Patents by Inventor Scott Christensen

Scott Christensen 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: 20210295440
    Abstract: Vehicle costs may be allocated between users of a vehicle, including autonomous vehicles. A vehicle cost allocation (VCA) computing device receives vehicle telematics data associated with trips performed by vehicle users using a vehicle. The VCA computing device is also configured to determine one or more vehicle costs associated with the trip based upon the vehicle telematics data. The vehicle costs may include usage-based or trip-based insurance. The VCA computing device is also configured to determine a respective portion of the vehicle cost to each of the one or more vehicle users, access a respective pre-paid account associated with each vehicle user, and transmit instructions to a respective financial institution associated with each pre-paid account to withdraw funds corresponding to the respective portion of the total vehicle cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory Hayward, Scott Christensen
  • Publication number: 20210237731
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that may be driven to or sold in different geographical locations that may have different engine emissions and fuel economy standards are described. The systems and methods may adjust vehicle operation to comply with standards that may be enforced where the vehicle is geographically located. The standards may apply to countries, treaty zones, race track areas, off-road areas, and other geographically related standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Scott Christensen, John Eric Rollinger, Adam Joseph Krach, Nicholas Herhusky, Michael Bastanipour, Scott Steadmon Thompson
  • Patent number: 11060464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an engine's position is adjusted during engine stopping so that the engine may be less likely to stop at a crankshaft angle where rotating a fuel pump may increase engine cranking torque due to work performed by the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, David Hancock, Alexander O'connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 11022061
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying degraded exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor responses. In one example, a method may include cycling an engine between a higher temperature operating mode and a lower temperature operating mode while maintaining engine torque output across the higher temperature operating mode and the lower temperature operating modes, both the higher temperature operating mode and the lower temperature operating mode providing stoichiometric exhaust gas to a downstream catalyst, and characterizing a response behavior of an EGT sensor based on output of the EGT sensor during the cycling. In this way, stepwise exhaust gas temperature changes are produced for characterizing the EGT sensor response without disrupting emissions and torque control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, Douglas Raymond Martin, Adam Joseph Krach
  • Patent number: 10988133
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine arranged to output a first torque to a driveshaft and an electric motor arranged to output a second torque to the driveshaft. The vehicle also includes an automatic transmission arranged to receive an input torque from the driveshaft. The vehicle further includes an exhaust system to output combustion byproduct from the engine. A vehicle controller is programmed to, during deceleration, cause the engine to apply a negative first torque to increase an audible exhaust system sound. The controller is also programmed to activate the electric motor to output a positive second torque such that the input torque to the automatic transmission does not exceed a transmission torque threshold during deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: M. Scott Christensen
  • Patent number: 10956982
    Abstract: Vehicle costs may be allocated between users of a vehicle, including autonomous vehicles. A vehicle cost allocation (VCA) computing device receives an anticipated trip report associated with an anticipated future trip, the anticipated trip report associated with at least one vehicle user including an anticipated driver of the vehicle and an anticipated passenger, the anticipated trip report including at least one of an anticipated destination and a distance of the anticipated future trip. The VCA computing device is also configured to determine one or more anticipated vehicle costs for the anticipated future trip. The vehicle costs may include usage-based or trip-based insurance. The VCA computing device is also configured to allocate a respective portion of the vehicle cost to the anticipated driver and passenger and transmit the anticipated vehicle costs to for review by the anticipated driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Hayward, Scott Christensen
  • Patent number: 10934964
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that may be driven to or sold in different geographical locations that may have different engine emissions and fuel economy standards are described. The systems and methods may adjust vehicle operation to comply with standards that may be enforced where the vehicle is geographically located. The standards may apply to countries, treaty zones, race track areas, off-road areas, and other geographically related standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Scott Christensen, Adam Joseph Krach, Michael Bastanipour, Nicholas Herhusky
  • Patent number: 10871140
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cycle-to-cycle torque reductions under exhaust component temperature constraints. In one example, a method may include, responsive to a torque reduction request, introducing a lambda split between two sets of cylinders over a plurality of engine cycles while maintaining an average of stoichiometry between the two sets of cylinders, and, responsive to reaching a lambda split threshold, introducing differentially delayed ignition timing in both sets of cylinders. In this way, fast torque reduction may be provided while maintaining a globally stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, thereby decreasing vehicle emissions, and reducing heat-related degradation to exhaust components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Scott Christensen, Aakash Puntambekar, Douglas Raymond Martin, Adam Joseph Krach, John Eric Rollinger
  • Patent number: 10859016
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and mitigating belt slip of an engine front end accessory drive are described. In one example, three different signals are input to a weighted average filter to determine the presence or absence of belt slip so that quality of an indication of belt slip may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, Nicholas Herhusky
  • Patent number: 10836397
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine and a transmission to reduce a catalyst light off time are disclosed. In one example, clutches of a transmission are operated to provide a desired load to the engine so that engine combustion stability may be improved while supplying heat to a catalyst so that the catalyst light off time may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Adam Joseph Krach, Michael Bastanipour, Nicholas Herhusky, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Publication number: 20200291908
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing and delivering engine sounds to a vehicle cabin based on a selected mode. In one example, a method may include adjusting openings of one or more valves fluidically coupling one or more corresponding engine regions to a sound tube of a sound enhancing system based on the selected mode. Throttle opening may also be adjusted to compensate for air routed from the engine regions to the sound tube instead of flowing to the engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Nicholas Herhusky, Michael Bastanipour, Hani Ayesh
  • Publication number: 20200262414
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine arranged to output a first torque to a driveshaft and an electric motor arranged to output a second torque to the driveshaft. The vehicle also includes an automatic transmission arranged to receive an input torque from the driveshaft. The vehicle further includes an exhaust system to output combustion byproduct from the engine. A vehicle controller is programmed to, during deceleration, cause the engine to apply a negative first torque to increase an audible exhaust system sound. The controller is also programmed to activate the electric motor to output a positive second torque such that the input torque to the automatic transmission does not exceed a transmission torque threshold during deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: M. Scott CHRISTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20200256262
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an engine's position is adjusted during engine stopping so that the engine may be less likely to stop at a crankshaft angle where rotating a fuel pump may increase engine cranking torque due to work performed by the fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, David Hancock, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Publication number: 20200240330
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an actuator of a variable inlet compressor coupled in an electric turbocharger. During torque transitions, an electrical power consumption of an electric boost assist motor is observed and used to infer an actual compressor speed and pressure ratio across the compressor. By comparing the measured pressure ratio to a compressor map, it may be determined if the actuator is stuck open or stuck closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Nicholas Herhusky, Michael Bastanipour
  • Publication number: 20200217257
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and mitigating belt slip of an engine front end accessory drive are described. In one example, three different signals are input to a weighted average filter to determine the presence or absence of belt slip so that quality of an indication of belt slip may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, Nicholas Herhusky
  • Patent number: 10706020
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for sharing CAx data includes receiving CAx data in a first CAx format from a first client, storing the CAx data in a plurality of alternate formats, receiving a request for the CAx data from a second client, providing the CAx data to the second client using at least one alternate format of the plurality of alternate formats responsive to receiving the request for the CAx data from the second client. An apparatus and system corresponding to the above method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kelly Eric Bowman, Charles Greg Jensen, Joshua Coburn, Dan Staves, M. Scott Christensen, Bryce DeFigueiredo, Robert Freeman
  • Patent number: 10657219
    Abstract: A method, executed by at least one processor, may include executing a first CAx application configured to enable a first user to edit a first 3D proprietary model comprising a plurality of features for a part that is to be manufactured, wherein the first 3D proprietary model is encoded in a first CAx format. The method may also include, executing a synchronization plugin module for the first CAx application and detecting, with the synchronization plugin module, a request by the first user to generate a first 2D manufacturing drawing and model corresponding to a selected view of the part that is to be manufactured. The method may also include initiating generation of a 2D collaborative model corresponding to the first 2D manufacturing model and initiating storage of the 2D collaborative model on a collaborative data store. A corresponding system and computer readable medium are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Kelly Eric Bowman, Spencer Carter, Scott Jackson, Jessica Collyer, Scott Christensen, Abigail Christensen, Joanna Hugo, Jacob Wardell
  • Publication number: 20200000674
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes a pliant body element that is adapted to receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein, and then apply a pressure to a portion of the extremity when a pressure is provided to a region in which the extremity is positioned within the pliant body element. By evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed, a contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the pliant body element is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body element against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: John Roy KANE, Scott A. CHRISTENSEN, Nathan HAMILTON, Stephen J. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 10426694
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes a pliant body element that is adapted to receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein, and then apply a pressure to a portion of the extremity when a pressure is provided to a region in which the extremity is positioned within the pliant body element. By evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed, a contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the pliant body element is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body element against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: AVACORE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Roy Kane, Scott A. Christensen, Nathan Hamilton, Stephen J. Williams
  • Patent number: 10417714
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vehicular safety by utilizing a driving tip model are provided. According to embodiments, an analysis server can analyze telematics data associated with operation of one or more vehicles to identify driving tips that may be aimed to mitigate certain risks or warn of various conditions. The analysis server can provide the driving tips to the vehicles and, in response, receive updated telematics data from the vehicles that reflects operation data for the vehicles subsequent to receiving the driving tips. The analysis server can analyze the updated telematics data to associate certain driving tips with certain telematics data and identify effective driving tips and delivery techniques. The analysis server can update the driving tip model accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Christensen, David J. Dosher, Jufeng Peng, Gregory Hayward, William Messner