Hybrid cast vehicle assembly with structural reinforcements
Granted: October 10, 2023
Patent Number:
11780505
A hybrid structural assembly for a motor vehicle includes a casting and a structural inlay. The casting includes a plurality of structural components joined together in a casting process to form structural load paths and extending in a plurality of directions in a 3D space. The casting includes a cast-allowable alloy material. The structural inlay is secured to at least one of the structural components. The structural inlay includes a material having at least one of a higher ductility…
Reusable and adjustable universal fixturing system for assembly and check fixtures
Granted: June 20, 2023
Patent Number:
11679459
A locating fixture that includes a base, an adjustable locating member, a plurality of indicia, a restraining member and a lower substructure. The base includes a raised platform having a mounting aperture. The adjustable locating member is disposed within the mounting aperture and includes a part locating feature and a position indicator fixedly attached to the adjustable locating member. The plurality of indicia is located on the raised platform adjacent to the adjustable locating…
Adjustable fixture to position parts for dimensional measurement
Granted: June 13, 2023
Patent Number:
11673220
A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
3D-printed conformal cooling for hot stamping casted die inserts
Granted: June 13, 2023
Patent Number:
11673177
A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.
Active carbon filter for a carbon canister and a method for producing the same
Granted: June 13, 2023
Patent Number:
11673089
A method for producing an active carbon filter for a carbon canister includes forming a body having a honeycomb structure with a plurality of bleed passages from a polymer based material, and forming an adsorption layer along a surface of the body, where the adsorption layer is made of a carbon based material.
Device and method for cold testing engine component operation
Granted: May 9, 2023
Patent Number:
11644384
A method of determining a condition of a component (e.g., valves) of an engine having a manifold air pressure sensor during a cold test includes providing pressurized air to an intake of the engine. The method includes rotating a crankshaft of the engine. The method includes measuring pressures with the manifold air pressure sensor as a function of crankshaft rotational position. The method includes comparing the pressures with a predetermined baseline. The method includes indicating a…
Device and method for cold testing engine component operation
Granted: May 9, 2023
Patent Number:
11644384
A method of determining a condition of a component (e.g., valves) of an engine having a manifold air pressure sensor during a cold test includes providing pressurized air to an intake of the engine. The method includes rotating a crankshaft of the engine. The method includes measuring pressures with the manifold air pressure sensor as a function of crankshaft rotational position. The method includes comparing the pressures with a predetermined baseline. The method includes indicating a…
Methods and apparatus for vehicle climate control using distributed sensors
Granted: April 25, 2023
Patent Number:
11634006
Methods and apparatus for vehicle climate control using distributed sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving data from sensors distributed within a vehicle at a first controller, processing the data at the first controller to identify an event associated with the interior of the vehicle and sending an instruction based on the event from the first controller to a second controller of the vehicle to affect an operation of a climate control system of the vehicle.
Providing indicators of availability in a shared vehicle environment
Granted: March 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11615710
An intelligent bicycle sharing system, or other vehicle sharing system, is able to provide helpful bicycle availability indications based on historical data and user proximity. Historical data can be collected over time as users use the bicycle sharing system. For example, the historical data may include how many bicycles are checked at out a given time and how many remain at a given location. In some embodiments, an indication may be provided to the user as the user approaches the…
Smart vehicle parking apparatus and related methods
Granted: February 21, 2023
Patent Number:
11587193
Smart vehicle parking apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example system includes a processor to reserve a personal vehicle for a time interval. The personal vehicle is to park at a location during the time interval. The processor is also to match a vehicle use option to the personal vehicle based on the time interval and the location. The vehicle use option is associated with a person to use the personal vehicle during the time interval.
Minimum quantity lubrication thread tap
Granted: February 14, 2023
Patent Number:
11577330
A thread tap includes a shaft and teeth. The shaft includes helical passages from the threading end to the base end of the shaft. Each passage opens through an aperture in the threading end. A second tap includes a cap and the shaft includes an axially extending passage. The cap is coupled to the threading end and at least partially defines apertures in fluid communication with the passage and the exterior of the tap. A third tap includes teeth spaced apart by a plurality of linear…
Renewable energy vehicle charging
Granted: January 24, 2023
Patent Number:
11560064
A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.
Renewable energy vehicle charging
Granted: January 24, 2023
Patent Number:
11560064
A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.
Tooling assembly with internal coolant passages for machines
Granted: November 8, 2022
Patent Number:
11491594
The present disclosure is directed toward a tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system. The tooling assembly includes a holder, a tool body, and an internal passage defined within and extending through the holder and the tool body. The holder includes a machine interface configured to engage with a spindle of the machine. The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem…
Method of machining an opening in a plurality of blanks
Granted: October 4, 2022
Patent Number:
11458526
A method and a system are disclosed for making an article of manufacture from a blank defining an internal opening. A stack of blanks are aligned and the internal openings of the blanks in the stack of blanks are machined by a rotary cutting tool to a finished dimension. The blanks are clamped together before machining in a numerically controlled machine tool. The blanks are subsequently formed individually in a sheet metal forming operation in which the inner perimeter of the internal…
Method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell with catalyst-free edge to the frame; membrane assembly and fuel cell with membrane assembly
Granted: September 27, 2022
Patent Number:
11456475
A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell, which membrane assembly includes a membrane with a catalyst layer and a frame arranged on the same side of the membrane and a gap between the catalyst layer and the frame. To allow an easy and cost-effective way for manufacturing such a membrane assembly, the manufacturing method may include the following steps: positioning a first decal layer, which is made of the same material as the first catalyst layer, on the first…
Apparatus and methods for queueing transportation providers and passengers
Granted: September 27, 2022
Patent Number:
11455699
Apparatus and methods for queueing transportation providers and passengers are described. A method includes queuing in a first queue, first broadcast messages received from passenger mobile devices and queuing in a second queue, second broadcast messages received from transportation provider mobile devices. The method also includes comparing, via a processor, each of the first broadcast messages in the first queue to the second broadcast messages in the second queue to identify a match…
Method to chase weld lines by timing and positioning of gates
Granted: September 6, 2022
Patent Number:
11433580
An apparatus and method for eliminating mold lines when molding a part having ferromagnetic pigments is provided. A mold assembly having a mold with a cavity and valve gates is formed. Pucks are fitted at the gates to collect residual cold plastic. The calculation of a specific sequence and timing of the opening of the valve gates is determined based on a calculation of the total number of valve gates needed to fill a part while maintaining acceptable injection molding pressure. Once…
Dual torque and injection molding device
Granted: May 10, 2022
Patent Number:
11325291
A tool for driving a threaded fastener includes a driver head, a motor, and an injector. The driver head includes a spindle rotatable about an axis. A distal end of the spindle defines a plurality of drive surfaces configured to engage mating drive surfaces on the fastener to rotate the fastener about the axis. The driver head defines a fluid passage having an outlet proximate to the distal end of the spindle. The motor is drivingly coupled to the spindle to rotate the spindle about the…
Anti-vibration driver assist
Granted: April 5, 2022
Patent Number:
11292516
A vehicle anti-vibration device includes a vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected. The device further includes a motor that vibrates in accordance with a vibration dampening signal, a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device, and a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations…
