Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brooks & Kushman P
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Patent number: 8306728Abstract: Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate a driver status signal indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is operably coupled to the key ignition device. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver. The controller is adapted to generate a position notification signal indicative of the position of the object with respect to the vehicle. The controller is adapted to notify the primary and secondary drivers of the position of the object. The controller is adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the position notification signals based on whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Karl William Wojcik, Shimul Bhuva, Aaron Lewis Mills
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Patent number: 8304860Abstract: Epitaxially coated silicon wafers have a rounded and polished edge region and a region adjacent to the edge having a width of 3 mm on the front and rear sides, a surface roughness in edge region of 0.1-1.5 nm RMS relative to a spatial wavelength range of 10-80 ?m, and a variation of surface roughness of 1-10%. The wafer edges, after polishing, are examined for defects and roughness at the edge and surrounding region. Silicon wafers having a surface roughness of less than 1 nm RMS are pretreated in single wafer epitaxy reactors, first in a hydrogen atmosphere at a flow rate of 1-100 slm and in a second step, an etching medium with a flow rate of 0.5-5 slm is conducted onto the edge region of the wafer by a gas distribution device. The wafer is then epitaxially coated.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Siltronic AGInventors: Friedrich Passek, Frank Laube, Martin Pickel, Reinhard Schauer
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Patent number: 8302442Abstract: A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method includes determining a desired workpiece geometry, generating a tool path in which a feature is formed outwardly from a point that is disposed a maximum distance from a reference position, and incrementally forming the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
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Patent number: 8304138Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a primary hydrogen source capable of communicating with a fuel cell anode. The system also includes a secondary hydrogen source communicating with the primary hydrogen source. A first valve is positioned downstream of the secondary hydrogen source. The valve allows hydrogen from the secondary source to communicate with hydrogen from the primary source downstream of the valve and upstream of the fuel cell anode.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Victor Dobrin
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Patent number: 8305034Abstract: A battery monitoring system (BMS) configured for use in measuring operating conditions of a battery or other source of electric current. The BMS may include a housing configured to include a dampening element between a shunt and connection arm in order to limit the likelihood of vibrations and other forces acting on the BMS shorting or otherwise disrupting electrical connections used to measure current through the shunt.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Josep Maria Roset Rubio
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Patent number: 8305206Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for generating a speed alert with an electronic device in a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling on a road and receiving a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road traveled by the vehicle. The method further comprises adding a predetermined speed buffer to the posted speed limit and comparing the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal. The method further comprises generating an alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Kenneth Nkosi Williams, Brian Bennie, Vilay Patel, Robert Bruce Kleve, Andrea Bowes Chowanic
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Patent number: 8306578Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Clarity Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Gunn, Michael A. Hayes
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Patent number: 8304366Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a system for remediating emissions using a hybrid oxidation catalyst system. The hybrid oxidation catalyst system includes a noble metal oxidation catalyst having noble metal particles in a first ceramic layer. The system also includes a base metal oxide catalyst disposed in a second ceramic layer situated downstream of the noble metal oxidation catalyst. The noble metal oxidation catalyst is effective to substantially prevent hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide inhibition of the base metal oxide catalyst when enhancing the NO+O2 conversion effectiveness of the base metal oxide catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Robert Drews, Robert J. Kudla
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Patent number: 8303575Abstract: A mechanism which constrains the spatial location of a working or a focal point of a tool (103), has a manipulator (101) and a remote center mechanism (102) mounted thereon. The manipulator (101) provides at least one degree of freedom for positioning the remote center mechanism (102) which itself provides at least a further degree of freedom for positioning a tool holder suitable for holding the tool (103) which is to be constrained in operation with respect to a remote center point. The orientation of the tool holder is adjustable while still maintaining the position of the remote center point fixed with respect to the manipulator (101).Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Stanmore Implants Worldwide LimitedInventor: Ferdinando Maria Rodriguez Y Baena
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Patent number: 8305033Abstract: A proximity detection circuit suitable for use with an on-board vehicle charger, such as but not limited to the type of charges used within hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles, to facilitate current conservation during period of time when it is unnecessary or otherwise undesirable for the on-board charger to test for connection of a cordset or other connection used to connect the on-board charger to a charging station or other current source.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: William Cavanaugh
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Patent number: 8304143Abstract: An electrically conductive plate for fuel cell applications comprises a plate body having at least one channel-defining surface and an electrically conductive hydrophilic layer disposed over at least a portion of the channel-defining surface. The electrically conductive layer includes residues of a silane coupling agent and electrically conductive hydrophilic carbon.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Richard H. Blunk, Feng Zhong, Tina T. Salguero, Kevin W. Kirby
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Patent number: 8302288Abstract: A system and method for assembling a closure for a vehicle. The system includes first, second and third closure manipulators adapted to engage different areas of the closure, a first hinge manipulator configured to receive and fasten a first hinge to the closure, and a nab pin manipulator configured to position and secure a nab pin in a fixed position relative to the door and the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Richard Daniel Pastrick, Anthony Peter Young, Paul Temple
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Patent number: 8303920Abstract: An object of this invention is to diminish a ratio of a concentration of N2O in the dilution air to a concentration of N2O in the measurement object gas diluted by the dilution air as much as possible by removing N2O in a dilution air so that a measurement accuracy of a concentration of N2O in a measurement object gas can be improved. A heater 33 that applies heat to the dilution air, a Pd catalyst 341 and a Pt catalyst 342 are arranged in this order on a flow channel where a dilution air used for diluting the measurement object gas flows, and N2O in the dilution air is oxidized to NOx or reduced to N2 by the Pd catalyst 341 and the Pt catalyst 342.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Nakatani, Yoshinori Kato, Tomomi Yamauchi, Yoshitaka Iida, Masato Koshikawa
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Patent number: 8303038Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly may be provided with a support rod adapted to be mounted to a seat back of a vehicle seat. A rear housing may be mounted to the support rod. A front housing may be pivotally connected to the support rod. A locking arm may be mounted to one of the support rod and the front housing. A release mechanism may be mounted to one of the front housing and the rear housing and operably engaged with the locking arm. Actuation of the release mechanism may disengage the locking arm to pivot the front housing forward relative to the support rod.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Rodger Smith
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Patent number: 8302311Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbHInventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
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Patent number: 8302847Abstract: A system for monitoring the parking status of vehicles incorporating a plurality of wireless identification tags, each tag having a unique tag identifier and having association with a selected vehicle. The system also includes a portable scanner to be used by a parking monitor, the portable scanner having a processor executing instructions thereon, a tag scanner capable of reading a wireless identification tag of a selected vehicle located in relatively close proximity over a wireless link, and a communication device capable of communicating over a wireless wide area network to transmit information about vehicle parking status. A server, having a database with fields for each of the selected vehicles, communicates with the portable scanner over the wireless wide area network to log data related to vehicle parking status. A software program may also be used to facilitate communication between the scanner and the vehicle owner and/or between the scanner and a tow service.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: RFautomotiveID, LLC.Inventors: Randall E. Johnson, Daniel J. Selke
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Patent number: 8302997Abstract: A system for integrating and embedding a fuel storage tank in the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The automotive vehicle may include a roof assembly having inner roof panels and outer roof panels. The roof panels may define a cavity that protrudes into the passenger compartment below the roof line of the automotive vehicle. A pressurized fuel tank may be disposed within the cavity of the roof assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Jon Veenstra
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Patent number: 8304929Abstract: An inverter configured for use within a vehicle to power consumer electronic devices and other types of devices requiring single-phase, AC energy. The inverter may include a network interface or other type of the connection to a vehicle data bus or other message exchange system in order to communicate with an electronic control unit (ECU) or other feature included within the vehicle to monitor and control energy consumption by one or more vehicle subsystems.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Benjamin D. Sweet, Raymond Hanjaya, William Cruickshank, Aftab Ali Khan
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Patent number: 8302998Abstract: A binding system (1) comprising a stack of sheet (2), each with a binding side (3) with attachment means for the connection of the sheets. The binding side of a sheet possesses an alternating sequence of tabs and notches. One sheet can be attached to an adjacent sheet by interlocking its tab (4) into the notches between the corresponding tabs of the adjacent sheet. The tabs fit exactly into these notches to provide a seamless connection between these sheets. Thus this binding system provides for a quick, user-friendly binding system without requiring separate and cumbersome attachment means.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Innobind Holding B.V.Inventor: Paul Gokkel
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Patent number: 8302475Abstract: A probe unit includes a gas sensor having multiple gas introduction bores for introducing a gas into an inside of the gas sensor, and a sensor holder inside of which the gas sensor is held and that is arranged inside of a duct so as to introduce an exhaust gas flowing in the duct into the gas sensor. A calibration gas flow channel is arranged in the sensor holder and has an opening at an inner surface of a side wall, surrounding the gas introduction bores of the gas sensor, of the sensor holder so as to supply a calibration gas to the gas sensor. A guide groove is arranged continuous to the opening of the calibration gas flow channel and arranged on the inner surface of the side wall along an arranging direction of the multiple gas introduction bores to face the multiple gas introduction bores.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.Inventor: Shigeyuki Hokamura