231671 results about "Automotive engineering" patented technology

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.

An illuminated vehicle wheel assembly having arrays of illuminated electrical elements such as light emitting diodes, which are powered by the vehicle power systems by way of a slip ring assembly associated with the bearing or bearing seal of the vehicle wheel.

A driving separation indication system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor, a control and at least one indicator. The control is operable to process an image captured by the imaging sensor representative of a scene occurring exteriorly of the subject vehicle and to detect another vehicle via processing of the image. The control is operable to determine a threshold interspacing distance in response to a speed of the subject vehicle, and is operable to determine a distance from the subject vehicle to the detected other vehicle. The control is operable to at least occasionally actuate the indicator in response to the distance from the subject vehicle to the other vehicle being less than or equal to the threshold interspacing distance. The control may generally continuously determine the speed of the vehicle and the threshold interspacing distance to provide an appropriate threshold interspacing distance.

An engine unit includes an engine body, and a supercharging machine having a main body. The main body of the supercharging machine is coupled to the engine body via a component or a member disposed therebetween.

An automobile monitoring system to monitor user body characteristics, includes at least one sensor to monitor at least one user body characteristic. The at least one sensor is operatively coupled to a body of a user to monitor the at least one user body characteristic while the user is operating an automobile. The at least one user body characteristic is at least a glucose level of the user's body. At least one transmitter is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor to communicate sensor data obtained from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. Automobile electronics are operatively coupled to the at least one transmitter to receive sensor data from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. The automobile electronics provide the sensor data to the user while the user is operating the automobile. A mobile telephone is operatively coupled to the automobile electronics, wherein the automobile electronics initiate a communication via the mobile telephone based on the sensor data received from the at least one sensor.

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to notifying a pedestrian of the intent of a self-driving vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include sensors which detect an object such as a pedestrian attempting or about to cross the roadway in front of the vehicle. The vehicle's computer may then determine the correct way to respond to the pedestrian. For example, the computer may determine that the vehicle should stop or slow down, yield, or stop if it is safe to do so. The vehicle may then provide a notification to the pedestrian of what the vehicle is going to or is currently doing. For example, the vehicle may include a physical signaling device, an electronic sign or lights, a speaker for providing audible notifications, etc.

A vehicle charging station for use in transmitting charging power to an electric vehicle for use in charging the vehicle is configured to communicatively couple to the electric vehicle via a network connection to a wireless network provider and electrically couple to the electric vehicle via a connector. Vehicle charging station is further configured to receive a unique identifier from the electric vehicle via the network connection, deliver a quantity of electrical charging power to the electric vehicle via the connector, and meter the quantity of electrical charging power delivered to the electric vehicle

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and / or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.

A fuel cell based subterranean heater for mineral extraction, in situ decontamination, or other applications. The fuel cells are preferably stacked within a casing which is then inserted into a hole bored, or otherwise formed, into the formation to be heated. Conduits within the casing, and preferably formed by adjacent, aligned holes formed through the plates of the individual fuel cells supply fuel and air and extract exhaust gases. An optional manifold is used to span the overburden without applying heat to it directly. The manifold may also function as a heat exchanger between incoming and exhaust gases. Preferably the fuel cell is fueled by gases produced by the formation and also generates electricity which is available for use or export.