Patents by Inventor Scott Willis

Scott Willis 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: 20230298455
    Abstract: A method and system of tracking a monitored individual include a device to track the location of the monitored individual, a verification device to confirm the identity of the monitored individual, status information for the monitored individual that is transmitted to a receiver and an associated computing device, a database for holding the status information, and a transmitter to alert a defined designated receiver in the event the monitored individual is in a prohibited geographic region or near another monitored individual. The method and system can access other systems to verify the status information received for the monitored individual. Associated information and graphical access systems allow the designated receiver to track the location of the monitored individual over time, and the system iteratively learns attributes of the monitored individual to issue a faster subsequent alert when status information has exceeded desired parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: Scott Willis
  • Publication number: 20230088289
    Abstract: A polymerizable liquid composition including semi-conductive nanoparticles for the manufacture of ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, polymerizable composition has at least one monomer or oligomer; at least one catalyst for initiating the polymerization of the monomer or oligomer; and semi-conductive nanoparticles, which are dispersed in the monomer or oligomer. The absorbance through a 2-millimeter-thick layer of the polymerizable composition is higher than 0.5 for each light wavelength ranging from 350 to ?cut, ?cut being in the visible range, preferably in the range from 400 nm to 480 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: NEXTDOT
    Inventors: Scott WILLIS, Guillaume NAUDIN, Michele D'AMICO, Wilfried SOLO-OJO, Edgar CAO, Benoît DUBERTRET
  • Patent number: 11421642
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an isolator. In one example, system may include an isolator comprising a flexible laminated membrane comprising a non-linear torsional stiffness for compensation of axial, lateral, and angular displacements between a drive shaft and a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Na Li, Scott Willis
  • Publication number: 20210293215
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an isolator. In one example, system may include an isolator comprising a flexible laminated membrane comprising a non-linear torsional stiffness for compensation of axial, lateral, and angular displacements between a drive shaft and a clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Na Li, Scott Willis
  • Patent number: 11047412
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device. In one example, the coupling device may maintain a position of an accessory component within its mount as one or more bolts are tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Publication number: 20210190107
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device. In one example, the coupling device may maintain a position of an accessory component within its mount as one or more bolts are tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Patent number: 11041548
    Abstract: A belt tensioning system includes a stretch belt rotationally connected to a crankshaft pulley and an accessory pulley, and a tensioning device including a pivoting arm having a tensioning pulley coupled thereto and an arm stop positioned in a path of the pivoting arm to limit the rotation of the pivoting arm. Additionally, the tensioning device does not include a spring tensioner and is configurable in a tensioned configuration and an un-tensioned configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Willis, Kwan Jamal Barber, James Basile
  • Patent number: 10907602
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a starter/generator in a vehicle drivetrain. In one example, a system may include an integrated starter/generator (ISG) rotationally coupled to an engine crankshaft via a belt drive system, the belt drive system including a first decoupler configured to engage a shaft of the ISG in a first torque transfer direction only and a second decoupler configured to engage the shaft of the ISG in a second torque transfer direction only, the second torque transfer direction opposite the first torque transfer direction. In this way, hubloads that occur while transitioning the ISG between driving the belt drive system and being driven by the belt drive system may be reduced while a response time of the transitioning may also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Publication number: 20200049233
    Abstract: A belt tensioning system includes a stretch belt rotationally connected to a crankshaft pulley and an accessory pulley, and a tensioning device including a pivoting arm having a tensioning pulley coupled thereto and an arm stop positioned in a path of the pivoting arm to limit the rotation of the pivoting arm. Additionally, the tensioning device does not include a spring tensioner and is configurable in a tensioned configuration and an un-tensioned configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Scott Willis, Kwan Jamal Barber, James Basile
  • Patent number: 10549439
    Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a rotary cutter and method of accurately cutting a ribbed transmission belt lengthwise to a desired width. The rotary cutter includes an upper portion having a handle end and a pivot end and a lower portion having a handle end and a pivot end. The pivot ends of each portion are joined by a common pivot. A belt input pulley and a rotary cutting wheel are rotatably attached to the upper portion. A drive wheel is rotatably attached to the lower portion. A belt output pulley is rotatably attached to the common pivot. Preferably but not absolutely the belt input pulley and the belt output pulley have ribbed outer surfaces. A cutting wheel cover is fixed around at least a portion of the cutting wheel. The upper portion is movable between an open, belt-fitting position and a closed, belt-cutting position relative to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Patent number: 10514086
    Abstract: Some belt-driven integrated-starter generators (BISGs) have twin-arm tensioners mounted directly to the BISG. Because the distance between the tensioner and the BISG pulley is quite short, any stack up tolerance leads to relatively high misalignment, which, in turn, leads to belt wear and noise. To minimize misalignment, a process is disclosed to machine the tensioner pulley bearing seats on the tensioner arms after assembly to the BISG. The BISG pulley is rotated with three probes recording the axial position change of the BISG pulley over a complete revolution. These data are used to establish a best-fit plane and the tensioner pulley bearing seats are machined to match the best-fit plane so that during operation belt twisting and shifting are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Willis, Joseph A Skrobowski, James Basile
  • Patent number: 10495194
    Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides an adjustable and lockable bracket assembly that allows a stretch fit belt to be installed loosely on the pulleys of an accessory drive system. The assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the engine, a pivoting and lockable bracket attached to the fixed bracket and an adjustable driven unit, an adjustable arm for moving the adjustable driven unit between a “belt install” position allowing attachment of the belt and a “final” position for stretching the attached belt, and a rotatable insert having an offset threaded hole with a threaded fastener attached to the adjustable arm for moving the driven unit between the “belt install” and “final” positions. In the “belt install” position, the stretch fit belt may be fitted over the FEAD pulleys. Once in position, the rotatable insert is rotated to move the driven unit to the “final” position again via the adjustable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Publication number: 20190242462
    Abstract: Some belt-driven integrated-starter generators (BISGs) have twin-arm tensioners mounted directly to the BISG. Because the distance between the tensioner and the BISG pulley is quite short, any stack up tolerance leads to relatively high misalignment, which, in turn, leads to belt wear and noise. To minimize misalignment, a process is disclosed to machine the tensioner pulley bearing seats on the tensioner arms after assembly to the BISG. The BISG pulley is rotated with three probes recording the axial position change of the BISG pulley over a complete revolution. These data are used to establish a best-fit plane and the tensioner pulley bearing seats are machined to match the best-fit plane so that during operation belt twisting and shifting are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Willis, Joseph A. Skrobowski, James Basile
  • Patent number: 10228051
    Abstract: A two piece pulley is provided in which the pulley main housing and the outer pulley shell are molded without the bearing in place, thus eliminating an over-molding process. The pulley main housing is molded with a bear slip fit pocket. At least one of the bearing races of the bearing assembly includes an axially-protruding raised surface such as knurls or bumps. Each of the pulley main housing and the outer shell includes a bearing shield. On assembly, the bearing is slipped into the pocket on the pulley main housing and the outer shell is then ultrasonically welded to the main housing, thereby compressing the pulley material axially into the raised surface of the bearing race, locking the outer race of the bearing to the pulley in an axial direction. The raised surface on the bearing race allows the bearing assembly to grip the pulley in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Publication number: 20180320763
    Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides an adjustable and lockable bracket assembly that allows a stretch fit belt to be installed loosely on the pulleys of an accessory drive system. The assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the engine, a pivoting and lockable bracket attached to the fixed bracket and an adjustable driven unit, an adjustable arm for moving the adjustable driven unit between a “belt install” position allowing attachment of the belt and a “final” position for stretching the attached belt, and a rotatable insert having an offset threaded hole with a threaded fastener attached to the adjustable arm for moving the driven unit between the “belt install” and “final” positions. In the “belt install” position, the stretch fit belt may be fitted over the FEAD pulleys. Once in position, the rotatable insert is rotated to move the driven unit to the “final” position again via the adjustable arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Patent number: 10066708
    Abstract: An easily attached and highly tunable spring arrangement for use with existing front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioners is provided. The spring arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept includes an external spring that can be attached to tensioners to provide a specifically desired amount of additional tension. The spring is flat or round and is externally mounted, conforming to the outer dimension of a portion of the tensioner. The spring can be used on existing tensioner-to-engine bosses using conventional fasteners. The spring includes an attachment end and a biasing end. The attachment end includes at least one bolt sleeve that is formed as part of or is fitted to the external spring by welding. The biasing end contacts the outside of the front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioner at an area adjacent the tensioner pulley. The spring length, material and thickness may be varied for proper tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Publication number: 20180222072
    Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a rotary cutter and method of accurately cutting a ribbed transmission belt lengthwise to a desired width. The rotary cutter includes an upper portion having a handle end and a pivot end and a lower portion having a handle end and a pivot end. The pivot ends of each portion are joined by a common pivot. A belt input pulley and a rotary cutting wheel are rotatably attached to the upper portion. A drive wheel is rotatably attached to the lower portion. A belt output pulley is rotatably attached to the common pivot. Preferably but not absolutely the belt input pulley and the belt output pulley have ribbed outer surfaces. A cutting wheel cover is fixed around at least a portion of the cutting wheel. The upper portion is movable between an open, belt-fitting position and a closed, belt-cutting position relative to the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Patent number: 10030758
    Abstract: A zero distortion bearing pulley including a bearing is provided. The bearing clamps axially on the outer bearing raceway instead of radially. The pulley includes a stamped pulley body having a central axis, a pulley face having a periphery, a belt running surface extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the pulley face, a bearing slip pocket formed in the face coaxially with the axis of the pulley body, and a plurality of slots formed between the bearing pocket and the periphery of the pulley face. The slip pocket has a rear stop for retaining the bearing. A disc-shaped, stamped bearing retainer is provided having tabs that fit into the slots in the pulley body. The tabs may be folded over. Optionally, each tab may have an end hook allowing attachment of the stamped retainer bearing to the pulley body face by rotation following insertion of the tabs into the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott A. Willis, Joseph A. Skrobowski
  • Publication number: 20180038457
    Abstract: An easily attached and highly tunable spring arrangement for use with existing front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioners is provided. The spring arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept includes an external spring that can be attached to tensioners to provide a specifically desired amount of additional tension. The spring is flat or round and is externally mounted, conforming to the outer dimension of a portion of the tensioner. The spring can be used on existing tensioner-to-engine bosses using conventional fasteners. The spring includes an attachment end and a biasing end. The attachment end includes at least one bolt sleeve that is formed as part of or is fitted to the external spring by welding. The biasing end contacts the outside of the front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioner at an area adjacent the tensioner pulley. The spring length, material and thickness may be varied for proper tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski
  • Publication number: 20180023679
    Abstract: A two piece pulley is provided in which the pulley main housing and the outer pulley shell are molded without the bearing in place, thus eliminating an over-molding process. The pulley main housing is molded with a bear slip fit pocket. At least one of the bearing races of the bearing assembly includes an axially-protruding raised surface such as knurls or bumps. Each of the pulley main housing and the outer shell includes a bearing shield. On assembly, the bearing is slipped into the pocket on the pulley main housing and the outer shell is then ultrasonically welded to the main housing, thereby compressing the pulley material axially into the raised surface of the bearing race, locking the outer race of the bearing to the pulley in an axial direction. The raised surface on the bearing race allows the bearing assembly to grip the pulley in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Jim M. Basile, Scott Willis, Joseph Alan Skrobowski