Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130312390 | METHOD TO CONTROL AND DIAGNOSE AN EXHAUST GAS HEAT EXCHANGER - A method for controlling an engine having an exhaust gas heat exchanger includes measuring air mass flow, engine coolant temperature (ECT), exhaust gas temperature (EGT), heat exchanger coolant temperature (HECT), and engine speed; and operating a valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed. A vehicle has an engine and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a valve configured to control exhaust gas flow. A controller for the vehicle is configured to (i) measure air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed, and (ii) operate the valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed. | 11-28-2013 |
20130312717 | METHOD TO CONTROL AND DIAGNOSE AN EXHAUST GAS HEAT EXCHANGER - A method for controlling an exhaust gas recovery system for an engine includes generating a signal to control exhaust gas flow through an exhaust gas heat exchanger, and generating a diagnostic code based on a difference between coolant temperature downstream of the exhaust gas heat exchanger and coolant temperature downstream of the engine. A vehicle has an engine, and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a first temperature sensor downstream of the engine, and a second temperature sensor downstream of the exhaust gas heat exchanger. A controller for the vehicle is configured to: (i) generate a signal to control exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and (ii) generate a diagnostic code based on a difference between coolant temperature measured by the first and second temperature sensors. | 11-28-2013 |
20130313031 | METHOD TO CONTROL AND DIAGNOSE AN EXHAUST GAS HEAT EXCHANGER - A method for controlling a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust heat recovery system, includes generating a signal to control exhaust gas flow through an exhaust gas heat exchanger, and generating a diagnostic code based on the signal and a rate of change of coolant temperature. A vehicle has an engine and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a temperature sensor. A controller for the vehicle is configured to (i) generate a signal to control exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and (ii) generate a diagnostic code based on the signal and a rate of change of coolant temperature. | 11-28-2013 |
20140109872 | PHEV Heating Modes to Provide Cabin Comfort - A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a valve. A valve system is configured to direct coolant from an engine to a heat exchanger according to a difference between a temperature associated with the engine and a temperature associated with the heat exchanger. The valve system is also configured to direct coolant from the engine to an electric heater and to, in response to a heat demanded from the heat exchanger being greater than a heat capability of the electric heater, request the engine to run. A method is disclosed for controlling a valve to change from an isolation position in which the valve isolates coolant circulating through an electric heater and the valve from coolant circulating through an engine to a non-isolation position in which the valve directs coolant from the engine to the electric heater. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110081 | Heater Core Isolation Valve Position Detection - A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a three-way valve in which the position of the valve is detectable. A method for detecting the valve position during fault conditions is disclosed. The vehicle has a heating system that includes a first coolant loop with a heating source, a water pump, and a heater core. The heating system also has a second coolant loop that includes an engine and a second water pump, in addition to the elements of the first coolant loop. Temperature sensors are located in each coolant loop. A three-way valve fault is detected by monitoring the behavior of the temperature sensors in response to the position of the three-way valve and the status of the heating sources. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114515 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE HAVING AN ELECTRIC HEATER - A system and method for operating an electric heater to determine heater functionality is based on actual heater power consumption relative to expected heater power consumption during operating conditions where electrical power consumption by other system components can be accurately estimated. One or more components, including a second heating source, may be controlled based on the heater functionality. The system may include a hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric heater and heater core, a valve positioned to route coolant through the engine and/or the electric heater, and a controller configured to store a diagnostic code and/or start the engine when the electric heater is commanded on and when the actual energy consumption of the electric heater is below a corresponding threshold. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114516 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE HAVING A SINGLE-WIRE ACTUATOR - A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time. | 04-24-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130159024 | Real-Time Insurance Estimate Based on Non-Personal Identifying Information - Methods and systems for providing estimated insurance quotes/premiums are described herein. After analyzing rate factors, a subset of rate factors are selected that yield a fairly accurate estimated insurance premium from a minimum amount of information easily obtainable from a user. The user inputs a value from a predetermined set of allowable inputs (value input filter). After receiving and analyzing the user inputs, the system generates one or more estimates and displays the one or more estimates to the user, e.g., via a web page. When multiple estimates are provided, the multiple estimates may differ based on the level of coverage, add-on features, or both. Readily known non-personal identifying information is preferably requested and used, thereby alleviating privacy concerns while still being able to provide an estimate to the user very quickly, e.g., under 30 seconds, once all the requested information is obtained. | 06-20-2013 |
20130246101 | Real-Time Insurance Estimate Based on Non-Personal Identifying Information - Methods and systems for providing estimated insurance quotes/premiums are described herein. After analyzing rate factors, a subset of rate factors are selected that yield a fairly accurate estimated insurance premium from a minimum amount of information easily obtainable from a user. The user inputs a value from a predetermined set of allowable inputs (value input filter). After receiving and analyzing the user inputs, the system generates one or more estimates and displays the one or more estimates to the user, e.g., via a web page. When multiple estimates are provided, the multiple estimates may differ based on the level of coverage, add-on features, or both. Readily known non-personal identifying information is preferably requested and used, thereby alleviating privacy concerns while still being able to provide an estimate to the user very quickly, e.g., under 30 seconds, once all the requested information is obtained. | 09-19-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100278438 | KEY BLANK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM WITH BITTING ANALYSIS - A key identification system is provided. The key identification system comprises a sensing device configured to extract bitting information from a master key, and a logic configured to analyze the image. The sensing device may be configured to capture information about the bittings of the master key, such as an image of the bittings. The logic analyzes information about the bittings of the master key and compares it with bitting characteristics of known key blanks to determine the likelihood of a match between the master key and a known key blank. | 11-04-2010 |
20110164938 | Key Duplication Machine - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 07-07-2011 |
20110262240 | KEY DUPLICATION MACHINE - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 10-27-2011 |
20130294857 | KEY DUPLICATION MACHINE - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 11-07-2013 |
20140140628 | KEY BLANK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM WITH BITTING ANALYSIS - A key identification system is provided. The key identification system comprises a sensing device configured to extract bitting information from a master key, and a logic configured to analyze the image. The sensing device may be configured to capture information about the bittings of the master key, such as an image of the bittings. The logic analyzes information about the bittings of the master key and compares it with bitting characteristics of known key blanks to determine the likelihood of a match between the master key and a known key blank. | 05-22-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100083448 | BLUE COLORANT DERIVED FROM Genipa Americana FRUIT - The present invention provides a method to make a blue colorant as a liquid and as a powder, wherein the blue colorant is derived from unprocessed raw juice obtained from | 04-08-2010 |
20110274777 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF MATERIAL FROM A Sapindacea FAMILY FRUIT - The invention of the present application provides a standardized method to obtain a material from Sapindacea family fruits, wherein the material is utilized by itself or in combination with other compounds to make preparations. The material by itself has surfactant, emulsifying and foaming properties, among others. In addition, the invention provides a preparation wherein the material is used in combination with | 11-10-2011 |
20140350127 | COLORANT COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM GENIPIN OR GENIPIN CONTAINING MATERIALS - The present disclosure provides colorant compounds and methods of isolation of the colorant compounds derived from a reaction of genipin and an amine. The colorant compositions comprise purified compounds (e.g., a purified polymer or a purified dimer) obtained from multiple fractioning by chromatography of the reaction resulting material. The purified polymer or dimer can be used as a colorant by itself or in combination with another colorant for imparting color to a food, a drug, a cosmetic, a medical device, and textile products. | 11-27-2014 |