17th week of 2016 patent applcation highlights part 17 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160114793 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, FUEL CELL VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING OPERATIONAL FAILURE OF ON-OFF VALVE - The control unit of the fuel cell system monitors the status of power generation of the fuel cell and calculates a total amount of the fuel gas consumption, based on the amount of power generated by the fuel cell, from a point in time when the supply gas pressure reaches a standard gas pressure. Another total amount of the fuel gas consumption is calculated based on a gas pressure change that corresponds to a decrease of the gas pressure from the standard gas pressure. Comparing two total amounts of the fuel gas consumptions, the evaluation is performed as whether the on-off valve in the fuel gas flow path from each of the fuel gas tanks to the fuel cell fails to be opened. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114794 | VEHICLE TRAVEL CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle travel control device 1 includes a length acquisition unit 11 that is configured to acquire a length of a curve based on map information around a vehicle X, a determination unit 12 that is configured to determine a necessity of deceleration control of the vehicle X in the curve based on the acquired length of the curve, and a control unit 13 that is configured to execute the deceleration control of the vehicle X in a case where it is determined by the determination unit 12 that the deceleration control of the vehicle X in the curve is necessary. The determination unit 12 determines that the deceleration control of the vehicle X is unnecessary in a case where the length of the curve acquired by the length acquisition unit 11 is smaller than the threshold value. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114795 | PARKING ASSIST SYSTEM AND PARKING ASSIST METHOD - A parking assist system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit detects a boundary of a parking space, detects a first obstacle within a detection area set at a back-side position within the parking space on the basis of the detected boundary, determines a target position of a moving path of a vehicle on the basis of the detected boundary, and determines the target position such that the vehicle located at the target position overlaps with the first obstacle. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114796 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE CONTROL PROCEDURE - A method for a vehicle control procedure, wherein in the case of this vehicle control procedure a closed loop control of the vehicle velocity is performed on the basis of a predetermined desired value, may comprise the following steps: determining on the basis of at least one predetermined criterion whether in the case of the closed loop control the vehicle velocity leaves a value range that is defined by at least one velocity threshold value while taking into consideration a tolerance range that defines predetermined, permitted deviations from this value range; and implementing a corresponding measure while modifying the vehicle control procedure in dependence upon the result of this determination procedure, wherein the determination procedure is performed on the basis of a signal analysis of at least one measurement signal that describes the movement status of the vehicle. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114797 | METHOD FOR ASSISTING A MANEUVERING PROCESS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND PARKING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - A method for assisting a maneuvering process of a motor vehicle, and a parking assistance device are provided. In a method for assisting a maneuvering process of a motor vehicle, wherein longitudinal and lateral control of the movement of the motor vehicle is carried out on the basis of predefined setpoint values of the direction of travel, speed or steering angle in order to automatically carry out the maneuvering process, at least some of these setpoint values and the chronological sequence in which the setpoint values are predefined during the maneuvering process are stored. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114798 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A method for operating a driver assistance apparatus includes: recognizing a driving environment of a vehicle; determining a driving mode based on the driving environment; determining whether the vehicle is driven using at least one sensor based on the driving mode; and controlling steering and braking of the vehicle based on whether the vehicle is driven using the at least one sensor. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114799 | VEHICLE TRAVEL CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle travel control apparatus is provided which includes: an automatic brake control part configured to perform an automatic brake control that automatically applies a brake force to a host vehicle when there is a probability of collision with an obstacle in front of the host vehicle; and a drive force recovery control part configured to increase, in response to an accelerator operation by a driver, a target drive force to a demand drive force from the driver by a predetermined increase amount per unit time after having performed the automatic brake control. The drive force recovery control part determines the predetermined increase amount per unit time such that the predetermined increase amount per unit time becomes greater as the brake force applied by the automatic brake control part during the automatic brake control is smaller. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114800 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS - When own vehicle starts and accelerates involving course-change, the own vehicle is started with appropriate timing, and changes a course safely and swiftly. The vehicle control apparatus ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114801 | TORQUE CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD AND MOTOR CONTROLLER - A torque control apparatus includes: a flux linkage estimator estimating a variation of flux linkage based on a difference between a current temperature of a motor measured by a temperature sensor and a predefined reference temperature; a torque compensation value calculator calculating a torque compensation value corresponding to the current temperature of the motor based on the estimated variation of flux linkage; and a torque compensator compensating for an error of required torque of a torque command by applying the calculated torque compensation value in response to a change in temperature of the motor and outputting a final torque command including the error-compensated required torque to a current map of a motor controller. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114802 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING VEHICLE PERFORMANCE - Methods and systems for selecting vehicle operating modes in response to output of remote security token devices are described. In one example, a vehicle operating mode may be determined when two key fobs having different, but valid, security token assignments are present within a vehicle cabin. Further, one mode of a two mode key fob may be selectively deactivated and reactivated to provide system flexibility. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114803 | Clutch Torque Trajectory Correction to Provide Torque Hole Filling during a Ratio Upshift - A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TARGET OBJECT - In an apparatus, a storage stores therein first identification data prepared for each of target objects including a specified target object and second identification data prepared for each of the target objects. The first identification data for each of the target objects is determined based on a first feature pattern of a corresponding one of the target objects. The second identification data for each of the target objects is determined based on a second feature pattern indicative of a surrounding environment around a corresponding one of the target objects. An identifier obtains a degree of similarity of the feature of the candidate data with respect to the specified target object according to the first identification data and the second identification data prepared for the specified target object. The identifier identifies, according to the obtained degree of similarity, whether the specified target object is in the environmental data. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114805 | DRIVER-CENTRIC LEARNING - A vehicle system includes a remote device having a processor programmed to receive driver data in real-time during operation of a first vehicle. The processor processes the driver data to determine a driver behavior. A command signal is generated to command a second vehicle to update at least one parameter in accordance with the driver behavior. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114806 | SAFE DRIVING MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A safe driving monitoring system includes a face capturing module, a face indentifying and analyzing module and an warning module. The face capturing module is configured to capture images of a driver. The indentifying and analyzing module is configured to identify the eyes of the driver and analyze if the eyes are closed based on the captured images, and send an abnormal driver signal when the eyes are closed longer then a preset time value. The warning module is configured to warn the driver of an abnormal driving behavior according to the abnormal driver signal. The disclosed subject matter also provides a safe driving monitoring method. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114807 | Motor Vehicle Operating Data Collection and Analysis - A method and apparatus for collecting and evaluating powered vehicle operation utilizing on-board diagnostic components and location determining components or systems. The invention creates one or more databases whereby identifiable behavior or evaluative characteristics can be analyzed or categorized. The evaluation can include predicting likely future events. The database can be correlated or evaluated with other databases for a wide variety of uses. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114808 | VEHICLE CONSUMPTION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A monitoring system and method determine a consumption metric representative of one or more of an amount of fuel consumed or an amount of energy consumed by a vehicle during travel over a route. The consumption metric is independent of one or more of vehicle load or elevation change over the route. The system and method optionally can determine a route condition metric representative of a condition of a route traveled upon by a vehicle. The route condition metric is based on a comparison between an actual grade of the route at one or more locations along the route and an estimated grade of the route at the one or more locations. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114809 | SYSTEM FOR THE ESTIMATION OF ONE OR MORE PARAMETERS RELATED TO THE LOAD OF A VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY OF THE ABSOLUTE VALUE AND THE DISTRIBUTION THEREOF - The object of the present invention is a system ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114810 | DEVICE FOR STORING DATA IN A MOTOR VEHICLE - In a method for storing data in a motor vehicle: an application software executed on a control device of the motor vehicle connects, via a communication network of the motor vehicle, to a data storage device of the motor vehicle; the application software logically connects the connected data storage device to the control device; the application software accesses the connected data storage device via the communication network, and the application software optionally releases the connected data storage device. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114811 | TRAVEL CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - A travel control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a travel environment information acquisition unit that acquires travel environment information on a travel environment where the vehicle travels; a travel information detector that detects travel information on the vehicle; and an overtaking controller that detects an overtaking target vehicle ahead of the vehicle in an identical travel lane on the basis of the travel environment information and the travel information, and overtakes the overtaking target vehicle using automatic driving control. When failures are detected in relation to the travel environment information acquisition and in a steering system of the vehicle during the overtaking control, the overtaking controller modifies the overtaking control by activating required substitute control in accordance with the travel environment information obtained most recently before detecting the travel environment information acquisition failure, information on the overtaking target vehicle, the travel information, and conditions during the overtaking control. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114812 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle control device includes a single manipulandum that selects at least one of first to n-th modes in which ON/OFF states of mutually related functions are set, or a function OFF as an operation support function of a vehicle. An operation support controller selects a transition order according to the current mode when the current state is any one of the first to n-th modes, and sequentially selects each one of the first to n-th modes other than the current mode, and the function OFF based on the selected transition order, each time an operation of the manipulandum is detected. The n is a natural number of 2 or greater. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114813 | DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A CABIN DESIGNED TO BE HAULED BY A CABLE, VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE, AND INSTALLATION FOR TRANSPORTING BY CABLE COMPRISING ONE SUCH VEHICLE - Device for attaching a cabin designed to be hauled by a cable, including a fastener to couple the device to the cable, and at least one arm configured to attach the cabin in removable manner and mounted mobile on the fastener to move the cabin with respect to the fastener. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114814 | Multi-Engine Locomotive Propulsion - A multi-engine locomotive configuration is disclosed wherein engine outputs to DC traction motors are controlled by connecting the alternators with rectifiers in series for each engine of a multi-engine locomotive. This configuration uses the minimum number of rectifying diodes, eliminates the need for chopper circuits and simplifies the method of controlling the sequencing and output of two or more engines. The approach, which reduces the parasitic power loss by reducing the number of diodes, also enables a simplified means to efficiently manage engine cooling without additional cost and complexity of electrically-driven radiator fans. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114815 | ADAPTIVE VELOCITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention provide a braking safety system for controlling the velocity of a vehicle on an amusement attraction. The braking system includes a track assembly including a plurality of control surfaces configured to support and guide the vehicle on the amusement attraction, a carriage system for coupling the vehicle to the track assembly, and at least one adaptive braking system configured to adaptively control the velocity of the vehicle on the track assembly. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to engage at least one of the following: a passive element or an active element to reduce the velocity of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to enable speed reduction of the vehicle using either one or a combination of magnetic field interaction, aerodynamic drag, and friction. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114816 | Slack Adjuster for Narrow Gauge Railroad Cars - A slack adjuster for narrow gauge rail cars including a housing having a body with a first clevis joint, a coupling secured to the body, and a guide tube secured to the body coupling. A lever is pivotally coupled to the housing for moving an actuator coupled to a clutch. The clutch is engaged with the external threads of a rod and moveable between a first captured position, a second position where the clutch is free to rotate, and a second captured position to selectively control movement of the rod. Movement of the lever withdraws the actuator so that the clutch releases and can spin, allowing the threaded rod to translate from the retracted to extended positions. Opposing forces applied to a ram causes the clutch to move to the second captured position, thereby preventing rotation of the clutch and preventing the threaded rod from retracting further into the housing. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114817 | TRACK STATUS MONITORING DEVICE - Providing a track status monitoring device comprising an acceleration detection unit disposed on a railway car and detecting an acceleration at least in the axle direction among accelerations generated on a wheel of the railway car; a rail position detection unit disposed on the railway car and detecting a value indicating a position of the rail in relation to the wheel in the axle direction; an integration unit that calculates a value based on a 2 | 2016-04-28 |
20160114818 | SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY OVERRIDING LOCOMOTIVE CONTROLS - A control system is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The control system may have a component located onboard the locomotive, the component having a first state and a second state. The control system may also have an operator input device located onboard the locomotive and used to manually toggle operation of the component between the first and second states, and at least one sensor located onboard the locomotive and configured to generate a signal associated with a condition of the locomotive. The control system may also have an offboard controller located remotely from the locomotive and being configured to selectively override the operator input device and toggle operation of the component between the first and second states based on the signal. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE ORIENTATION IN A VEHICLE CONSIST - A system and method for determining an orientation of a vehicle are provided. The system and method determine (with a sensor assembly disposed onboard a first vehicle) a direction in which a fluid flows within the first vehicle. The first vehicle is included in a vehicle consist with a second vehicle. The orientation of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle is determined based at least in part on the direction in which the fluid flows within the first vehicle. The fluid may be air in an air brake pipe of the vehicle consist. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114820 | RAIL VEHICLE EVENT DETECTION AND RECORDING SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting and recording rail vehicle events. The system comprises one or more cameras, one or more sensors, non-transient electronic storage, one or more physical computer processors, and/or other components. The one or more cameras may be configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle. The non-transient electronic storage may be configured to store electronic information. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured to detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals and facilitate electronic storage of the visual information and the operation information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114821 | MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE AXLES OF UNPOWERED TRANSPORT UNITS - The monitoring system comprises an axle traveled distance module connected to at least one transport unit monitoring system and adapted to determine, for each of the axle identifiers detected by at least one of the transport unit monitoring systems, an axle traveled distance increment during a corresponding acquisition time period in function of transport unit traveled distance increments during this acquisition time period of the at least one transport unit monitoring system that detected this axle identifier during this acquisition time period. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114822 | Hand Truck - A hand truck includes a support base, a plurality of wheels connected rotatably to the support base, a handle unit connected to the support base, and a fork unit. The support base has a pair of holding portions and a recess portion disposed between the holding portions. The fork unit has a pivoting portion connected pivotally to the support base, an inserting portion opposite to the pivoting portion, and a connecting portion interconnecting the pivoting portion and the inserting portion. The fork unit is pivotable between a retracted position, where the inserting portion and the connecting portion are adjacent to the support base, and a projected position, where the inserting portion and the connecting portion are away from the support base. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114823 | MOBILE CART FOR SPRAY DISPENSING - A mobile cart includes a cart frame, a base, wheels rotatably attached to the frame and a cabinet separating the base surface into first and second receiving areas. A first container, containing a first material, and a second container, containing a second material, are positionable in the first and second receiving areas. A first sliding rack and a second sliding rack for securing vessels above the base surface are moveable between stowed positions at least partially within the cabinet and extended positions in the first and second receiving areas, respectively. The cart can alternatively receive one of the first container or first vessel in the first receiving area and one of the second container or second vessel in the second receiving area. A combination mixer and dispenser is releasably secured to the frame and releasably fluidly coupled to the first and second containers and first and second vessels. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114824 | INFANT CARRIER TRANSPORT - Infant carriers are stably supported and transported by being positioned on a frame set on wheels. The frame may include an infant carrier holder with a floor with a ramp and sidewalls. The infant carrier holder may be integral with the frame or may be mounted to a mounting device that can be adjusted for mounting angle or height. A handle is provided to the frame at a position that is suitable for a person in a wheelchair to grasp the frame and move the transport. A handle suitable for a standing person to grasp the frame may optionally be provided. The transport permits a person that may have difficulty carrying or transporting an infant carrier to more easily transport the infant carrier in a standing or a seated position, the latter as may be the case with a wheelchair occupant. The transport may be fastened to the wheelchair. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114825 | SKIING APPARATUS - A snow skiing apparatus which may include an upper frame member, a lower seat member connected to the upper frame member, a handle member connected to the upper frame member, a lower frame member connected to the upper frame member, and a ski attachment member connected to the lower frame member and adapted to be detachably connected to a ski. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114826 | Vehicle Steering Wheel - A vehicle steering wheel includes a rim having a cavity, and a device arranged in the cavity of the rim. The vehicle steering wheel further includes a hood designed to close the cavity and a polymer injected around the rim and around the hood. A sealing means is arranged to prevent the polymer from being introduced into the cavity during its injection. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114827 | STEERING COLUMN DEVICE - A steering column device includes a first tube on an inner side and a second tube on an outer side which are fitted into each other so as to be relatively slidable in an axial direction, and rotatably support a steering shaft. A plurality of projections that come into contact with the inner periphery of the second tube and extend in the axial direction of the first tube are provided on the outer periphery of the first tube. The plurality of projections are disposed at unequal intervals in a peripheral direction of the first tube so as to come close to the vertical plane which includes a central axis line of the first tube. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114828 | STEERING DEVICE - Elongated holes are formed in a first plate of a fixed bracket so as to extend parallel to a column moving direction. An elongated hole inserted portion of a suspending bolt of a suspending mechanism is disposed in an initial assembling position in one of the elongated holes. An inner circumference of the elongated hole includes a pair of flat surface portions which are parallel to the column moving direction, an arc-shaped surface portion and tapered surface portions which connect a pair of end portions of the arc-shaped surface portion to the corresponding flat surface portion. Tapered angles which the tapered surfaces form relative to the column moving direction are equal to or greater than a friction angle. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114829 | REAR WHEEL STEERING DEVICE OF VEHICLE - A rear wheel steering device of a vehicle for steering a rear wheel of the vehicle includes a reduction mechanism being connected to an output shaft of an electric motor, the reduction mechanism reducing a rotation of an output of the electric motor, and a linear motion mechanism converting a rotary motion of a nut member into a linear motion of a rod. The reduction mechanism includes a drive pulley being connected to the output shaft of the electric motor, a driven pulley being connected to the nut member and being rotatably supported at the housing about an axis of the rod, and a belt being stretchingly provided at the drive pulley and at the driven pulley. The reduction mechanism reduces the output of the electric motor via the drive pulley, the belt and the driven pulley to transmit the output of the electric motor to the linear motion mechanism. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114830 | Method of Controlling a Motor of an Electric Power Assisted Steering System - A method of controlling a motor of an electric power assisted steering system, the motor having a plurality of phases, the method comprising taking as an input an input signal indicative of a desired assistance torque and determining from the desired assistance torque a voltage to be applied to each of the phases of the motor, in which the step of determining the voltage to be applied to each of the phases comprises limiting the voltage determined to be applied to each of the phases of the motor dependent upon the voltage provided by a power supply to the motor. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114831 | METHOD FOR ASSISTING THE REVERSAL OF AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE - A method for assisting the reversal of an articulated vehicle includes recording a predefined number of positions for a first articulated vehicle for a specified path, recording the articulation angle of each articulation joint of the articulated vehicle at the predefined number of positions, recording the heading for the first articulated vehicle at the predefined number of positions, saving the recorded values for the specified path in a memory, calculating the swept area of the first vehicle for the specified path by using the recorded values and size information of the articulated vehicle, and using the swept area to control the steering of the articulated vehicle when reversing the articulated vehicle along the specified path, such that the articulated vehicle does not extend outwards of the swept area during the reversal. The area covered by the articulated vehicle when travelling forwards can be used to control the steering of the vehicle when reversing along the same path, such that the articulated vehicle substantially does not extend outward the swept area when reversing. In this way, an assisted reversing functionality can be used, which allows for a faster and more efficient reversing of the articulated vehicle, and at the same time allows for an improved comfort for the driver. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114832 | STEERING CONTROL DEVICE - A steering control device increases a steering reaction force of a steering reaction force actuator in a direction in which a lateral position of a host vehicle moves away from a travel path partition line when a turning amount of a turning actuator increases in the direction in which the lateral position of the host vehicle moves away from the travel path partition line. A steering reaction force control amount is computed for a reaction force suppression processing to reduce the steering reaction force control amount when the steering reaction force control amount has been at a threshold value or higher for a length of time. The reaction force suppression processing is carried out to control the steering reaction force actuator in lieu of the steering reaction force control amount. Meanwhile, the turning amount is maintained at a value occurring when the reaction force suppression processing began. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114833 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR ENABLING ROTATION MOVEMENT BETWEEN TANDEM OR CATERPILLAR AXLE AND BODY OF VEHICLE - An arrangement and method are provided for enabling rotation movement between a tandem or caterpillar axle and a body of a vehicle. This type of vehicle includes at least one body part that is provided with a tandem or caterpillar axle. At least one body part includes a main body and an auxiliary body connected to it to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or an essentially parallel axis thereto. The tandem or caterpillar axle is connected substantially rigidly to the main body, and the body part has at least one actuator for controlling the rotation movement between the main body and auxiliary body. In this way, changes in the position and motion status of the auxiliary body, especially in relation to the rotation around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, are arranged to cause in the actuator a pushing or pulling motion that steers the auxiliary body to a rotation movement for the purpose of arranging the auxiliary body to a substantially horizontal position. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114834 | STRUCTURE FOR UPPER PART OF VEHICLE BODY - Provided is a structure for an upper part of a vehicle body, the structure being formed by a rail inner, an rail outer joined to a vehicle outer side of the rail inner to form a closed cross-section, and a rail stiffener sandwiched between the rail inner and the rail outer to partition the closed cross-section, the structure being provided with a roof side rail extended in a front-rear direction on an upper side of a side part of a vehicle body, the structure including: a fastened portion attached to a vehicle outer side of the rail stiffener; a collar interposed between the rail inner and the rail stiffener; and a fastening unit inserted through the collar from a vehicle inner side of the rail inner and fastened to the fastened portion. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114835 | Mud Flap Assembly Having Enlarged Flap Panels - Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114836 | REINFORCED MOLDABLE RIVET ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - An assembly of vehicle components includes first and second components abutting each other. At least one of the first and second components includes a non-metallic material. The first and second components respectively include overlapping first and second apertures. The assembly further includes a joining component extending through the first and second apertures. The joining component has a support body and an outer body at least partially encasing the support body. The outer body includes a polymeric material. The joining component clamps the first and second components between first and second flanges of the outer body, and the support body extends into at least one of the first and second apertures. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114837 | CAB AND WORK MACHINE - A base has a second bracket extending toward a back panel. A controller main body is arranged between the base and the back panel, and fixed to the second bracket. In a plan view, at least a part of the controller main body is arranged between the base and the floor portion so as to overlap with the base, and a bolt fixing the controller main body to the second bracket is arranged between a rear end of the base and the back panel. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114838 | VEHICLE CAB ASSEMBLY - A vehicle cab assembly ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114839 | Maneuvering Robotic Vehicles Having A Positionable Sensor Head - Configurations are provided for vehicular robots or other vehicles to provide shifting of their centers of gravity for enhanced obstacle navigation. Various head and neck morphologies are provided to allow positioning for various poses such as a stowed pose, observation poses, and inspection poses. Neck extension and actuator module designs are provided to implement various head and neck morphologies. Robot control network circuitry is also provided. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114840 | High Performance Track System For a Vehicle - A track system for use as a wheel replacement on a typically wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The track system comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame, front and rear idler wheels respectively mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotally mounted along the support frame between the front and read idler wheels, and an endless track mounted about the wheels. The track system has a large diameter sprocket in combination with a very low track band tension resulting in increased performances and improved handling of the vehicle. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114841 | Elastomeric Track Assembly and Track Band Having Damping Features - An elastomeric track assembly and track band having damping features is disclosed. The track comprises several surfaces disposed as to dampen the force of impact. The track is configured to have a ground contacting surface and portion not in contact with the ground. The idler and road wheels where applicable are disposed above a portion of the track that is not primarily in contact with the ground surface in order to prevent alignment between the wheel and the point of impact with the ground surface. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114842 | Locomotion of Amorphous Surface Robots - An amorphous robot includes a compartmented bladder containing fluid, a valve assembly, and an outer layer encapsulating the bladder and valve assembly. The valve assembly draws fluid from a compartment(s) and discharges the drawn fluid into a designated compartment to displace the designated compartment with respect to the surface. Another embodiment includes elements each having a variable property, an outer layer that encapsulates the elements, and a control unit. The control unit energizes a designated element to change its variable property, thereby moving the designated element. The elements may be electromagnetic spheres with a variable polarity or shape memory polymers with changing shape and/or size. Yet another embodiment includes an elongated flexible tube filled with ferrofluid, a moveable electromagnet, an actuator, and a control unit. The control unit energizes the electromagnet and moves the electromagnet via the actuator to magnetize the ferrofluid and lengthen the flexible tube. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114843 | MOBILE ROBOT - A mobile robot configured to be widely versatile in its use. For example, the mobile robot can be configured for being used on a wide assortment of surfaces, regardless of the orientation and/or shape of the surfaces. Alternatively or in combination, the mobile robot can be configured for effective and efficient movement on the surfaces it traverses. In some cases, the mobile robot is configured with two or more component units. In some cases, the component units are configured with magnets and a control system for orientating the magnets. In some cases, one or more component couplings join the component units. In some cases, the mobile unit is configured with Mecanum wheels. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114844 | RETRACTABLE TRAILER APPARATUS - A semi-trailer includes a parallelpiped shaped van having front and rear axially elongated parallelepiped shaped modules. The front axially elongated parallelepiped module is dimensioned and configured for telescoping axial movement with respect to the rear axially elongated parallelepiped module to vary the overall length of the trailer. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114845 | HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE BIKE - Described herein is a bike including a frame member linking the front and rear wheel(s) made up of a first forward section or sections extending from the front wheel(s) and a second rear section or sections extending from the rear wheel(s). The section endings mate about a lockable connection assembly that is also in communication with a seat-post connected to the seat. The frame sections pivot about a connection assembly axis in a direction perpendicular to the bike frame and the seat-post is able to be moved independent of the frame sections. A key advantage of the above bike is the high range of height adjustability allowing the bike to be used by range of different sized users. Height adjustment is also very easy and may be done toolessly. Further, maintaining the seat in a desired riding alignment independent of frame movement is important otherwise the rider position will change relative to the handlebars leading in extreme cases to falls from the bike. Use of gas assisted injection moulding in bike manufacture is also described. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114846 | Vehicle Deceleration Warning Light - A vehicle license plate holder having a frame including a receptacle for a license plate, first and second LED light sources disposed on each side of the frame, and one or more power generators attached to the frame. The frame also mounts an electronic circuit module including a battery and configured to detect deceleration of a vehicle and to illuminate the first and second LED light sources in response to detection of the deceleration. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114847 | Saddlebag Support Apparatus - A saddlebag support apparatus includes at least two arms and a support frame with a geometric shape. The arms are removably connected, for example, to a rear section of a vehicle, for example, a motorcycle. The support frame extends from lower ends of the arms. The support frame defines a receptacle for receiving one or more attachment elements of a saddlebag to secure the saddlebag to the support frame. The saddlebag support apparatus includes an interconnecting member positioned and connected between the two arms for precluding deflection of the support frame when the saddlebag is mounted onto the support frame, thereby providing rigidity to the support frame. The saddlebag support apparatus includes one or more connector elements positioned at predetermined locations on an inner plane of the support frame for receiving and accommodating one or more attachment elements of the saddlebag to secure the saddlebag to the support frame. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114848 | CHAIN GUARD SYSTEM LOCK NUT - The present application describes a chain guard system lock nut comprising an electric motor ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114849 | Motorcycle Lower Fork Tube Protective/Decorative Cover(s) - The protective/decorative covering(s) designed, in which provides two (2) methods: 1. method of protection and 2. method of decoration, is used to protect a motorcycle's lower fork tubes against road debris and other elements, such as sand, dirt, bugs, and the like, as well as decorative use to customarily disguise the lower fork tubes thereby making them appear to be that of a different type or appearance. The protective/decorative covering is designed to produce a set of covering pieces (2), to which each cover is cut and manufactured separately and applied individually. Application of the protective/decorative covering(s) can be quickly applied, removed and/or replaced. The method for manufacturing and the method of application is disclosed. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114850 | VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a left front wheel and a right front wheel that tilt together with a body frame, and a rear wheel that tilts together with the body frame, wherein, while a large capacity of a fuel tank is ensured, a variation in the center-of-gravity position while driving is small. When the body frame is in an upright position, the fuel tank is disposed between extensions of the upper axis and lower axis of a linkage mechanism such that the fuel tank is disposed between the center of the area between the center of the area between a right front wheel ground contact portion where the right front wheel comes into contact with the ground, a left front wheel ground contact portion where the left front wheel comes into contact with the ground, and a rear wheel ground contact portion where the rear wheel comes into contact with the ground, and the right and left front wheel ground contact portions; and the center of the area between the center of the area between right front wheel ground contact portion, the left front wheel ground contact portion, and the rear wheel ground contact portion, and the rear wheel ground contact portion. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114851 | SCOOTER-TYPE VEHICLE - A scooter-type vehicle including a front wheel, a steering mechanism, a vehicle frame, a saddle, a vehicle cover and a main switch unit. The vehicle frame includes a head pipe, a front frame and a rear frame. The front frame extends rearwards and downwards from a rear portion of the head pipe, and, in a front view, overlaps the front wheel when the steering mechanism is in a non-rotating state. The vehicle cover includes a flat-shaped pedal or footboard, which is further forwards than the saddle above the rear frame, and a front cover extending upwards from a front end of the flat-shaped pedal or footboard. In a side view, at least a part of the main switch unit is further forwards than an imaginary line connecting a rear end of an upper edge of the head pipe and a rear end of a lower edge of the front frame. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114852 | FOLDING BICYCLE - An embodiment of the present invention may provide a folding bicycle comprising: a front frame connected to a front wheel; a rear frame connected to a rear wheel; an upper frame connected to a first end of the rear frame and formed to be foldable; a pedal frame connected to a second end of the rear frame; and a first hinge unit interposed between the first and of the rea frame and the upper frame and hinge-connected to the first end of the rear frame, wherein, when the bicycle is folded, the rear frame rotates towards the front frame with regard to the first hinge unit. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114853 | BICYCLE HANDLEBAR AND GRIP ASSEMBLY - A bicycle handlebar assembly that includes a body having at least two grip areas positioned for interaction with the hands of a rider. The grip portions or grip areas are preferably spaced apart by a center portion that secures the assembly to a bicycle steerer tube. A channel or detent is formed in the body proximate at least one, and preferably proximate each grip portion or grip area. A dampener formed of a different material than the body is disposed in the detent and dissipates at least a portion of vibration of the body to reduce vibrations communicated to the hands of the rider from handlebar vibration. An optional grip assembly cooperates with the handlebar assembly and is constructed to further dampen handlebar vibration. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114854 | AXLE ADAPTER ASSEMBLY - An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114855 | COMPRESSION SENSITIVE SUSPENSION DAMPENING - A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114856 | Reverse Mechanism for a Motorcycle with a Sidecar - This device is a reverse mechanism for a motorcycle with a sidecar. It is related to a motorcycle conversion assembly whereby the sidecar is outfitted with a mechanism to allow the motorcycle and sidecar combination apparatus to move in a rearward direction. The device is comprised of a retractable wheel, a drive system, a control mechanism, a battery power source and a structure to removably connect the drive and wheel to both the motorcycle and sidecar. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114857 | STRADDLE-TYPE VEHICLE - Disclosed is a straddle-type vehicle including a seat cushion, a foot rest lever, and a vehicle shell. The vehicle shell includes a foot pedal and a back shell portion connected to each other. The back shell portion includes a central cover portion, a front side cover portion, a bearing cover portion, and a back side cover portion. The front side cover portion has an upper portion and a lower portion. A front end portion of the upper portion is located further forward than a back end portion of the lower portion. The bearing cover portion has a bearing face for bearing the foot rest lever. An imaginary extension line extending from the bearing face passes through the seat cushion. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114858 | VARIABLY EXPANDING CHAIN TRANSMISSION - A bicycle transmission allows a bicycle operator to change the radius of a pedal crank's transmission gear as sliding gear segments, radially arranged on a base ring assembly, vary their relative radial position from the center of the base plate. These gear segments slide in and out to change the effective radius of the gear. Spring biased locking pins engage adjustable control plates as the crank rotates. The locking pins release to make further adjustments to increase or decrease the effective radius. The transmission may also be used as a variable-ratio prime mover for other motive power applications, to transfer power from the wheel to another rotating component. The transfer of power may be via a chain or a belt. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114859 | BICYCLE COGSET - A bicycle cogset comprises a sprocket base, a first sprocket, and a second sprocket. A periphery of the sprocket base is provided with a plurality of connecting arms, and each of the connecting arms is provided with at least one first and one second connection hole respectively. The first sprocket has a first outer portion and a first inner portion, the first outer portion provided with a plurality of first teeth, the first inner portion provided with a plurality of first insertion members, and the first insertion members disposed in the first connection holes. The second sprocket has a second outer portion and a second inner portion, the second outer portion provided with a plurality of second teeth, the second inner portion provided with a plurality of second insertion members, and the second insertion members disposed in the second connection holes. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114860 | Ergonomic Dual Shifter Assembly - Described herein are gear shifter interfaces for a motor vehicle comprising: a shifter assembly configured to connect to a shift lever comprising: a first plate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first peg attached to the first plate; a second plate slidably coupled to the first plate, wherein the second plate has a top surface and a bottom surface; and a second peg attached to the second plate. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114861 | HYBRID WINCH WITH CONTROLLED RELEASE AND TORQUE IMPULSE GENERATION CONTROL FOR ANCHOR HANDLING OFFSHORE - A hybrid winch system for use with an anchor handling vessel comprises an electric winch mountable on the anchor handling vessel, an electric generator for providing generated power to the electric winch, a battery for providing stored power to the electric winch, an anchor cable wound around the electric winch and passing over a roller drum for guiding the anchor cable, an anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor cable and a winch controller for selectively applying the generated power and the stored power to the electric winch. The winch controller is configured to provide the stored power to the electric winch for controlled release of the anchor cable in case of loss of the generated power. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114862 | HYBRID WINCH WITH CONTROLLED RELEASE AND TORQUE IMPULSE GENERATION CONTROL FOR ANCHOR HANDLING OFFSHORE - A hybrid winch system for use with an anchor handling vessel is disclosed that includes but is not limited to an electric winch mountable on the anchor handling vessel, an electric generator for providing generated power to the electric winch, a battery for providing stored power to the electric winch, an anchor cable wound around the electric winch and passing over a roller drum for guiding the anchor cable, an anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor cable and a winch controller for selectively applying the generated power and the stored power to the electric winch. The winch controller is configured to provide the stored power to the electric winch for controlled release of the anchor cable in the case of loss of the generated power. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114863 | CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR ARRAY CABLES OF DISCONNECTABLE OFFSHORE ENERGY DEVICES - A floating connector of an offshore energy device and a method for connecting the floating connector is provided. The floating connector includes a buoy having a long spar like floater, where the buoy provides buoyancy to the floating connector. The floating connector further includes at least two cables for connecting to the offshore energy device. The floating connector also includes a joint box for coupling to the offshore energy device and for providing an electrical connection of the at least two cables to a switchgear of the offshore energy device. When the joint box is coupled to the offshore energy device, an electrical circuit with the at least two cables is completed through the offshore energy device via the switchgear. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114864 | ONBOARD SYSTEM FOR STACKING AND RETRIEVING CRAB POTS, AND RELATED METHODS - A system stacking and retrieving a crab pot onboard a vessel includes a crane having an end and operable to position the end at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck, and an end effector at the end of the crane, operable to hold a crab pot. The crane is used to grab a crab pot stored on the deck and position the pot on a pot launcher, or to grab a pot on the pot launcher and position the pot on the vessel's deck to secure the pot onboard. The system also includes a connector operable to couple a crab pot with another crab pot, and a controller operable to direct the movement of the crane to position the end of the crane at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck. With the system's controller the crane may be automatically controlled and directed without requiring a deckhand to manually direct the crane to the correct position on the vessel's deck. And, with the connector each crab pot may be secured to an adjacent crab pot during storage of the pots without the need of a deckhand. Thus, the system makes a once very dangerous job for deckhands on a crabbing vessel much safer. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114865 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERING ONE OR MORE CONTAMINANTS FLOATING ON A BODY OF WATER - System for collecting oil on a waterborne vessel from an oil spill area at or near the surface of a body of water includes at least three successively fluidly coupled cargo compartments. At least one suction conduit is fluidly coupled to each cargo compartment and configured to allow each successive cargo compartment to be concurrently substantially emptied of sea water and substantially filled with oil, starting with the aft-most cargo compartment. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114866 | SURFBOARDS - A surfboard, the rear part | 2016-04-28 |
20160114867 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING STABILITY OF A VESSEL - An automated stability system which is accurate but simple enough to be implemented on small vessels such as fishing boats is provided. It provides this by integrating the measurements of a digital magnetometer, digital accelerometer, and digital gyroscope which are used to calculate the natural roll period of the vessel which in turn permits calculation of the GM (metacentric height). GPS may also be provided to provide for time and velocity correction. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114868 | Light conduit underwater illumination system - An apparatus that provides underwater illumination by conducting light from a light source through a light conduit, said light emanating from the distal end of the light conduit into water. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114869 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING ROUTE SUGGESTIONS - An apparatus or web server for assisting a user in selecting a route based on tracked popularity of routes traveled by other users and a desired user activity. The apparatus may include a memory for receiving and storing route data for routes previously traveled by a plurality of users and a processing device coupled with the memory for receiving desired route characteristic information from the user, including a desired activity type, such as running or cycling. The processing device may compare the desired route characteristics information with the route data, suggest at least one of the stored routes to the user based on the comparison, and visually indicate with a color-coded heat map a popularity of the routes suggested based on the comparison. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114870 | Surface Anti-Fouling Structure, Composition, and Method - An article surface anti-fouling structure, composition, and method includes a surface structure for encapsulating an article from an external environment, the structure having anti fouling properties protecting the article from the external environment. Also, a composition for applying to the surface of the article for the anti-fouling surface treatment of the article, the composition including copper sulfate, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, umicore 836 brightener 1, umicore 836 leveler 1, and distilled water. In addition, a method for applying the composition to the surface includes steps of providing the composition, a container, an article, and an electrical power source, then creating an electrolyte bath from the composition. Additional steps include setting a bath temperature, immersing the article into the bath, charging the bath and the article for a galvanic deposition of the composition onto the article, controlling the galvanic deposition for a selected time, and removing the article from the bath. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114871 | MARINE SURVIVAL POD - A floatation survival pod includes an elongate floatation body ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114872 | COLLAPSIBLE FLOTATION DEVICE - A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114873 | VESSEL DISABLEMENT SYSTEM - A system designed as a benign disablement weapon for use against sailboats and a method for using the system. The system may be easily deployed to stop sailboats by disabling the propeller. The system uses a buoyant component that floats covertly on the water surface and to which many entanglement lines are attached. Upon the targeted boat passing over the system, the buoyant interface catches on the keel of the vessel. The buoyant interface then drags the entanglement lines with the vessel which puts the lines in position to catch on the propeller, causing the vessel to become disabled. The system may be modified for use in disabling motor craft. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114874 | WaterCraft Propulsion System and Method of Propelling a WaterCraft Through Water - A watercraft propulsion system includes a motor mounted in a container in a water-tight manner. A shaft extends from the motor through the bottom of the container to an impeller disposed in a housing outside the container. The impeller draws fluid into the housing through and opening on the back of the housing to propel a watercraft through the water. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114875 | MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR POSITIONING STERN-MOUNTED PROPULSION UNITS WITH A FORWARD CONVERGENCE - There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a moo pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114876 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING BOIL-OFF GAS IN SHIP - In a BOG treatment system, boil-off gas (BOG) discharged from a storage tank is compressed, most of the BOG is used as the fuel of vessel engines, and a remaining part of the BOG is liquefied by cold energy of BOG newly discharged from the storage tank and is returned to the storage tank, thereby efficiently utilizing the BOG. The BOG treatment system for a vessel includes a compressor compressing the BOG discharged from the storage tank; a medium pressure gas engine receiving at least a part of the BOG compressed by the compressor, as fuel; a heat exchanger exchanging heat between the remaining part of the BOG, which is not supplied to the medium pressure gas engine as fuel, and the BOG, which is discharged from the storage tank and is not compressed; and an expander decompressing the remaining part of the BOG cooled by the heat exchanger. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114877 | Parallel or Redundant Hybrid Marine Drive Train for a Propulsion Unit - A parallel or redundant hybrid drive of a marine drivetrain of a propulsion unit includes an input shaft, which is configured to be driven by a primary drive source; a clutch unit attached to the input shaft with which rotation of the input shaft can be either connected, reversed, or disconnected; a countershaft transverse to the input shaft and driven by the input shaft via a gear; and a secondary drive source arranged via an interconnected clutch at an end of the countershaft, so that upon driving of the input shaft by the primary drive source, the secondary drive source drives the countershaft either on its own or in cooperation with the primary drive source. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114878 | CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PERSONAL PROPULSION DEVICES - A personal propulsion device for use with a pressurized fluid source having a throttle, the personal propulsion device including a passenger assembly; one or more fluid discharge ports coupled to the passenger assembly and operable to elevate the passenger assembly and a passenger into the air; a fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the one or more fluid discharge ports; a first inductance coil coupled to the fluid delivery conduit; a second inductance coil coupled to the fluid delivery conduit and rotatable with respect to the first inductance coil; and a throttle controller coupled to the passenger assembly, where the throttle controller is configured to transmit a signal across the first and second inductance coils to the pressurized fluid source. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114879 | Superconductive Hypersonic Liquefaction Nosecone - An apparatus and method for mitigating the shock front of a rocket or aerospace plane flying at hypersonic speeds while simultaneously distilling liquid chemical elements from the ambient air. The invention employs supercooling driven by the cryogenic power of liquid hydrogen and/or regenerative evaporation of liquid hydrogen and/or liquid nitrogen to drive isothermal compression and consequentially usurp the shock front in totality. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114880 | GALLEY SYSTEM, METHOD FOR OPERATING ELECTRICAL GALLEY DEVICES, AND USE OF A FUEL CELL IN A GALLEY SYSTEM - A galley system comprises at least one electrically operated galley device, at least one fuel cell, a plurality of compartments for housing the galley devices, and an air extraction means. At least one of the plurality of compartments comprises at least one air extraction port couplable with the air extraction means. The at least one compartment is adapted for housing at least one of the at least one fuel cell and for removing at least a part of heat emanated from the at least one fuel cell through the air extraction means. At least one of the at least one electrically operated galley device is electrically couplable with the at least one fuel cell unit. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114881 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A STATE OF A COMPONENT IN A HIGH LIFT SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT, HIGH LIFT SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT AND AIRCRAFT HAVING SUCH A HIGH LIFT SYSTEM - A method for determining a state of a component in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system including a central power control unit for providing rotational power by a transmission shaft; and drive stations coupled with the power control unit and movable high lift surfaces, includes acquiring in an extended position in flight a first position of a first position pick-off unit coupled with the component, mechanically coupled with a high lift surface, and coupled with a drive station; acquiring in flight a second position of a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at the central power control unit in the extended position; determining a deviation between a first measure based on the first position and a second measure based on the second position; determining, whether the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold; and if so, generating a signal indicating an abnormal state of the component. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114882 | FLY-BY-WIRE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A multi-axis serially redundant, single channel, multi-path fly-by-wire control system comprising: serially redundant flight control computers in a single channel where only one “primary” flight control computer is active and controlling at any given time; a matrix of parallel flight control surface controllers including stabilizer motor control units (SMCU) and actuator electronics control modules (AECM) define multiple control paths within the single channel, each implemented with dissimilar hardware and which each control the movement of a distributed set of flight control surfaces on the aircraft in response to flight control surface commands of the primary flight control computer; and a set of (pilot and co-pilot) controls and aircraft surface/reference/navigation sensors and systems which provide input to a primary flight control computer and are used to generate the flight control surface commands to control the aircraft in flight in accordance with the control law algorithms implemented in the flight control computers. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114883 | ACTIVELY-CONTROLLED SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SURFACES - Active superhydrophobic surface structures are actively-controlled surface structures exhibiting a superhydrophobic state and an ordinary state. Active superhydrophobic surface structures comprise an outer elastomeric covering defining an exposed surface, a controlled group of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) actuators at least covered by the elastomeric covering, and, a controlled region of the exposed surface corresponding to the controlled group. The controlled region has a superhydrophobic state in which the controlled region is textured. The controlled region also has an ordinary state in which the controlled region is smooth (i.e., less textured than in the superhydrophobic state). Active superhydrophobic surface structures may be part of an apparatus that includes a controller and/or one or more sensors. The controller, sensors, and the controlled region may form a feedback loop in which the active superhydrophobic surface is actively controlled. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114884 | METHOD OF FABRICATING A FORCE TRANSFER PART HAVING A LUG MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL, AND A PART OBTAINED BY SUCH A METHOD - The invention provides a method of fabricating a force transfer part ( | 2016-04-28 |
20160114885 | VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT - A vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes a propulsion mechanism that generates lift and thrust, a main frame that supports seating and a landing undercarriage, a sub-frame which supports the propulsion mechanism and is arranged so as to be swingable back and forth relative to the main frame, a motive power supply unit supported by the main frame and supplying motive power to the propulsion mechanism, a control stick connected to the sub-frame, and a main wing arranged on the propulsion mechanism, wherein the main wing is formed to be retracted to a position not interfering with an air flow of the propulsion mechanism in a normal time and to be movable to a position where lift is generated when thrust is lost. Gliding is made possible even if thrust is lost while increasing in size of a fuselage is avoided. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114886 | DISTRIBUTED UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a distributed system architecture for unmanned air vehicles. One of the methods includes receiving selections of configuration information to provide to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with the selections of configuration information being associated with respective components included in the UAV. The configuration information associated with a first component is determined to be valid from selections of configuration information associated with the first component. The configuration information associated with the first component is provided for storage in the UAV in response to receiving a user action. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114887 | AMPHIBIOUS VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING UNMANNED SYSTEM AND FLYING CAR WITH MULTIPLE AERIAL AND AQUATIC FLIGHT MODES FOR CAPTURING PANORAMIC VIRTUAL REALITY VIEWS, INTERACTIVE VIDEO AND TRANSPORTATION WITH MOBILE AND WEARABLE APPLICATION - Provided is an amphibious vertical takeoff and landing unmanned device comprising a modular and expandable waterproof body, a chassis, an outer body shell, a propulsion system, a propeller protection system, a surface skidding material platform, a landing system, control surfaces, a ballast, an onboard air compressor, an onboard electrolysis system, a waterproof through-body wire or antenna feed-through, a single- or multiple-axis tilt-motor device, a tilt fuselage device, a tilt wing device, a battery, a power distribution board, a Global Positioning System module, a lost model alert, a cooling device, a detachable impact absorbing skin or shell, vision aiding and orientative lights, hatches, quick connect payloads, a lap counter for racing, a flat or inclined launch platform or footing, claws, an apparatus for externally attaching and internally housing the cargo, a charging station, a partial vacuum device, a manually or automatically deployable parachute, and an onboard or ground station electricity generator. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114888 | DISTRIBUTED UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a distributed system architecture for unmanned air vehicles. One of the methods includes receiving selections of configuration information to provide to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with the selections of configuration information being associated with respective components included in the UAV. The configuration information associated with a first component is determined to be valid from selections of configuration information associated with the first component. The configuration information associated with the first component is provided for storage in the UAV in response to receiving a user action. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114889 | OVERHEAD STORAGE BIN LATCH SYSTEM - A latch system that includes a paddle button assembly having a button that is movable between a home position and an actuation position, a first latch assembly that includes a first striker assembly and a first hook assembly, and a first cable that extends between the paddle button assembly and the first latch assembly. Movement of the button from the home position to the actuation position moves the first cable, thereby disengaging the first hook assembly and the first striker assembly. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114890 | INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC SIGNAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION FOR AN AIRCRAFT - A signage display system for an aircraft includes a controller for receiving input and generating a command, a central controller connected to the controller, the central controller receiving the command and generating a display signal responsive to the command, at least one peripheral device connected to the central controller, the peripheral device receiving the display signal prompting the device to display safety information, an input associated with the peripheral device for receiving an acknowledgement of the safety information and generating an acknowledgement signal responsive to the acknowledgement, such that display of the safety information is discontinued in response to receipt of the acknowledgement. A method and set of instructions also are provided. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114891 | TRAY TABLE AND METHOD THEREFOR - A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes a panel that secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the panel receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The panel is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position. | 2016-04-28 |
20160114892 | GALLEY COMPARTMENT FOR A GALLEY SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT - A galley system includes a galley compartment defining a cavity. The galley compartment has a door that allows access to the cavity and at least a first opening and a second opening. A galley cart is positionable in the cavity of the galley compartment that has a first opening and a second opening. An air supply duct is configured to be coupled in flow communication with the first opening of the galley cart and the first opening of the galley compartment. A space is defined about the galley cart when the galley cart is positioned in the cavity. The space provides flow communication between the second opening of the galley cart and the second opening of the galley compartment. | 2016-04-28 |