25th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 72 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110153086 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOAD SIZE IN A CLOTHES DRYER USING AN INFRARED SENSOR - A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer by determining a load size estimation based on at least one of a temperature variation of the laundry load and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153087 | SOLAR POWER PLANT WITH VIRTUAL SUN TRACKING - A system for causing a solar collector to track the sun can include a collector controller that can control one or more solar collectors in a solar field, where the collector controller has one or more processors. The collector controller can estimate a sun angle, determine an angle of the one or more solar collectors with respect to the sun based at least partly on an inclination angle of the one or more solar collectors, and compare the estimated sun angle with the angle of the one or more solar collectors to determine a desired movement of the one or more solar collectors. Further, the collector controller can actuate the motor to effectuate the desired movement until the angle of the one or more solar collectors is within a hysteresis value within a virtual track deadband. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153088 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AND/OR REGULATING ROOM COMFORT VARIABLES IN A BUILDING - In a method for controlling and regulating at least one room comfort variable (T | 2011-06-23 |
20110153089 | ACTUATOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE ACTUATOR - An actuator for an HVAC system comprises a stored model definition defining an HVAC control application, and an element library including a variety of stored model elements and controller modules (D, E) having instructions for controlling a processor of the actuator. The controller modules (D, E) include model elements and are configured to control the sequential order of their execution. The controller modules (D, E) are further configured to propagate any external data input (S | 2011-06-23 |
20110153090 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HVAC SYSTEM - An HVAC system for conditioning air of an associated room includes one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the HVAC system in one of a plurality or operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the HVAC system in the energy savings mode. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153091 | Implement Angle Correction System And Associated Loader - A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the speed of an engine on a loader and to receive a signal indicative of an actuation of an operator interface on the loader. The operator interface actuation signal commands movement of a lift arm on the loader. The controller is further configured to calculate an angle correction signal based at least upon the engine speed signal and the operator interface actuation signal and to transmit the angle correction signal to change an angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153092 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR COMPENSATION OF OSCILLATION EFFECTS IN THE EVENT OF MAINS ASYMMETRY IN A DOUBLE-FED ASYNCHRONOUS MACHINE - In a method for the compensation of rotor torque oscillations upon the occurrence of mains asymmetries in relation to a double-fed asynchronous machine ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153093 | FLUIDICS-BASED ORIENTATION AND SORTING DEVICE FOR PLANT EMBRYOS - The present invention provides an apparatus for fluidics-based automated orientation of plant embryos. The apparatus comprises flow channels, flow direction means, an orientation detector and a control unit. The orientation of embryos suspended in liquid flowing individually through the flow channels is constrained to cotyledon-first or cotyledon-last orientation by dimensional constraints. The orientation is determined by the orientation detector. Embryos not oriented as desired are directed into a reservoir tube by the flow direction means, after which the flow is directed from the reservoir tube to the outlet thereby having reoriented the embryo. Means of sorting viable embryos from other objects are optionally included in the apparatus. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153094 | Lubricator Device and a Lubricator System - One aspect of the invention provides a lubricator device for dispensing a lubricant to a lubrication point of a machine. The device includes an electric dispensing mechanism including an electronic control circuit. The control circuit includes an RF receiver for receiving control signals, e.g. signals incorporating a lubrication schedule to be adopted by the control circuit, and an RF transmitter for transmitting operational signals incorporating an ID code of the device and at least one operational parameter of the device. Such at least one operational parameter may include one indicative of an amount of lubricant dispensed or one indicative of an error condition. Another aspect of the invention provides a lubrication system including a plurality of lubricator devices, as referred to, and a computer in communication with them for monitoring their operation via operational signals received from them and for controlling their operation via control signals transmitted to them. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153095 | SOLAR POWER PLANT WITH SCALABLE FIELD CONTROL SYSTEM - A system for controlling a solar field can include a field control server that communicate with a plurality of solar collector controllers installed in a solar field. The field control server can include one or more processors that can implement a user interface module that can provide a solar field user interface having a plurality of user interface controls. Each of the user interface controls can represent one or more solar collector assemblies. User selection of one of the user interface controls can cause the field control server to send a command to one or more collector controllers associated with the selected one or more solar collector assemblies. Further, the system can include a customization module that can provide functionality for a user to customize the solar field user interface to accommodate changes in a number of the solar collector controllers installed in the solar field. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153096 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF A WIND FARM - A method for monitoring operation of a wind farm including a plurality of wind turbines is provided. The method includes monitoring a parameter indicative of an environmental condition at each wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines, transmitting, to a monitoring component, a signal representative of the parameter from each wind turbine, determining whether the monitored parameter is one of above a first threshold level and below a second threshold level, and displaying on a display device a live plot representative of the monitored environmental condition corresponding to each wind turbine. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153097 | SYSTEM FOR TRIGGERING AN EMERGENCY SYSTEM OF A WIND TURBINE - In one aspect, a system for triggering an emergency system of a wind turbine is described. The system comprises a sensor for sensing an acceleration value of a portion of the rotor of the wind turbine, an estimation unit coupled to the sensor, wherein the estimation unit is adapted for receiving the acceleration value from the sensor and for estimating a rotor rotational speed value of the rotor of the wind turbine based on the acceleration value, and a triggering unit coupled to the estimation unit, wherein the triggering unit is adapted for receiving the rotor rotational speed value and for triggering the emergency system, when the rotor rotational speed value exceeds a predefined limit value. Further described are a method for triggering an emergency system of a wind turbine, a wind turbine, a computer program and a computer-readable medium, which are all adapted for carrying out the triggering method. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153098 | RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION SYSTEM, ELECTRIC POWER MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - A solar power generation system comprising: plural customers each having a solar panel, a power convertor for converting DC output from the solar panel into AC output, an output controller for suppressing the power convertor output which becomes higher than a predetermined value, a measuring unit for measuring the amount of sold power, the amount of purchased power and the amount of generation-suppressed power; and an watt-hour meter measurement data adjusting unit linked with the plural customers via communication lines. The watt-hour meter measurement data adjusting unit calculates provisional generation-suppressed power amounts that make the burdens of the customers even, and calculates the power amounts to be sold by the customers on the basis of the provisional generation-suppressed power amounts. Thus, the generation-suppressed power of the solar power generation system can stabilize the power system and the chances for selling power can be fairly allocated to customers having solar panels. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153099 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A WIND POWER PLANT COMPRISING A NUMBER OF WIND TURBINE GENERATORS - This invention relates to a method and a system ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153100 | DEMAND RESPONSE APPLIANCE POWER CONSUMPTION FEEDBACK - A system is provided for determining and displaying the cost of consuming power comprising an appliance including one or more power consuming functions wherein each of the one or more power consuming functions includes an associated power consumption amount. The system further provides a home energy management system (HEM) including a controller in communication with the appliance and configured to provide the HEM with the associated power consumption amount of each of the one or more power consuming functions. The controller is in signal communication with an associated utility, wherein the controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller being configured to convert the current cost of supplied energy into a power consumption cost of the associated power consumption amount of the one or more power consuming functions. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153101 | HOUSEHOLD ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONE OR MORE APPLIANCES - A household energy management system and method for one or more appliances includes a controller for managing power consumption within a household. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of one or more energy parameters of an associated energy utility. The controller includes a user interface for receiving energy management input for at least one appliance of the one of more appliances from a user. The controller at least one of controls and operates the at least one appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the input received by the user via the user interface in conjunction with the received signal. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153102 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEMAND RESPONSE MANAGEMENT IN A NETWORK - A method and system for controlling demand events in a utility network with multiple customer sites. The value of a demand response parameter threshold for invoking a demand response event is calculated based on the number of available demand response events and the number of opportunities remaining to issue the available demand response events. This parameter represents the utility objectives for using the demand response program (e.g., cost savings, reliability, avoided costs). A current value of the demand response parameter is compared to the threshold value, and a determination is made whether or not to call a demand response event for the current opportunity, or to save the event for a future opportunity based upon this comparison. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153103 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTIVE BUILDING ENERGY MONITORING - A system and method for predictive modeling of building energy consumption provides predicted building energy load values which are determined using kernel smoothing of historical building energy load values for a building using defined scaling factors for scaling predictor variables associated with building energy consumption. Predictor variables may include temperature, humidity, windspeed or direction, occupancy, time, day, date, and solar radiation. Scaling factor values may be defined by optimization training using historical building energy load values and measured predictor variable values for a building. Predicted and measured building energy load values are compared to determine if a preset difference threshold has been exceeded, in which case an alert signal or message is generated and transmitted to electronically and/or physically signal a user. The building energy monitoring system may be integrated with a building automation system, or may be operated as a separate system receiving building energy and predictor variable values. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153104 | APPLIANCE WITH ENERGY CONSUMPTION REPORTING AND METHOD - A system is provided for determining and displaying the cost of consuming power comprising an appliance including one or more power consuming functions wherein each of the one or more power consuming functions includes an associated power consumption amount. The system compensates for line voltage variations by sensing line voltage and adjusting the power consumption amount. The system further provides a home energy management system (HEM) including a controller in communication with the appliance and configured to provide the HEM with the associated power consumption amount of each of the one or more power consuming functions. The controller being configured to convert the current cost of supplied energy into a power consumption cost of the associated power consumption amount of the one or more power consuming functions. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153105 | HOME APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HOME APPLIANCE - A home appliance includes an electronic controller with a trigger port which starts an operating cycle for the home appliance in response to a signal received on the trigger port that indicates availability of an alternative resource. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153106 | UPDATING DEMAND RESPONSE SETTINGS - An appliance controller is provided comprising an appliance including demand response settings. The settings include threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more threshold variables. The controller further comprises a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes the signal from the associated utility. The signal is converted and compared to the demand response threshold variables and the appliance is operated in one or more power consuming functions based on the comparison of the signal to the demand response variables. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153107 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY MANAGEMENT BY CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION - Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for smart energy management by controlling power consumption. Power consumption information is collected from one or more electrical device groups with a smart meter and electrical devices connected through gateways. When the method estimates that the power consumption will be larger than a threshold value, a control command is outputted to a load controller connected through the gateway and power consumption of electrical devices that belong to the electrical device using group is remotely controlled. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an energy company that produces and supplies energy can supply energy depending on a consumer's demand by using current facilities because the present invention can collect remotely energy consumption, analyze energy consumption patterns, and control automatically the energy consumption of electrical devices installed in a customer's area. The consumer who consumes energy can save the energy consumption and the charge of the energy consumption. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153108 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REMOTE POWER MANAGEMENT - Provided is a method for remote power management capable of remotely controlling power consumption. The method for remote power management includes: allowing a power management device to generate power information on the basis of power consumption information collected from at least one electronic apparatus and transmit the generated power information to a user terminal through a wireless communication network; and to control an operation of the at least one electronic apparatus in accordance with a control command transmitted in response to the power information from the user terminal through the wireless communication network. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153109 | DEMAND RESPONSE APPLIANCE MODULE - The present disclosure provides a method of controlling an appliance comprising: profiling at least one appliance including one or more power consuming functions connected with a home energy management system (HEM); defining an energy event corresponding to each of the one or more power consuming functions; developing a home energy profile in the HEM of all the energy events including a calendar of energy events; manipulating the home energy profile by a user wherein the user cancels, delays, reschedules, or enables processing of the calendar of energy events; and, communicating through a translator board wireless communication between the HEM and the at least one appliance. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153110 | RETURN OF APPLIANCE STATE AFTER DEMAND RESPONSE EVENT - In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling an appliance is provided comprising establishing settings on an appliance related to threshold variables, wherein the settings include the threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more of the threshold variables. The method further comprises sending a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility, and converts and compares the signal to the threshold variables. The method still further comprises changing the operating of the appliance from a first state of operation to a second state of operation, wherein in the second state of operation one or more power consuming functions of the appliance are based on the comparison of the signal to the threshold variables and, returning the appliance to the first state of operation. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153111 | STANDBY POWER CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a power control device and a control method thereof for reducing power consumption. A standby power control devices includes a plurality of electronic devices each of which is operated in a standby mode and a normal mode, and a central control unit configured to monitor load power consumed by one of the electronic devices, and perform a control operation for electrically connecting or isolating the one of the electronic devices to or from a power line by referring to a result of the monitoring and each profile information of the electronic devices, wherein the central control unit controls the one of the electronic devices to be isolated or keep a connection from or to the power line when the load power consumed by the one of the electronic devices is kept as the standby mode over a reference time. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153112 | ELECTRICAL TAGGING DEVICE - An electronic tag ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153113 | CONTROL OF A VOLTAGE SOURCE CONVERTER USING SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE EMULATION - The invention concerns a method, device and computer program product for controlling a voltage source converter ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153114 | Mini Environment Apparatus, Inspection Apparatus, Manufacturing Apparatus and Cleaning Method of Space - An outer dust collecting filter covers a casing an intake port and an outer fan flows air from an external environment into the casing via the outer dust collecting filter. A clean chamber has an intake port within the casing, an inner dust collecting filter for covering the intake port, and an inner fan for flowing the air within the casing. A control unit controls fan rotating speeds so that a measured pressure within the casing becomes higher at a set value than a measured pressure in the external environment, and a measured pressure within the clean chamber becomes higher at a set value than the measured pressure within the casing. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153115 | SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM WITH USER INTERFACE POSITIONING - A self-service system with user interface positioning which accommodates drive-through vehicles of different heights and optionally different distances from an order board. The self-service system includes a user interface and a computer for positioning the user interface at a height above ground which substantially coincides with a window height above the ground of a vehicle adjacent the user interface. The height of the user interface is within a predetermined range of possible heights of the user interface corresponding to different window heights of different vehicles. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153116 | DETERMINING A STATUS OF ADHERENCE TO A TRAFFIC REGULATION - An indication of a traffic regulation, such as a speed limit, is transmitted to a vehicle. Equipment on the vehicle determines whether the vehicle is in adherence to the traffic regulation, and appropriate information and/or cues are provided to the driver of the vehicle. Cues can be audible, visual, mechanical (vibration), or a combination thereof. The equipment on the vehicle can be a stand alone receiver unit, a part of the vehicle, a mobile communications device, or a combination thereof. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153117 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MACHINE CONTROL IN DESIGNATED AREAS - Systems and methods for controlling a machine comprise receiving information indicative of an occurrence of a prospective event and providing an event initiation signal to one or more machines. The event initiation signal may be configured to cause a controller of the one or more machines to control movement of the one or more machines based at least on a location of the machine relative to a designated area surrounding a location at which the prospective event is to occur. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153118 | TELEMATICS SYSTEM USING HUMAN BODY COMMUNICATION, PORTABLE DEVICE HAVING TELEMATICS FUNCTION USING HUMAN BODY COMMUNICATION, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TELEMATICS SERVICE USING HUMAN BODY COMMUNICATION - Disclosed are a telematics system using human body communication, a portable device having a telematics function using human body communication, and a method for providing a telematics service using human body communication. The telematics system using human body communication includes: a vehicle receiving an authentication key from at least one portable device through human body communication using a human body as a medium, and controlling the opening and closing of a door of the vehicle based on whether or not the received authentication key is valid; and a first portable device transmitting a first authentication key through a user's body in contact with the vehicle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153119 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE APPROACHING INTERSECTION - Provided are a method and a device for controlling a vehicle approaching an intersection, and more particularly, a method and a device for controlling a vehicle approaching an intersection, which controls a vehicle approaching an intersection by selecting a traffic signal for the vehicle. The method of controlling a vehicle approaching an intersection includes: collecting traffic light information including signal cycles and positional coordinates of traffic lights installed at the intersection; selecting a corresponding traffic light among the traffic lights in consideration of positional information of the vehicle at the intersection and the positional coordinates of the traffic lights; and controlling the vehicle on the basis of the signal cycle of the corresponding traffic light. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153120 | TIRE CONDITION MONITORING APPARATUS WITH KEYLESS ENTRY FUNCTION - A tire condition monitoring apparatus including a keyless entry portable communication device capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals, sensor units, each of which is attached to a wheel and transmits, as an RF signal, a tire condition data signal, out-of-cabin antennas each corresponding to the wheel, and a control unit mounted on a vehicle body. The control unit executes a keyless entry function based on transmission and reception of RF signals with the portable communication device via the out-of-cabin antennas, and sends a command signal, which is an RF signal, to the sensor units through the out-of-cabin antennas. Upon receiving the command signal, the sensor unit executes an operation that corresponds to the command content of the command signal. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153121 | SECURED AREA ACCESS SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD - A secured area access system for providing access to a protected area is disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle access security system, comprising a transmitter, a detector, an access controller module is taught, wherein the transmitter transmits a modulated secured area access signal into an acoustic or optical communications channel, which is detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to detect the modulated vehicle access signal and further adapted to have a detector output signal. An access controller module receives the detector output signal and performs at least one signal processing function. The access controller compares the processed signal against a encoded signal stored in the memory and if it matches send a unlock signal to the locking mechanism of the secured area, granting access to the area. The system may also emulated a transponder code to authorize a start signal | 2011-06-23 |
20110153122 | ON-LINE INERTIA ESTIMATION FOR USE IN CONTROLLING AN AEROSPACE VEHICLE - A system for controlling an aerospace vehicle using on-line inertia estimation may include an attitude sensor to measure an attitude of the aerospace vehicle. The system may also include a processor on board the aerospace vehicle. An inertia estimator operable on the processor may generate an on-line inertia estimate of the aerospace vehicle. A rate and attitude estimator operable on the processor may determine an angular position and angular velocity of the aerospace vehicle using the attitude measurement of the aerospace vehicle and the on-line inertia estimate for controlling movement and orientation of the aerospace vehicle without any rates of rotation of the aerospace vehicle being required. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153123 | ALGORITHM FOR SIMULTANEOUS ATTITUDE MANEUVER AND MOMENTUM DUMPING - A system and method are disclosed for simultaneous attitude maneuver and momentum dumping. The attitude maneuver is performed using nominal wheel control to minimize propellant usage, while applying a momentum management command to the thruster control loop in order for the wheels to accomplish the desired spacecraft maneuver while simultaneously being reset to a de-saturated target state. The system and method involve a wheel system comprised of reaction wheels and/or a control moment gyroscope (CMG), at least one thruster, and control logic that is in communication with the wheel system and thruster(s). If a spacecraft maneuver is in progress, the control logic biases an error input signal to a thruster control loop to track the wheel maneuver to prevent unnecessary propellant consumption. The control logic is further operable to output thruster torque commands and wheel torque commands that accomplish the maneuver while achieving the desired final momentum target. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153124 | WIRELESS DISPLAY UNIT FOR ECP TRANSITION SYSTEM - The present interface system includes a controller monitoring pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, controlling pressure on a train brake pipe port in response to the pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, providing ECP commands on an ECP trainline via a train electrical terminal in response to the pressure on the locomotive brake pipe port, and providing electrical power on the ECP trainline via an train electrical trainline terminal from the locomotive electrical trainline terminal. A transceiver is connected to the controller for wireless communication with the controller. A wireless display unit communicates via the transceiver with the controller and displays information from the controller to the operator remote from the interface system and provides inputs from the operator to the controller. The system also includes a three position change over valve. An event recorder and a GPS system may be connected to the controller. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153125 | Systems and Methods for Orienting a Marine Vessel to Minimize Pitch or Roll - Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel minimize at least one of pitch and roll in a station keeping mode. A control device having a memory and a programmable circuit is programmed to control operation of the plurality of marine propulsion devices to maintain orientation of a marine vessel in a selected global position and heading. The control device receives at least one of actual pitch and actual roll of the marine vessel in the global position and controls operation of the plurality of marine propulsion units to change the heading of the marine vessel to minimize at least one of the actual pitch and the actual roll while maintaining the marine vessel in the selected global position. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153126 | Systems and Methods for Orienting a Marine Vessel to Enhance Available Thrust - Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel enhance available thrust in a station keeping mode. A control device having a memory and a programmable circuit is programmed to control operation of a plurality of marine propulsion devices to maintain orientation of a marine vessel in a selected global position. The control device is programmed to calculate a direction of a resultant thrust vector associated with the plurality of marine propulsion devices that is necessary to maintain the vessel in the selected global position. The control device is programmed to control operation of the plurality of marine propulsion devices to change the actual heading of the marine vessel to align the actual heading with the thrust vector. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153127 | OPTIMIZED POWERTRAIN WITH ROUTE-LEARNING FEATURE - The technology described herein provides a powertrain system with a route-learning feature. Particularly, learned information is used to optimize powertrain operation along any learned route. The learned information comprises, generally, feedback from the vehicle's acceleration and brake sensors and information from an on-board trip computer. At the least, the powertrain is able to optimize its operation to a driver's preference based on the feedback recorded along a particular route that the driver has specified. The route-learning powertrain control described herein is particularly useful with a hybrid powertrain, and can be used to optimize start/stop and regenerative braking control. The system described herein can also be integrated with a navigation system and GPS receiver, to provide more accurate route-learning and/or automated operation. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153128 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN DIAGNOSTICS - Some exemplary embodiments include methods of operating a hybrid powertrain system including an engine and a motor/generator. One exemplary method includes sensing a characteristic of the motor/generator, determining a first net torque of the engine based upon a model, determining a second net torque of the engine based upon the characteristic of the motor/generator, and diagnosing the system based upon the first net torque and the second net torque. Further exemplary embodiments include hybrid powertrain methods, hybrid powertrain systems, and articles of manufacture configured to store computer executable instructions for hybrid powertrains. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153129 | Methods for optimizing the efficiency of a series hybrid vehicle with multi-gear transmission - In a series hybrid vehicle, a system for determining a shift schedule for shifting a multi-gear transmission connected to a drive means is disclosed. A vehicle operator selects among a plurality of shift styles respectively representing a plurality of shift schedules variously optimized for performance or fuel economy. A performance-based shift schedule favors providing maximum power to the road by starting at the first (lowest) gear when accelerating from a stop and utilizing all available gears of the transmission. An economy based shift schedule favors energy efficiency by skipping the first gear and optionally one or more higher-numbered gears in order to bias operation of the drive means toward lower speeds and higher torque output while reducing shift frequency. The invention provides for maintaining the number of gear ratio choices provided by a transmission having relatively many distinct gear ratios, while providing for reduced frequency of shifting and driver choice of a shift schedule favoring either performance or economy. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153130 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A HYBRID VEHICLE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle includes a combustion engine, an electric motor, and a drive train that is optionally connectible to the electric motor or the combustion engine. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle is determined automatically as a function of a setpoint torque and an operating state of the hybrid vehicle, the operating mode specifying whether the combustion engine, the electric motor, or the combustion engine and the electric motor is/are used as the drive mechanism of the hybrid vehicle. The operating mode is determined at least such that an efficiency of the drive train including the drive mechanism selected in accordance with the determined operating mode is at a maximum. Depending on the determined operating mode, the combustion engine and/or the electric motor is/are coupled automatically to the drive train for operating the hybrid vehicle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153131 | METERING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrical consumption. The controller includes a plurality of communications devices for communicating with different communications carriers. In one embodiment, the controller selects one of the communications devices based on availability and a desired criterion. The selected communications device then transmits the measured electrical power consumption to a utility provider. In one embodiment, the metering system is mobile. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153132 | Control Device of a Four-Wheel Drive Electric Vehicle and Method Thereof - A method of controlling an accelerator of a four-wheel drive electric vehicle comprises the steps of controlling power output of the vehicle by a sum of an output torque of a main drive motor and an output torque an auxiliary drive motor with the output torque of the main drive motor being determined by a position of the accelerator pedal. The output torque T | 2011-06-23 |
20110153133 | OPERATING NOISE CONTROL DEVICE AND OPERATING NOISE CONTROL METHOD FOR VEHICLE - A vehicle ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153134 | Method for Finding a Clutch Slip Point of a Hybrid Vehicle - The present invention essentially relates to a method for finding a slip point of a hybrid vehicle ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153135 | TRAVEL CONTROL DEVICE FOR UNMANNED CONVEYANCE VEHICLE - When an unmanned conveyance vehicle travels straight along a main guide tape | 2011-06-23 |
20110153136 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AREA COVERAGE USING SECTOR DECOMPOSITION - The different illustrative embodiments provide a method for generating an area coverage path plan using sector decomposition. A starting point is identified on a worksite map having a number of landmarks. A first landmark in the number of landmarks is identified. A path is generated around the first landmark until an obstacle is detected. In response to detecting the obstacle, the path is made linear to a next landmark. The path is generated around the next landmark. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153137 | METHOD OF GENERATING SPATIAL MAP USING FREELY TRAVELLING ROBOT, METHOD OF CALCULATING OPTIMAL TRAVELLING PATH USING SPATIAL MAP, AND ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE PERFORMING THE SAME - Provided is a method of generating a spatial map using a freely travelling robot. The method of generating the spatial map includes calculating a global coordinate of the robot based on a local coordinate of the robot that is outputted from each of a plurality of location coordinate systems arranged in a space, and estimating a location of each of the plurality of location coordinate systems in the space based on the calculated global coordinate of the robot to generate a spatial map based on the estimated location of each of the plurality of location coordinate systems. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153138 | MOVING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - Even when a first moving condition is not satisfied, when it is determined that a second moving condition is satisfied and at the same time an object belongs to a second classification, an operation of a robot is controlled so as to prompt the object to move according to a first pattern or an arbitrary pattern. The “first moving condition” is a condition that the robot is capable of moving without being obstructed by the object when the robot moves according to a current target position trajectory. The “second moving condition” is a condition that the robot is capable of moving according to the current target position trajectory without being obstructed by the object when the object is displaced according to the first pattern. The “second classification” means a classification of the object which is capable of being moved by a force from the robot acting thereon. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153139 | OPTOELECTRONIC SENSOR - An optoelectronic sensor ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153140 | METHOD FOR CONDITIONING ONE OR MORE ASPECTS OF A VEHICLE - A method for conditioning one or more aspects of a vehicle, where a user may customize their vehicle by providing desired departure times and conditioning preferences so that the vehicle automatically wakes up, performs the requested conditioning, and is ready for operation by the requested departure time. Some examples of potential conditioning events include activating: a heated or cooled seat, a heated steering wheel, a heated engine block, a heated mirror, a cabin heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a heating or cooling element for a battery pack, a heating or cooling element for a battery charger, and a heating or cooling element for a fuel cell, to name a few. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153141 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE RANGE EXTENSION ON DETECTION OF A LOW FUEL CONDITION - The technology described herein provides a system and method for automatically increasing the remaining driving range of a vehicle when a low fuel or other condition is detected by altering the operating parameters of one or more vehicle systems to improve propulsion system efficiency and thereby lower fuel consumption. The vehicle range extending system is capable of altering the operating parameters of any vehicle system, including for example variable displacement settings, start-stop technology settings, and HVAC operation. The disclosed technology can also provide information to the driver, suggesting which system operating parameters should be altered to reduce the fuel consumption rate. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153142 | Vehicle Installed Cement Mixer Control - For a cement mixer installed on a vehicle, a vehicle controller area network is modified to develop from engine speed, hydraulic power take-off system pressure and programmed data on power take-off pump capacity estimates of rotational speed and barrel rotational count. The network can also maintain a constant barrel rotational speed during transportation. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153143 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALERTING THAT A VEHICLE WILL ARRIVE AT A POINT-OF-INTEREST WITHIN A PREDETERMINED TIME INTERVAL - A system alerts a user that a vehicle will arrive at a point of interest within a predetermined time interval and includes a vehicle-mounted assembly and a remote assembly. The vehicle-mounted assembly includes a location-determining device connected to the vehicle for determining the location of the vehicle, and a first communication device connected to the location-determining device for sending data comprising the location of the vehicle over a communications network. The remote assembly includes a second communication device for receiving the data from the first communication device over a communications network, and a computing device in communication with the second communication device for computing a time-geofence, and for alerting the user. The time-geofence corresponds to a boundary that if the location of the vehicle is within the boundary the vehicle will arrive at the point of interest at earlier than the expiration of a predetermined interval, and if the vehicle is outside the boundary the vehicle will arrive at the point of interest at later than the expiration of a predetermined interval. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153144 | SENSOR MESSAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A pressure sensor module for a vehicle includes a sensing element module, a sampling module, a filtering module, and a monitoring module. The sensing element module measures a pressure of a fluid and outputs a pressure signal based on the pressure. The sampling module samples the pressure signal. The filtering module receives at least one filter coefficient from a control module and determines a filtered pressure based on at least one of the samples. The monitoring module receives a condition monitoring request from the control module, receives a predetermined value from the control module, and notifies the control module when a condition is satisfied based on a comparison of the predetermined value and one of the filtered pressure and a parameter determined based on the pressure signal. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153145 | METHOD FOR DETECTING ERRORS IN A CONTROL UNIT - A method is described for detecting errors in a control unit for controlling and/or regulating an engine in a vehicle, in which the presence of a faulty state of the engine and/or the vehicle is detected, a difference between at least one instantaneous value of an operating variable and a limiting value provided for this operating variable being formed multiple times, the formed differences being added to a sum, and the faulty state being evaluated as an error if the sum exceeds a predefinable threshold value. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153146 | METHOD FOR ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS AND SYSTEM FOR ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS - In a method for on board diagnostics for detecting a charge air leakage in a vehicle, air is compressed by a turbine with variable geometry and fed to the combustion engine. Steps are performed of feeding compressed air to the engine without fuel supply to the engine; estimating a boost pressure from a current vane geometry of the variable geometry turbine; measure the actual boost pressure; and comparing the estimated boost pressure with the measured boost pressure. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153147 | PARKING BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE - [Problem] A parking brake control device can ensure required braking force and reliably allow release even if an automatic pressurization function that increases a W/C pressure is malfunctioning, regardless of operation of a brake pedal. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153148 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS COMMUNICATION FOR PROVIDING IN-VEHICLE REMINDERS - A method and system for providing a reminder message to a user associated with a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system involves sending to a user an email, web page or other communication that contains a user selectable reminder request, receiving the reminder request from the user, setting a reminder trigger in the vehicle, and then carrying out a requested action in response to occurrence of the trigger. The requested action can be presentation of a reminder message to the occupant and/or establishment of a call from the vehicle to a call center or other remote location to obtain services, such as telematics subscription renewal, or dealer service. The user-selectable reminder request can be implemented in the communication as a virtual button that mimics the look of a physical button installed in the car that is used to provide telematics services. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153149 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE USING IPv6 NETWORK - A communication apparatus for a vehicle using an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) network is disclosed. The communication apparatus may include at least one Electronic Control Unit (ECU) having an IPv6 network communication function, and a vehicle gateway to support vehicle internal communication network to communicate with the at least one ECU and to support vehicle external communication network for a communication with a terminal of a service provider. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153150 | Vehicle Tuner And Display Module And Docking Station - A data acquisition, data display, vehicle computer interface and programming tool in the form of a module. The module of the present invention can be set into a dock, which is connected to the vehicle's control modules. The vehicle can be reprogrammed to accept vehicle manufacture's updates and/or performance updates. Once the reprogramming is finished the module is removed from the dock and is be placed into/onto the vehicle's dashboard or other location readily viewable by the vehicle operator to report one or more of the vehicle's operating parameters. The present invention is readily connectable to a vehicle's data link for bi-directional communication with the various control modules on the vehicle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153151 | DISTRIBUTED VEHICLE SERVICE METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method and system for conducting a vehicle service comprises the steps of receiving signals representative of vehicle parameters, accessing data and/or software necessary for performing the vehicle service from at least one remote computer over a data transmission network, and performing signal processing related to the vehicle service based on the signals representative of the vehicle parameters and the accessed data and/or software. Since the data and/or software necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected via a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153152 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE OF VEHICLE USING HEIGHT INFORMATION - Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling engine using height information capable of preventing an engine from stopping according to a position of a vehicle. An apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle using height information includes: a height information management unit storing a plurality of height information; and an idling controller that extracts one or more height information according to a position of the vehicle from the height information management unit to determine a slope of the vehicle and controls the idling of the vehicle according to the determination result. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153153 | Apparatus for Tracking and Recording Vital Signs and Task-Related Information of a Vehicle to Identify Operating Patterns - An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at Optimum efficiency. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153154 | Apparatus for Tracking and Recording Vital Signs and Task-Related Information of a Vehicle to Identify Operating Patterns - An apparatus is provided for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and for providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in performing an assigned task with respect to a predetermined goal. A processor on-board the vehicle monitors sensors that provide information regarding the state of health of the vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. In response to anomalies in the data from the sensors, the processor records information that describes events leading up to the occurrence of the anomaly for later analysis that can be used to diagnose the cause of the anomaly. The sensors are also used to prompt the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle at optimum efficiency. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153155 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING IMAGE INFORMATION - A system for providing image information while interworking with a plurality of photographing apparatuses converts each of at least one image transmitted from the plurality of photographing apparatuses into a frame, and inserts the coordinates of the intersection into the converted frame. Next, the system determines whether a vehicle enters the intersection based on the frame into which the coordinates of the intersection are inserted, the current travelling direction of the vehicle, and the current position coordinates of the vehicle. The system extracts image information of the road intersecting at the frame corresponding to each of at least one image, when the vehicle enters the vehicle, and provides the extracted image information to the user through a terminal in the vehicle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153156 | Method for Correction of Dynamic Output Signals of Inertial Sensors Having Mounting Offsets - A method for compensating inertial sensor measurement outputs for mounting locations that are not coincident, nor orthogonal, with the vehicle center of gravity. The method further utilizes vehicle angular rate measurements, data, or estimates to determine the discrete acceleration components of the composite inertial sensor measurement output. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153157 | WHEEL SUSPENSION FOR A VEHICLE - A wheel suspension for a vehicle comprising a wheel carrier ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153158 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A SEMI-ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR MOTORCYCLES - A method and an apparatus for controlling a semi-active suspension system ( | 2011-06-23 |
20110153159 | MAGNETIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A power steering system for a motor vehicle includes a rack and pinion assembly in which the teeth of the pinion are engaged with the teeth of the rack. The power steering system further includes magnets (e.g., permanent magnets or electromagnets) connected to the rack, as well as magnets (e.g., permanent magnets or electromagnets) connected to a rack tube. A varying maglev (i.e., magnetic levitation) force obtained by controlling current flowing through at least some of the magnets (e.g., by varying duty cycle of pulse-width-modulation through an electronic control unit) provides steering assistance for the motor vehicle employing the power steering system. A power steering system includes first and second steering elements, magnets connected to the steering elements, and a controller configured to obtain speed information and steering position information and to control the activation of the magnets in response to the speed information and steering position information. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153160 | STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel for steering the motor vehicle, at least one vehicle component that is to be arranged at the steering wheel, and an electronic control unit for processing information and for controlling the at least one vehicle component. The electronic control unit is arranged in the steering wheel. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153161 | CORNER UNIT GUIDANCE CONTROL SYSTEM USING TWO ANTENNAS - A corner unit guidance control system for use with a corner unit that is part of a center pivot irrigation system includes a primary antenna, a secondary antenna, a receiver, and a controller. The primary antenna and the secondary antenna may receive signals from at least one external positional information source. The receiver may be in communication with the antennas and operable to process the signals to produce position data corresponding to a current position of a wheel and altitude data about the height of the antennas. The controller may be in communication with the receiver and may be programmed to steer the wheel to a heading corresponding to a difference between the current position of the wheel and a point along the path and further programmed to calculate a tilt angle from the altitude data and adjust the heading based on the tilt angle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153162 | MOTOR-DRIVEN POWER STEERING CONTROL APPARTUS - A motor-driven power steering control apparatus is achieved, which uses a small-amplitude pass filter, the filter filtering out a component having a small amplitude, to remove a steering component from dynamic state quantity such as a rotational speed signal, and to accurately extract only a vibration component having a small amplitude compared with the steering component, and controls the vibration component to be reduced. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153163 | MOVEMENT INPUT APPARATUS APPLIED TO STEERING APPARATUS AND MOBILE CONTROL SYSTEM USING THE SAME - There is provided a movement input apparatus applied to a steering apparatus and a mobile control system using the same. In detail, the steering apparatus performing steering or adjusting functions includes: a movement input apparatus including a signal detector that is attached or embedded in a surface of a steering apparatus and uses a resistive conductive yarn to detect finger contact signals; an estimator that receives the finger contact signals detected in the signal detector to estimate a status of an operator; and a display unit that converts and displays the estimated movement of the operator into signals of a type able to be sensed by a user; an extractor that analyzes the status information transmitted from the transmitter to extract the operational signals of the user; a controller that generates and transmits control signals for external devices according to the extracted operational signals of the user. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153164 | Method and control unit for activating at least one safety device - A method for activating at least one safety device that has a first step of acquiring at least two features from at least one signal of a crash sensor system in order to form a feature vector from the features acquired. In a second method step, the formed feature vector is subsequently classified with the aid of a classifier based on the statistical learning theory in order to classify the feature vector in one of at least three possible feature classes. As a third method step, the safety devices are activated in accordance with an activation instruction for the feature class in which the feature vector was classified. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153165 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAT BELT CONTROL - A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153166 | Method of Intersection Estimation for a Vehicle Safety System - A method of estimating an intersection location for a vehicle safety system is disclosed. The method includes steps of calculating a stopping distance according to operating parameters of the motor vehicle. The method also includes a step of determining a location for an intersection using the stopping distance and the location of the vehicle. The method further includes steps of determining a distance between a remote vehicle and the intersection. A vehicle safety system is controlled according to the distance between the motor vehicle and the intersection and the distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153167 | EXCAVATOR CONTROL USING RANGING RADIOS - A system for use with an excavator of the type having a chassis, bucket support elements including a boom extending from the chassis and a dipper stick pivotally mounted on the end of the boom, and an excavator bucket pivotally mounted on the end of the dipper stick, determines the position of the excavator bucket during operation of the excavator at a worksite. The system includes a plurality of fixed ranging radios that are positioned at known locations at the worksite. A pair of ranging radios is mounted on the chassis of the excavator. A third ranging radio is mounted on one of the bucket support elements. A measurement circuit is responsive to the pair of ranging radios and to the third ranging radio, and determines the position and orientation of the excavator chassis, the bucket support elements, and the bucket with respect to the plurality of fixed ranging radios. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153168 | Method to Enhance Performance of Sensor-Based Implement Height Control - In an example embodiment, a system for providing a height change command for an implement, comprises a height control module configured to interact with a computer, and configured to receive topographical data, provide a virtual field map based on said topographical data, provide a forward view polygon for an implement based on said virtual field map, and provide a height change command for said implement based on said forward view polygon and an implement control unit configured to receive said height change command and control movement of said implement. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153169 | Sensor-Based Implement Motion Interlock System - In an example embodiment, a sensor based implement motion interlock comprises, a sensor for detecting an obstacle near the implement and a controller configured to stop movement of the implement when the obstacle is detected. An override switch may be provided to allow an operator to move the implement in a safe mode after the object is detected. The override switch may be positioned to ensure that the operator is cognizant of the obstacle during movement of the implement. A normal mode of operation may be resumed when the object is no longer in proximity and/or an operation of the implement is complete. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153170 | System And Method For Controlling An Implement To Maximize Machine Productivity And Protect a Final Grade - The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an implement control system including a controller operatively connected to an implement. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal and a second signal from a system in operative communication with the implement. The first signal is indicative of a desired load control condition and the second signal is indicative of a desired grade control condition. The controller is further adapted to determine a first target position having a first comparable characteristic associated with the first signal and to determine a second target position having a second comparable characteristic associated with the second signal. The controller is also adapted to generate a control signal to move the implement to the first target position or to the second target position based in part on the first comparable characteristic and the second comparable characteristic. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153171 | System And Method For Limiting Operator Control Of An Implement - The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an implement control system that includes a controller operatively connected to an implement. The controller is adapted to receive a signal from an input device indicative of a desired implement movement by an operator and to receive an automatically generated signal indicative of an automatically determined implement movement. The controller is further adapted to determine whether to move the implement based on the input device signal or the automatically generated signal. The controller is adapted to generate a control signal to move the implement based on the input device signal when a portion of the implement is above a desired cutting plane. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153172 | AREA MANAGEMENT - The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a platform, a camera system, a distribution system, and a processor unit. The platform is configured to move through an area. The camera system is associated with the platform, and the camera system is configured to create image information. The distribution system is associated with the platform and configured to distribute a resource. The processor unit is configured to run an area management process to receive the image information from the camera system, identify a number of inconsistencies in the area using the image information, and control a distribution of the resource by the distribution system in a number of portions of the area in which an inconsistency in the number of inconsistencies is identified. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153173 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC MULTI-STEP SHIFT TRANSMISSION - A method of controlling an automatic transmission arranged in a vehicle between a drive motor and an axle drive of a drive axle or a transfer box such that the current road inclination is determined and, after driving onto a downhill stretch of road, to increase a braking action of the drive motor and/or a permanent brake, a shift to a lower gear is carried out and after a transition to a traction operation or after driving onto level ground, a shift to a higher gear is carried out. To improve transmission shifting behavior, when transitioning between a downhill stretch and level ground, it is provided that a function for detecting a downhill run-out is started and if a downhill run-out is detected, and a shift to a higher gear is carried out while still in a thrust operation before driving onto the level ground and/or before the transition to traction operation. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153174 | ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION WITH TORQUE LIMITING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - Is provided herein a torque-limiting electronically controlled CVT comprising a drive portion having a drive pulley including two opposed sheaves adapted to be actuated with an electric motor to set a transmission ratio between an engine and a ground contacting rotating member of a vehicle, an input module adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether a ground-contacting rotating member is airborne, a processing module adapted to determine a desired CVT ratio, and an output module adapted to actuate the electric motor to obtain the desired CVT ratio to match the circumferential velocity of the vehicle's airborne ground-contacting rotating member with the speed of the vehicle in order to limit a mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive system of the vehicle. Also provided hereby is a vehicle equipped with the CVT, a kit including such a CVT and a method of managing the CVT to limit the mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive train of a vehicle. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153175 | DRIVER-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY - The technology described herein provides an active driver control system. Additionally, in various example embodiments, this technology provides methods for optimizing fuel economy (or energy consumption) through active compensation of driver controlled inputs. The active compensation functionality is used to moderate ‘sweet spot’ vehicle response with driver desired performance. In particular, the active compensation functionality can be used to smooth the vehicle response and attenuate undesired frequency content from the driver input. One of the benefits to this technology is that it assists all drivers in achieving better fuel economy in real world driving. Another benefit is that active compensation of driver controlled inputs can mitigate some of the negative effects of more aggressive driving styles. In addition to active compensation functionality, the technology described herein is also capable of generating a Green Driver Index which is derived by quantifying the driver's control ability and normalizing the result against desired fuel economy and performance targets. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153176 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE DECELERATION - Systems and methods for adaptive deceleration are disclosed. A brake system controller may perform a method comprising receiving a pedal deflection signal comprising a pedal deflection level, determining a present level of deceleration, and mapping the pedal deflection level to a desired level of deceleration, wherein the desired level of deceleration is greater than the present level of deceleration. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153177 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AND BALANCING THE WORKING POINT OF VALVES IN A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM - A method and an apparatus for ascertaining the working point of switchover valves of a hydraulic system of a vehicle, in particular of a hydraulic brake circuit, are described in which the hydraulic system contains at least a pressure generating arrangement, a high-pressure switching valve, a switchover valve, and an admission pressure sensor, an admission pressure that is higher than the target pressure of the switchover valve being established, the switchover valve being energized with a target current corresponding to the target pressure, admission pressure being reduced until the switchover valve closes, with the switchover valve closed, a nominal admission pressure being established as an admission pressure, after the switchover valve opens, a pressure difference Δp between admission pressure and a circuit pressure being sensed, and on the basis of the pressure difference Δp, the working point being ascertained. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153178 | VEHICLE DRIVER COACHING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A driver coaching system for providing a recommended driver action during driving of a vehicle includes a distance measuring device of an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for measuring a distance between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and a speed measuring device for measuring a speed of the subject vehicle. The driver coaching system further includes a coaching controller communicating with each of the distance measuring device and the speed measuring device. The coaching controller determines a recommended driver input based on the distance and speed as measured, respectively, by the distance measuring device and the speed measuring device. An output device is mounted in the subject vehicle and communicates the recommended driver input. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153179 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM - A method is provided for operating a Diesel engine system. The diesel engine system includes, but is not limited to a Diesel engine, an intake line for feeding fresh induction air into the Diesel engine, an exhaust line for discharging exhaust gas from the Diesel engine, a Diesel Particulate Filter DPF located in the exhaust line, and an Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system for routing back exhaust gas into the Diesel engine. The EGR system includes, but is not limited to a long EGR route LRE that gets exhaust gas from the exhaust line downstream the DPF. The method includes, but is not limited to setting a soot threshold (Sth) for the amount of soot flowing into the LRE, determining the actual amount of soot (Saa) flowing into the LRE, and activating a LRE protection routine, if the actual amount of soot (Saa) exceeds the soot threshold (Sth). | 2011-06-23 |
20110153180 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN LOADS IN ENHANCED FAIL SAFE MANNER - A first judgment circuit and a second judgment circuit are adapted to set a judging signal high when a judgment data sent from a microprocessor indicates failure. The high level judging signal triggers a forced idle command connected to a motor driver, to be high level whereby the motor is forcibly suspended. Subsequently, when a reset command is accidentally transmitted by the microprocessor due to an unexpected fault, a first judging signal from the first judgment circuit is reset to low level. However, a second judging signal from the second judgment circuit remains high level. As a result, the forced idle command stays high level. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153181 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING VALVE LIFT MECHANISMS AND OIL CONTROL VALVES OF CAMSHAFT LIFT SYSTEMS - A system for diagnosing a switchable roller finger follower (SRFF) and an oil control valve (OCV) includes a signal monitoring module and a fault detection module. The signal monitoring module receives at least one of an individual cylinder fuel correction (ICFC) signal and an air/fuel ratio imbalance (AFIM) signal when: an engine speed signal is within a predetermined range of speed; an engine load signal is within a predetermined range of load; and a charcoal canister vapor signal is within a predetermined range of flow rate. The fault detection module detects a fault of at least one of a SRFF and an OCV based on an exhaust gas recirculation value and at least one of the ICFC and AFIM signals. The ICFC and AFIM signals are generated based on: an engine position signal; and at least one of an oxygen signal and a wide range air fuel signal. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153182 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING KNOCK IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An internal combustion engine knock determining device includes a vibration detector that produces a signal corresponding to engine vibration, an intensity computing unit that retrieves vibrational components in a plurality of frequency regions in which vibration intensity peaks are located when knock occurs, a background-noise computing unit that calculates background noise caused by factors other than knock, a frequency computing unit that determines specific frequency regions from which to determine whether knock is occurring by excluding certain frequency regions designated as frequency regions requiring exclusion due to the intensity of false-detection causing noise as a proportion of the background noise in the certain regions, and a knock determining unit that determines the occurrence of knock based on the vibration intensity in the specific frequency regions obtained by excluding the frequency regions requiring exclusion, wherein the number of specific frequency regions is increased to improve the accuracy of knock detection. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153183 | Traffic analysis based on historical global positioning system data - A method of analyzing traffic by a system includes receiving sequential location measurements from users of the system, mapping the received sequential location measurements to a digital map and determining traffic information for a first time period based on mapped sequential location measurements corresponding to the first time period. A system may include a database configured to store sequential location measurements received from users of the system and a processor configured to extract sequential location measurements from the database and determine traffic information for a first period based on the extracted sequential location measurements. The sequential location measurements include periodic times and associated coordinates. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153184 | TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM USING ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE - The present invention relates to a transportation system using an electric automobile. The transportation system using the electric automobile comprises the electric automobile and an electricity-supply unit which supplies electricity to the electric automobile. The electric automobile charges a battery included when the electricity is supplied from an external source in motion, using some or all of the electricity and is driven by the electricity of the battery when the electricity supply to the automobile in motion is stopped. | 2011-06-23 |
20110153185 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A navigation device is disclosed which is operable to generate an output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processing resource configured to: calculate for a navigation route, expected journey time information indicating an expected time duration for completing the route; compare the expected journey time with an average journey time for the route; and generate, responsive to the result of said comparison, said output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. | 2011-06-23 |