Patents by Inventor Michael Joseph Walraven

Michael Joseph Walraven 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: 7133812
    Abstract: A method of parametric design of an instrument panel support structure for an instrument panel on a vehicle includes the step of determining an input parameter, such that the input parameter is a three dimensional coordinate defining the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle. The method also includes the step of generating a design of the instrument panel support structure using the input parameter and determining if the design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria. The method further includes the step of modifying the input parameter if the design of the instrument panel support structure does not meet the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Michael Joseph Walraven, Jared Clark, Daniel Cornelius Bach
  • Patent number: 6113643
    Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle based on occupant vision orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors vision study is electronically performed to determine occupant vision with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined vision criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the vision criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Nicholas D. McGuire, Frederick Abraham Karam, Sean James Sevrence, Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Michael Joseph Walraven, Mark Russell Henault
  • Patent number: 6113644
    Abstract: A computer based system and method orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors reach study is electronically performed to determine occupant reach with respect to the at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the vehicle, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or any combination thereof, so that the design meets the reach criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the reach criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Joseph J. Moon, Frederick Abraham Karam, Sean James Sevrence, Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Michael Joseph Walraven, Mark Russell Henault
  • Patent number: 6110216
    Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors study is electronically performed to determine occupant interaction with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Jr., Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Mark Russell Henault, Sean James Sevrence, Michael Joseph Walraven, Frederick Abraham Karam
  • Patent number: 6096086
    Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors occupant-to-vehicle interaction study is electronically performed to determine occupant interaction with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined interaction criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the interaction criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Joseph J. Moon, Frederick Abraham Karam, Sean James Sevrence, Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Michael Joseph Walraven, Mark Russell Henault
  • Patent number: 6096087
    Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors reflection study is electronically performed to determine occupant reflection reception with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined reflection criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the reflection criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Jr., Nicholas D. McGuire, Frederick Abraham Karam, Sean James Sevrence, Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Michael Joseph Walraven, Mark Russell Henault
  • Patent number: 6090148
    Abstract: A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors study is electronically performed to determine occupant interaction with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Weber, Daniel Cornelius Bach, Frederick Abraham Karam, Sean James Sevrence, Scott Ming-Hua Tang, Michael Joseph Walraven, Mark Russell Henault