Patents by Inventor Michael Mahfet

Michael Mahfet 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: 20070278803
    Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper that has enhanced energy absorption characteristics and that includes one or more unique geometry configurations that extend “softer” energy absorbing surfaces forward in the system while nesting more “rigid” energy absorbing surfaces more rearward only to come into effect when higher energy impacts are observed. The dual energy absorption may be achieved using a number of configurations and/or methods or a combination of several. In one or more embodiments, the wall thickness of the material used in the component or components may be varied, materials having different stiffness properties may be used, and/or geometries of different depth and section stiffness may be alternated across the bumper system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Jaarda, Michael Mahfet, Subhransu Mohapatra, Dhanendra Nagwanshi, Sreeram Ramani
  • Publication number: 20070200376
    Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper that has enhanced energy absorption characteristics and that includes one or more unique geometry configurations that extend “softer” energy absorbing surfaces forward in the system while nesting more “rigid” energy absorbing surfaces more rearward only to come into effect when higher energy impacts are observed. The dual energy absorption may be achieved using a number of configurations and/or methods or a combination of several. In one or more embodiments, the wall thickness of the material used in the component or components may be varied, materials having different stiffness properties may be used, and/or geometries of different depth and section stiffness may be alternated across the bumper system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Jaarda, Michael Mahfet, Subhransu Mohapatra, Dhanendra Nagwanshi, Sreeram Ramani
  • Patent number: 6938936
    Abstract: A bumper assembly (20) for an automotive vehicle is described. In an example embodiment, the assembly comprises a beam (24) and an injection molded energy absorber (22) secured to the beam. The energy absorber comprises at least one crash can (62). The assembly further comprises a fascia (26) for covering the beam and the energy absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frank Mooijman, Dominic McMahon, Michael Mahfet
  • Publication number: 20040145195
    Abstract: A bumper assembly (20) for an automotive vehicle is described. In an example embodiment, the assembly comprises a beam (24) and an injection molded energy absorber (22) secured to the beam. The energy absorber comprises at least one crash can (62). The assembly further comprises a fascia (26) for covering the beam and the energy absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Mooijman, Dominic McMahon, Michael Mahfet
  • Patent number: 6406081
    Abstract: An energy absorbing system for a vehicle includes an elongated energy absorber including a flanged frame for attachment to a reinforcing beam and a body including a plurality of spaced apart tunable crush boxes capable of deformation and progressive collapse upon impact for absorbing the energy of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Mahfet, Adam Trappe