SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING A VEHICLE SUSPENSION
Granted: May 24, 2007
Application Number:
20070118258
According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for testing a vehicle suspension using a kinematics rig is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input corresponding to a pre-programmed test procedure for testing the vehicle suspension; transmitting a control signal to the kinematics rig corresponding to the test procedure; receiving suspension data sensed by one or more vehicle suspension sensors during execution of the test procedure; receiving rig data sensed by one…
ELECTRONIC, COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM OF TRACKING PURCHASE ORDER HISTORY
Granted: May 10, 2007
Application Number:
20070106560
A computer-implemented method for tracking purchase orders in a distributed enterprise. The method can include electronically receiving and storing at least a first and second version of a purchase order. Each version has a date and number and the second version is a purchase order amendment or revision to the first version of the purchase order. The method also can include electronically receiving input from a user through a purchase order tracking tool. The user input identifies the…
INERTIA-ACTUATED LOCKING DEVICE
Granted: April 19, 2007
Application Number:
20070085349
An inertia-actuated locking device (“locking device”) for an improved latch assembly for a vehicle door. The locking device includes a housing, a plunger, and a detent lever. The plunger is slidably attached to the housing and movable to a locked position for locking the latch assembly. The detent lever is movable within the housing to a blocking position for holding the plunger in the locked position under the occurrence of a predetermined condition.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TROUBLESHOOTING A MACHINE
Granted: April 19, 2007
Application Number:
20070088454
A system and method for troubleshooting a operation of a machine include performing an initial, operator based analysis in response to an alarm indicator output by a processing unit monitoring the machine operation. The method uses a query-based analysis to guide the operator. A secondary analysis is used if the initial analysis does not yield the cause of the alarm. The secondary analysis can include a number of steps, including analyzing raw vibration data or trend lines generated from…
VEHICLE DOOR LATCHING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING LATCH ROD DECOUPLING MECHANISM
Granted: March 29, 2007
Application Number:
20070069525
A vehicle door latch assembly includes a latch rod coupled to a latch mechanism and operable by a door handle to unlatch the latch mechanism. The latch assembly may include a release clip operably connected to the latch mechanism for releasably connecting the latch rod to the latch mechanism. A latch rod release bracket may be mounted to an inner surface of a vehicle door, and include an extension having a wedge-shaped area adjacent a lower portion thereof engageable with a detent on the…
ELECTRONIC METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXECUTING RETROACTIVE PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Granted: March 22, 2007
Application Number:
20070067223
An electronic method and system for executing retroactive price adjustments includes a computer that is configured to receive a purchase agreement pertaining to goods and/or services. The method includes receiving a price adjustment on a pricing line of the purchase agreement through the use of the computer and receiving an effective start date in which the price adjustment will take effect. The method also includes identifying release orders associated with the purchase agreement that…
ENERGY-ABSORBING DEVICE WITH A REDUCED INITIAL PEAK LOAD
Granted: March 8, 2007
Application Number:
20070052258
An energy-absorbing device (34) with a reduced initial peak load (50) for enhancing the management of crash energy in an end structure (30?) for a vehicle (30). The energy-absorbing device (34) has a deformable construction adapted for progressively folding along a longitudinal axis (60) under an oscillating crash load (34?). The oscillating crash load (34?) is comprised of a mean load (48) and a peak load (50) that is in close proximity to the mean load (48).
VEHICLE TRIM LOCATING AND ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
Granted: February 22, 2007
Application Number:
20070040404
A vehicle trim component locating and attachment system is provided for connecting a trim component to a vehicle base panel having an aperture. The system includes a locator projection integrally formed on the component and including first and second ends. The first end is configured to project through the panel aperture, and the second end is configured to receive a screw. The projection provides for location of the component relative to the panel, and further provides for secure…
ROBUST METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF A DETACHED REMOTE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR OF A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
Granted: February 22, 2007
Application Number:
20070040660
A tire pressure monitoring system for detachment detection of a tire pressure sensor is provided. The system includes a tire pressure sensor, a receiver and a controller. The tire pressure sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting a word having a detachment state. The receiver is for receiving the word and is coupled to the controller. The controller decodes the word and determines the detachment state of the tire pressure sensor. A robust method for the automatic detection of a…
VELOCITY SENSITIVE PASSENGER VEHICLE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
Granted: February 1, 2007
Application Number:
20070024107
A method of controlling a trailer brake system using a trailer brake controller positioned within a passenger vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining intended braking inputs and developing an effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile based thereon. The method scales the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile in response to an adjustable gain setting set by an operator. A vehicle velocity is obtained and used to calculate a correction factor…
VEHICLE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER WITH WHEEL SPEED SELECTION
Granted: January 4, 2007
Application Number:
20070001509
A method of controlling a trailer brake system using a trailer brake controller positioned within a passenger vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining intended braking inputs and developing an effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile based thereon. The method scales the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile in response to an adjustable gain setting set by an operator. The wheel speed is determined at a plurality of wheel locations and…
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN ASSOCIATIVE DESIGN PROCESS
Granted: December 7, 2006
Application Number:
20060277003
A system and method for designing components through the use of a computer having a computer aided design (CAD) software enables a reduction in the occurrence of infinite looping. The method includes the step of identifying common areas between the components, wherein the components have a three-dimensional relationship through the use of the computer. Another step includes traversing the common areas with at least one parallel division plane through the use of the computer and trimming…
AN APPARATUS FOR DISLODGING AND MOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM A SURFACE OF A MACHINE TOOL
Granted: November 30, 2006
Application Number:
20060269376
An apparatus for dislodging contaminants from a surface of a machine tool. The apparatus includes a coupling, a housing, a cleaning mechanism, and a transport mechanism. The coupling is configured to be mounted on a spindle. The housing is disposed proximate the coupling and includes inlet and outlet openings. The cleaning mechanism is adapted to dislodge and direct contaminants into the inlet opening. The transport mechanism is adapted to move contaminants toward the outlet opening.
ADAPTIVE VOICE CONTROL AND VEHICLE COLLISION WARNING AND COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEM
Granted: November 30, 2006
Application Number:
20060271258
A safety system (10) for a host vehicle (12) includes a voice sensor (38) that detects voice signals from a vehicle occupant. An occupant classifier (30) determines a state of mind of the vehicle occupant. A controller (13) performs a safety countermeasure in response to the state of mind of the occupant including the transmission of the state of mind to a target vehicle. A vehicle voice control system (24) includes the voice sensor (38), which detects voice signals from the vehicle…
Automotive vehicle with fire suppression system
Granted: September 28, 2006
Application Number:
20060213674
An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but…
VEHICLE IMAGING PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: July 20, 2006
Application Number:
20060157639
An imaging system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an image sensor generating a plurality of image frames, and a controller coupled to the image sensor. The controller is programmed to detect an obstructed image frame from the plurality of image frames. The obstruction corresponds to a windshield wiper of the vehicle. In response to detecting an obstructed image, the controller optimizes the obstructed image for display or use by a vehicle system. The controller detects an…
AUTOMATED COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING TAX DECISIONS
Granted: July 13, 2006
Application Number:
20060155606
An automated computer-implemented method for determining tax decisions is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more tax registrations for identifying one or more suppliers, receiving one or more purchase orders, receiving an advanced shipping notice based on the one or more purchase orders and generating an invoice with an actual tax amount upon receipt of the advanced shipping notice.
ANTI-BLINDING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
Granted: July 6, 2006
Application Number:
20060146552
An active light source operating system (10,11) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (50) that generates an initial illumination beam (54). A selective attenuation filter (27,52) forms an emitted illumination beam (56), with an associated light attenuation matrix (32,33), in response to the initial illumination beam (54). A sensor (31) detects an object and generates an object detection signal. A controller (35) is coupled to the selective attenuation filter (27,52) and said sensor…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INCENTIVIZING VEHICLE ACQUISITION
Granted: July 6, 2006
Application Number:
20060149619
A method for incentivizing acquisition of a vehicle including offering a non-cash incentive currency having a conversion component and a redemption component. The conversion component is convertible into a cash incentive and the redemption component is redeemable for a non-cash incentive offering.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECTING THE SOURCING OF A PART OR COMPONENT FROM A SECONDARY SUPPLIER
Granted: July 6, 2006
Application Number:
20060149636
A purchasing entity directs the sourcing of one or more components of a part in a microprocessor-based method. The microprocessor-based method comprises generating a listing for a part that identifies the one or more components. Such a listing is stored in digital electronic form and is accessible by a microcomputer-based system. The purchasing entity then enters into a purchase agreement with a secondary supplier for at least one component of the one or more components. The purchasing…
