Patents Represented by Attorney Paul K. Godwin, Jr.

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  • Electronic odometer
    Patent number: 4710888
    Abstract: A system for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle periodically updates the accumulated measurements, displays the updated measurements and electronically stores corresponding accumulations of updated distance data in a non-volatile memory device. The system employs a method of reading through the sequentially ordered storage locations of the non-volatile memory to determine the most recently stored correct data value as a value to be both displayed and used as a base value for subsequent measured distance accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Burke, Richard A. Pidsosny, Gerald J. Lehner
  • Mounting panel for a lamp socket assembly
    Patent number: 4704090
    Abstract: A support panel containing an aperture for mounting a lamp socket assembly that is linearly insertable into the aperture to contact an intermediate flexible printed circuit layer when oriented in a first rotational position about its axial length, wherein the aperture is formed to capture and releasably retain the socket assembly when so inserted and to allow the socket assembly to pass through the aperture when oriented in a second rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: James E. Marshall
  • Bi-directional data transfer circuit that is directionally responsive to the impedance condition of an associated input/output port of a microcomputer
    Patent number: 4703198
    Abstract: A bi-directional interface circuit which functions as an output driver to drive a corresponding communication data bus in response to the output of an associated microcomputer and as an input buffer to communicate data from the associated data bus to the microcomputer, wherein such input and output data to and from the microcomputer is communicated to a single port on the microcomputer. The bi-directional interface circuit is controlled by sensing the impedance condition existing on the input/output port of the microcomputer and correspondingly switches to either its output driver mode or input buffer mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Frederick J. Porter, Richard A. Pidsosny
  • Pneumatically actuated ram air steering system for a guided missile
    Patent number: 4685639
    Abstract: An opening in the nose of a missile allows entry of ram air during missile flight to a central chamber. Oppositely oriented steering jets are innerconnected with the aft end of the central chamber. A diverting mechanism is located between the central chamber and each of the steering jets to allow either one or none of the steering jets to provide correctional steering forces when desired. The rotatable diverting mechanism is pneumatically driven by ram air communicated to an actuation chamber located aft of the valve and controlled by electrically energized solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp.
    Inventor: William R. Bains
  • Apparatus for applying high frequency ultrasonic energy to cleaning and etching solutions
    Patent number: 4686406
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling ultrasonic energy from piezoelectric transducers to a liquid medium for use in cleaning or etching processes. The apparatus includes a vibration coupling plate which may be partially immersed in the liquid medium, while the upper, nonimmersed end of the plate is configured to support a pair of piezoelectric transducers disposed at 45 degree angles with respect to the lengthwise axis of the plate. The beams of ultrasonic mechanical wave energy are therefore reflected back and forth from the side edges of the plate and dispersed over a wider angle in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Allen H. Meitzler
  • Device for measuring stresses in vacuum deposition coatings
    Patent number: 4683758
    Abstract: In measuring stresses present in material coatings deposited by sputtering, a pressure transducer is used as an in-situ sensor. The transducer has a flexible conductive surface clamped about its periphery to a rigid substrate and forms a variable capacitor with a relatively rigid conductor across an underlying evacuated chamber. A mask element having an aperture that covers an area confined within the boundary defined by the underlying evacuated space is located adjacent the flexible conductive surface to limit the exposed surface area to receive sputtered material coating. Electronic circuitry monitors changes in the capacitance of the sensor and reflects the stress types and values attributed to each coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David W. Hoffman, Cassimer M. Kukla
  • Wire insulation stripper guide
    Patent number: 4677702
    Abstract: An alignment guide for use with a die cutter for stripping insulation from electrical wire containing sized apertures corresponding to appropriate cutting sizes of the underlying die cutter to ensure appropriate wire size insertion and to prevent strand removal when the wire is withdrawn from the insulation die cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Cairns
  • Motor control circuit for motor driven power windows
    Patent number: 4678975
    Abstract: A control circuit for a reversible D.C. window drive motor that allows for one touch operations of the motor to automatically lower the associated window to its full down position following a relatively short actuation of the control switch in the "DOWN" position. Subsequent actuation and release of the control switch will cause interruption and inhibit the automatic lowering of the window. Longer actuations of the control switch allows for direct movement control of the window in the downward direction. Stall current sensing and excessive time sensing provide protection to the motor and the drive circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Vrabel, Jeffery L. Vajgart, Lawrence E. Staszel, Henry J. Ewald, Norman M. Haygood, Jr., Leon M. Misewicz
  • System for detecting the failure of a filament lamp
    Patent number: 4668946
    Abstract: A filament lamp outage indicator system in which the actuation of an on/off switch to its on position is sensed to enable a logic circuit in the event a current flow increase is not inductively detected in a conductor in series with the switch and a corresponding filament lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jack R. Volk, Philip Piatkowski, Jr.
  • Lamp failure monitoring system
    Patent number: 4667187
    Abstract: A microprocessor circuit employed to control the on/off switching of a filament lamp in series with a power switching device and a single conductor is programmed to periodically cycle the filament lamp between its deenergized and energized state at a rate above that which would be humanly perceptible. A toroidal ferrite core surrounds the conductor between the lamp filament and the switch and picks up current changes which occur due to the cycling. The absence of current changes during cycling are perceived by the microprocessor as a lamp failure and appropriate signaling is made to indicate the lamp failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jack R. Volk, Philip Piatkowski, Jr.
  • Retaining mechanism for securing a lamp base within a socket
    Patent number: 4647132
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism, within a lamp socket, includes a single wire spring element mounted external to the lamp socket and protrudes into the lamp socket opening so as to provide insertion interference to ramped projections extending from either end of a lamp wedge base element and frictional retention against the ramped projections when the wedge base element is fully inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: James A. Mikola
  • Headlight or lamp for vehicles
    Patent number: 4648014
    Abstract: An improved headlight or lamp assembly for vehicles which incorporates a lens element bonded to a first reflector element. The first reflector element contains a vertically oriented slot centrally located to receive and retain a second reflector element. The second reflector element is a one piece metal stamping that conforms to the curvature of the first reflector element at its slot and contains a socket for retaining a bulb. Removal and replacement of the bulb is therefore achievable by moving the second reflector element in directions that are transverse to the optical axis of the lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Heinz Dick, Johannes Lux
  • Composite light pickup device
    Patent number: 4645975
    Abstract: A composite light pickup device for use in an automotive vehicle to collect light from both the ambient surroundings and from oncoming vehicles and employing separate optical fiber couplings of the collected light to a headlamp system that responsively activates the vehicle headlamps when the ambient light level is too low and switches the activated headlamps between high and low beams in response to receiving light from oncoming vehicle headlamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Allen H. Meitzler, George S. Saloka
  • Radio receiver
    Patent number: D288199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Stoddard, Clive Grinyer
  • Combined radio and cassette player
    Patent number: D288316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Stoddard, Clive Grinyer
  • Combined radio and cassette player
    Patent number: D288806
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Stoddard, Clive Grinyer
  • Front control panel for a combined vehicular cassette player and radio receiver
    Patent number: D289039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: John Stoddard
  • Front control panel for a vehicular receiver
    Patent number: D289046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: John Stoddard
  • Front control panel for a combined vehicular cassette player and radio receiver
    Patent number: D289280
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: John Stoddard
  • Front control panel for a vehicular combined tape player and radio or the like
    Patent number: D290251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John D. Stoddard, Clive A. Grinyer, Mimi J. Vandermolen