Patents by Inventor Shekar Prabhakar Erasala

Shekar Prabhakar Erasala 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: 20160059809
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a plunger. A deformable wall extends along an axis and defines a cavity for receiving the plunger during relative movement between the plunger and the deformable wall resulting from impact between the bumper assembly and another object. A ledge is fixed to the deformable wall and extends between the cavity and the plunger for collapsing the deformable wall into the cavity. The deformable wall collapses inwardly to eliminate material stack up to accommodate packaging restraints in the design of the bumper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang, Matthew B. Makowski, Kirk David Arthurs
  • Patent number: 9168883
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a frame of a vehicle includes a rail defining a cavity. The cavity extends along an axis for receiving an energy absorbing member of a bumper assembly. A brace is fixed to the rail and includes a side wall extending along the axis in the cavity. The brace includes an end wall extending from the side wall in the cavity transversely to the axis adjacent to the energy absorbing member in the cavity. The rail defines a hole and the brace defines a hole aligned with the hole of the rail for receiving a fastener to engage the energy absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Matthew B. Makowski, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9068534
    Abstract: A protective bracket for a compressed natural gas pressure regulator mounted in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The compressed natural gas pressure regulator is disposed between a natural gas pressurized tank and an intake system for an internal combustion engine within the engine compartment, and the protective bracket comprises a main body disposed essentially about the entire external volume of the compressed natural gas pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Mario Alberto Mendez, Michael Shawn Watterworth, Jose Luis Luis Trejo Chavez, Ulises T Herrera Esquibel
  • Publication number: 20140261728
    Abstract: A protective bracket for a compressed natural gas pressure regulator mounted in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The compressed natural gas pressure regulator is disposed between a natural gas pressurized tank and an intake system for an internal combustion engine within the engine compartment, and the protective bracket comprises a main body disposed essentially about the entire external volume of the compressed natural gas pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Mario Alberto Mendez, Michael Shawn Watterworth, Jose Luis Luis Trejo Chavez, Ulises T Herrera Esquibel
  • Patent number: 8439431
    Abstract: An attachment bracket in a vehicle for providing integrated support for one or more security features required by law enforcement agencies. The attachment bracket includes a first part including a horizontal cross member extending across the top of a rear panel of the vehicle body. The structure further includes a second part, connected to the first part, which includes two or more intersecting cross members. The second part is mechanically coupled to the vehicle body inside the vehicle cabin below the second row passenger seat. The structure also includes a third part, connected to the second part, which includes one or more arcuate tubular members extending along the vehicle floor panel from the second part towards the first row of seats. The third part is open at the end towards the first row passenger seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Stephen Thomas Kozak, Erika Kristin Low, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Robert Sharp, Wanjun Lei
  • Publication number: 20120306238
    Abstract: An attachment bracket in a vehicle for providing integrated support for one or more security features required by law enforcement agencies. The attachment bracket includes a first part including a horizontal cross member extending across the top of a rear panel of the vehicle body. The structure further includes a second part, connected to the first part, which includes two or more intersecting cross members. The second part is mechanically coupled to the vehicle body inside the vehicle cabin below the second row passenger seat. The structure also includes a third part, connected to the second part, which includes one or more arcuate tubular members extending along the vehicle floor panel from the second part towards the first row of seats. The third part is open at the end towards the first row passenger seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: DJAMAL EDDINE MIDOUN, STEPHEN THOMAS KOZAK, ERIKA LOW, BHIMARADDI VENKARADDI ALAVANDI, SHEKAR PRABHAKAR ERASALA, ROBERT SHARP, WANJUN LEI
  • Patent number: 8167360
    Abstract: A vehicle cross member assembly is provided which includes first and second cross members each having first and second ends, and first and second connectors connects to the first ends of the cross member to vehicle structures. The assembly includes a bracket connected to a tunnel structure on a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second brackets for connecting the second ends of the first and second cross members. At least one of the first and second cross members is configured to move laterally inward and downward into the tunnel during a sufficient lateral impact of the vehicle. Additionally, one or more seats may be mounted to the cross members such that the seats move inward and rotate away from the point of impingement during a side impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Se Kyoon Shin, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, John Joseph Nizienski
  • Publication number: 20120019026
    Abstract: A vehicle cross member assembly is provided which includes first and second cross members each having first and second ends, and first and second connectors connects to the first ends of the cross member to vehicle structures. The assembly includes a bracket connected to a tunnel structure on a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second brackets for connecting the second ends of the first and second cross members. At least one of the first and second cross members is configured to move laterally inward and downward into the tunnel during a sufficient lateral impact of the vehicle. Additionally, one or more seats may be mounted to the cross members such that the seats move inward and rotate away from the point of impingement during a side impact event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Se Kyoon Shin, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, John Joseph Nizienski
  • Patent number: 7992920
    Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle door having a door block strategically located within the door is disclosed. The door block has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is wider than the lower portion and is attached to the inner panel of the door. A door beam is provided between the inner panel of the door and the outer panel. A portion of the door beam is positioned between the inner panel and the lower portion of the door block. The door beam may be attached to the lower portion of the door block. The attachment surface of the lower portion of the door block may have a geometry that is the same as or is substantially the same as the geometry of the door beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Chunhui Kevin Lee, Liqi Dong, Tracy Christopher Bakos
  • Publication number: 20110169302
    Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle door having a door block strategically located within the door. The door block has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is wider than the lower portion and is attached to the inner panel of the door. A door beam is provided between the inner panel of the door and the outer panel. A portion of the door beam is positioned between the inner panel and the lower portion of the door block. The door beam may be attached to the lower portion of the door block. The attachment surface of the lower portion of the door block may have a geometry that is the same as or is substantially the same as the geometry of the door beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Chunhui Kevin Lee, Liqi Dong, Tracy Christopher Bakos
  • Patent number: 7527327
    Abstract: The invention discloses a uni-body frame subassembly for a motor vehicle having a towing hitch member. The uni-body frame subassembly involves a configuration for neutralizing the effect of a rear impact involving the rear bumper and the towing hitch member. More specifically, the subassembly comprises reinforcements for supporting and controlling the frame rail segments in a crash event. Controlling the collapse of the uni-body frame subassembly helps to dissipate energy from the impact and as a result delivers less energy to a vehicle occupant compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peyman Aghssa, John Michael McGuckin, Ali Kanberoglu, Behrooz Shahidi, Mohammad Ali, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala
  • Publication number: 20090072586
    Abstract: The invention discloses a uni-body frame subassembly for a motor vehicle having a towing hitch member. The uni-body frame subassembly involves a configuration for neutralizing the effect of a rear impact involving the rear bumper and the towing hitch member. More specifically, the subassembly comprises reinforcements for supporting and controlling the frame rail segments in a crash event. Controlling the collapse of the uni-body frame subassembly helps to dissipate energy from the impact and as a result delivers less energy to a vehicle occupant compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peyman Aghssa, John Michael McGuckin, Ali Kanberoglu, Behrooz Shahidi, Mohammad Ali, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala