Patents by Inventor MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR.

MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR. 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: 20220018994
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters
  • Patent number: 11224902
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor window, a sensor having a field of view through the sensor window, a piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the piezoelectric vibrator. The computer is programmed to identify a type for an obstruction of the sensor window based on data from the sensor, and instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations having a vibration profile. The vibration profile has at least one of frequency or phase velocity chosen according to the identified type of obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Publication number: 20220009452
    Abstract: A solenoid valve in a manifold is commanded to move to a closed position. Upon activating a pump to supply fluid to the manifold via a supply line, a first pressure is determined in the supply line after commanding the solenoid valve to move to the closed position. Upon deactivating the pump to stop supplying fluid to the manifold, a second pressure is determined in the supply line. Based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the solenoid valve is determined to be one of (a) at least partially open or (b) in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 11156485
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, a sensing apparatus inside the housing and rotatable with the housing, a sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and a duct on an exterior of the housing. The sensing apparatus has a field of view through the sensor window. The duct includes an inlet open toward the direction of rotation and an outlet aimed across the sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11148609
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and including a panel including at least one aperture, at least one sensor fixed inside the chamber and having a field of view through a lens and the aperture, at least one annular disc attached to the sensor concentrically around the lens and including a radially outer edge contactlessly exposed to the chamber, and at least three vanes extending from the disc to the panel and arranged radially asymmetrically around the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20210268785
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Michael Robertson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210122497
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary moonroof systems for vehicles. An exemplary moonroof system may include a pod assembly that may be received within an opening of a headliner. The pod assembly may be utilized to dock, deploy, and land an unmanned aerial vehicle relative to the moonroof system. The pod assembly may include a charging and cooling system for charging and cooling the unmanned aerial vehicle when it is docked within the pod assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael ROBERTSON, JR., Segundo BALDOVINO, Venkatesh KRISHNAN, Raghuraman SURINEEDI
  • Publication number: 20210109345
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a contaminant on a lens of a sensor upon determining a force applied to the lens based on an electric current exceeding a threshold and to actuate a cleaning component to remove the contaminant from the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., James Pizzimenti, Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Publication number: 20210103036
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor having a field of view, a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct airflow across the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface including a plurality of heat-dissipation fins; and a cover extending over the fins and including an inlet. The inlet is positioned at an opposite edge of the sensor window from the air nozzle. The air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Raghu Raman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20210061233
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor including a sensor window; a nozzle aimed at the sensor window; a supply line to supply fluid to the nozzle; a primary reservoir to supply fluid to the supply line; a first valve actuatable to inject fluid from a first reservoir into the supply line; a second valve actuatable to inject fluid from a second reservoir into the supply line; a third valve actuatable to inject fluid from a third reservoir into the supply line; and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the valves. The computer is programmed to actuate the first valve in response to determining a first condition based on data from the sensor, actuate the second valve in response to determining a second condition based on data from the sensor, and actuate the third valve in response to determining a third condition based on data from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10928225
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing defining a chamber. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a deflector forward of the sensor and having a front surface designed to direct air upward and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The housing has a vent in fluid communication with the chamber and aimed at the rear surface of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghu Raman Surineedi, Matthew Dennis Smith Boswell, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210032922
    Abstract: A method includes predicting an environmental condition at a location to which a vehicle is travelling, the environmental condition including at least one of water, dust, and pollution, determining that an object within the vehicle is at a distance greater than a threshold distance from an unobstructed window of the vehicle, and then actuating the unobstructed window to a closed position based on the environmental condition and the object being at the distance from the window greater than the threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MICHAEL HERMAN, ASHWIN ARUNMOZHI, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR., TYLER D. HAMILTON
  • Patent number: 10908002
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and including a panel including an aperture, a sensor fixed inside the chamber and having a field of view through a lens and the aperture, and an annular disc attached to the sensor concentrically around the lens and including a radially outer edge contactlessly exposed to the chamber. An annular slot is defined by the disc. The slot extends at least 180° around the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Publication number: 20210025982
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor housing extending vertically upward from a sensor-housing bottom, a gutter elongated circumferentially around the sensor-housing bottom, a drain channel extending radially outward from the gutter, at least one air nozzle positioned radially outside the gutter and directed radially inward, and a panel extending above and radially inward from the air nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Sunil Reddy Patil, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Publication number: 20200393550
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing including a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber, a first sensor disposed in the second chamber and including a first sensor window facing outward from the second chamber, and a second sensor outside and fixed relative to the first chamber and the second chamber. The second sensor includes a second sensor window. The housing includes an intake from an exterior environment to the first chamber, a first outlet from the second chamber to the exterior environment, and a second outlet from the second chamber to the exterior environment. The first outlet is positioned to direct air across the first sensor window, and the second outlet is positioned to direct air across the second sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: TYLER D. HAMILTON, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, Jr., ASHLEY LUCAS, VENKATESH KRISHNAN
  • Publication number: 20200391231
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first sensor window defining a first plane, a second sensor window fixed relative to the first sensor window and defining a second plane different than the first plane, and a nozzle positioned to deliver fluid to the first and second sensor windows. The nozzle is translatable along a first axis, rotatable about the first axis, and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20200355807
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically, at least one air nozzle positioned below the sensor window and aimed upward, and a cap positioned above the sensor window and including a topside and an underside. The topside and the underside are disposed radially outward from the sensor window. The underside includes a first groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis, and the cross-section of the first groove curves from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: RASHAUN PHINISEE, SUNIL REDDY PATIL, VENKATESH KRISHNAN, SEGUNDO BALDOVINO, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR., RAGHU RAMAN SURINEEDI
  • Publication number: 20200346255
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor window, a sensor having a field of view through the sensor window, a piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the piezoelectric vibrator. The computer is programmed to identify a type for an obstruction of the sensor window based on data from the sensor, and instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations having a vibration profile. The vibration profile has at least one of frequency or phase velocity chosen according to the identified type of obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR., ASHWIN ARUNMOZHI, VENKATESH KRISHNAN, SEGUNDO BALDOVINO, RASHAUN PHINISEE
  • Patent number: 10802121
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a LIDAR sensor, a camera having a field of view encompassing a volume directly forward of the LIDAR sensor, a nozzle aimed at least partially upward and positioned forward of the LIDAR sensor, and a computer programmed to increase output from the nozzle upon determining that an object is traveling rearward through the field of view based on data received from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Matthew Dennis Smith Boswell, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200247329
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and including a panel including at least one aperture, at least one sensor fixed inside the chamber and having a field of view through a lens and the aperture, at least one annular disc attached to the sensor concentrically around the lens and including a radially outer edge contactlessly exposed to the chamber, and at least three vanes extending from the disc to the panel and arranged radially asymmetrically around the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Raghuraman Surineedi