Patents by Inventor Michael J. Veenstra
Michael J. Veenstra 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: 20240068642Abstract: A light projector including a light source coupled to a base and a lens assembly. A sheath can be overmolded over the base and can form a locator sleeve. An aperture can be overmolded over the light source. The locator sleeve can fix the spatial relationship between the light source and the lens assembly. The lens assembly can include a spacer to fix the spatial relationship between two or more lenses in the lens assembly. A thermal management system can be coupled to the sheath to help reduce the temperature of the light projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Thomas J. Veenstra, Michael L. Lanser, Balázs I. Váci
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Patent number: 11738636Abstract: Filling methods and systems are provided for a conformable fuel tank. In one example, a system comprises an active thermal management arrangement for the conformable fuel tank. The active thermal management arrangement comprises one or more recirculation passage for mixing hot fuel distal to an inlet port of the conformable fuel tank with cool incoming fuel flowing to the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael J. Veenstra, Bert Hobein, Florian Huth, Stella Papasavva, Matthew Riley, Michael Conrad
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Patent number: 10960995Abstract: A method of filling a hydrogen-storage tank with a metal-organic framework (MOF) includes inserting MOF through an opening of the hydrogen-storage tank to at least partially fill an interior cavity of the tank with MOF. The method further includes positioning a compactor relative to the tank. The compactor includes a tamp configured to change shape between an insertion state in which the tamp is insertable through the opening and an expanded state in which the tamp is enlarged to be bigger than the opening. The method also includes inserting the tamp through the opening when the tamp is in the insertion state and switching the tamp from the insertion state to the expanded state. The method further includes compacting the MOF with the tamp.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Justin Purewal, Michael J. Veenstra, Frank Rudowski
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Publication number: 20210070164Abstract: Filling methods and systems are provided for a conformable fuel tank. In one example, a system comprises an active thermal management arrangement for the conformable fuel tank. The active thermal management arrangement comprises one or more recirculation passage for mixing hot fuel distal to an inlet port of the conformable fuel tank with cool incoming fuel flowing to the inlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Michael J. Veenstra, Bert Hobein, Florian Huth, Stella Papasavva, Matthew Riley, Michael Conrad
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Publication number: 20210024231Abstract: A method of filling a hydrogen-storage tank with a metal-organic framework (MOF) includes inserting MOF through an opening of the hydrogen-storage tank to at least partially fill an interior cavity of the tank with MOF. The method further includes positioning a compactor relative to the tank. The compactor includes a tamp configured to change shape between an insertion state in which the tamp is insertable through the opening and an expanded state in which the tamp is enlarged to be bigger than the opening. The method also includes inserting the tamp through the opening when the tamp is in the insertion state and switching the tamp from the insertion state to the expanded state. The method further includes compacting the MOF with the tamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Justin Purewal, Michael J. Veenstra, Frank Rudowski
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Patent number: 10619794Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a shell, a first boss, a second boss, and a reinforcement support. The shell defines an internal cavity. The first and second bosses are disposed within the cavity and respectively extend through opposing longitudinal ends of the shell. The first boss defines a longitudinally extending central orifice. The reinforcement support is disposed within the cavity, is secured to the first boss radially outward of the central orifice, extends from the first boss to the second boss, and is secured to the second boss.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael J. Veenstra, Bert Hobein, Stella Papasavva, Julio Orozco Santos Coy, Justin Purewal
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Publication number: 20190285227Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a shell, a first boss, a second boss, and a reinforcement support. The shell defines an internal cavity. The first and second bosses are disposed within the cavity and respectively extend through opposing longitudinal ends of the shell. The first boss defines a longitudinally extending central orifice. The reinforcement support is disposed within the cavity, is secured to the first boss radially outward of the central orifice, extends from the first boss to the second boss, and is secured to the second boss.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Michael J. VEENSTRA, Bert HOBEIN, Stella PAPASAVVA, Julio Orozco Santos COY, Justin PUREWAL
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Patent number: 9757710Abstract: Methods of forming a high surface area compacted MOF powder are disclosed, as well as MOF pellets formed thereby. The method may include synthesizing a metal organic framework (MOF) powder using a first solvent, exchanging the first solvent with a second solvent such that pores of the MOF powder are at least 10% filled with the second solvent, compacting the MOF powder having pores at least 10% filled with the second solvent into a pellet, and desolvating the compacted pellet to remove the second solvent. The pellet may maintain a specific surface area after compacting that is at least 80% its initial specific surface area. Compacting the MOF powder with a solvent at least partially filling its pores may prevent or reduce crushing of the MOF pore structure and maintain surface area, for example, for hydrogen or natural gas storage.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chunchuan Xu, Justin Purewal, Michael J. Veenstra
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Patent number: 9677696Abstract: A connection for conducting pressurized fluids between a tube and a connection component having a bore for receiving the tube. A clamping ring surrounds the tube and is seated on a seat between first and second bore segments and has an annular lip extending away from the seat. A locking bolt having a through-hole receiving the tube is threaded into the first bore segment and contacts the ring, an annular collar projecting from the locking bolt surrounding the lip and urging it radially inward to grip the tube when the bolt is tightened against the clamping ring. A sealing ring surrounding the tube is positioned between the clamping ring and a sealing ring seat defined between the second and third bore segments.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bert Hobein, Michael J. Veenstra
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Publication number: 20160061363Abstract: A connection for conducting pressurized fluids between a tube and a connection component having a bore for receiving the tube. A clamping ring surrounds the tube and is seated on a seat between first and second bore segments and has an annular lip extending away from the seat. A locking bolt having a through-hole receiving the tube is threaded into the first bore segment and contacts the ring, an annular collar projecting from the locking bolt surrounding the lip and urging it radially inward to grip the tube when the bolt is tightened against the clamping ring. A sealing ring surrounding the tube is positioned between the clamping ring and a sealing ring seat defined between the second and third bore segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Bert HOBEIN, Michael J. VEENSTRA
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Patent number: 9006137Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a compressed gaseous fuel storage pellet is provided comprising a gas adsorbent material and a thermally conductive material extending substantially an entire dimension of the pellet and having a thermal conductivity of at least 75 W/mK. The pellet may include at least two layers of gas adsorbent material spaced apart along a compression direction of the pellet and a substantially continuous layer of the thermally conductive material disposed between the at least two layers of gas adsorbent material. The pellet may further include thermally conductive projections which intersect the layer(s) of thermally conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachel Blaser, Michael J. Veenstra, Chunchuan Xu
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Publication number: 20140332711Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a compressed gaseous fuel storage pellet is provided comprising a gas adsorbent material and a thermally conductive material extending substantially an entire dimension of the pellet and having a thermal conductivity of at least 75 W/mK. The pellet may include at least two layers of gas adsorbent material spaced apart along a compression direction of the pellet and a substantially continuous layer of the thermally conductive material disposed between the at least two layers of gas adsorbent material. The pellet may further include thermally conductive projections which intersect the layer(s) of thermally conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachel Blaser, Michael J. Veenstra, Chunchuan Xu
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Patent number: 7350604Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for an automotive vehicle includes a gaseous fuel storage tank and an associated pressure sensor for monitoring pressurized gas contained within the storage tank. A parameter-driven routine monitors the integrity of the tank by tracking filing cycles marked by the increase of the tank pressure from a first threshold to a second threshold. Mitigation actions may be taken in the event that the filling cycles exceed a predetermined number, or in the event that other system integrity monitoring indicates that mitigation is in order.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael J. Veenstra, Majed Mohammed, Daniel J. Walesky, Brian C. Moorhead