Patents by Inventor Venky Krishnan
Venky Krishnan 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: 11005336Abstract: A rotating machine includes a housing, a rotor shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a position sensor to detect a position of the rotor shaft within the housing, and a magnetic bearing assembly coupled to the housing to support the rotor shaft within the housing. The magnetic bearing assembly includes an active magnetic bearing for active support of the rotor shaft, such as a thrust bearing actuator to produce an axial force component that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a radial force component that is orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis and axially offset from the thrust bearing actuator. The magnetic bearing assembly also includes a passive magnetic radial bearing to radially support the rotor shaft within the housing. A controller electrically coupled to the active magnetic bearing controls a control current to the active magnetic bearing.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Calnetix Technologies, LLCInventors: Rasish Khatri, Venky Krishnan, John Stout, Larry Hawkins
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Patent number: 8746755Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle or a toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
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Patent number: 8573657Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, a linkage assembly mechanically linked between the inside handle and the latch assembly, and an actuator interconnected to the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to the open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position or by actuating the inside handle when the vehicle has power. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the linkage assembly to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position when the vehicle does not have power.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
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Patent number: 8544901Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou
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Patent number: 8322077Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle that engages a bell crank to actuate a door release latch. A locking member moves relative to the bell crank, and shifts to a locked position wherein the locking member engages an engagement member to prevent rotation of the bell crank when the door handle assembly experiences an inertial force due to an impact or the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan, Jeff Stokes, Cort Corwin
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Publication number: 20120117886Abstract: A door chucking system includes a slidable door movable within a door opening and having a distal edge, the door being operable between opened and closed positions. A vertical column is proximate the distal edge of the door when the door is in the closed position. A chucking wedge is disposed on one of the vertical column and the distal edge, the chucking wedge including a retaining slot and a retaining flange. A receiver is disposed on the other of the vertical column and the distal edge, the receiver including a rigid tab, wherein the receiver receives a portion of the chucking wedge therein when the door is in the closed position, and wherein application of a force that is at least partially transverse to the planar extent of the door causes the rigid tab and the retaining slot to engage thereby preventing the door from leaving the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikoiaou, Bhupendra A. Patel, Jerry P. Bonnici
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Patent number: 8124893Abstract: A multi-functional switch assembly for a vehicle interior is provided. In at least one embodiment, the switch assembly includes a switch base having a guide with a longitudinal axis and a transverse beam member; and a switch body mounted to the guide of the switch base for limited translation along the longitudinal axis between a rest position and a transient position, wherein at the rest position, the switch body is pivotal about the transverse beam member between a first and a second transverse positions, wherein the rest and the transient positions are translatable to a first set of operative functions, wherein the first and the second transverse positions are translatable to a second set of operative functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou, Jerry P. Bonnici
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Publication number: 20110120022Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle that engages a bell crank to actuate a door release latch. A locking member moves relative to the bell crank, and shifts to a locked position wherein the locking member engages an engagement member to prevent rotation of the bell crank when the door handle assembly experiences an inertial force due to an impact or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan, Jeff Stokes, Cort Corwin
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Patent number: 7926385Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, James Joseph Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Marcus Edward Merideth, Bhupendra Patel
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Publication number: 20100235059Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou
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Publication number: 20100235057Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle or a toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
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Publication number: 20100235058Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, a linkage assembly mechanically linked between the inside handle and the latch assembly, and an actuator interconnected to the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to the open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position or by actuating the inside handle when the vehicle has power. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the linkage assembly to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position when the vehicle does not have power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
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Publication number: 20100154308Abstract: A door chucking system includes a slidable door movable within a door opening and having a distal edge, the door being operable between opened and closed positions. A vertical column is proximate the distal edge of the door when the door is in the closed position. A chucking wedge is disposed on one of the vertical column and the distal edge, the chucking wedge including a retaining slot and a retaining flange. A receiver is disposed on the other of the vertical column and the distal edge, the receiver including a rigid tab, wherein the receiver receives a portion of the chucking wedge therein when the door is in the closed position, and wherein application of a force that is at least partially transverse to the planar extent of the door causes the rigid tab and the retaining slot to engage thereby preventing the door from leaving the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou, Bhupendra A Patel, Jerry P Bonnici
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Publication number: 20100032274Abstract: A multi-functional switch assembly for a vehicle interior is provided. In at least one embodiment, the switch assembly includes a switch base having a guide with a longitudinal axis and a transverse beam member; and a switch body mounted to the guide of the switch base for limited translation along the longitudinal axis between a rest position and a transient position, wherein at the rest position, the switch body is pivotal about the transverse beam member between a first and a second transverse positions, wherein the rest and the transient positions are translatable to a first set of operative functions, wherein the first and the second transverse positions are translatable to a second set of operative functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou, Jerry P. Bonnici
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Patent number: 7481468Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marcus Merideth, Kelly Kohlstrand, James Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Mahmoud Ghannam
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Publication number: 20080250718Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, James Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Marcus Edward Merideth, Bhupendra Patel
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Publication number: 20080111381Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Marcus Merideth, Kelly Kohlstrand, James Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Mahmoud Ghannam
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Patent number: 7270029Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, James Joseph Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Marcus Edward Merideth, Bhupandra Patel
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Publication number: 20070085349Abstract: An inertia-actuated locking device (“locking device”) for an improved latch assembly for a vehicle door. The locking device includes a housing, a plunger, and a detent lever. The plunger is slidably attached to the housing and movable to a locked position for locking the latch assembly. The detent lever is movable within the housing to a blocking position for holding the plunger in the locked position under the occurrence of a predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Marcus Merideth, Jim Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Mahmoud Ghannam