Patents by Inventor Frank Fusco

Frank Fusco 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: 11897437
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, activating an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while the UVGI system may supplement the heat sanitizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Patent number: 11807072
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while receiving power from an external power source and responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, operating an electric heater of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration using the power received from the external power source. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while vehicle battery power and fuel are conserved by using power supplied from the external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Patent number: 11673535
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Manfred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20220118951
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, adjusting a position of a sun shade based on at least one of an ambient temperature outside of the vehicle and a sun load of the vehicle, and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20220118822
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while receiving power from an external power source and responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, operating an electric heater of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration using the power received from the external power source. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while vehicle battery power and fuel are conserved by using power supplied from the external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20220118952
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, activating an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while the UVGI system may supplement the heat sanitizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20210339712
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Manfred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 11034214
    Abstract: An integrated display and ventilation assembly includes a display screen and a first air register. The first air register is displaceable between a first stowed position concealed behind the display screen and a first deployed position projecting from behind the display screen. A related method of ventilating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Fusco, Manfred Koberstein, Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Alan Gutowski
  • Patent number: 10933714
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an interior and a controller configured to control a climate system for the interior based at least in part on data related to a departure location of the vehicle, a destination location of the vehicle, or a proximate location within a certain proximity to the vehicle, while moving to the destination location between the departure location and the destination location, or any combination of said locations. The data related to the departure location can include a temperature profile of the departure location. The temperature profile of the departure location can assume that the departure location is colder than a comfortable ambient temperature, and the controller is configured to direct heated air into the interior upon activation of the vehicle at the departure location. The data related to the departure location can include an activity profile of the departure location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Emily Obert, Frank Fusco, Lawrence C. Karas, Loren John Lohmeyer
  • Patent number: 10766333
    Abstract: A vehicle air-handling system includes a heat exchanger, a blower in communication with the heat exchanger, and an operable duct having driver and passenger portions that are each in communication with the heat exchanger and the blower. When the blower is activated, the driver portion continuously delivers blower air and the passenger portion selectively delivers blower air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Fusco, Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Manfred Koberstein, Jose A. Nava, Steven M. Kahrs
  • Publication number: 20200062078
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an interior and a controller configured to control a climate system for the interior based at least in part on data related to a departure location of the vehicle, a destination location of the vehicle, or a proximate location within a certain proximity to the vehicle, while moving to the destination location between the departure location and the destination location, or any combination of said locations. The data related to the departure location can include a temperature profile of the departure location. The temperature profile of the departure location can assume that the departure location is colder than a comfortable ambient temperature, and the controller is configured to direct heated air into the interior upon activation of the vehicle at the departure location. The data related to the departure location can include an activity profile of the departure location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Emily Obert, Frank Fusco, Lawrence C. Karas, Loren John Lohmeyer
  • Publication number: 20190100078
    Abstract: An integrated display and ventilation assembly includes a display screen and a first air register. The first air register is displaceable between a first stowed position concealed behind the display screen and a first deployed position projecting from behind the display screen. A related method of ventilating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Fusco, Manfred Koberstein, Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Alan Gutowski
  • Publication number: 20180272832
    Abstract: A vehicle air-handling system includes a heat exchanger, a blower in communication with the heat exchanger, and an operable duct having driver and passenger portions that are each in communication with the heat exchanger and the blower. When the blower is activated, the driver portion continuously delivers blower air and the passenger portion selectively delivers blower air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Fusco, Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Manfred Koberstein, Jose A. Nava, Steven M. Kahrs
  • Publication number: 20160229257
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an air extraction outlet located on an interior panel that partially defines an interior cabin of the vehicle. The air extraction outlet has a series of vanes that are configured to transition between open and closed positions. An actuator is utilized to transition the series of vanes between the open and closed positions. The air extraction outlet is configured to exhaust air from the cabin of the vehicle when the vanes are in the open position. The vehicle also includes a sensor and a controller. The controller is programmed to activate the actuator in order to transition the vanes between the open and closed positions based on a condition of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eric R. YERKE, Paul Bryan HOKE, Frank FUSCO, Robert Steven SAWYER
  • Publication number: 20160129759
    Abstract: An air extractor vent is disclosed for a vehicle. A package tray defines an opening adjacent the lower edge of a rear window. A grille is assembled to the air extraction opening. The grille includes vanes for directing air away from the rear window and for obscuring the lines of sight from inside and outside of the vehicle through the air extraction opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Eric R. Yerke, Paul Bryan Hoke, Frank Fusco, Robert Steven Sawyer
  • Patent number: 9045043
    Abstract: A vehicle glass heating system may include a vehicle glass having two or more electrically heated zones. The system may also have a controller, which determines an output based on an input signal and selectively actuates at least a portion of the heated zones to heat the vehicle glass according to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20150093981
    Abstract: A system includes a blower controller that controls the operation of at least one vehicle blower and a processing device that receives a user input associated with operation of the vehicle blower, detects whether a mobile device is in use, and commands the blower controller to control the operation of the at least one vehicle blower according to the user input while the mobile device is in use. A method includes receiving a user input associated with operation of at least one vehicle blower, detecting whether a mobile device is in use, and commanding a blower controller to control the operation of the at least one vehicle blower according to the user input while the mobile device is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Fusco, Manfred Koberstein, Curtis M. Jones, Alan D. Wallington
  • Publication number: 20140217080
    Abstract: A vehicle glass heating system may include a vehicle glass having two or more electrically heated zones. The system may also have a controller, which determines an output based on an input signal and selectively actuates at least a portion of the heated zones to heat the vehicle glass according to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, Frank Fusco
  • Patent number: 8694205
    Abstract: A system may control demist flow by computing a fogging possibility for a zone of a vehicle using a fogging heuristic according to received inputs, the fogging possibility indicative of fogging risk for vehicle glass in the zone of the vehicle; determining, based on comparing the fogging possibility to at least one fogging risk threshold, whether a change in demist flow for the zone is warranted to at least one of reduce the fogging risk for vehicle glass in the zone of the vehicle and reduce energy usage for the production of demist flow to be provided to vehicle glass in the zone of the vehicle; and selectively providing an output to at least one of the plurality of demist doors associated with the zone of the vehicle to adjust the demist flow to the zone of the vehicle when a change in demist flow for the zone is warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric R. Yerke, James R. Hurd, Paul Bryan Hoke, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20130207420
    Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle includes an air conditioner positioned in a rear of the vehicle. A roof panel includes a moonroof opening bounded on at least one side by a moonroof rail. The moonroof rail generally defines an air supply duct between a headliner and the roof panel. The air supply duct is in communication with the air conditioner. A plurality of vents are operably connected to the moonroof rail and relay conditioned air from the air supply duct to an interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mukesh Kumar, Martha Elizabeth Nefcy, Lawrence C. Karas, Paul Bryan Hoke, Harry Christian Martinez, Spencer Dinkins, Frank Fusco, Eric R. Yerke