Patents by Inventor Edward Nichols
Edward Nichols 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).
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Publication number: 20190204072Abstract: An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Scott ADAMS, Marina Menendez BAKER, Mark Edward NICHOLS, Tony MISOVSKI
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Patent number: 10338198Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing, a LIDAR sensor attached to the housing, and a window releasably coupled to the housing. The window may be cylindrical. The housing may be a first housing, and the sensor apparatus may include a second housing. The window may be releasably coupled to the second housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Sabrina Louise Peczonczyk, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
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Patent number: 10323932Abstract: An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Scott Adams, Marina Menendez Baker, Mark Edward Nichols, Tony Misovski
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Patent number: 10324218Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for measuring material thickness of multiple tubulars by placing a logging tool in a well with multiple conductive tubulars and generating an electromagnetic field that interacts with the tubulars. A logging tool obtains the measurements using one or more receivers. A monitoring system or the logging tool applies the measurements to a mathematical model that considers at least a transition zone and one or both of a near field zone and a remote field zone of the electromagnetic field that interacts with the multiple conductive tubulars. Furthermore, the monitoring system or the logging tool may ascertain a thickness of the one or more conductive tubulars using the mathematical model.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Edward Nichols, James J. Kohring, Rafael Vinit
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Publication number: 20190128802Abstract: A system for measuring a coating thickness on a target surface includes a terahertz spectroscopy device and a reference image projector. The terahertz spectroscopy device includes a radiation head that is operable to project a terahertz radiation beam onto the target surface and receive a reflected beam. The reference image projector includes a visible light device and is operable to project a reference image using the visible light device onto the target surface. A visual characteristic of the reference image indicates at least one of distance, rotational alignment, and angular alignment of the radiation head relative to the target surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Scott Adams, Tony Misovski, Mark Edward Nichols, Marina Menendez Baker
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Patent number: 10254395Abstract: A device and methods are provided for determining data points with an integrated radar sensor. In one embodiment, a method includes determining position of a device, scanning one or more objects, wherein scanning includes detecting data points by an integrated radar sensor of the device and capturing image data of the one or more objects, and determining data points for one or more objects based on the scanning. The method may also include correlating data points to one or more portions of the image data, assigning correlated data points to one or more portions of the image data, and storing, by the device, image data with data points. The device and methods may advantageously be employed for one or more of mapping, modeling, navigation and object tracking.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Trimble Inc.Inventors: Mark Edward Nichols, Gregory Craig Wallace
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Patent number: 10254219Abstract: A system for measuring a coating thickness on a target surface includes a terahertz spectroscopy device and a reference image projector. The terahertz spectroscopy device includes a radiation head that is operable to project a terahertz radiation beam onto the target surface and receive a reflected beam. The reference image projector includes a visible light device and is operable to project a reference image using the visible light device onto the target surface. A visual characteristic of the reference image indicates at least one of distance, rotational alignment, and angular alignment of the radiation head relative to the target surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Scott Adams, Tony Misovski, Mark Edward Nichols, Marina Menendez Baker
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Publication number: 20190084526Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include comparing a captured image of a predetermined object to a target image of the predetermined object to quantify a first noise characteristic of the captured image, comparing the first noise characteristic to a first predetermined threshold, and detecting debris on an image sensor that outputs the captured image as a result of comparing the first noise characteristic to the first predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
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Patent number: 10209709Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor programmed to receive sensor signals from a LIDAR sensor. The processor estimates frost accumulation on the LIDAR sensor from the sensor signals and compares the estimated frost accumulation to a predetermined threshold. The processor further prevents a host vehicle from operating in an autonomous mode if the estimated frost accumulation exceeds the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Sabrina Louise Peczonczyk, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin, Elyssa Kayser
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Patent number: 10170747Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a battery is provided comprising an electron beam-treated current collector having an increased surface energy compared to an untreated current collector and an electrode disposed on a treated surface of the current collector. The electrode may include a water-soluble binder uniformly coating a surface of the current collector and the treated current collector may have a contact angle with the water-soluble binder of 70 degrees or less. The electron beam treatment may be applied to a moving current collector foil as part of a battery production process, prior to application of an electrode slurry.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin James Rhodes, Andrew Robert Drews, Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 10114156Abstract: A vehicle body panel includes a substrate defining an exterior surface. A detectable layer is positioned on the exterior surface and is configured to interact with a first band of an electromagnetic spectrum. A decorative layer is positioned on the detectable layer and is configured to reflect a portion of a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum and transmit the first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A top layer is positioned on the decorative layer and is configured to transmit the first and second band of the electromagnetic spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20180284232Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing, a LIDAR sensor attached to the housing, and a window releasably coupled to the housing. The window may be cylindrical. The housing may be a first housing, and the sensor apparatus may include a second housing. The window may be releasably coupled to the second housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Sabrina Louise Peczonczyk, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
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Publication number: 20180284233Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing, a LIDAR sensor attached to the housing, a window attached to the housing, and a film covering the window and removable from the window. The window may be cylindrical. The film may be a first film, and the sensor apparatus may include a second film covering the first film and removable from the first film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters, Sabrina Louise Peczonczyk, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
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Patent number: 10071482Abstract: A method comprising scanning a first painted surface of a first vehicle having two or more paint layers with a robotic terahertz radiation instrument to obtain a first painted surface thickness data and map for each of the two or more paint layers, comparing the first thickness map to a control map, and adjusting one or more paint application parameters based on a comparison of the first thickness map with the control map for painting a second surface of a second vehicle different than the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Edward Nichols, Tony Misovski, Scott Adams, Aaron Fiala
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Publication number: 20180229437Abstract: A method of assessing cure rate of an adhesive adhering a windshield to a flange includes, by a controller, operating a terahertz beam generator to direct a terahertz beam at a windshield-flange interface, periodically measuring the light from the beam reflected from the adhesive, and outputting a cure rate of the adhesive based on a refractive index associated with the light from the beam reflected from the adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tony Misovski, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20180208028Abstract: A computer is programmed to modify an electrical property to adjust an opacity of a sensor cover window. The computer is programmed to actuate an excitation source to emit electro-magnetic beams toward the cover window.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Kenneth Edward Nietering, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 10026192Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Christopher Michael Seubert, Tony Misovski
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Patent number: 10024995Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a property of an earth formation, comprising a mobile transmitter disposed at a predetermined elevated height above a surface of the earth formation, and one or more receivers moveably disposed in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the mobile transmitter into the formation from a plurality of locations; and at the one or more receivers a signal is measured. Using the signal received by the one or more receivers, a property of the formation, such as resistivity, can be determined and mapped.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Garrett Kramer, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, Luis DePavia, H. Frank Morrison
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Patent number: 10012753Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for compensating for environmental conditions on electromagnetic measurements are provided. For example, a downhole logging tool may include a first transmitter coil, a second transmitter coil, and a first receiver coil. The first transmitter coil may provide a first magnetic signal in a wellbore having a conductive casing. The second transmitter coil may provide a second magnetic signal in the wellbore. The first receiver may obtain a first measurement relating to the first magnetic signal and a second measurement relating to the second magnetic signal. The first receiver coil may be near enough to the first transmitter coil and the second transmitter coil to obtain measurements predominantly in the near field eddy current regime. A ratio of the first measurement and the second measurement may cancel environmental dependencies of the first receiver coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Edward Nichols, Emmanuel Legendre, Jean-Luc Le Calvez
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Publication number: 20180149782Abstract: A vehicle body panel includes a substrate defining an exterior surface. A detectable layer is positioned on the exterior surface and is configured to interact with a first band of an electromagnetic spectrum. A decorative layer is positioned on the detectable layer and is configured to reflect a portion of a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum and transmit the first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A top layer is positioned on the decorative layer and is configured to transmit the first and second band of the electromagnetic spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols