Patents by Inventor Thomas Aitken
Thomas Aitken 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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Publication number: 20230324009Abstract: A storage tank having a wire or wire winding embedded in the wall of the storage tank is disclosed. The wire may be positioned such that it is compromised if the storage tank is deformed to a certain degree. The wire, for example, may form a helical shape proximate to the outer surface of the wall of the storage tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Viswanath Akella, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Michael Jon Veenstra, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 11491867Abstract: A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20200361313Abstract: A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 10273139Abstract: A refueling adapter is provided. The refueling adapter includes a nozzle section and an inlet section coupled to and positioned upstream of the nozzle section, the inlet section including a restrictor element extending across an inlet section flow passage and an anti-sealing rib coupled to an inlet section housing and axially extending along the inlet section flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 9803592Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 9783140Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive requests from a wireless device in wireless communication with the processor, the requests corresponding to one or more aspects of a refueling process. The processor is also configured to collect vehicle data corresponding to the one or more aspects of the refueling process and respond to the requests by sending the data relating to the one or more aspects of the refueling process.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken, Phillip M. Pierron
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Publication number: 20170023617Abstract: Systems and methods for testing semiconductor wafers using a wafer translator are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for adjusting a wafer translator for testing semiconductor dies includes the semiconductor wafer translator having a wafer translator substrate with a wafer-side configured to face the dies. A plurality of wafer-side contact structures is carried by the wafer-side of the wafer translator. The apparatus also includes a shaping wafer having a shaping wafer substrate, and a plurality of cavities in the shaping wafer substrate. The wafer-side contact structures are shaped by contacting surfaces of the cavities of the shaping wafer substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Translarity, Inc.Inventors: Jens Ruffler, Douglas A. Preston, Christopher T. Lane, Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 9533872Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 9518677Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20160355390Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 9365404Abstract: A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mike Terrence Zitkovic, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20150122229Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, JR., Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 8950615Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui, Paul Chretien, Dennis Seung-Man
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Publication number: 20140368329Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 8836496Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20140209209Abstract: A refueling adapter is provided. The refueling adapter includes a nozzle section and an inlet section coupled to and positioned upstream of the nozzle section, the inlet section including a restrictor element extending across an inlet section flow passage and an anti-sealing rib coupled to an inlet section housing and axially extending across the inlet section flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20140183192Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui, Paul Chretien, Dennis Seung-Man
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Publication number: 20140137985Abstract: A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mike Terrence Zitkovic, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20140077936Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive requests from a wireless device in wireless communication with the processor, the requests corresponding to one or more aspects of a refueling process. The processor is also configured to collect vehicle data corresponding to the one or more aspects of the refueling process and respond to the requests by sending the data relating to the one or more aspects of the refueling process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken, Phillip M. Pierron
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Publication number: 20140049387Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken