Patents by Inventor Brian K. Sullivan

Brian K. Sullivan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10927581
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate with a power up-down system may employ a method of operating a vehicle tailgate that may include detecting a step is deployed from the tailgate, detecting the tailgate is less than fully open, and automatically actuating a power up-down system to drive the tailgate to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Nania, Craig A. Moccio, Brian K. Sullivan, Manuel Santana
  • Patent number: 10801237
    Abstract: A vehicle including a bed, and a tailgate, pivotally attached to the vehicle to close off a rear end of the bed, the tailgate having a front surface and a side with a pull tab recess. A check strap has a forward end attached to the bed and a rearward end; and an extension bracket has an extension plate pivotally connecting at a forward end to the rearward end of the check strap, a rear fastener pivotally securing the extension plate to the side of the tailgate, a pull tab extending through the extension plate and laterally slidable out of the pull tab recess, the extension plate extending essentially parallel to the front surface when the pull tab is received in the pull tab recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Brian K. Sullivan, Jeffrey Gray, Robert Reiners
  • Publication number: 20200240184
    Abstract: A vehicle including a bed, and a tailgate, pivotally attached to the vehicle to close off a rear end of the bed, the tailgate having a front surface and a side with a pull tab recess. A check strap has a forward end attached to the bed and a rearward end; and an extension bracket has an extension plate pivotally connecting at a forward end to the rearward end of the check strap, a rear fastener pivotally securing the extension plate to the side of the tailgate, a pull tab extending through the extension plate and laterally slidable out of the pull tab recess, the extension plate extending essentially parallel to the front surface when the pull tab is received in the pull tab recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua R. Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Brian K. Sullivan, Jeffrey Gray, Robert Reiners
  • Publication number: 20200109588
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate with a power up-down system may employ a method of operating a vehicle tailgate that may include detecting a step is deployed from the tailgate, detecting the tailgate is less than fully open, and automatically actuating a power up-down system to drive the tailgate to fully open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Adrian Nania, Craig A. Moccio, Brian K. Sullivan, Manuel Santana
  • Patent number: 10543789
    Abstract: A tailgate includes an opening through a rear end of the tailgate when in a tailgate open position. The tailgate also includes a tailgate extender having support tubes extending through the opening and telescopically slidable outward from the tailgate, a laterally extending support beam supported by the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly when the support tubes are pivoted downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Hemphill, Brian K. Sullivan, Craig A. Moccio
  • Patent number: 8152993
    Abstract: Methods are provided for decoking the radiant coils in an ethylene cracking plant. The decoking process is controlled by monitoring the coil outlet temperature to control the rate of burning of coke in the radiant coils. Air flow rates, steam flow rates and coil outlet temperatures are controlled during the decoking process to prevent tube damage, minimize decoking time and maximize coke removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen De Haan, Barbara Stancato, Brian K. Sullivan, Charles E. Nagy, Frank McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20090020459
    Abstract: Methods are provided for decoking the radiant coils in an ethylene cracking plant. The decoking process is controlled by monitoring the coil outlet temperature to control the rate of burning of coke in the radiant coils. Air flow rates, steam flow rates and coil outlet temperatures are controlled during the decoking process to prevent tube damage, minimize decoking time and maximize coke removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen De Haan, Barbara Stancato, Brian K. Sullivan, Charles E. Nagy, Frank McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5618080
    Abstract: A upper track roller mechanism for an automotive vehicle sliding door is provided in which the upper track is formed as a generally U-shaped track member having centering mechanisms associated with it for preventing vertical movement of the roller into rubbing contact with upper or lower portions of the track. The centering mechanisms may include one or more chamfers formed on the outer wall of the track and a washer carried adjacent the roller in juxtaposition with the portion of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Brian K. Sullivan, Graham J. Britain, Donald F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5454618
    Abstract: A sliding door stop device for a vehicle having a sliding door and a fuel filler access lid on the same side of the vehicle has a stop member mounted proximate a door track for a vehicle sliding door, the stop member having a first, obstructing position projecting into an inner portion of the track so as to obstruct movement of the sliding door along the track and a second, retracted position withdrawn from obstructing the track. Connection members, such as a cable, are connected between the stop member and the interior of a fuel filler access lid on the vehicle for moving the stop member to the obstructing position when the access lid is opened to prevent collision of the sliding door with the access lid, and to the retracted position when the access lid is closed so as not to obstruct movement of the sliding door within the door track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Brian K. Sullivan