Patents by Inventor Wade A. Smith

Wade A. Smith 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: 11848546
    Abstract: A flexible wire support structure extends between an axle and an inverter for an electric vehicle. The inverter is fixed relative to the vehicle body and the axle is moveable relative to the inverter during vehicle use. A wire extends between the inverter and the axle through a channel defined by the wire support structure. The wire support structure is attached at opposite ends to a first and second support structure, each of which allow pivoting of the flexible wire support structure in response to movement of the axle relative to the inverter. The wire support structure has a limited bend radius in response to movement of the axle, and blocks the wire extending within the support structure from being bent to a tight radius, thereby protecting the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Strand, Wade Smith, Bradley Ketchel, Ryan Shaw
  • Publication number: 20230396042
    Abstract: An electrical distribution enclosure includes an electrically insulated panel defining an access portion of the enclosure and a load portion of the enclosure; at least one electrically insulated compartment panel positioned within the access portion; and two or more compartments within the access portion, each compartment separated from an adjacent compartment by an electrically insulated compartment panel, each of the two or more compartments having a front-accessible neutral connection, at least one front-accessible phase connection and a at least rear phase connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Rebecca Ann Waddell, Gilbert Taylor Miller, Zachary Wade Smith, Thomas Anthony Kendzia, III, Frank Allen Cowan
  • Patent number: 11779039
    Abstract: Provided is an enzymatic process that hydrolyzes celery plant material to form a salt-enhancing ingredient, the formed salt-enhancing ingredient, food products comprising said salt-enhancing ingredient and a method of enhancing the salty taste of food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GIVAUDAN SA
    Inventors: Tarun Bhowmik, Stefka Ivanova Myaka, Johan Peter Van Leersum, Roy Wade Smith
  • Publication number: 20230011489
    Abstract: A catheter for diagnosing an abnormality of a blood vessel includes an elongated body defining an elongated lumen therethrough; and one or more transducers disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body. One or more transducers are configured to output an electrical signal in response to sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Amans, Wade Smith, Van Halbach
  • Publication number: 20220247161
    Abstract: A flexible wire support structure extends between an axle and an inverter for an electric vehicle. The inverter is fixed relative to the vehicle body and the axle is moveable relative to the inverter during vehicle use. A wire extends between the inverter and the axle through a channel defined by the wire support structure. The wire support structure is attached at opposite ends to a first and second support structure, each of which allow pivoting of the flexible wire support structure in response to movement of the axle relative to the inverter. The wire support structure has a limited bend radius in response to movement of the axle, and blocks the wire extending within the support structure from being bent to a tight radius, thereby protecting the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Strand, Wade Smith, Bradley Ketchel, Ryan Shaw
  • Publication number: 20220125323
    Abstract: A headset, configured to be attached to a human head, includes an accelerometer providing a signal indicative of head acceleration due to blood flow through the brain. An analyzer evaluates a plurality of samples indicative of acceleration over time where each sample corresponds to the head movement resulting from a cardiac contraction. The analyzer identifies brain conditions at least partially based on a level of chaos of the plurality samples. The algorithm applied by the analyzer is partially formulated based on clinical data and examination of a plurality of subjects. In one example, the plurality of samples evaluated by the analyzer are indicative of the head accelerometer only in a single axis. In some situations, the analyzer identifies brain conditions further based on contemporaneous neurological examination of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Wade Smith, Paul Lovoi
  • Publication number: 20220086568
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Trevor Niblock, Iman Shahosseini, Wade Smith
  • Patent number: 11274741
    Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Strand, Ryan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11229990
    Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Wade A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11204089
    Abstract: A method for joining components of a vehicle drive axle assembly. The method includes heating an axle housing to a first predetermined temperature and cooling a pinion cartridge to be installed with the housing to a second predetermined temperature. Removing the axle housing from exposure to the first predetermined temperature and removing the pinion cartridge from the second predetermined temperature and rapidly installing the pinion cartridge within the axle assembly before the axle assembly and the pinion return to ambient temperature provides a frictional fit, joining the two components without use of additional fastening devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brad Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Strand, Ryan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11190881
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Niblock, Iman Shahosseini, Wade Smith
  • Patent number: 11168743
    Abstract: A clutch assembly incorporated into a power transfer assembly (72) of a motor vehicle is presented. The clutch assembly includes a power-operated clutch actuator (306) for moving a clutch sleeve (354) axially between released and engaged positions between two rotatory members. In the released position, relative rotation between two rotary members is prevented. Whereas in the engaged position, relative rotation is permitted. The power-operated clutch actuator (306) further includes an electromagnetic solenoid with an output member having an extended condition and a retracted condition urging the clutch sleeve (354) between positions. A shift isolation linkage mechanism (304) interconnects the output member of the solenoid to the clutch sleeve (354) and permits movement of the output member to its retracted position while a blocked tooth condition inhibits movement of the clutch sleeve (354) to its engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Wade Smith, Ryan Shaw, Bradley Ketchel
  • Patent number: 11126853
    Abstract: A method and system can generate video content from a video. The method and system can include a coordinator, an image detector, and an object recognizer. The coordinator can be communicatively coupled to a splitter and/or to a plurality of demultiplexer nodes. The splitter can be configured to segment the video. The demultiplexer nodes can be configured to extract audio files from the video and/or to extract still frame images from the video. The image detector can be configured to detect images of objects in the still frame images. The object recognizer can be configured to compare an image of an object to a fractal. The recognizer can be further configured to update the fractal with the image. The coordinator can be configured to embed metadata about the object into the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CELLULAR SOUTH, INC.
    Inventors: Bartlett Wade Smith, IV, Allison A. Talley, John Carlos Shields
  • Publication number: 20210285536
    Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley KETCHEL, Wade SMITH, Ryan STRAND, Ryan SHAW
  • Patent number: 11053988
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system and powertrain actuator therefor is provided. The powertrain actuator selectively couples a first rotatable member to a second rotatable member to transfer torque therebetween and selectively decouples the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween. The powertrain actuator includes a tubular cam assembly having a tubular first member and a tubular second member. The tubular first and second tubular members have end surfaces that interact with one another upon energizing a unidirectional solenoid. Upon a first energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to operably couple the first and second rotatable members to allow torque to be transferred therebetween, and upon a second energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to selectively decouple the first the second rotatable members to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Strand, Wade Smith, Ryan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11021054
    Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features, The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ralph Larson, Ryan Strand
  • Publication number: 20210115984
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system and powertrain actuator therefor is provided. The powertrain actuator selectively couples a first rotatable member to a second rotatable member to transfer torque therebetween and selectively decouples the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween. The powertrain actuator includes a tubular cam assembly having a tubular first member and a tubular second member. The tubular first and second tubular members have end surfaces that interact with one another upon energizing a unidirectional solenoid. Upon a first energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to operably couple the first and second rotatable members to allow torque to be transferred therebetween, and upon a second energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to selectively decouple the first the second rotatable members to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan STRAND, Wade SMITH, Ryan SHAW
  • Patent number: 10883588
    Abstract: A differential assembly is provided to include a two-piece differential carrier, a differential gearset installed within a gearset chamber formed in the differential carrier, and a ring gear. An interlocking feature mechanically interconnects the ring gear to the first and second case members of the two-piece differential carrier and defines first and second weldment junctions. A first weld seam is located in the first weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the first case member while a second weld seam is located in the second weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the second case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Shaw
  • Publication number: 20200403142
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for piezoelectric transducer array fabrication. A sheet of piezoelectric material may be diced into pieces of piezoelectric material. A sheet of elastic layer material may be spin coated with adhesive. The pieces of piezoelectric material may be placed onto the sheet of elastic layer material. Pressure may be applied to the pieces of piezoelectric material and the sheet of elastic layer material. The adhesive may be cured. Transduction elements may be cut from the pieces of piezoelectric material and the sheet of elastic layer material. Electronics may be mounted on a PCB mounting board. Adhesive may be applied onto the PCB mounting board. The transduction elements may be mounted on the PCB mounting board. A spacer may be mounted on the PCB mounting board. Adhesive may be applied onto the spacer and the transduction elements. Diaphragms may be mounted on the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Iman Shahosseini, Trevor Niblock, Wade Smith, Henry Tri, Richard Agbulos, Bo Pham
  • Publication number: 20200389739
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor Niblock, Iman Shahosseini, Wade Smith