Patents by Inventor Mark Edward Nichols
Mark 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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Patent number: 11952172Abstract: An accessory for use with a portable container includes a jacket configured to extend around at least a portion of the sidewall of the container, the jacket including a plurality of modular sections formed separately and connected together around the at least a portion of the sidewall of the container. The modular sections include a first modular section having extending around a first portion of the sidewall of the container, a second modular section connected to the first modular section and extending around a second portion of the sidewall of the container, and at least one additional modular section extending around a third portion of the sidewall of the container. The first and second modular sections have different structural configurations. The accessory also includes a first connection member connected to the jacket and configured to support the jacket in connection with the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLCInventors: Kyle Edward Rogers, Andrew M. Bosway, Scott Barbieri, Steve Charles Nichols, Mark Carlson Rane, Donald Edward Desroches
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Publication number: 20240092534Abstract: An accessory for use with a portable container includes a jacket configured to extend around at least a portion of the sidewall of the container, the jacket including a plurality of modular sections formed separately and connected together around the at least a portion of the sidewall of the container. The modular sections include a first modular section having extending around a first portion of the sidewall of the container, a second modular section connected to the first modular section and extending around a second portion of the sidewall of the container, and at least one additional modular section extending around a third portion of the sidewall of the container. The first and second modular sections have different structural configurations. The accessory also includes a first connection member connected to the jacket and configured to support the jacket in connection with the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Kyle Edward Rogers, Andrew M. Bosway, Scott Barbieri, Steve Charles Nichols, Mark Carlson Rane, Donald Edward Desroches
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Patent number: 11878318Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Patent number: 11872580Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Aaron M. Fiala
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Publication number: 20230311192Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal component includes performing a test stamping process on a test sheet metal blank, generating a strain map of the test sheet metal blank for the test stamping process, generating a lubrication program based on the strain map, applying lubrication to the sheet metal according to the lubrication program, and stamping the sheet metal to form the metal component. The lubrication program is configured to control a lubrication system to apply lubrication to sheet metal in a non-uniform distribution across the sheet metal. The non-uniform distribution correlates to the strain map.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David John Hill, S. George Luckey, JR., Mark Edward Nichols, Rosa Lynda Nuno, Yun Bai
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Patent number: 11675111Abstract: An assembly includes a sensor lens, a polymer film adhered to the sensor lens, a hydrophilic coating applied to the sensor lens, and a fluid layer between the sensor lens and the polymer film, wherein the fluid layer is disposed on the hydrophilic coating.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters
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Publication number: 20230105482Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating to a substrate includes a nozzle and at least one electrode. The nozzle defines a plurality of apertures. The nozzle includes a nozzle plate, a nozzle body, and an actuator. The nozzle plate defines the apertures. The nozzle body and an inner side of the nozzle plate define a reservoir in fluid communication with the first apertures. The actuator is configured to vibrate the nozzle plate to eject droplets of a liquid from the reservoir through the first apertures. The at least one electrode is configured to directly or indirectly electrostatically charge the droplets with a charge that repels the droplets from each other to reduce coalescence of the droplets before the droplets reach the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2021Publication date: April 6, 2023Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 11542384Abstract: An additive article stabilizing method includes prior to polymerization, adding a radiation-activated stabilizing composition to a liquid resin, forming the article from the liquid resin, layer by layer, using radiation such that the stabilizing composition does not stabilize the liquid resin but the formed article, and neutralizing free radicals generated during a degradation process initiated by exposure of the article to additional radiation post-cure.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emily Ann Ryan, Mark Edward Nichols, Ellen Cheng-Chi Lee, Christopher Michael Seubert, Deborah Frances Mielewski, Nicholas Ryan Gunther, Matthew Linden Bedell
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Publication number: 20220347710Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Aaron M. Fiala
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Publication number: 20220314263Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Publication number: 20220274127Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Patent number: 11413643Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Aaron Fiala
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Patent number: 11400477Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Patent number: 11364516Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Patent number: 11331893Abstract: A film-application apparatus includes a body including a first body half, a second body half, and a hinge coupling the body halves; and a squeegee blade movable from a first position relative to the body to a second position relative to the body. The second body half is rotatable about the hinge relative to the first body half to a closed position. When the second body half is in the closed position, the body includes a top ring and a bottom ring both centered on an axis and defining an axial gap therebetween. When the second body half is in the closed position and the body is enclosing a sensor having a cylindrical sensor window, the axial gap exposes the cylindrical sensor window, and moving the squeegee blade from the first position to the second position covers substantially an entire surface area of the cylindrical sensor window.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Michael Robertson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220018994Abstract: An assembly includes a sensor lens, a polymer film adhered to the sensor lens, a hydrophilic coating applied to the sensor lens, and a fluid layer between the sensor lens and the polymer film, wherein the fluid layer is disposed on the hydrophilic coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters
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Publication number: 20210331394Abstract: A method of forming a part includes 3D printing a photopolymerizable resin and forming a preformed part and subsequently post-curing the preformed part with electron beams. The preformed part may be cured via UV curing. A section of the preformed part post-cured with electron beams may have a thickness of at least 1.0 centimeter, for example, at least 2.0 centimeters or at least 3.0 centimeters. An electron beam dosage to post-cure the preformed part may be between 10 kilogray (kGy) and 100 kGy. The preformed part may be 3D printed using stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP) or material jetting (MJ) and the photopolymerizable resin may include at least one of an acrylate functional polymer and a methacrylate functional polymer. In the alternative, or in addition to, the photopolymerizable resin may include at least one of a urethane, a polyester, and a polyether.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Ellen Cheng-chi Lee
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Publication number: 20210268785Abstract: A film-application apparatus includes a body including a first body half, a second body half, and a hinge coupling the body halves; and a squeegee blade movable from a first position relative to the body to a second position relative to the body. The second body half is rotatable about the hinge relative to the first body half to a closed position. When the second body half is in the closed position, the body includes a top ring and a bottom ring both centered on an axis and defining an axial gap therebetween. When the second body half is in the closed position and the body is enclosing a sensor having a cylindrical sensor window, the axial gap exposes the cylindrical sensor window, and moving the squeegee blade from the first position to the second position covers substantially an entire surface area of the cylindrical sensor window.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Michael Robertson, JR.
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Publication number: 20210087357Abstract: An additive article stabilizing method includes prior to polymerization, adding a radiation-activated stabilizing composition to a liquid resin, forming the article from the liquid resin, layer by layer, using radiation such that the stabilizing composition does not stabilize the liquid resin but the formed article, and neutralizing free radicals generated during a degradation process initiated by exposure of the article to additional radiation post-cure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2018Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Emily Ann RYAN, Mark Edward NICHOLS, Ellen Cheng-Chi LEE, Christopher Michael SEUBERT, Deborah Frances MIELEWSKI, Nicholas Ryan GUNTHER, Matthew Linden BEDELL
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Publication number: 20210023581Abstract: An ultrasonic atomization material applicator includes a material applicator with at least one transducer and an array plate with an array of micro-applicators. Each of the micro-applicators has a material inlet, a reservoir, and a micro-applicator plate with a plurality of apertures. At least one supply line is in communication with the micro-applicators and configured to supply at least one material to each of the micro-applicators. The at least one ultrasonic transducer is mechanically coupled to the at least one array of micro-applicators and configured to vibrate the at least one array of micro-applicators such that atomized droplets of the at least one material are ejected from each of the micro-applicators. A movement device configured to cyclically move the at least one array of micro-applicators back and forth about at least one axis of the at least one array of micro-applicators can be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu