Patents by Inventor Robert Alex Mitchell
Robert Alex Mitchell 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).
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Publication number: 20230339363Abstract: A non-pressurized fluid reservoir for a vehicle coolant system includes a bottle configured to store fluid. The bottle has a neck defining an inner circumferential surface that is devoid of threads. The reservoir further includes a cap having a lid and a shank extending from the lid. The shank has an outer circumferential surface and with a spiral ramp supported on the outer circumferential surface to encircle a portion of the shank. The shank is receivable within the neck with the spiral ramp adjacent to the inner circumferential surface to mitigate fluid leaks through the neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Arindam Basu, Erik Thomas Andersen, Charles Wyman, Michael Joseph Giunta
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Patent number: 11111839Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a first cooling circuit having a first operating temperature range when the vehicle is in an operational state, a second cooling circuit having a second operating temperature range, and a degas bottle. The degas bottle has a first chamber operably coupled to the first cooling circuit and a second chamber operably coupled to the second cooling circuit. The degas bottle includes a fill port operably coupled to the second chamber and a flow restrictor disposed at a divider separating the first and second chambers. The flow restrictor is configured to open to enable cooling fluid provided via the fill port, when the vehicle is in a non-operational state, to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber and be closed when the vehicle is in the operational state to prevent the cooling fluid from flowing between the first and second chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mursel Ayva, Robert Alex Mitchell, Eduardo Correia
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Publication number: 20210207522Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a first cooling circuit having a first operating temperature range when the vehicle is in an operational state, a second cooling circuit having a second operating temperature range, and a degas bottle. The degas bottle has a first chamber operably coupled to the first cooling circuit and a second chamber operably coupled to the second cooling circuit. The degas bottle includes a fill port operably coupled to the second chamber and a flow restrictor disposed at a divider separating the first and second chambers. The flow restrictor is configured to open to enable cooling fluid provided via the fill port, when the vehicle is in a non-operational state, to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber and be closed when the vehicle is in the operational state to prevent the cooling fluid from flowing between the first and second chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Mursel Ayva, Robert Alex Mitchell, Eduardo Correia
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Patent number: 10611332Abstract: A collapsible fluid reservoir capable of being displaced from its operational position during normal vehicle use to a position that is pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir is attached to the body structure by a hinge assembly and a breakaway connector. The hinge assembly may be one of various structures that allow the reservoir to pivot away from the operational position in an impact event without allowing the reservoir to become completely detached from the body structure. The reservoir may include upper and lower portions or may be of one piece construction. Support arms are attached to the reservoir. The arms may be integrally formed with the portion. The hinge assembly may be one of a living hinge, a C-clip assembly and a ball-and-socket assembly. The breakaway connector may be a pin or a flange having a relatively thin breakaway area.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Robert Tylutki, Robert Alex Mitchell
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Patent number: 10487718Abstract: One general aspect includes a cap for a the overflow reservoir bottle, including a lower cup having a syncline void, said syncline void having by a wall extending above and below at least one surface of the lower cup. The cap also includes an upper cup with an anticline projection nesting adjacent to the syncline void of the lower cup, and said upper cup affixed to the lower cup, with at least one vent to permit gas to traverse the overflow reservoir bottle.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Alsayyed, Robert Alex Mitchell, Sandy Corbett, Scott Russo, Jeannette Madej Richards
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Patent number: 10345177Abstract: Sensors are provided in reservoirs on internal combustion engines, and other applications, in which the reservoir is subjected to variations in pressure and temperature that cause the reservoir to exert variable forces on the sensor, thereby affecting sensor accuracy. To overcome problems in the prior art, a reservoir and sensor cartridge system are disclosing having: a reservoir with first and second openings, a cap coupled to the first opening, and a sensor cartridge disposed in the second opening. The sensor cartridge includes a sensor disposed in a body, a circumferential indentation formed in an outer surface of the body, a seal disposed in the indentation, and a retention feature provided on the body's outer surface. The circumferential indentation with the seal is axially displaced along the body from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Michael Joseph Giunta, Joshua Putman Styron, Jeanette Madej
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Publication number: 20190071049Abstract: A collapsible fluid reservoir capable of being displaced from its operational position during normal vehicle use to a position that is pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir is attached to the body structure by a hinge assembly and a breakaway connector. The hinge assembly may be one of various structures that allow the reservoir to pivot away from the operational position in an impact event without allowing the reservoir to become completely detached from the body structure. The reservoir may include upper and lower portions or may be of one piece construction. Support arms are attached to the reservoir. The arms may be integrally formed with the portion. The hinge assembly may be one of a living hinge, a C-clip assembly and a ball-and-socket assembly. The breakaway connector may be a pin or a flange having a relatively thin breakaway area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Daniel Robert Tylutki, Robert Alex Mitchell
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Publication number: 20180339674Abstract: An isolated coolant reservoir displaceable from an operational position to a position pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir relative to the vehicle's body structure is generally isolated either by external damping structures or by integrated or internal flexible mounts. Structures that provide external damping of the reservoir relative to the vehicle's body structure include flexible polymerized isolators and flexible metal isolators. Flexible polymerized isolators may be compressible insulators or may be flexible arms, both of which are positioned between the integral arms of the reservoir and the body structure. Flexible metal isolators may be springs or dampers. Integrated or internal flexible mounts include angular flexible arms having slotted ends that extend from the reservoir to the body structure. Further variations of the integrated arm structure include a living hinge incorporated into the arm and arcuate arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2017Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Daniel Robert Tylutki
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Publication number: 20180313710Abstract: Sensors are provided in reservoirs on internal combustion engines, and other applications, in which the reservoir is subjected to variations in pressure and temperature that cause the reservoir to exert variable forces on the sensor, thereby affecting sensor accuracy. To overcome problems in the prior art, a reservoir and sensor cartridge system are disclosing having: a reservoir with first and second openings, a cap coupled to the first opening, and a sensor cartridge disposed in the second opening. The sensor cartridge includes a sensor disposed in a body, a circumferential indentation formed in an outer surface of the body, a seal disposed in the indentation, and a retention feature provided on the body's outer surface. The circumferential indentation with the seal is axially displaced along the body from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Michael Joseph Giunta, Joshua Putman Styron, Jeanette Madej
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Publication number: 20180142606Abstract: One general aspect includes a cap for a the overflow reservoir bottle, including a lower cup having a syncline void, said syncline void having by a wall extending above and below at least one surface of the lower cup. The cap also includes an upper cup with an anticline projection nesting adjacent to the syncline void of the lower cup, and said upper cup affixed to the lower cup, with at least one vent to permit gas to traverse the overflow reservoir bottle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Alsayyed, Robert Alex Mitchell, Sandy Corbett, Scott Russo, Jeannette Madej Richards
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Patent number: 9419316Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
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Publication number: 20160190665Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
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Patent number: 9312582Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
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Publication number: 20130260194Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan