Patents by Inventor Rashaun Phinisee

Rashaun Phinisee 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: 20240151833
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and having an air inlet. A blower is disposed in the chamber and is in fluid communication with the air inlet. The blower is positioned to direct air in a flow direction. A sensor is disposed in the chamber and has a lens. The sensor is spaced from the blower. An air nozzle is aimed to direct air across the lens. A duct is disposed in the chamber and is coupled to the blower and the air nozzle. The duct extends from the blower in a departure direction oblique to the flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Reddy Patil, Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Anthony Michael Regalbuto, Kunal Chaudhari, Mallikarjun Sukumar
  • Publication number: 20240149834
    Abstract: An assembly includes a fluid reservoir having a fluid outlet. The assembly includes a piston slidably supported in the fluid reservoir. The assembly includes a spring urging the piston toward an end of the fluid reservoir. The piston and the fluid reservoir define a working chamber in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. The assembly includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the working chamber via the fluid outlet. The assembly includes a valve between the nozzle and the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Sivaprasad Karnati, T Hariharan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Rashaun Phinisee, Kunal Singh
  • Publication number: 20240151854
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, a sensor unit attached to the housing, and a gutter fixed relative to the housing. The sensor unit includes a cylindrical shell defining a vertical axis. The cylindrical shell extends above a highest point of the housing. The cylindrical shell is rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The cylindrical shell includes a lower edge and extending upward along the axis from the lower edge. The gutter is elongated along the lower edge and positioned directly below the lower edge relative to the axis. The gutter defines an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the gutter relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and positioned to receive airflow from the airflow outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Tyler D. Hamilton, Alexander Petniunas, Subba Reddy Boggu
  • Patent number: 11975599
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction, the shell defining a window. The assembly includes a deflector extending radially outward from the shell at a leading edge of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr., Vahan Kazandjian, Venkatesh Krishnan, Navvab Khajehosseini
  • Patent number: 11976945
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing defining a pressurized chamber. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing, the shell enclosing a second chamber in fluid communication the pressurized chamber, the housing and the shell defining a gap therebetween. The assembly includes a ring supported by the housing, the ring defining an internal passage having an exhaust vent at the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Subba Reddy Boggu, Vahan Kazandjian, Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11976946
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing and a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the housing forward of the sensor. The deflector and the sensor define a spacing therebetween. The spacing is open to an ambient environment external of the housing. The deflector includes transparent material that permits light to pass through the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Navvab Khajehosseini, Rashaun Phinisee, Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20240123946
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a blower, a sensor, an air nozzle positioned to receive airflow from the blower and eject the airflow onto the sensor, an air pump positioned to eject airflow onto the sensor, and a heater mounted to the air pump and positioned to heat airflow passing through the air pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, LaRon Michelle Brown
  • Patent number: 11892564
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis and an air nozzle positioned at one end of the sensor window and shaped to direct airflow in a direction parallel to the axis across the sensor window. The air nozzle extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The nozzle is formed of an inner edge and an outer edge each extending circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The inner edge is circular with a radius at least as great as an outer radius of the sensor window. The outer edge includes a first portion with a semicircular shape with a radius smaller than the outer radius of the sensor window and a second portion that extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window from the first portion to the first portion at a constant radial distance from the inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Taneshia Turner, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11851032
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a sensor lens, a casing mounted to the sensor, and a fluid nozzle mounted to the casing. The casing at least partially defines a duct positioned to outlet airflow across the sensor lens, and the duct defines a direction of airflow. The fluid nozzle is aimed through the duct in the direction of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Regalbuto, Raghuraman Surineedi, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Whitney, Jose Alberto Gomez Ramirez, Benjamin Graham, Yifu Xiao
  • Patent number: 11812124
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an exterior body panel and a sensor assembly supported by the exterior body panel. The sensor assembly includes an image sensor and a cover being moveable to an assembled position at least partially enclosing the image sensor. A pressure sensor is activated by the cover in the assembled position. A lock releasably connects the cover to the exterior body panel and is actuatable framed on the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Patent number: 11780409
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing attachable to a vehicle and including a panel, a sensor window, a liquid nozzle fixed relative to the housing, and a tunnel. The panel includes a port. The sensor window is positioned in the port. The liquid nozzle is aimed at the sensor window. The liquid nozzle is positioned in a first horizontal direction from the port along the panel. The tunnel extends along the panel and is positioned in a second horizontal direction from the port, the second horizontal direction being opposite the first horizontal direction. The tunnel terminates at an opening positioned to receive fluid outputted by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Hamilton, Michael Robertson, Jr., Rashaun Phinisee, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Patent number: 11733356
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically and a ramp. The sensor window includes an exterior surface facing radially outward relative to the axis. The ramp is on the exterior surface of the sensor window. The ramp includes a leading surface and a trailing surface. The leading surface and the trailing surface are elongated parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Navvab Khajehosseini, Rashaun Phinisee, Vigidharan Ramanathan, Sunil Reddy Patil
  • Patent number: 11702044
    Abstract: Data about operating parameters external to a vehicle can be input to a neural network that outputs at least one profile defining at least one of a cleaning protocol or a cooling protocol for a vehicle sensor, wherein the operating parameters include one or more of current weather conditions, future weather conditions, images indicative of a current weather condition, city infrastructure, duration of a route to be traversed, a time period to traverse the route, and vehicle location. Operation of at least one of a cleaning device or a cooling device can be initiated according to the at least one of the cleaning protocol or the cooling protocol when the operating parameters to the at least one profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rashaun Phinisee, Venkatesh Krishnan, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Publication number: 20230194725
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield having a top edge. The vehicle includes a roof extending rearward from the top edge of the windshield. The vehicle includes a sensor assembly supported by the roof, the sensor assembly including at least one of a LIDAR sensor or a camera. The vehicle includes a deflector movable from a lowered position to a raised position and supported by the roof at the top edge of the windshield forward of and spaced from the sensor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Navvab Khajehosseini
  • Patent number: 11680830
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable around an axis relative to the base, a sensor window fixed relative to the sensor body, a sensing apparatus inside the sensor body and having a field of view through the sensor window, a vapor chamber fixed relative to the sensor body, and a heat pipe extending from the sensor body to the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber is spaced radially outward from the sensor body relative to the axis and has a curved shape extending circumferentially around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr., Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Segundo Baldovino
  • Publication number: 20230173899
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction, the shell defining a window. The assembly includes a deflector extending radially outward from the shell at a leading edge of the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, JR., Vahan Kazandjian, Venkatesh Krishnan, Navvab Khajehosseini
  • Patent number: 11662431
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a vehicle includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, and a cover. The sensor body includes a sensor window and a wall having heat fins elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The cover is positioned to cover the heat fins. The cover includes an inlet open in the direction of rotation. The cover defines an airflow path from the inlet through the heat fins. The cover includes an outlet positioned to direct air across the sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Raghuraman Surineedi, Tyler D. Hamilton, Rashaun Phinisee, Colm Boran
  • Publication number: 20230161005
    Abstract: An assembly includes a sensor housing defining an inlet. The assembly includes a sensor assembly rotatably supported by the sensor housing. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a cover surrounding the sensor. The sensor assembly has a cavity between the sensor and the cover. The inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Publication number: 20230135748
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a sensor lens, the sensor lens defining an axis; a housing panel including an aperture centered on the axis, the sensor lens being recessed from the aperture along the axis; and an air nozzle positioned between the aperture and the sensor lens along the axis and oriented to blow horizontally across the sensor lens. The aperture and the sensor lens define a gap positioned on an opposite lateral side of the sensor lens from the air nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Venkatesh Krishnan, Anthony Michael Regalbuto, Kunal Chaudhari
  • Publication number: 20230124645
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber. A sensor unit is supported by the housing and extends vertically upward along an axis from the housing. The sensor unit includes a base and a sensor housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base about the axis. The sensor unit includes a sensor. The sensor housing extends circumferentially around the sensor and defines a sensor chamber therebetween. A blower box is supported by the housing in the chamber. The blower box defines a blower chamber in fluid communication with the sensor chamber. A blower is disposed in the blower box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Kunal Chaudhari