Motor vehicles inventions 04/08

20080093132 - Vehicle compressor control system and method: A vehicle compressor is controlled based on an environment parameter and a vehicle status parameter. In at least one embodiment, a temperature control system for a vehicle including an engine is provided. The system includes a compressor having a target operating speed. The system also includes an environment sensor arrangement... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C./fgtl

20080093137 - Engine starting device and engine starting method for hybrid motor vehicle: A hybrid motor vehicle includes a differential having a differential mechanism equipped with a first rotating element that is connected to an engine, a second rotating element that is connected to a first electric motor and a third rotating element connected to both a second electric motor and a transfer... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080093136 - Hybrid propulsion system and method for its operation: A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20080093142 - Module-locating fastener and method of mounting on a vehicle chassis: A method of mounting a battery box (10) on a frame rail (12). Fasteners and elements (36, 38; or 54, 56) provide spaced apart, axially tapered outer surfaces (46; 62) proximate a vertical side of the rail with the tapers narrowing toward the side of the rail. The box has... Agent: International Truck Intellectual Property Company,

20080093131 - Robotic vehicle: A robotic vehicle is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility, adaptability, and the capability of being remotely controlled in hazardous environments. The robotic vehicle includes a chassis having front and rear ends and supported on right and left driven tracks. Right and left elongated flippers are disposed on corresponding... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080093133 - Mounting structure of part: A breather device (400) provided on the outer peripheral section of a case (60) of an in-wheel motor (70) is located at a position above the rotation shaft of the in-wheel motor (70), between the in-wheel motor (70) and a wheel (10). The position is inside the wheel (10) in... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080093134 - Golf trolley: A golf trolley (2) comprising a handle (4), a frame (6), and a battery-powered drive arrangement (8), the battery-powered drive arrangement (8) comprising a pair of drive members (10) which each comprises an endless track (12), drive means (14) for driving the track (12), and support means (16) for supporting... Agent: Iandiorio & Teska

20080093138 - Energy storage system: An energy storage system is provided for an at least partially electromotively driven or drivable motor vehicle having a drive unit constructed as an electric machine for generating drive power onto a drive train. The energy storage system includes a first energy storage unit utilizing capacitive energy storage devices, and... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20080093135 - Hybrid vehicle drive unit: A hybrid vehicle drive unit that includes an intermediate shaft, a starting clutch and motor generator that includes a stator that is fixed to an interior portion of a motor casing that is attached to a housing of the transmission; a rotor support member that is coupled to the clutch... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080093139 - Drive for a vehicle, especially a tracked vehicle or a vehicle with wheel-based steering: A drive for a vehicle, especially a tracked vehicle or a vehicle with wheel-based steering, with at least one component which consumes electric energy and at least one power electronic component (power electronics) for providing the necessary electric energy, where the power electronics can be cooled with a fluid by... Agent: Cohen, Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane

20080093140 - Fuel cell system for vehicle and vehicle: A fuel cell system for a vehicle (1) includes a fuel cell (14) configured to react fuel gas and oxidizing gas with each other and generate electricity; a system frame (20) fixed under a floor of a body of the vehicle and supporting the fuel cell (14); a driving motor... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080093141 - Vehicle and control method of vehicle: The control procedure of the invention sets a target rotation speed Ne* and a target torque Te* of an engine corresponding to a torque demand Td* required for driving the vehicle (steps S100 to S120). In response to an upshift request for a gear of a transmission, the control procedure... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080093143 - Waste energy regeneration system for non-hybrid vehicles: A conventional vehicle can be turned into a semi-hybrid vehicle using an ultra capacitor, a self-charging motor, and a number of different other components configured to maximize usage of vehicle waste kinetic energy. In one implementation, detected deceleration of the semi-hybrid vehicle causes the self-charging motor to pass electrical power... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080093144 - Device and method for regaining balance: A device and method for assisting a user in regaining his balance is disclosed. The device comprises at least one sensor for sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user; at least one propulsion unit to be coupled to any of the feet of the... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080093145 - Construction machine: A construction machine capable of increasing a frictional force and an acceleration performance without causing unwanted slip and an excessive load to a transmission by a driving force. The construction machine comprises a first mode to set the maximum output of an engine to a prescribed output, a second mode... Agent: Welsh & Katz, Ltd

20080093147 - Motorcycle: A detachable cover for a motorcycle cowling that can be easily switched with a service part is described. The cover includes a cover front edge section that is formed so as to form a generally continuous surface with at least a portion of an outer periphery edge section of a... Agent: Jones Day

20080093146 - Motorcycle: A motorcycle includes a guard frame provided near an upper portion of a vehicle body of the motorcycle that is arranged to reduce or prevent damage to the components of the motorcycle in the event of an overturn of the motorcycle. The guard frame includes a pair of guard frame... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080093148 - Electric two-wheeled vehicle: A vehicle is powered by an electric motor that receives power from at least one of a fuel cell unit and a secondary batter. The fuel cell unit comprises a controller and a fuel cell stack. A hydrogen cylinder is positioned behind the secondary battery. A body cover generally encloses... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080093149 - Construction machinery and pivoting device: A construction machine (1) with a machine frame (2) and lifting columns (8) carrying crawler track units (4). The lifting columns (8) include consoles (10) coupled in pairs to the machine frame (2) by articulations (20, 22, 24, 26) and a coupling rod (18). The mutual distance of the articulations... Agent: Vincent L. Ramik Diller, Ramik & Wight

20080093150 - Pedestrian protection hood lifting systems: Automotive pedestrian protection hood lifting systems are adaptive, resettable, and redeployable. The hood may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring may be biased to selectively vary a load placed upon the hood based on predetermined event signals.... Agent: Sally J. Brown Autoliv Asp, Inc.

20080093151 - Articulate vehicle having exhaust pipe device deformable according to oscillation and swing of vehicle body: An exhaust pipe device 20 of an articulate vehicle 1 has high durability. The exhaust pipe device 20 comprises a front exhaust pipe 21 fixed to a front vehicle body 2, a rear exhaust pipe 28 fixed to a rear vehicle body 3, and an intermediate exhaust pipe assembly 20T... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20080093152 - Hydraulic hybrid vehicle method of safe operation: A hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes elements such as a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and arranged to draw in low pressure fluid and pump the fluid at high pressure to an accumulator. A hydraulic motor is powered by the pressurized fluid. Safety processes are provided for detecting... Agent: Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

20080093153 - System and method for driver-initiated regeneration of a diesel particulate filter while a motor vehicle is parked: A system and method for driver-initiation of regeneration of a diesel particulate filter using a service brake pedal in a motor vehicle to reduce the risk that the vehicle will become unattended during on-going regeneration.... Agent: International Truck Intellectual Property Company,

20080093154 - Drive train for a compressor and a hydraulic pump: A drive train for a compressor and a hydraulic pump of a motor vehicle, and a method of use are described. The system includes a hydraulic power steering system, an electric superimposed steering system for providing steering assistance, and a motor vehicle drive motor with a common output shaft for... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20080093155 - Power steering apparatus, method of controlling the same and method of assembling the same: A power steering apparatus includes a steering shaft, a hydraulic power cylinder, a hydraulic pump, a steering shaft actuator, a condition sensor, and a fluid pressure controller. The steering shaft is connected to a steering wheel. The hydraulic power cylinder is mechanically linked to the steering shaft. The hydraulic power... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080093156 - Modular steering gear housing: A steering gear housing assembly includes a central housing member. A tower housing member includes a first plurality of mutually interconnected tubular sections secured to the central housing member. The tower end cap housing member includes at least one tubular section coupled to the central housing member. A rack housing... Agent: Macmillan, Sobanski & Todd, LLC

20080087479 - Power system of hybrid fuel cell bus and control method thereof: The present invention provides a power system of a hybrid fuel cell bus, comprising: a first auxiliary battery supplying electric power to first electric parts designed for operation of a fuel cell vehicle; a second auxiliary battery supplying electric power to second electric parts designed for operation of an internal... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080087478 - Micro transport machine and methods for using same: A micro transport machine may include a substrate and a movable device comprising a drive component responsive to a wireless power source. The movable device is operable to move between a plurality of disparate areas on the substrate.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080087480 - Device for generating electrical energy for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle: The invention relates to a device for generating electrical energy for an agricultural or industrial commercial vehicle, comprising an electrical machine (18) which may be operated as a generator, which may be mechanically driven by an internal combustion engine (12) on the vehicle and which comprises a stator (22) and... Agent: Deere & Company

20080087481 - Powered wheelchair having an articulating beam and related methods of use: A powered wheelchair includes a frame, a chair, a pair of drive wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a pair of front wheels. Each front wheel is part of a front arm assembly that is rigidly coupled to a drive via a mounting plate. The mounting plate is connected... Agent: Woodcock Washburn, LLP

20080087482 - Hybrid electric vehicle with motor driven charge air booster: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a traction battery. A rotating electrical machine coupled to said engine charges the traction battery. A motor driven charge air booster operatively connected with said traction battery and with said air inlet functions as an electrically driven supercharger.... Agent: Dickinson Wright PLLC

20080087483 - Vehicle and four-to-three wheel conversion method: A three-wheel vehicle includes a single rear drive wheel, which is mounted on a suspension subframe located near the rear of the vehicle and extending between rails of the vehicle's chassis. A transfer is also mounted on the suspension subframe and drivingly interconnects the vehicle drivetrain and the rear wheel.... Agent: Mark Brown

20080087484 - Omni-directional wheels and methods and vehicles employing same: Omni-directional vehicles and wheels therefore including methods of constructing same. In alternative embodiments, omni-direction wheel modules for imparting omni-directional locomotional capabilities to vehicles and objects. In further alternative embodiments, apparatus and methods for transporting and loading and off-loading munitions utilizing specialized, omni-directional capable vehicles for improved efficiency and/or safety.... Agent: Hall, Vande Sande & Pequignot, LLP

20080087485 - Drive system and an axle for a vehicle driveline, and a vehicle comprising the driveline: The invention relates to a drive system for a vehicle driveline comprising a pair of interconnected first transverse drive shafts (31a, 31b) extending in opposite directions, each of which supports a ground engaging member, and a first arrangement (101) allowing said pair of first transverse drive shafts to rotate at... Agent: Wrb-ip LLP

20080087486 - Integrated engine for beach cruisers: The present invention relates to an integrated engine for beach cruisers comprising a speed variator, a rear gear box component, a shaft, a left crankcase component and a left crankcase cap component; the rear gear box component, the left crankcase component and the left crankcase cap component are connected to... Agent: Eric Chan

20080087487 - Pump drive system: A pump drive system having a pump drive element that is driven by a first or a second drive mechanism. The pump drive element is connectable or connected by a coupling element in a rotationally fixed connection either through a first free-wheel device to the first drive mechanism or through... Agent: Simpson & Simpson, PLLC

20080087488 - System and method for automatic steering: An apparatus and method for automatically steering a vehicle with hydrostatic steering is provided. The vehicle has a right hydraulic motor and a left hydraulic motor connected to right and left drive wheels, respectively. A pressurized hydraulic fluid source supplies a hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic motors, driving the... Agent: Middleton & Reutlinger

20080087489 - Process for producing a fleece having metallic wire filaments, process for producing honeycomb body having at least one fleece, fleece, honeycomb body, apparatus and vehicle: A process for producing a fleece having metallic wire filaments, includes at least the following steps: a) forming a layer including wire filaments; b) producing first cohesive connections between at least some of the metallic wire filaments in a first joining process; and c) producing second cohesive connections between metallic... Agent: Lerner Greenberg Stemer LLP

20080087490 - Control element for regulating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle: A control element is provided for a motor vehicle having a rotary control which is held in a panel and is designed to be rotatable about its center axis and can move horizontally from the center axis into distinguishable switch positions as well as vertically, and by which a parameter... Agent: Mg-ip Law, PLLC

20080087491 - Steering system: A steering system for a vehicle has a steering wheel that is mechanically connected to the steerable vehicle wheels via a steering column. An actuating device is actuated by a control device to generate an actuating device holding torque that acts in the steering column. The actuating device has two... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20080083570 - Universal linkage assembly for a power machine: A universal linkage assembly for a power machine is disclosed. The universal linkage is adaptable for different control configurations or patterns. For example, in embodiments disclosed, the linkage assembly includes a first control interface connectable to one of a first or second joysticks to operate one of a left or... Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

20080083572 - Wheel assembly with in-wheel motor: A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor in which a wheel driving apparatus formed of a motor or a combination of a motor and a reduction mechanism is provided in a wheel, includes an oil supply apparatus that is driven by rotational output of the motor, and an oil supply... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080083573 - Vehicle: A vehicle includes: a chassis; a driving unit including a mounting seat pivoted to the chassis, a driving member mounted on the mounting seat, and two driving wheels mounted rotatably on the mounting seat and driven by the driving member; two front wheel units, each including a front lever having... Agent: Quine Intellectual Property Law Group, P.c.

20080083574 - Insert, plastic part assembly utilizing same and die-casting mold for making the insert: A molded metal insert and plastic part integrally formed therewith form an assembly wherein the insert is provided with anti-rotation, die-cast teeth. The insert is adapted to attach and fix the plastic part to a vehicle structure in combination with a threaded fastener. The insert includes a cylindrical metal body... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.c. / Lear Corporation

20080083571 - Robotic vehicle apparatus and method: A robotic vehicle having a body with an internal volume. A plurality of extendable legs project outwardly from the body for supporting the body on a surface and for propelling the body, in at least a partial rolling motion, over the surface. A gimbal system is supported within the body.... Agent: Harness Dickey & Pierce, Plc

20080083575 - External air scoop for internal combustion engine air intake of an automobile: An external air scoop for an automobile having front and rear wheels and an internal combustion engine within a forward engine compartment having a hood for access to the engine compartment, and having an air intake for the engine, the air scoop coupled to the air intake and having an... Agent: Blynn L. Shideler The Blk Law Group

20080083576 - Regenerative energy storage system for hybrid locomotive: An energy storage car for a locomotive includes a hydraulic energy storage system designed to capture and reuse energy normally lost in dynamic braking. The energy storage car is preferably configured to provide functions sufficient to replace one of multiple locomotives used to pull a freight train. Braking methods, and... Agent: David H. Read Us Epa/nvfel

20080083577 - Air box for a motorcycle: An air box for a motorcycle including a motorcycle engine and a fuel tank. The air box includes a housing having an inlet configured to receive intake air into the housing and an outlet configured to direct the intake air from the housing to the motorcycle engine. A filter element... Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

20080083578 - Vehicular drive system with fwd-only mode and associated method: A drive system for a work vehicle comprises a control unit adapted to: monitor output of a speed ratio setting input device for a speed ratio setting request signal and output of a drive-request input device for a FWD-only request signal, determine from the speed ratio setting request signal if... Agent: Deere & Company

20080083579 - Power output apparatus, motor vehicle equipped with power output apparatus, and control method of power output apparatus: In response to a start-engagement operation command, the control procedure of the invention starts increasing a hydraulic pressure applied to a clutch when a reference time Tc0 decreases to or below a required hydraulic pressure change time Tc1. Here the reference time Tc0 is calculated from a previously learnt time... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, Plc

20080083580 - Hydraulic transmission assembly: The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic transmission assembly for a ground vehicle comprises a pump unit and a hydraulic motor assembly connected to the pump unit. The pump unit includes a driven shaft configured to operably connect to a motor of the ground vehicle. The hydraulic motor assembly includes... Agent: Fay Sharpe LLP

20080078592 - Auxiliary power unit for moving a vehicle: A power system is provided having at least one traction device and a primary power source configured to power the at least one traction device. In addition, the power system includes an auxiliary power source also configured to power the at least one traction device.... Agent: Caterpillar/finnegan, Henderson, L.L.P.

20080078591 - Hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain include an engine operable to output torque in only one direction, and further includes a power transfer arrangement configured to provide output torque in two rotational directions. In one embodiment, the power transfer arrangement includes three gears and a single clutch, the configuration of... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C./fgtl

20080078593 - Hybrid vehicle with camless valve control: A method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of a vehicle, where the hybrid propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine and an alternate torque source configured to provide motive power to the vehicle. While the engine is turned off, initial cranking of the engine is performed to initiate an... Agent: Alleman Hall Mccoy Russell & Tuttle, LLP

20080078594 - Negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack, and vehicle: A negative electrode active material contains a metal-displaced lithium-titanium oxide of a ramsdellite structure expressed by the formula Li(16/7)-xTi(24/7)-yMyO8 (where M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Mo, and W, and x and y are respectively numbers in the range of 0<x<16/7... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080078595 - Self-aligning fixed grille: The invention is a grille for a vehicle, especially for severe service vehicles. The grille couples to a front reinforcement assembly of the vehicle's hood using a male and female slip joint, such as a boss and track. The grille and hood also hinge together. A spring engages the grille... Agent: International Truck Intellectual Property Company,

20080078596 - Battery mounting structure for hybrid vehicles: Disclosed herein is a battery mounting structure for hybrid vehicles, which can easily mount a battery structure in a vehicle and easily change the position of the battery package between a vertical position and a horizontal position.... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080078597 - Battery mounting system: A battery mounting system includes a generally planar mounting base having at least one slot. The system further includes a generally planar battery tray containing a battery and having at least one guide extending away from a bottom surface of the battery tray. The battery tray slidably engages the mounting... Agent: Eley Law Firm Co.

20080078598 - Fuel tank mount: A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, a bracket carried by the fuel tank and having a portion accessible from the outside of the fuel tank to permit the assembly to be mounted to a vehicle, and an outer layer disposed around at least part of the fuel tank... Agent: General Motors Corporation Legal Staff

20080078599 - Vehicle and method for inspecting a space: A vehicle for use in inspecting a space and which can be operated from a remote location. The vehicle includes a chassis; at least three wheels rotatably mounted to and on which the chassis is moveable; a transmission mounted to the chassis and operatively connected to at least a first... Agent: Erika S. Wilson C/o Honeywell International Inc.

20080078600 - Cruise control: A cruise control for a vehicle that detects an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle. A first vehicle speed instruction value is computed based one the inter-vehicle distance. Curve information of a curve in the road ahead of the vehicle is detected, and a second vehicle speed instruction value is... Agent: Young & Basile, P.C.

20080078601 - Parking brake system: A parking brake operating lever is arranged to allow a rider to operate the operating lever without leaning forward to a large extent, while securely avoiding an inadvertent operation. An operating mechanism for a parking brake is provided to a position, covered with a front cowl, of a right-side main... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080078602 - Rear wheel suspension device of motorcycle: A rear wheel suspension device of a motorcycle has rear end portions of an upper arm member and a lower arm rotatably joined to a knuckle member, which pivotally supports a rear wheel. The rear wheel suspension device can obtain a progressive cushion property while avoiding an increase in the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080078603 - Electric motor mounting structure for vehicles: A structure for mounting an electric motor in a vehicle, comprises: a mounting frame detachably fixed to a body component of the vehicle by a bolt; an upward-projecting bracket, which is upwardly projected from the mounting frame, being attached to the body component of the vehicle; a bolt hole, in... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080078604 - Shifting device for a motor vehicle: A shifting device for a motor vehicle is provided with a bracket (3), with a selector lever (7) mounted at the bracket (3) pivotably via a joint (12) and with an angle-measuring device having a signal transmitter (13) and two sensors (14, 15). The angle-measuring device is arranged in the... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, PC

20080078605 - Vehicular transmission: A vehicular transmission for an internal combustion engine includes lead grooves disposed on an outer periphery of a shift drum have communication portions connecting a pair of gear train establishment portions extending circumferentially along the shift drum. The communication portions include half neutral portions formed at a center thereof, extending... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080078606 - Steering mechanism: A powered steering mechanism can operate in a steering mode or in a powered self-centering mode. The mechanism of the present invention includes a cylinder into and out of which can reciprocate a rod. The rod is provided with a fixed piston that defines a first pressure chamber and a... Agent: Egbert Law Offices

20080078607 - Gear mechanism incorporating a signal transmission medium: A gear mechanism usable in an electric power steering system is provided. The gear mechanism includes a gear housing including a passage formed therein, a gear positioned in the passage, and a signal transmission medium positioned in the passage adjacent the gear. A partition is inserted into the passage to... Agent: Delphi Technologies, Inc.

20080078608 - Control apparatus for electric power steering: The present invention provides an electric power steering apparatus having: a motor that applies a steering assist power to a steering mechanism; a torque command value calculating part that calculates a torque command value based on a steering torque generated in a steering shaft and a vehicle speed; and a... Agent: Sughrue-265550