Patents by Inventor Zhenyan Gao
Zhenyan Gao 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: 20190344743Abstract: A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor and an inflatable webbing. The inflatable webbing is supported by the retractor and elongated along an axis, the inflatable webbing having longitudinal threads extending along the axis and lateral threads interwoven with the longitudinal threads, the lateral threads extending transverse to the axis and being more stretchable than the longitudinal threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Zhenyan Gao
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Publication number: 20190315304Abstract: An airbag includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is for extending from a vehicle roof and engagement with a head rest of a seat in an inflated position. The lower portion forms a cushion board that extends downwardly from the upper portion for engagement with and disposition between a seatback and a restraining bar located rearward of the seatback in the inflated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: HUIPENG CHEN, ZHENYAN GAO, ROBERT WILLIAM MCCOY
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Publication number: 20190176749Abstract: An assembly includes a base and a seatbelt anchor. The seatbelt anchor has a first end defining a circular hole pivotally supported by the base and a second end fixed in position relative to the first end. The assembly includes a buckle fixed in position relative to the second end. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic actuator secured to the base. The assembly includes a connector extending from the pyrotechnic actuator to the seatbelt anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Zhenyan Gao, James Chih Cheng
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Patent number: 10155542Abstract: A rocker assembly, or an elongated beam, for a vehicle that includes an outer panel, a side sill and an insert disposed in a cavity. The insert includes a plurality of layers of reinforcements made up of hexagonal cells having interconnected walls defining a plurality of transversely extending open cells that define openings extending perpendicularly relative to the length of the rocker assembly. The plurality of layers of reinforcements may further comprise a first layer of cells assembled to the outer panel, a second layer of cells assembled to the side sill and a third layer of cells disposed between the first and second layers of cells. A wall thickness and bending strength of one of the plurality of layers of reinforcements is different than a wall thickness and bending strength of another of the plurality of layers of reinforcements. The insert is structured to deform progressively.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Zhenyan Gao, Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
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Publication number: 20180281721Abstract: A rollover mitigation device for a motor vehicle comprises a frame mounted to a roof assembly within which is disposed a transversely mounted deployable rollover protector shaft. The frame comprises a pair of lateral mounting rails mounted to the roof assembly and a tubular cross member extending between the pair of lateral mounting rails. The deployable rollover protector shaft is substantially disposed within the tubular cross member when in the stowed position and is actuated from the stowed position to a locked deployed position by a spring disposed within the tubular cross member. A controller actuates a release lock to release the deployable rollover protector shaft to the deployed position upon a sensor detecting a roll angle of the motor vehicle exceeding a predetermined value. A deployment lock restrains the deployable rollover protector shaft in the deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: SHAIKH AKHLAQUE-E-RASUL, ZHENYAN GAO, WILLIAM MOORE SHERWOOD
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Patent number: 10086787Abstract: A rollover mitigation device for a motor vehicle comprises a frame mounted to a roof assembly within which is disposed a transversely mounted deployable rollover protector shaft. The frame comprises a pair of lateral mounting rails mounted to the roof assembly and a tubular cross member extending between the pair of lateral mounting rails. The deployable rollover protector shaft is substantially disposed within the tubular cross member when in the stowed position and is actuated from the stowed position to a locked deployed position by a spring disposed within the tubular cross member. A controller actuates a release lock to release the deployable rollover protector shaft to the deployed position upon a sensor detecting a roll angle of the motor vehicle exceeding a predetermined value. A deployment lock restrains the deployable rollover protector shaft in the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, William Moore Sherwood
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Patent number: 10029734Abstract: An elongated beam, or rocker assembly, is disclosed that includes a first panel and a second panel attached to the first panel to define a cavity. A reinforcement is disposed in the cavity that includes a first tubular member adhesively connected to the first panel inside the cavity and a pair of tubular members are connected with an adhesive to the second panel, to each other, and the first tubular member. The tubular members are arranged in a triangular array within the cavity and extend along the length of the elongated beam. The wall thickness and bending strength of the tubular members are selected to provide an insert that collapses preferentially with the outer tubular member of the insert collapsing before the inner tubular members.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
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Patent number: 9975578Abstract: A structural member for a vehicle includes an outer panel defining a U-shaped channel. The outer panel is formed from a first material. The structural member further includes a reinforcement panel defining a U-shaped channel. The reinforcement panel is formed from a second material different than the first material and is formed to attach to the outer panel. The structural member also includes an inner panel defining a U-shaped channel. The inner panel is formed from a third material different than the first and second materials and is formed to attach to the reinforcement panel such that the outer panel, reinforcement panel, and the inner panel are oriented along an axis and span an entire length of each of the U-shaped channels.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-E-Rasul, William Moore Sherwood, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo
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Publication number: 20170349216Abstract: A structural member for a vehicle includes an outer panel defining a U-shaped channel. The outer panel is formed from a first material. The structural member further includes a reinforcement panel defining a U-shaped channel. The reinforcement panel is formed from a second material different than the first material and is formed to attach to the outer panel. The structural member also includes an inner panel defining a U-shaped channel. The inner panel is formed from a third material different than the first and second materials and is formed to attach to the reinforcement panel such that the outer panel, reinforcement panel, and the inner panel are oriented along an axis and span an entire length of each of the U-shaped channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Shaikh AKHLAQUE-E-RASUL, William Moore SHERWOOD, Zhenyan GAO, Cheng LUO
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Patent number: 9821852Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a rocker elongated along an axis and defining a tubular cavity elongated along the axis. The vehicle frame assembly includes a sealed pressurized insert disposed in the cavity and elongated along the axis. The sealed pressurized insert increases the stiffness of the rocker, i.e., decreases the likelihood of deformation of the rocker during an impact of the vehicle, such as a side impact.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo, Bill Moore Sherwood
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Patent number: 9789907Abstract: A side impact protective structure is provided for a vehicle floor pan. Right and left rear rails are attached, respectively, to right and left lateral sides of the floor pan. A kick-up cross member extends transversely between the right and left rocker assemblies. A right reinforcement is welded to the floor pan, the right rear rail, and the kick-up cross member. A left reinforcement is welded to the left rear rail, to the floor pan and the kick-up cross member. An assembly method includes the steps of selecting a thin mild steel floor pan between a thicker HSLA steel structural member and a thicker corner reinforcement and welding the components together with three thickness welds.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Herbert Yang, Zhenyan Gao, Pratt Kamath, John Michael McGuckin, Senthilkum Mahadevan, Sean Timothy Ryan, Michael Luchtman, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi
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Publication number: 20170217498Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a rocker elongated along an axis and defining a tubular cavity elongated along the axis. The vehicle frame assembly includes a sealed pressurized insert disposed in the cavity and elongated along the axis. The sealed pressurized insert increases the stiffness of the rocker, i.e., decreases the likelihood of deformation of the rocker during an impact of the vehicle, such as a side impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo, Bill Moore Sherwood
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Publication number: 20170210426Abstract: A rocker assembly, or an elongated beam, for a vehicle that includes an outer panel, a side sill and an insert disposed in a cavity. The insert includes a plurality of layers of reinforcements made up of hexagonal cells having interconnected walls defining a plurality of transversely extending open cells that define openings extending perpendicularly relative to the length of the rocker assembly. The plurality of layers of reinforcements may further comprise a first layer of cells assembled to the outer panel, a second layer of cells assembled to the side sill and a third layer of cells disposed between the first and second layers of cells. A wall thickness and bending strength of one of the plurality of layers of reinforcements is different than a wall thickness and bending strength of another of the plurality of layers of reinforcements. The insert is structured to deform progressively.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Zhenyan Gao, Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
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Publication number: 20170210427Abstract: An elongated beam, or rocker assembly, is disclosed that includes a first panel and a second panel attached to the first panel to define a cavity. A reinforcement is disposed in the cavity that includes a first tubular member adhesively connected to the first panel inside the cavity and a pair of tubular members are connected with an adhesive to the second panel, to each other, and the first tubular member. The tubular members are arranged in a triangular array within the cavity and extend along the length of the elongated beam. The wall thickness and bending strength of the tubular members are selected to provide an insert that collapses preferentially with the outer tubular member of the insert collapsing before the inner tubular members.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
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Publication number: 20170029031Abstract: A side impact protective structure is provided for a vehicle floor pan. Right and left rear rails are attached, respectively, to right and left lateral sides of the floor pan. A kick-up cross member extends transversely between the right and left rocker assemblies. A right reinforcement is welded to the floor pan, the right rear rail, and the kick-up cross member. A left reinforcement is welded to the left rear rail, to the floor pan and the kick-up cross member. An assembly method includes the steps of selecting a thin mild steel floor pan between a thicker HSLA steel structural member and a thicker corner reinforcement and welding the components together with three thickness welds.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Herbert Yang, Zhenyan Gao, Pratt Kamath, John Michael McGuckin, Senthilkum Mahadevan, Sean Timothy Ryan, Michael Luchtman, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi
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Patent number: 9365242Abstract: A pillar assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel, a reinforcement and an inner panel. The outer panel extends from a roof to a rocker. The reinforcement is attached to the outer panel and extends from the roof to a lower end that is spaced from the rocker. The reinforcement defines an opening in one side extending upwardly from the lower end of the reinforcement to a hip seating reference point level. The inner panel encloses the lower end of the reinforcement in conjunction with the outer panel. The pillar reinforces the assembly to facilitate inwardly collapsing a lower portion of the pillar to a greater extent than an upper portion of the pillar in a side impact collision.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Herbert Yang, Zhenyan Gao, Ryan Craig, Jeffrey Lichtner
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Patent number: 9139235Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an outside rail section having an upper flange, a lower flange, and an inward facing cavity between the upper and lower flanges. An inside rail section is coupled along the upper and lower flanges of the outside rail section and has an outward facing cavity that aligns with the inward facing cavity to enclose an interior volume. A pair of hydroform tubes extending vertically through apertures at spaced longitudinal locations in the upper flange and engage a bottom surface of the inward cavity to define a pillar for supporting a vehicle roof.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan Craig, Jason Scott Balzer, Kumar Mahadevan, Zhenyan Gao, Yuan Zhou
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Publication number: 20140346816Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an outside rail section having an upper flange, a lower flange, and an inward facing cavity between the upper and lower flanges. An inside rail section is coupled along the upper and lower flanges of the outside rail section and has an outward facing cavity that aligns with the inward facing cavity to enclose an interior volume. A pair of hydroform tubes extending vertically through apertures at spaced longitudinal locations in the upper flange and engage a bottom surface of the inward cavity to define a pillar for supporting a vehicle roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan Craig, Jason Scott Balzer, Kumar Mahadevan, Zhenyan Gao, Yuan Zhou