Patents by Inventor George Nicholas Villec

George Nicholas Villec 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: 6173974
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension system includes a respective gas leveler (42) at each of multiple wheels. A compressor (12) and reservoir (46) serve the gas levelers. The compressor has an internal gas compressing mechanism (26) for charging the reservoir, an internal electric-operated exhaust valve (20), and a port (30) through which the gas compressing mechanism and the exhaust valve communicate with the reservoir and gas levelers. A respective branch (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) from each gas leveler and the reservoir to the compressor port contains a respective electric-operated valve (44, 48) in series with the respective gas leveler and reservoir. An electric pressure sensor (50) provides an actual pressure measurement within a range of pressures at a node that is common to the branches and to the compressor port. Apparent hoisting or jacking of the vehicle is detected (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Raad, George Nicholas Villec
  • Patent number: 6169939
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating a vehicle lateral acceleration signal for use in an active tilt control system in a vehicle having a sprung mass center of gravity. A single lateral accelerometer is mounted at the sprung mass center of gravity of the vehicle to generate a first lateral acceleration signal (acg). A second lateral acceleration signal (aLapprox) is generated representative of a vehicle lateral acceleration at a point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity based upon the first lateral acceleration signal for use in the active tilt control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mikhael Raad, Steven A. Hermann, George Nicholas Villec
  • Patent number: 5742984
    Abstract: A strap tensioning apparatus (26) suitable for use in a motor vehicle having strap (11) for retaining a sensor (12) strapped inside a tire/wheel assembly (14) is described. The strap tensioning apparatus includes an arcuate member (28) having a first radius of curvature along a longitudinal axis unequal to the installed radius of curvature. The difference in radii of curvature is such that the arcuate member will maintain a predetermined tension in the strap (11) in the event the strap relaxes during normal use, thus preventing the dislocation of the strap (11) and sensor (16) relative to an installed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Baibak, George Nicholas Villec