Patents by Inventor Shaun S. Devlin

Shaun S. Devlin 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: 5856932
    Abstract: A method and system for determining bi-directional sneak current paths of an electrical/electronic circuit. The electrical/electronic circuit is converted into a corresponding schematic having a plurality of components and a plurality of line segments. A segment identifier is then inserted into each of the plurality of line segments. Next, a DC analysis is performed on the electrical/electronic schematic for each possible switch position combination to obtain a current value for each of the plurality of components. Bi-directional sneak current paths are then determined based on the plurality of segment identifiers and the current value for each of the plurality of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Heping Huang, Herman McKenzie, Jr., Shaun S. Devlin, Thomas Anthony Spoto
  • Patent number: 5508689
    Abstract: A control system and method for motor vehicles uses generic control modules which communicate over a vehicle trunkline to accommodate applications of varying functional content and complexity. The vehicle trunkline provides power distribution and a number of communication channels for the various generic control modules which include controller modules, interface modules, and combination controller/interface modules. Each generic control module is connected to the vehicle trunkline via a standardized connector. The combination modules and interface modules are connected to system actuators and sensors with relatively short, simple overlay wiring. The system allows distributed computation for the control of functions and utilizes communication networks to reduce the number of conductors required while increasing the utilization of processing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: William G. Rado, Shaun S. Devlin
  • Patent number: 3969614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a combustion engine. Means are provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine. Adjustments of these control means are obtained by sensing at least one engine operating condition, developing an electrical signal indicative of such condition, and, with a digital computer, calculating repetitively values corresponding to settings of the means used to control the energy conversion function of the engine. The digital computer is programmed to calculate these values or settings arithmetically from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between settings of the energy conversion control means and the sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1973
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David F. Moyer, Shaun S. Devlin, Richard J. Genik