Patents by Inventor Mark G. Smith

Mark G. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20240115449
    Abstract: An embodiment of a storage device for medical products includes a cabinet defining an enclosure having a plurality of compartments. In addition, the storage device includes a plurality of storage containers, each storage container configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of compartments. Further, the storage device includes an actuation assembly including a plurality of arms that are configured to engage the plurality of storage containers so as to secure the plurality of storage containers in the plurality of compartments. Still further, the storage device includes a release mechanism that is configured to simultaneously actuate each of the plurality of arms to release the plurality of storage containers from the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20240093476
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a flush engine having a bowl defining a sump and a trapway extending from the sump. A bowl insert is configured to be located in the bowl and a shroud is configured to be positioned over the flush engine to conceal at least a portion of the flush engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
  • Publication number: 20230406071
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle climate control system including a compressor, at least one sensor, and at least one controller is provided. The compressor is configured to circulate fluid about a refrigerant loop. The at least one sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a pressure of the fluid in the refrigerant loop. The at least one controller is programmed to control a first valve to open to enable the fluid to flow to an evaporator for a battery responsive to the pressure of the fluid being greater than a predetermined pressure level to reduce the pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: Mark G. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11688903
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a cooling system including a chiller, a coolant circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a pump, and a compressor. The coolant circuit bypasses the chiller. The refrigerant circuit incorporates the chiller. The pump is configured to move coolant through the coolant circuit. The compressor is configured to move refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The vehicle climate control system also includes a controller configured to, in response to a temperature of a battery exceeding a threshold while the pump is moving fluid through the coolant circuit, activate the chiller and the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Mark G. Smith, Neil Robert Burrows, Bo Wu
  • Patent number: 11597252
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle and method for heating a passenger cabin of an electrified vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric machine and a traction battery for supplying the electric machine control an electric heating element to store thermal energy while the vehicle is connected to an external power source that is also used to charge the traction battery, and to extract stored thermal energy during operation of the vehicle with the electric heating element turned off to extend the electric driving range of the vehicle while also providing heat to the passenger cabin. The electric heating element may positioned and controlled to heat one or more elements directly by mechanical contact, or indirectly by heating a circulating liquid coolant to a temperature above a current or anticipated external ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Zenner, Daniel Benjamin Kok, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230053169
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system includes, by a controller, responsive to a same blower motor request, operating a blower motor at a first speed responsive to a heater core isolation valve (HCIV) directing coolant used to heat a cabin to an engine. The method further includes, by the controller, responsive to the same blower motor request, operating the blower motor at a second speed less than the first speed responsive to the HCIV directing the coolant to an electric heater and not to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Mark G. SMITH, Chris George OEHRING, Jasbir JAGLAN, Angel Fernando PORRAS
  • Publication number: 20220371400
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system when an ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature is provided. In response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold temperature, a controller is adapted to operate a blower motor at a voltage that depends on whether the vehicle is in charge sustain mode or charge deplete mode. In response to an ambient temperature being greater than a threshold temperature, the controller is adapted to operate the blower motor at a voltage that does not depend on whether in the charge sustain or charge deplete modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jasbir Jaglan, William Stewart Johnston, Alan Douglas Wallington, Curtis Mark Jones, Chris George Oehring, Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 11491846
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system includes, by a controller, responsive to a same blower motor request, operating a blower motor at a first speed responsive to a heater core isolation valve (HCIV) directing coolant used to heat a cabin to an engine. The method further includes, by the controller, responsive to the same blower motor request, operating the blower motor at a second speed less than the first speed responsive to the HCIV directing the coolant to an electric heater and not to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Chris George Oehring, Jasbir Jaglan, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 11413932
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system when an ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature is provided. In response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold temperature, a controller is adapted to operate a blower motor at a voltage that depends on whether the vehicle is in charge sustain mode or charge deplete mode. The controller operates the blower motor according to a first voltage responsive to a charge sustain mode, and operates the blower motor according to a second voltage different than the first voltage in response to a charge deplete mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jasbir Jaglan, William Stewart Johnston, Alan Douglas Wallington, Curtis Mark Jones, Chris George Oehring, Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 11214114
    Abstract: A traction battery thermal management system is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery loop for regulating the traction battery temperature. A motor loop is provided for regulating a motor temperature. The thermal management system also includes a radiator. A radiator valve selectively controls fluid flow through the radiator. A battery valve selectively couples the battery loop and the motor loops. The battery loop, the motor loop are in fluid communication and arranged in parallel to be cooled by the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, William Samuel Schwartz, Kenneth J. Jackson, David Fabricatore
  • Patent number: 10933718
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vehicle configured to prevent oil entrapment within a refrigerant system of the vehicle. This disclosure also relates to a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a refrigerant system configured to circulate fluid including a mixture of refrigerant and oil relative to an evaporator, a controller, and an electronic expansion valve upstream of the evaporator. The electronic expansion valve is responsive to instructions from the controller, and the controller is configured to instruct the electronic expansion valve to open to prevent entrapment of oil within the evaporator or refrigerant lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Timothy Noah Blatchley
  • Publication number: 20200361288
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vehicle configured to prevent oil entrapment within a refrigerant system of the vehicle. This disclosure also relates to a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a refrigerant system configured to circulate fluid including a mixture of refrigerant and oil relative to an evaporator, a controller, and an electronic expansion valve upstream of the evaporator. The electronic expansion valve is responsive to instructions from the controller, and the controller is configured to instruct the electronic expansion valve to open to prevent entrapment of oil within the evaporator or refrigerant lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Timothy Noah Blatchley
  • Publication number: 20200338953
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle and method for heating a passenger cabin of an electrified vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric machine and a traction battery for supplying the electric machine control an electric heating element to store thermal energy while the vehicle is connected to an external power source that is also used to charge the traction battery, and to extract stored thermal energy during operation of the vehicle with the electric heating element turned off to extend the electric driving range of the vehicle while also providing heat to the passenger cabin. The electric heating element may positioned and controlled to heat one or more elements directly by mechanical contact, or indirectly by heating a circulating liquid coolant to a temperature above a current or anticipated external ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas ZENNER, Daniel Benjamin KOK, Timothy Noah BLATCHLEY, Mark G. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10457118
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop, and a controller. The first cooling loop includes a compressor and a chiller. The second cooling loop includes a valve and an evaporator. The second cooling loop extends from an input side to an output side of the chiller on the first loop. The controller is programmed to, responsive to operation of the chiller but not the evaporator, close and intermittently pulse open the valve each time a discharge pressure of the compressor exceeds a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianqing Xu, Jasbir Jaglan, Mark G. Smith, Yinhua Zheng
  • Publication number: 20190315192
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system includes, by a controller, responsive to a same blower motor request, operating a blower motor at a first speed responsive to a heater core isolation valve (HCIV) directing coolant used to heat a cabin to an engine. The method further includes, by the controller, responsive to the same blower motor request, operating the blower motor at a second speed less than the first speed responsive to the HCIV directing the coolant to an electric heater and not to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Mark G. SMITH, Chris George OEHRING, Jasbir JAGLAN, Angel Fernando PORRAS
  • Patent number: 10427494
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Alan Wong, Debasish Dhar, Alan Gutowski, Alan Douglas Wallington, Manfred Koberstein, Mark G. Smith, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Publication number: 20190273296
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a cooling system including a chiller, a coolant circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a pump, and a compressor. The coolant circuit bypasses the chiller. The refrigerant circuit incorporates the chiller. The pump is configured to move coolant through the coolant circuit. The compressor is configured to move refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The vehicle climate control system also includes a controller configured to, in response to a temperature of a battery exceeding a threshold while the pump is moving fluid through the coolant circuit, activate the chiller and the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Mark G. Smith, Neil Robert Burrows, Bo Wu
  • Patent number: 10293658
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a traction battery of an electrified motor vehicle. That cooling system includes a cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a plurality of flow control valves and a control system. That control system includes a controller configured to (a) control operation of the plurality of flow control valves and (b) prioritize cabin cooling over traction battery cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark G. Smith, Brett Allen Dunn
  • Patent number: 10282735
    Abstract: A system and method for determining total capacity, amount reserved or sold and remaining availability of ad impressions for an online advertising publishing system. Calculations may be based on multiple factors including for example 1) actuals of historical data of ad impression delivery, 2) various delivery parameters including ad targeting overlap with other ads, timing, priority and impression goals, and 3) a mathematical algorithm and calculations of the above incorporating adjustments due to seasonality and market factors. The resulting calculations are used to reserve, schedule and target advertisements to be delivered over a network to be viewed by consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: AutoTrader.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Karson, Mark G. Smith, Michael J. Burgiss
  • Publication number: 20190111760
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop, and a controller. The first cooling loop includes a compressor and a chiller. The second cooling loop includes a valve and an evaporator. The second cooling loop extends from an input side to an output side of the chiller on the first loop. The controller is programmed to, responsive to operation of the chiller but not the evaporator, close and intermittently pulse open the valve each time a discharge pressure of the compressor exceeds a first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jianqing XU, Jasbir JAGLAN, Mark G. SMITH, Yinhua ZHENG