Patents by Inventor Larry Dean Elie
Larry Dean Elie 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: 20200300027Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The system further comprises a plurality of detection devices configured to detect an approaching passenger approaching the vehicle and a seated passenger within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An angular position sensor is configured to identify an angular position of the door. A controller is configured to control the actuator to position the door in a first opened position in response to the detection of the approaching passenger and control the actuator to control the door to a second closed position in response to detecting the seated passenger in the passenger compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kristopher Karl Brown, David Brian Glickman, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Patent number: 10746128Abstract: Engine blocks and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The engine block may comprise a body including at least one cylindrical engine bore wall having a longitudinal axis and including a coating extending along the longitudinal axis and having a coating thickness. The coating may have a middle region and first and second end regions, and a plurality of pores may be dispersed within the coating thickness. The middle region may have a different average porosity than one or both of the end regions. The method may include spraying a first porosity coating in a middle longitudinal region of the bore and spraying a second porosity coating in one or more end regions of the bore. The first porosity may be greater than the second porosity and the first and second porosities may be formed during the spraying steps. The pores may act as wells for lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Clifford E Maki, Larry Dean Elie, Timothy George Beyer, Arup Kumar Gangopadhyay, Hamed Ghaednia, James Maurice Boileau
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Publication number: 20200180420Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine, and stator. The electric machine has a magnetic armature and an electromagnetic armature. The electromagnetic armature is secured to a wheel and has an electrical circuit that includes primary and secondary coils. The engine is configured to rotate the magnetic armature to induce current in the circuit via the primary coils. The stator has tertiary coils that are configured to transfer power to the electromagnetic armature via the secondary coils to drive the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Larry Dean ELIE, Allan Roy GALE, David Allen JANSON
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Patent number: 10626657Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Publication number: 20200102906Abstract: Engine blocks and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The engine block may comprise a body including at least one cylindrical engine bore wall having a longitudinal axis and including a coating extending along the longitudinal axis and having a coating thickness. The coating may have a middle region and first and second end regions, and a plurality of pores may be dispersed within the coating thickness. The middle region may have a different average porosity than one or both of the end regions. The method may include spraying a first porosity coating in a middle longitudinal region of the bore and spraying a second porosity coating in one or more end regions of the bore. The first porosity may be greater than the second porosity and the first and second porosities may be formed during the spraying steps. The pores may act as wells for lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Clifford E MAKI, Larry Dean ELIE, Timothy George BEYER, Arup Kumar GANGOPADHYAY, Hamed GHAEDNIA, James Maurice BOILEAU
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Publication number: 20200087960Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Gerald J. Heath, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Musa Azzouz, Jeff Wallace, Robert F. Novak, Timothy J. Potter
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Patent number: 10480448Abstract: Engine blocks and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The engine block may comprise a body including at least one cylindrical engine bore wall having a longitudinal axis and including a coating extending along the longitudinal axis and having a coating thickness. The coating may have a middle region and first and second end regions, and a plurality of pores may be dispersed within the coating thickness. The middle region may have a different average porosity than one or both of the end regions. The method may include spraying a first porosity coating in a middle longitudinal region of the bore and spraying a second porosity coating in one or more end regions of the bore. The first porosity may be greater than the second porosity and the first and second porosities may be formed during the spraying steps. The pores may act wells for lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Clifford E. Maki, Larry Dean Elie, Timothy George Beyer, Arup Kumar Gangopadhyay, Hamed Ghaednia, James Maurice Boileau
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Patent number: 10464400Abstract: A vehicle includes a door frame coupled to a vehicle frame at a hinge. A door operating mechanism is coupled to the door and vehicle frames for applying rotational force to the door frame about the hinge. The door operating mechanism including external cogs of an inner gear that mesh with inner cogs of an outer gear and a single oblong bearing that biases the inner gear in partial engagement with the outer gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, John Wayne Jaranson
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Patent number: 10330394Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems for heat transfer and methods of preparing heat transfer mediums. In various embodiments are described heat transfer mediums comprising a plurality of microparticles suspended in a bulk material with each microparticle containing a phase change material. In other embodiments are described fluids comprising of a slurry of microparticles containing phase change fluid in a carrier liquid for a fast charger system.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Allan Roy Gale
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Patent number: 10301863Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle side door motor includes an upper hinge element configured for receiving a side door motor drive shaft and a motor mounting bracket configured to receive the side door motor drive shaft and to allow a radial adjustment of the drive shaft for alignment of an axis of the motor with a side door hinge axis. The upper hinge element may define a clevis including a lower clevis portion having a motor drive shaft mounting aperture dimensioned to allow the radial adjustment feature. The motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element. The motor mounting assembly is further configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael M. Azzouz, Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeffrey A. Wallace, Timothy J. Potter, Gerald J. Heath
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Patent number: 10267258Abstract: Methods of honing a surface are disclosed. The method may include spraying a coating having an initial average bulk porosity onto an engine bore wall and honing the coating to create an intermediate honed surface. The method may then include cleaning the intermediate honed surface and honing the intermediate honed surface with a cutting force of, for example, 110-130 kgf after the cleaning step. This may create a honed surface having an average porosity greater than the initial average bulk porosity. The methods may create a honed surface having a porosity that is more porous than the initially sprayed coating. The increased porosity of the honed surface may allow for increased oil retention in, for example, engine bores.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Clifford E. Maki, Timothy George Beyer, Arup Kumar Gangopadhyay, Hamed Ghaednia, Larry Dean Elie, James Maurice Boileau
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Publication number: 20190071913Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Publication number: 20190063138Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. The power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying as swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying to the controller one or more user-inputted selections for controlling door swing, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10186939Abstract: Alternator/starters and methods for providing electrical power to a vehicle and rotating an engine are disclosed. In one example, the alternator/starter provides a differential action whereby torque on an input side of the alternator may be maintained while speed of an output side of the alternator may be varied. The alternator/starter includes two armature windings and two field windings.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Larry Dean Elie
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Publication number: 20190017463Abstract: A method includes spraying a coating on to an engine bore surface, honing the coated surface to create a honed surface region, and cleaning the honed surface region to remove material from the surface pores. The honed surface region includes a plurality of surface pores and upper, middle, and lower regions. Cleaning the honed surface region produces upper, middle, and lower region surface porosities, with the middle region porosity being greater than at least one of the upper and lower porosities.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: CLIFFORD E. MAKI, LARRY DEAN ELIE, JAMES DOUGLAS ERVIN, TIMOTHY GEORGE BEYER, HAMED GHAEDNIA, JAMES MAURICE BOILEAU
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Patent number: 10180114Abstract: A method includes spraying a coating on to an engine bore surface, honing the coated surface to create a honed surface region, and cleaning the honed surface region to remove material from the surface pores. The honed surface region includes a plurality of surface pores and upper, middle, and lower regions. Cleaning the honed surface region produces upper, middle, and lower region surface porosities, with the middle region porosity being greater than at least one of the upper and lower porosities.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Clifford E. Maki, Larry Dean Elie, James Douglas Ervin, Timothy George Beyer, Hamed Ghaednia, James Maurice Boileau
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Patent number: 10173647Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically cleaning the exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The systems can include a motorized robot, cleaning element, and camera all communicatively linked to a processor. The processor can receive CAD information regarding the shape and size of the exterior surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned along with information regarding the position of the motorized robot on the vehicle. The processor can then determine an efficient path for the motorized robot to travel across the vehicle surfaces. Along the course of its travel, the motorized robot can employ the cleaning element to remove dirt or other debris from the vehicle surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Patent number: 10161175Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises a door actuator, at least one sensor, and a controller. The at least one sensor is configured to capture data corresponding to an environment local to the vehicle. The controller is configured to process the data to identify at least one object moving proximate the vehicle and control the door actuator to oppose an opening motion of the door in response to the identification of the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Publication number: 20180363989Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems for heat transfer and methods of preparing heat transfer mediums. In various embodiments are described heat transfer mediums comprising a plurality of microparticles suspended in a bulk material with each microparticle containing a phase change material. In other embodiments are described fluids comprising of a slurry of microparticles containing phase change fluid in a carrier liquid for a fast charger system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean ELIE, Allan Roy GALE
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Patent number: 10151132Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures