Patents by Inventor Oliver O. Nwankwo

Oliver O. Nwankwo 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: 10421495
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a low speed collision. The apparatus includes a headlamp adapted to breakaway to provide the vehicle with front end compliance for pedestrian protection. To avoid causing further damage to vehicle components during the low speed collision, a compressible stopper, such as a foam block, is provided for simultaneously engaging the headlamp and a component of the vehicle during the rearward movement of the headlamp as a result of the collision. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aileen M. DeVoe, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Paul Ribai, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Erika Kristin Low, Oliver O. Nwankwo
  • Publication number: 20180086384
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a low speed collision. The apparatus includes a headlamp adapted to breakaway to provide the vehicle with front end compliance for pedestrian protection. To avoid causing further damage to vehicle components during the low speed collision, a compressible stopper, such as a foam block, is provided for simultaneously engaging the headlamp and a component of the vehicle during the rearward movement of the headlamp as a result of the collision. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Aileen M. DeVoe, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Paul Ribai, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Erika Kristin Low, Oliver O. Nwankwo
  • Patent number: 9637076
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a plunger. A deformable wall extends along an axis and defines a cavity for receiving the plunger during relative movement between the plunger and the deformable wall resulting from impact between the bumper assembly and another object. A ledge is fixed to the deformable wall and extends between the cavity and the plunger for collapsing the deformable wall into the cavity. The deformable wall collapses inwardly to eliminate material stack up to accommodate packaging restraints in the design of the bumper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang, Matthew B. Makowski, Kirk David Arthurs
  • Publication number: 20160059809
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a plunger. A deformable wall extends along an axis and defines a cavity for receiving the plunger during relative movement between the plunger and the deformable wall resulting from impact between the bumper assembly and another object. A ledge is fixed to the deformable wall and extends between the cavity and the plunger for collapsing the deformable wall into the cavity. The deformable wall collapses inwardly to eliminate material stack up to accommodate packaging restraints in the design of the bumper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang, Matthew B. Makowski, Kirk David Arthurs
  • Patent number: 9168883
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a frame of a vehicle includes a rail defining a cavity. The cavity extends along an axis for receiving an energy absorbing member of a bumper assembly. A brace is fixed to the rail and includes a side wall extending along the axis in the cavity. The brace includes an end wall extending from the side wall in the cavity transversely to the axis adjacent to the energy absorbing member in the cavity. The rail defines a hole and the brace defines a hole aligned with the hole of the rail for receiving a fastener to engage the energy absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Matthew B. Makowski, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang