Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brook & Kushman P.C.
  • Patent number: 8246109
    Abstract: A vehicle roof module includes a front extruded cross member, a first pair of nodes each received in an end region of the front cross member, a first and a second extruded side rail with each end region receiving one of the first pair of nodes, a second pair of nodes each received in another end region of the first and second rails, a rear extruded cross member with each end region receiving one of the second pair of nodes, and a panel mounted to the front cross member, rear cross member, and first and second side rail. Each end region of each side rail defines an interior hollow portion and has at least one nodule extending from the side rail into the hollow portion to maintain a bond gap between the side rail and the node received into the side rail end region for receiving adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Wykoff, Matthew John Zaluzec, Joy Hines Forsmark, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Brian J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8245502
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an emission control system which includes a reductant injector injecting a pre-determined amount of a reductant into a vehicle exhaust passage, and sensors measuring an exhaust space velocity, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst temperature, and a before-SCR nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentration, wherein the predetermined amount of the reductant is a function of the exhaust space velocity, the before-SCR NOx concentration, and the SCR catalyst temperature. In at least one particular embodiment, the predetermined amount of the reductant is measured according to equation (I) y=axn; wherein y is the flow of the reductant; x is the product of the exhaust space velocity and the before-SCR NOx concentration; and “a” and “n” are each independently a function of the catalytic temperature (“T”) of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Robert Theis
  • Patent number: 8246068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a trailer to transport materials or equipment, the front tongue assembly of which converts to a highway traffic arrow board, or other preferred display, and which locks the trailer securely in place. The tongue extension frame extends through and pivots on the trailer frame and is moved to vertical by rack and pinion, or other suitable means such as hydraulic cylinder. Its upper end pivotably supports a Y-shaped tongue assembly with sign affixed opposite the towbar and hitch means. Power is applied to a gear box mounted on upper end of said tongue extension frame which turns the pivot bar 180 degrees to place the sign at the top for display and the towbar with hitch means at the bottom. Flip-down legs with extended side supports give added stability in the setup positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth L. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 8247590
    Abstract: Undesired polymerization of (meth)acrylatoalkoxysilanes during their industrial preparation and handling is accomplished by avoiding contact with surfaces containing more than 1% by weight of iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ziche, Volker Stanjek
  • Patent number: 8248221
    Abstract: An information display configured to display one or more energy efficiency values of a vehicle. The information display system may comprise an information display configured to display an energy recovered indicator corresponding to a ratio of the braking energy recovered using a regenerative braking system. The information display may include both an overall energy recovered indicator and an instantaneous energy recovered indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Scott Crombez
  • Patent number: 8248723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing errors on a magnetic tape having a plurality of partitions accessed by a tape drive having an associated tape drive processor in communication with a host computer having an associated host processor include receiving mapping information from the host computer that designates at least first and second logically adjacent partitions for reading/writing consecutive data, receiving a read/write request to transfer the consecutive data for the first and second partitions, detecting a data error when attempting to read/write the data for the second partition and communicating a corresponding data error message to the host computer, and receiving modified mapping information from the host computer that designates a third partition as logically adjacent to the first partition for reading/writing the consecutive data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Dwayne A. Edling, Ryan P. McCallister
  • Patent number: 8247513
    Abstract: Materials crosslinkable at room temperature by condensation, based on organosilicon compounds which cure to give permanently resilient materials, are catalyzed by a compound of the main or subgroups I and II in conjunction with an inorganic acid as a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Torsten Sixt, Franz Neuhauser
  • Patent number: 8247138
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk
  • Patent number: 8249796
    Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Andrew Wade, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steven Joseph Szwabowski
  • Patent number: 8249740
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include determining a material utilization for one or more assemblies having a plurality of parts. Offal data for one or more parts comprising one or more part assemblies and a blank material utilization status for each of the one or more part assemblies may be received. The blank material utilization status for the one or more part assemblies may be based on a blank material utilization status for each of the one or more parts. The offal data may be standardized to obtain standardized offal data. One or more offal utilization assignments for the part assemblies having a plurality of parts may be determined based on the standardized offal data and the blank material utilization status for the part assemblies. The offal utilization assignments may then be transmitted for assignment to the one or more part assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Raja Shekar Sohmshetty, Shawn Michael Morgans, Zhiyong Cedric Xia, Lawrence J. Dupuis, Amir T. Chator
  • Patent number: 8249928
    Abstract: In addition to standard product labels, incentive labels are printed and provided to customers when an item is identified to and weighed by a scale/label printer located in a store by accessing an incentive database to determine the existence and nature of any incentive. One or more display devices may be used in connection with providing incentives, including enabling a customer to select from among a number of incentives displayed. An incentive label construction may be provided with desirable folding features. Certain incentives may be of a graduated/progressive type to invite larger purchases by customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Valassis In-Store Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Schuller, Robert J. Weisz, Nigel G. Mills
  • Patent number: 8246091
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing front end structure for a motor vehicle includes a pair of frame rails, struts (crushable members) made movable relative to the frame rails along a longitudinal axis, a bumper beam supported by the struts, and a spring resisting rearward movement of each strut relative to the frame rail. An inertia-activated locking device inhibits rearward movement of the strut when the vehicle undergoes a longitudinal deceleration above a threshold level so that the strut may absorb crash energy in a high-speed collision. If the vehicle is involved in a lower energy collision, such as with a pedestrian, the deceleration experienced by the vehicle is below the threshold level and the strut remains in an unlocked condition in which it is able to move rearward against the spring to lessen the crash energy transmitted to the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala M. Jayasuriya, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 8249749
    Abstract: A climate control system includes a control head having a warmer/cooler temperature control for providing relative thermal comfort. A thermal comfort rating (TCR) corresponding to a range of passenger cabin temperatures is determined based upon a comfort level selection by an occupant using the control head. A control strategy employs look-up tables corresponding to the TCR to determine the speed of an electric compressor and the position of a temperature control blend door. The strategy provides for a relatively fast ramp down to a minimum compressor speed to improve fuel economy while maintaining a relative level of thermal comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard A. Dage, Halim Wijaya, Christopher Mark Greiner, Wayne Frank Buescher
  • Patent number: 8246704
    Abstract: A contained vortices device that allows for the flow of air or gas into and out of the device. In the process of gases moving through the device, a vortex is created within the device that allows for the separation of heavier materials, reduction of the size of any particulates, and the expelling of particulates of a significantly smaller size than was introduced to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Integradigm Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Brock, Alexander Campbell Thompson, IV
  • Patent number: 8246368
    Abstract: An electrical plug-type connector includes a carrier, a sleeve contact having a movable tensioning sleeve, a housing movable relative to the carrier, a mating component having a pin configured to make contact with the sleeve contact, and a lever having first and second lever arms. Joining of the mating component with the carrier causes an anti-displacement element between the housing and the carrier to be released and, as a result of a displacement of the housing relative to the carrier, the tensioning sleeve moves and presses the sleeve contact against the pin and the first lever arm displaces and connects with the mating component and the displacement of the first lever arm builds spring tension that is applied in the second lever arm such that the second lever arm latches on the housing with a latching sound when the housing reaches an end position relative to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kostal Kontakt Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Buethe, Hartmut Soennecken, Wilfried Heringhaus
  • Patent number: 8245699
    Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system and method for an automotive vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle fuel tank is vented to atmosphere via a passageway having a carbon canister to remove fuel vapors, a bladder, and a normally-closed isolation valve. When fueling the vehicle, the gases in the fuel tank displaced by entering fuel are introduced into the carbon canister where the fuel vapors are stored. The isolation valve is commanded to open to allow such flow through the carbon canister. When the vehicle is parked for a period of a day, it undergoes a diurnal temperature change which causes fuel to vaporize into the fuel system. According to an aspect of the present development, the isolation valve remains closed and the gases are contained within the bladder as it expands or contracts as the volume of gases increases or decreases in response to temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Peters, Steven James Hoffman, John Hedges
  • Patent number: 8240132
    Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NO, conversion by placing an NH3-SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3-SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3-SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Haren S. Gandhi, John Vito Cavataio, Robert Henry Hammerle, Yisun Cheng
  • Patent number: 8240759
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a trim cover assembly disposed proximate a cushion. The trim cover assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a first end coupled to the first portion, a second end coupled to the frame, and an elastomeric layer that exerts a tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Hobl, Kevin John Withers
  • Patent number: 8245318
    Abstract: Sidewall tracing nanoprobes, in which the tip shape of the nanoprobe Is altered so that the diameter or width of the very tip of the probe is wider than the diameter of the supporting stem. Such side protruding probe tips are fabricated by a subtractive method of reducing the stem diameter, an additive method of increasing the tip diameter, or sideway bending of the probe tip. These sidewall tracing nanoprobes are useful for inspection of semiconductor devices, especially to quantitatively evaluate the defects on the side wall of trenches or via holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Sungho Jin, Li-Han Chen, Gregory Dahlen, Hao-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 8240707
    Abstract: A curtain airbag system includes a sail panel. The sail panel may be attached with an inflatable curtain of the curtain airbag system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgardo Valdez, William Abramczyk, Karen Balavich