Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Cwik
Thomas A. Cwik 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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Patent number: 10276926Abstract: A deployable reflectarray antenna stowable in a 6U CubeSat volume is deployed through tape deployers and quartz cables. The telescoping waveguide is attached to the horn with a threaded insert. The reflectarray antenna has, at 37.75 GHz, a directivity of 48.5 dBi, a gain of 47.8 dBi, and an aperture efficiency of 42%. Hinges with a ball-end screw enable precise control of deployment angle of adjacent panels in the reflectarray antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Nacer E. Chahat, Jonathan Sauder, Manan Arya, Ellen Thiel
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Publication number: 20180254547Abstract: A deployable reflectarray antenna stowable in a 6U CubeSat volume is deployed through tape deployers and quartz cables. The telescoping waveguide is attached to the horn with a threaded insert. The reflectarray antenna has, at 37.75 GHz, a directivity of 48.5 dBi, a gain of 47.8 dBi, and an aperture efficiency of 42%. Hinges with a ball-end screw enable precise control of deployment angle of adjacent panels in the reflectarray antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Thomas A. CWIK, Nacer E. CHAHAT, Jonathan SAUDER, Manan ARYA, Ellen THIEL
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Patent number: 9476612Abstract: The present invention relates to concentrating solar-power systems and, more particularly, beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems. A solar thermal array power system is provided, including a plurality of solar concentrators arranged in pods. Each solar concentrator includes a solar collector, one or more beam-forming elements, and one or more beam-steering elements. The solar collector is dimensioned to collect and divert incoming rays of sunlight. The beam-forming elements intercept the diverted rays of sunlight, and are shaped to concentrate the rays of sunlight into a beam. The steering elements are shaped, dimensioned, positioned, and/or oriented to deflect the beam toward a beam output path. The beams from the concentrators are converted to heat at a receiver, and the heat may be temporarily stored or directly used to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Paul E. Dimotakis, Daniel J. Hoppe
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Patent number: 8384535Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generates driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Patent number: 8280580Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of stabilizing the movement of a vehicle between primary and secondary drivers is provided. A primary key is adapted to be associated to the primary driver. A secondary key is adapted to be associated to the secondary driver. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver is a primary or secondary driver. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to stabilize the movement of the vehicle. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of stabilizing the movement of the vehicle in response to the driver status signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
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Publication number: 20120228883Abstract: The present invention relates to concentrating solar-power systems and, more particularly, beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems. A solar thermal array power system is provided, including a plurality of solar concentrators arranged in pods. Each solar concentrator includes a solar collector, one or more beam-forming elements, and one or more beam-steering elements. The solar collector is dimensioned to collect and divert incoming rays of sunlight. The beam-forming elements intercept the diverted rays of sunlight, and are shaped to concentrate the rays of sunlight into a beam. The steering elements are shaped, dimensioned, positioned, and/or oriented to deflect the beam toward a beam output path. The beams from the concentrators are converted to heat at a receiver, and the heat may be temporarily stored or directly used to generate electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Paul E. Dimotakis, Daniel J. Hoppe
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Patent number: 8258939Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik, Scott Alan Watkins, Shimul Bhuva, Aaron Lewis Mills
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Publication number: 20120126964Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generates driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Patent number: 8106759Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generate driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20110082625Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik, Scott Alan Watkins, Shimul Bhuva, Aaron Lewis Mills
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Patent number: 7868750Abstract: A system and method for notifying primary and second drivers about a status of a safety restraint in a vehicle is provided. A primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to the primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary key and secondary keys. The key ignition device is adapted to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to generate restraint status signals indicative of the status of the safety restraint. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the restraint signals based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik
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Publication number: 20090195376Abstract: A system and method for notifying primary and second drivers about a status of a safety restraint in a vehicle is provided. A primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to the primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary key and secondary keys. The key ignition device is adapted to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to generate restraint status signals indicative of the status of the safety restraint. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the restraint signals based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik
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Publication number: 20090198410Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generate driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20090198413Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of stabilizing the movement of a vehicle between primary and secondary drivers is provided. A primary key is adapted to be associated to the primary driver. A secondary key is adapted to be associated to the secondary driver. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver is a primary or secondary driver. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to stabilize the movement of the vehicle. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of stabilizing the movement of the vehicle in response to the driver status signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
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Patent number: 6644115Abstract: A system for determining a level of a liquid present in a storage container in an automobile is disclosed. The system has a liquid level sensor for determining a preliminary liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage container, an ignition key position sensor for determining an ignition position, a vehicle speed sensor for determining the automobile's speed, a transmission gear selection sensor for determining a transmission gear position of a transmission of the automobile, and a processor. The processor receives input signals from the liquid level sensor, ignition key position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the transmission gear selection sensor for calculating the level of the liquid in the storage container.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Bradley Jerome Corbin, Jeffrey Todd Kanoza, Thomas Gerald Burke
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Patent number: 6639569Abstract: An integrated heads-up display (HUD) and cluster projection panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and a display unit contained within the housing. The display unit has first and second pixel arrays which turn on and off for forming first and second image light beams in response to receiving light. A HUD unit is contained within the housing. The HUD unit has a first converter for transmitting light to the first pixel array of the display unit. The HUD unit further has a first projection optic for projecting the first image light beam from the first pixel array of the display unit onto a windscreen of the motor vehicle. A cluster projection panel unit is contained within the housing. The cluster projection panel has a second converter for transmitting light to the second pixel array of the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jerry Gray Kearns, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Terry Thomas Cwik
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Publication number: 20030115953Abstract: A system for determining a level of a liquid present in a storage container in an automobile is disclosed. The system has a liquid level sensor for determining a preliminary liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage container, an ignition key position sensor for determining an ignition position, a vehicle speed sensor for determining the automobile's speed, a transmission gear selection sensor for determining a transmission gear position of a transmission of the automobile, and a processor. The processor receives input signals from the liquid level sensor, ignition key position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the transmission gear selection sensor for calculating the level of the liquid in the storage container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Bradley Jerome Corbin, Jeffery Todd Kanoza, Thomas Gerald Burke
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Publication number: 20020075200Abstract: An integrated heads-up display (HUD) and cluster projection panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and a display unit contained within the housing. The display unit has first and second pixel arrays which turn on and off for forming first and second image light beams in response to receiving light. A HUD unit is contained within the housing. The HUD unit has a first converter for transmitting light to the first pixel array of the display unit. The HUD unit further has a first projection optic for projecting the first image light beam from the first pixel array of the display unit onto a windscreen of the motor vehicle. A cluster projection panel unit is contained within the housing. The cluster projection panel has a second converter for transmitting light to the second pixel array of the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Jerry Gary Kearns, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Terry Thomas Cwik
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Patent number: 6271526Abstract: Devices and techniques for using a prism to couple IR radiation to a quantum-well sensor with a polarization substantially perpendicular to the quantum-well layers.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Thomas Cwik, Cavour Yeh
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Patent number: 6216062Abstract: A display system for vehicle data provides a smooth and responsive display of vehicle data even when the data is transmitted on an irregular basis by extrapolating from the previously received data when data is not received in a given interval. The invention allows display data to be preempted by higher priority data in a shared communications system.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Jeffrey Todd Kanoza, John Edward Schnoes, Richard Stanley Smith