Patent number: 11951967
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic brake system. The electronic brake system includes a reservoir in which a pressurized medium is stored, an integrated master cylinder including a master chamber and a simulation chamber, a reservoir flow path communicating the integrated master cylinder with the reservoir, a hydraulic pressure supply device provided to generate a hydraulic pressure by operating the hydraulic piston according to an electrical signal output in response to a displacement of the brake pedal, a hydraulic control unit including a first hydraulic circuit provided to control the hydraulic pressure transferred to two wheel cylinders and a second hydraulic circuit provided to control the hydraulic pressure transferred to the other two wheel cylinders, and an electronic control unit provided to control valves based on hydraulic pressure information and displacement information of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Seok Kim, Seong Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 11938912
    Abstract: A module for providing control signals for a brake system of a vehicle which has a supply source, including: at least one interface to be connected to a compressed-air source; at least one interface to transmit the control signals to at least one processing unit for the purposes of generating brake pressures; wherein the module is configured to be provided with a supply by a further supply source. Also described are a related redundancy system, an electronically controlled brake system, and a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Falk Hecker, Adnan Mustapha, Oliver Jundt
  • Patent number: 11932219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device and a method for controlling at least one actuator for actuating braking means of a vehicle. A contact variable control system forms an inner control circuit, wherein the braking torque control system is arranged in a braking torque control unit embodied separately or in a separate location from the contact variable control unit and forms an outer control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Andrea Etzbach, Markus Boxhammer, Benjamin Heckmann
  • Patent number: 11919493
    Abstract: A brake control device to be applied to a vehicle having a hydraulic brake generating a hydraulic braking force, which is a braking force converted from a fluid pressure to a wheel of the vehicle, and an electric parking brake generating an electric braking force, which is a braking force different from the hydraulic braking force, on the wheel by a wheel brake mechanism driven by a motor. The brake control device includes an electric parking brake controller for determining a current target value, which is a target value of an electric current through the motor, by using a target braking force, and for controlling the electric parking brake by using the current target value. The electric parking brake controller is configured to estimate the fluid pressure in the hydraulic brake by using a current detection value, which is a detection value of an electric current through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Terushige Uraoka
  • Patent number: 11752876
    Abstract: A method for controlling regenerative braking of a hybrid commercial vehicle that includes a main brake and an auxiliary brake is provided. The method includes determining whether a braking request condition of the vehicle is satisfied based on a state data and generating a request braking amount based on the state data when the braking request condition is satisfied. When an operation switch of the auxiliary brake is on an auxiliary braking amount of the auxiliary brake is generated. A final braking amount is generated based on the request braking amount and the auxiliary braking amount. A regenerative braking amount is generated based on the final braking amount and braking of the vehicle is performed based on the final braking amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Do Sun Choi
  • Patent number: 11691607
    Abstract: An electropneumatic control module for an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system for a vehicle combination with a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle includes a pneumatic reservoir input, which is connectable to a compressed-air reservoir, and a trailer control unit, which has a trailer control valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, a trailer brake pressure port and a trailer supply pressure port. The electropneumatic control module further includes an immobilizing brake unit, which has a spring-type actuator port for at least one spring-type actuator for a tractor vehicle and an immobilizing brake valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, and an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is designed to, based on an electronic immobilizing signal, trigger the immobilizing brake valve unit to switch at least one valve of the immobilizing brake valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11686273
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, William Muster
  • Patent number: 11548491
    Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) overlay control valve can selective switch between a conventional pneumatic mode and an ECP mode. In ECP mode, the overlay control valve shunts the brake cylinder pressure of the pneumatic control valve which allows a relay valve to build or exhaust pressure in the brake cylinder in response to an electronically controlled apply/release circuit. In conventional pneumatic mode, the overlay control valve disconnects the relay valve and allows a conventional pneumatic control valve to control the pressurization and exhausting of the brake cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Parnapy, Derick Call
  • Patent number: 11472428
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes first and second traveling control units for performing traveling control of controlling driving, braking, and/or steering of a vehicle without depending on a driving operation of a driver. In a case in which control instructions concerning the same actuator conflict between the first traveling control unit and the second traveling control unit, the first traveling control unit arbitrate the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kanoh, Jun Ochida
  • Patent number: 11407394
    Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for an autonomously drivable vehicle having components of a parking brake system for applying a parking brake. The parking brake apparatus comprises a first controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to a signal requesting the parking brake to be applied. The parking brake apparatus also comprises a second controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to other components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to unavailability of the first controller to cause the parking brake to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Christopher H Hutchins, Gerhard Wieder, Jonas Leibbrand
  • Patent number: 11377082
    Abstract: A braking control device includes a master unit including a master chamber connected to a front wheel cylinder and a servo chamber that applies forward force opposing a reverse force applied to a master piston by the master chamber to the master piston, a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts brake fluid discharged by a pump to a first liquid pressure by a first solenoid valve and introduces the first liquid pressure to a rear wheel cylinder, and adjusts the first liquid pressure to decrease to a second liquid pressure by a second solenoid valve and introduces the second liquid pressure to the servo chamber; and a regenerative coordination unit having an input piston operable in conjunction with a braking operation member and an input cylinder fixed to the master cylinder, and in which a gap between the master piston and the input piston is controlled by the second liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kodama, Hiroyuki Ando
  • Patent number: 11378432
    Abstract: The Coriolis flowmeter according to the present disclosure includes: a measuring sensor including a bent measuring tube mirror-symmetrical with respect to a transverse plane, wherein a measuring tube center line runs in a longitudinal plane oriented perpendicular to the transverse plane, wherein an equatorial surface runs perpendicular to the longitudinal plane along the measuring tube center line; an exciter for exciting measuring tube bending vibrations; a first pair of vibration sensors for capturing the bending vibrations of the measuring tube; and an operating and evaluation circuit for driving the exciter, for capturing signals from the vibration sensors, and for determining a mass flow measured value, wherein the measuring sensor has a second pair of vibration sensors, which are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the transverse plane, wherein the first pair of vibration sensors is separated from the second pair of vibration sensors by the equatorial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 11338783
    Abstract: An electropneumatic trailer control-valve unit for a vehicle includes a storage port for coupling a store of compressed air for a trailer, a brake-pressure port, and a brake-pressure pilot-control unit configured to output at least one first control pressure. The electropneumatic trailer control-valve unit further includes a brake-pressure main-valve unit configured to receive the first control pressure and to output a brake pressure at a brake-pressure port, a trailer operating-pressure port configured to receive a trailer operating pressure; and a pneumatically switched trailer protection valve with a protection-valve control port which is connected to the trailer operating-pressure port for receiving the trailer operating pressure. The trailer protection valve switches from a first switching position into a second switching position if the trailer operating pressure exceeds a predetermined first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11312240
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and a braking control method thereof are provided. The method includes determining, by a first controller, a total braking amount corresponding to a brake pedal manipulation amount and transmitting a regenerative braking request corresponding to at least a portion of the total braking amount to a second controller. A state of a regenerative braking system having a motor and a battery is determined and a regenerative braking execution amount is calculated by selectively using a first torque corresponding to a torque command transmitted to a third controller to operate the motor based on the regenerative braking request or a second torque measured by the third controller based on the determined state. A braking force of a frictional brake is determined based on the calculated regenerative braking execution amount and the total braking amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joon Young Park, Sung Deok Kim
  • Patent number: 11285951
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control apparatus includes a vibration detector configured to detect a predetermined vibration state in a frictional brake device, a power regeneration execution determination unit configured to determine, in a case where the predetermined vibration state is detected by the vibration detector, whether to permit execution of power regeneration by a power generating device or to limit the execution, a pressing force controller configured to change, in a case where the execution of the power regeneration is limited by the power regeneration execution determination unit, a pressing force of a friction material in the frictional brake device, and a driving force cooperative controller configured to adjust a driving force of a vehicle to suppress fluctuation in forward acceleration or backward acceleration of the vehicle associated with a change in the pressing force by the pressing force controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harunobu Horiguchi, Yuta Ishizuka, Makoto Nakauchi, Ryoichi Mizutani, Masaki Sunagawa
  • Patent number: 11285943
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an automated driving control unit for controlling, based on surrounding environment information of a vehicle, driving, braking, and/or steering of the vehicle without depending on a driving operation of a driver; and a driving support control unit for supporting driving of the vehicle by the driver by controlling driving, braking, and/or steering of the vehicle. The control units are communicably connected. The driving support control unit can control, depending on a reception result of a signal received from the automated driving control unit, steering, and driving and/or braking of the vehicle based on the surrounding environment information without depending on the driving operation of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Ochida, Mahito Shikama, Takuji Hiroma, Tadahiko Kanoh, Kanta Tsuji, Takuyuki Mukai
  • Patent number: 11260843
    Abstract: A parking brake valve device for controlling a storage spring parking brake in an electropneumatic brake system includes a compressed air input configured to be connected to a compressed air supply, a parking brake output configured to control a storage spring parking brake, and a trailer-control control output configured to control a trailer control valve (TCV) for a trailer brake system. The parking brake valve device further includes a relay valve pilot control region and a relay valve, a TCV pilot control region configured to control the trailer-control control output, an inlet valve configured to be controlled with a first electrical control signal for supplying air to the TCV pilot control region and the relay valve pilot control region, and a connecting valve configured to be controlled by a second control signal to connect and disconnect the TCV pilot control region and the relay valve pilot control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11242049
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an automated driving control unit for controlling, based on surrounding environment information of a vehicle, driving, braking, and/or steering of the vehicle without depending on a driving operation of a driver; and a driving support control unit for supporting driving of the vehicle by the driver by controlling driving, braking, and/or steering of the vehicle. The control units are communicably connected. The driving support control unit can control, depending on a reception result of a signal received from the automated driving control unit, steering, and driving and/or braking of the vehicle based on the surrounding environment information without depending on the driving operation of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Ochida, Mahito Shikama, Takuji Hiroma, Tadahiko Kanoh, Kanta Tsuji, Takuyuki Mukai
  • Patent number: 11198422
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) manifold system includes a housing having a mounting face that includes a plurality of ports. The housing also has a brake cylinder passageway, a reservoir passageway, and a brake cylinder exhaust passageway that are in fluid communication with the ports. The adapter assembly also includes an adapter valve configured to be in fluid communication with the brake cylinder passageway, the reservoir passageway, and the brake cylinder exhaust passageway. The adapter valve has a first position where the brake cylinder passageway and the reservoir passageway are in fluid communication while the brake cylinder passageway is isolated from the brake cylinder exhaust passageway. The adapter valve also has a second position where the brake cylinder passageway is isolated from the reservoir passageway while the brake cylinder passageway is in fluid communication with the brake cylinder exhaust passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Skweres
  • Patent number: 11192535
    Abstract: A driver circuit for driving a brake having a first orifice adapted to be connected to a pressure source, a second orifice connected to a reservoir, a third orifice receiving a braking setpoint, and a fourth orifice connected to a brake. The driver circuit includes a proportional solenoid valve connected to the first orifice; an on/off solenoid valve connected to the third orifice; and a proportional braking valve provided with an actuator and configured in such a manner as to connect a brake selectively to a pressure source or to a reservoir. The actuator is configured in such a manner as to be driven by the higher of the two pressures delivered by the proportional solenoid valve and delivered by the on/off solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Bertrand Lemaitre, Antoine Desmyttere, André Prigent, Marko Zust
  • Patent number: 11185005
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for controlling a combination of agricultural vehicles including a towing vehicle designed as a tractor and a mounted device, wherein the driver assistance system generates control parameters for the towing vehicle and/or for the mounted device. The driver assistance system has an input/output unit for the dialog with the user. The driver assistance system is formed by a rule interpreter which generates the control parameters by executing the rules of a set of rules, and the driver assistance system has a linking module which receives at least two sets of rules from different data sources and generates, on the basis of the received sets of rules and according to a linkage specification, the set of rules to be executed by the rule interpreter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Arthur Berger, Sascha Dieckmeyer, Lennart Meyer
  • Patent number: 11117583
    Abstract: A brake system for an articulated vehicle is disclosed. The brake system includes a brake assembly coupled to a traction device, the brake assembly being configured to apply a brake-assembly pressure based on one of a hydro-mechanical pressure signal and an electro-mechanical pressure signal. A blocking valve is configured to block the hydro-mechanical pressure signal when closed. A brake controller, is configured to transmit an isolation signal configured to close the blocking valve and transmit an ABS control signal that is based on a commanded ABS brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton D. Walenta, Anthony J. Weltzer
  • Patent number: 11052881
    Abstract: A work machine includes an electric drive system. The work machine includes a prime mover, a machine controller, and a hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system includes a pump, a control valve and a retarding control valve. The pump is configured to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic control system via a supply line. The control valve is fluidly coupled to the pump via the supply line, and includes a pressure relief valve. The retarding control valve is fluidly connected to the pump and the control valve. The retarding control valve includes a solenoid valve, an orifice and a check valve. The solenoid valve is coupled to the machine controller, the orifice restricts a flow of the pressurized fluid through the supply line, and the check valve is coupled to a discharge line, which branches from a point along the supply line between the solenoid valve and the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dayao Chen, William F. Erdman, Edward W. Mate
  • Patent number: 11046295
    Abstract: An electronic system for controlling traction and braking of a vehicle is described. The system includes a device for actuating braking operatively connected to at least one first wheel of the vehicle, and at least one first traction and braking control unit. The device comprises: at least one first electric actuator and at least one electric motor. The at least one first traction and braking control unit being configured to control the at least one electric motor in regeneration mode to exert a regenerative braking torque on at least one first wheel. The at least one first traction and braking control unit also being configured to control the at least one electric motor in traction mode to exert a traction torque on the at least one first wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Butti, Valerio Galizzi, Beniamin Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 11014585
    Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a W-type triple valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a vehicle brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a W-type triple valve of a vehicle brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system also includes an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode here the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of vehicle brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a vehicle brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Skweres
  • Patent number: 10981548
    Abstract: A method for compensating for excessively low actuating dynamics of a mechanical brake of a transportation vehicle, wherein a dividing unit receives a predefinition for a target overall retardation of the transportation vehicle and determines a mechanical target braking torque based on the target overall retardation and signals the same to the mechanical brake. The dividing unit predicts a mechanical actual braking torque of the brake by a model of the brake actuator and, based on the predicted mechanical actual braking torque, by activating at least one predetermined transportation vehicle component that is different from the mechanical brake, to generate a compensation torque, by which a control deviation which results when adjusting the mechanical actual braking torque to the mechanical target braking torque is compensated and the target overall retardation results in the transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Busse, Frank Hausdörfer
  • Patent number: 10933854
    Abstract: A brake module for a hydraulically braked tractor coupled to a pneumatically braked trailer has a trailer control valve connected via hydraulic control inlet to a hydraulic pressure line leaving a master brake cylinder, and via pneumatic inlet to a compressed air reservoir. Hydraulic control pressure determines pneumatic output pressure level at a trailer control valve pneumatic outlet. The brake module has a break-off prevention module which, if the control line leaks or separates from the trailer control valve relative to the trailer brake system, closes a supply pressure coupling head supply line and causes trailer brake system venting. The break-off prevention module has a pneumatic supply pressure inlet and a pneumatic tear-off control pressure inlet connected to the air reservoir independently of trailer control valve pressure inlets. Supply pressure inlet supply pressure passes through the break-off prevention module and feeds to a trailer control valve pneumatic supply pressure inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: WABCO GmbH, AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Bruett, Georg Frank, Stefan Prestel, Jan Spremberg
  • Patent number: 10933852
    Abstract: A fluid-operated braking system (1) for a tractor-trailer vehicle includes a trailer control valve (2), a parking brake module (3), and an electronic control unit (4) electrically connected to the trailer control valve (2) and to the parking brake module (3). A pressure fluid accumulator (13) of the braking system (1) is connected to a control pressure input (P43) of the trailer control valve (2). A redundancy circuit controls the control pressure input (P43), even during a malfunction of the control unit (4). The parking brake module (3) includes a control valve (14), a redundancy valve (15) and a changeover valve (16) controlled by an electronic switch unit (20) with a holding function. When the control unit (4) malfunctions, the last error-free switching position of the control valve (14) or the redundancy valve is maintained until a operationally safe resting state is reached or the ignition system is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Goers, Thomas Müller, Jakob Friedrich Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10906513
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hans Joerg Feigel
  • Patent number: 10900348
    Abstract: Coriolis direct wellhead measurement devices and methods are provided. The devices and methods allow for continuous monitoring, more frequent data, and greater accuracy in quantitative and qualitative measurements of well performance. In an embodiment: an entrained gas severity of a wellhead is determined based on a determined drive gain threshold, at least one variable is output based on the determined entrained gas severity, and a respective confidence indicator correlating to the at least one variable is output. One mode of operation includes continually averaging the at least one variable over a predetermined time interval and outputting a respective single averaged data value. Another mode of operation includes outputting at least one instantaneous variable at predetermined and uniform time intervals. Diagnostic information and user alerts are also output to provide reliable decision making information to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Scott Schollenberger, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10843673
    Abstract: A method for controlling a compressed air brake system of a vehicle includes outputting an analog driver brake pressure via a brake pressure control line during driver braking by operating a brake pedal, a switching device set in a driver braking position to a brake circuit with at least one ABS stop valve device, a brake line, and a wheel brake. The method additionally includes, in the presence of both driver braking and the external brake demand signal, measuring the driver brake pressure and determining a driver brake pressure value. Furthermore, the method includes forming a combined brake pressure value by adding or superimposing the driver brake pressure value and an external brake pressure value contained in the external brake demand signal, and switching the switching device into the functional position and controlling the combined brake pressure value from the system pressure by actuating the ABS stop valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Hanslik, Stephan Kallenbach, Alexander Wendlandt
  • Patent number: 10807581
    Abstract: A driver brake valve for a compressed air brake system of a commercial vehicle is configured to be controlled by a brake pedal and is further configured to output an analog driver braking pressure and an electrical sensor desired signal in dependence upon the actuation of the brake pedal. The driver brake valve includes a compressed air input configured to connect to a system pressure, a compressed air output configured to connect to a brake control line, a sensor configured to determine an actuation of the brake pedal, a characteristic curve storage device configured to store characteristic curve data, and a determining device. The sensor is configured to generate an actuating signal in dependence upon the actuation of the brake pedal. The determining device is configured to generate a sensor desired signal from the actuating signal in dependence upon the characteristic curve data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO EUROPE BVBA
    Inventors: Arnd Gaulke, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Patent number: 10766471
    Abstract: A system in which the device connecting the brake pedal to the brake actuator includes a control rod and a thrust rod guided in a cylinder, connected to the rod by a ball joint and returned by a spring. The end of the rod comprises a spherical cap having a spherical front bearing surface and a flat rear surface, perpendicular to the axis of the rod. A centering sleeve freely surrounding the control rod presses with its front edge against the rear face of the cap, pushed by a centering spring bearing on the thrust rod and on the centering sleeve to tilt the spherical cap and the rod toward the axis of the thrust rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chris Anderson, Florent Yvonet, Raynald Sprocq
  • Patent number: 10696286
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic brake system and a control method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyojin Jeong
  • Patent number: 10688870
    Abstract: A device and method controls the different energy sources for supplying a vehicle with main and auxiliary air, for which compressed air is produced for pressurizing a main air tank and an auxiliary air tank using at least one compressor. That compressor is driven via a respective associated electric motor, wherein the main air is supplied via an external primary energy source and the auxiliary air is supplied at least partially via an internal secondary energy source which is weaker in contrast. There is a shift between the two different energy sources depending on the operating status of the vehicle, wherein the auxiliary air supply is switched off by decoupling the electric motor from the secondary energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Merkel, Boris Wittich, Martin Kutschker, Martin Linner
  • Patent number: 10611348
    Abstract: A braking system operable independent of driver input, where the braking system includes a primary brake system, a secondary brake system, a primary controller controlling fluid pressure in the primary brake system, and a secondary controller controlling fluid pressure in the secondary brake system independently of the primary controller. There is also an actuator which is part of the primary brake system, where the actuator is controlled by the primary controller. A reservoir is in fluid communication with both the primary brake system and the secondary brake system, to supply fluid to both the primary brake system and the secondary brake system. The primary controller selectively actuates the actuator to control the fluid pressure in the primary brake system independently of driver input, to provide braking capability to a fully autonomous driving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zipfel, Yuji Nakayasu, James Rizzo
  • Patent number: 10604017
    Abstract: An electric braking device includes: a first valve unit for adjusting a first differential pressure between a master cylinder side liquid pressure and a wheel cylinder side liquid pressure; a storage unit forming a fluid storage chamber; second valve units for adjusting a second differential pressure between the master cylinder side liquid pressure and a storage chamber side liquid pressure; an electric pump for discharging the fluid in the storage chamber; and a control unit which, while operating the electric pump during a time from initiation of braking force application until a request value acquired by a request braking force acquiring unit reaches a maximum value, controls the first valve unit such that the first differential pressure becomes zero, and controls the second valve units such that the second differential pressure becomes zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Maruyama, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Koichi Kokubo
  • Patent number: 10549731
    Abstract: A vehicle parking brake system includes a power bridge. The power bridge is electrically connected to a primary power source and to a secondary power source. The power bridge has a first condition in which the primary power source is active in which the primary source is electrically connected to a parking brake actuator. The power bridge has a second condition in which the primary power source is not active in which the secondary power source is electrically connected to the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Lauffer, John P. Joyce, Daniel A. Gabor, Samer Abbas, Steven R. El Aile
  • Patent number: 10549742
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer brake system and method with a hydraulic control line and supplementary line arranged between a towing vehicle and a towed trailer, wherein the trailer braking system is actuated from the towing vehicle by controlling the hydraulic pressure in the control line and the supplementary line. The trailer brake system may be operated to actuate a trailer brake using a trailer-based hydraulic accumulator, to provide for relatively fast response time for the trailer brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Guillaume Boulivan
  • Patent number: 10525947
    Abstract: The friction brake system includes a braking force distributor configured to output load command values to friction brake devices for a plurality of wheels, and a friction coefficient estimation calculation section configured to estimate a friction coefficient between a brake rotor and a friction material of each friction brake device. The friction coefficient estimation calculation section includes a distribution adjustment section configured to change distribution of brake pressing force to be distributed by the braking force distributor, for estimation of the friction coefficient, and an estimation calculation section configured to estimate the friction coefficient on the basis of a relationship between deceleration of a vehicle and the load command values the distribution of which is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yui Masuda
  • Patent number: 10501062
    Abstract: An electronically controllable pneumatic brake system in a vehicle includes wheel brakes for braking respective wheels of the vehicle. Wheel brakes of at least one vehicle axle include spring-loaded cylinders for implementing a pneumatic parking brake in a parking brake braking circuit of the vehicle. The brake system further includes an electronically controllable monostable bypass valve, wherein the monostable bypass valve is disposed between a manually operated parking brake valve and the spring-loaded cylinders. The monostable bypass valve controls, in a first switching position, a bypass control pressure based on an actuation pressure produced by the parking brake valve to implement a manually specified parking brake force. The monostable bypass valve further controls, in a second switching position, a bypass control pressure depending on a venting pressure prevailing in a bypass vent connection to implement an electrically specified parking brake force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WABCO EUROPE BVBA
    Inventor: Oliver Wulf
  • Patent number: 10464543
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a sensor for generating a vehicle load signal, weighting devices designed to supply a weighted pneumatic pressure as a function of the load signal, and first and second braking control apparatus, both coupled to the weighting devices and comprising respective relay valves which supply at their outlets respective braking pressures, modulated as a function of said weighted pneumatic pressure, to respective braking actuators associated with the wheels of a respective axle or of a respective bogie of the vehicle. The weighting devices comprise an electro-pneumatic drive assembly which is interposed between pneumatic pressure supply means and the drive inlet of the relay valves and an electronic weighting control unit which controls the drive assembly as a function of the load signal, so as to modulate in a predetermined way the pressure at the drive inlet of the relay valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Tione, Roberto Correndo, Giuseppe Lore', Hervé Savary
  • Patent number: 10442419
    Abstract: A brake retarder valve for a tractor-trailer combination includes a valve housing and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a poppet valve biased by a spring and a gravity spool. The valve assembly is selectively operable between the operative closed configuration and an open configuration in response to a resultant of the fluid pressure between a trailer axle brake and a tractor axle brake. The tractor axle brake is actuated with a time delay from actuation of the trailer axle brake. This delay is actuation of the tractor axle brake prevents jack knifing of the trailer onto the tractor in a tractor-trailer combination, thereby ensuring safety during operation of a tractor-trailer combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Prashantha Kini, Rajgopal Raibagi, Ravi Ranjan Thakur
  • Patent number: 10427681
    Abstract: A controller for a host vehicle having adaptive cruise control comprises control logic that determines an actual time gap behind a detected target object and transmits a deceleration message having a deceleration value in response to the actual time gap being less than a predetermined minimum time gap. The control logic receives a torque message from a vehicle retarder indicating that the vehicle retarder is at a limit. If the actual time gap is less than the predetermined minimum time gap, the control logic transmits a transmission control message requesting the transmission to shift to a lower gear. The control logic transmits another deceleration message if the actual time gap is still less than the predetermined minimum time gap, wherein at least one of an associated transmission and an associated braking system respond to decelerate the host vehicle in response to the transmission control message and deceleration messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Mathew J John, Vipin A Guda, Thomas S Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10407084
    Abstract: A pneumatically piloted retainer valve for bottling brake cylinder pressure that can be set and released in response to changes in the brake pipe pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve provides a brake cylinder pressure retaining function that bottles applied brake cylinder pressure in the brake cylinder when brake pipe pressure is less than a predetermined cut-in pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve includes a retainer valve movable between a reset position, where brake cylinder pressure is in communication with exhaust and a bottle position, wherein brake cylinder pressure is isolated from exhaust. A retainer pilot control valve provides for piloting of the retainer valve in response to a predetermined reduction or threshold increase in brake pipe pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Wright, Jason Connell
  • Patent number: 10391992
    Abstract: A braking method is used for a vehicle that has at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A hydraulically actuatable brake is provided at the front wheel and the rear wheel, and an automatic parking brake is provided at the rear wheel. The braking method enables an optimal brake pressure to be built up as rapidly as possible. In a first step of an initiation phase of the braking method, the front wheel is braked by the hydraulically actuatable brakes and the rear wheel is braked exclusively by the automatic parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Tobias Putzer
  • Patent number: 10322640
    Abstract: A vehicle having a traction battery and at least one electric machine for propelling the vehicle is provided. A high voltage DC bus electrically connects the traction battery to the electric machine. A controller monitors and commands power flow through the DC bus, the electric machine, and the battery. In response to a key-off event, the controller immediately discharges the DC bus by providing a current to the electric machines. This discharge continues until the voltage on the DC bus reaches a threshold. As the speed of the electric machine decreases towards a speed threshold, the voltage in the DC bus is maintained. Once the electric machine speed reduces past the threshold, the DC bus discharges the remaining voltage in the DC bus at a rate slower than the first immediate discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuan Zhang, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 10259569
    Abstract: A brake system for an aircraft is provided according to various embodiments. The system may include a left pedal arrangement comprising a left pedal, a first left sensor to generate a first left signal in response to translation of the left pedal. The system also includes a right pedal arrangement comprising a right pedal, a first right sensor to generate a first right signal in response to translation of the right pedal. Normal brake control logic controls the brake system in response to a normal condition being set. The normal brake control logic commands a left brake based on the left signal, and a right brake based on the first right signal. Emergency brake control logic controls the brake system in response to an emergency condition being set. The emergency brake control logic commands a same force to the left and right brakes based the left and right signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Cahill, Efrem E. Ayichew
  • Patent number: 10239508
    Abstract: Provided is a brake apparatus having a detachable pump housing. The brake apparatus having a detachable pump housing includes a master cylinder that receives an operating force of a pedal, a main housing in which the master cylinder is accommodated and a through-hole is formed at one side thereof, a motor that provides a driving force, a pump piston that is accommodated in the main housing, and moves in and out of the main housing through the through-hole by receiving the driving force from the motor, a gear unit that converts the driving force of the motor into a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the pump piston, and a pump housing in which the pump piston is accommodated and an opening is formed at one side thereof, and that is detachably fastened to the main housing such that the opening communicates with the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang-Soo Han, Youngsong Lee