Patents by Inventor Douglas R. Motts

Douglas R. Motts 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).

  • Current sensing electrical converter
    Patent number: 11358424
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • CURRENT SENSING ELECTRICAL CONVERTER
    Publication number: 20200047574
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Current sensing electrical converter
    Patent number: 10449815
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Hitch ball angle sensor
    Patent number: 9120358
    Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a hitch ball supported on a housing, a bore within the hitch ball and housing, and a pin rotatable with respect to the hitch ball and housing. The pin is configured to engage a trailer coupler and rotate therewith. An angle sensor measures rotation of the pin to determine rotational movement of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Motts, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Fred Brickley
  • HITCH BALL ANGLE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140103619
    Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a hitch ball supported on a housing, a bore within the hitch ball and housing, and a pin rotatable with respect to the hitch ball and housing. The pin is configured to engage a trailer coupler and rotate therewith. An angle sensor measures rotation of the pin to determine rotational movement of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Motts, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Fred Brickley