Patents Represented by Attorney Paul K. Godwin, Jr.

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  • Single-coil current measuring circuit
    Patent number: 4529931
    Abstract: A single-coil wound on a ferrite core surrounding a current path is driven from a voltage controlled constant current source. The coil drive current is modulated with a fixed frequency squarewave. The average voltage present across the coil is sensed and integrated to provide an output signal which is proportional to the current flow and also provides a negative feedback to the voltage controlled current source to bias the modulated drive current in a direction which compensates for the biasing effects of the current flowing in the conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Kuhns
  • Unitary clip for retaining control lines on a flange
    Patent number: 4527759
    Abstract: A self-locking clip for mounting control lines such as wires, cables and the like on a flange, is formed of a single piece spring metal or of a resilient plastic material. The clip has an open-ended support channel that slightly overlaps the flange with a support and a holding section with upper and lower arms. The upper support arms hold the channel on the flange with a tab which extends over the corner defined between the plate and the flange. A biasing arm extends from the closed end of the support channel to contact the plate and cant the flange within the channel. A void area between the biasing arm and the plate beneath the flange is used to retain the control lines against the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Karlheinz Dorner, Kurt Mohrholz
  • Cylindrical post magnetron sputtering system
    Patent number: 4525264
    Abstract: In a tubular bodied cathode of a sputtering magnetron, at least one permanent magnet is mounted so as to produce magnetic field flux lines that lie in planes oriented transverse to the axis of the cathode body, along a predetermined length thereof. Through appropriate biasing, in a partial pressure ionizable gas atmosphere, a plasma is generated that resembles a closed loop tunnel extending along said predetermined length on the outer surface of the cylindrical cathode, as defined by the magnetic field. Relative rotation between the cathode and the magnetic field provides for even erosion of sputtering material from the surface of the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: David W. Hoffman
  • Ram air steering system for a guided missile
    Patent number: 4522357
    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 interconnected with the aft end of the central chamber and escaping ram air provides lateral steering thrust forces. A movable diverting means controls the direction that the escaping ram air is diverted and thereby controls the steering forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp.
    Inventors: William R. Bains, Calhoun W. Sumrall
  • Air suspension system service diagnostics
    Patent number: 4517832
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing component failure that may occur in a vehicular air suspension system utilizing height sensors and air springs mounted between sprung and unsprung components of the vehicle, as well as air flow control valves, and an air compressor. The method sequences the various components through their intended functional capabilities and provides a mechanism for indicating faults in individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Holland, Edward S. Greene, David A. Kowalski, Bruce D. Strachan
  • Replaceable lamp assembly and locking mechanism for a sealable reflector housing
    Patent number: 4513356
    Abstract: A reusable lens/reflector unit is formed to accept a molded plastic replaceable lamp plug assembly formed to provide a hermetic seal for the lens/reflector unit. Internal sealing of electrodes within the lamp plug assembly provides electrical interconnection and mechanical support for the lamp bulb in a predetermined position. A flange extends from the lamp plug body and is clamped against the socket by a rotatable collar that threads onto the socket to surround the flange and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: James A. Mikola
  • Tape deck with take-up reel rotation sensor configured to prevent tape windup on the capstan or pinch roller
    Patent number: 4508280
    Abstract: A tape deck, which incorporates a non-contacting take-up reel rotation sensing means and associated sensing circuit for enabling the capstan and take-up reel drive mechanism. A magnetic field sensor is positioned across an air gap from a take-up reel mounted magnet to sense the pulsating magnetic field and control operation of the sensing circuit. A magnetic field interrupting means is caused to assume a non-interrupting position when the take-up reel is rotated in its proper direction and to assume a magnetic field interrupting position between the magnetic and the magnetic field sensor when the take-up reel and magnet are caused to be rotated in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Hayosh, Robert H. Lewis, Frederick A. Simon
  • Interior light assembly for a vehicle
    Patent number: 4499528
    Abstract: A combination interior illumination and reading light assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a lamp housing 1, a lamp 5 disposed within the housing, a reflector 3associated with the lamp 5 and a diffuser lens screen 7 for providing diffuse illumination to the vehicle interior. A movable lens element 10 is associated with the reflector 3 and has a focusing lens 9 which serves to provide a directed reading light beam. The lens element 10 also transmits light through its sidewalls to illuminate the diffuser lens screen 7. The lens element 10 is received in a ball-type socket defined by a circular aperture in the diffuser screen 7 and is rotatable relative to the screen 7 in the manner of a captive ball to enable the direction of the reading light beam to be varied at will.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Christian Hawlitzki
  • Tape deck with non-contacting unidirectional rotation sensor configured to prevent capstan tape windup
    Patent number: 4494712
    Abstract: A tape deck, which incorporates a non-contacting take-up reel rotation sensing means and associated sensing circuit for enabling the capstan and take-up reel drive mechanism, includes a magnet which only rotates with the take-up reel when it is driven in the take-up direction. If the take-up reel changes direction, due to tape windup on the capstan, the magnet stops and the sensing circuit disables the drive mechanism to prevent excessive tape windup on the capstan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Paul K. Godwin, Jr., Howard A. Kell, Jr.
  • Fluid actuated thermal compensator with adjustable stroke characteristics
    Patent number: 4494693
    Abstract: An adjustable liquid thermal compensator mechanism which provides both an actuation end attached to an expandible volume portion of a liquid chamber and a manually controlled adjustable volume portion that is used to calibrate the stroke of the compensator by allowing the addition or release of fluid from the chamber. A supply reservoir is interconnected to the compensation chamber through a valve which provides the increased or decreased amount of fluid during chamber adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Wilfred H. Bachle
  • Electronic control switch for a power boost amplifier
    Patent number: 4490683
    Abstract: An electronic amplifier control switch for controlled operation of a power amplifier connected to the output of an audio signal generating device and having an associated electronic equalizer/attentuator switching circuit that is switchable between its two modes by a manually settable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Dennis W. Rhee
  • Coaxial cable tap coupler for a data transceiver
    Patent number: 4481641
    Abstract: A coaxial cable coupler that provides a low impedance through conductor for a passive coaxial transmission cable and a high impedance tap to periodic transmission means and receiver means. The tap connection is a removable connection that is formed by a resilient electrical conductor compressed between exposed portions of the main transmission through conductor and an exposed tap conductor interconnecting the high impedance networks of the transmission means and the receiver means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Melvin G. Gable, Richard H. Sherman
  • Membrane window for high energy laser enclosure
    Patent number: 4475203
    Abstract: In a housing for a high energy laser, an aperture is formed to allow projection of the beam from the laser. A transparent membrane is attached over the aperture in order to prevent contaminants from entering the housing and provide a low cost, low distortion window to the projected beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace and Communications Corp.
    Inventor: Wesley D. Gerber
  • Voltage regulator with temperature responsive circuitry for reducing alternator output current
    Patent number: 4470003
    Abstract: A conventional voltage regulator is modified to reduce the power output from an associated alternator type generator by lowering the field current duty cycle when the ambient temperature at the voltage regulator exceeds a predetermined critical value, to thereby prevent damage to the alternator and regulator components until the ambient temperature is reduced. A temperature responsive means is connected across the field winding of the alternator and provides an override control function to the regulating section of the regulator, whenever the ambient temperature is too high. The override control causes the closed field current switch to be opened and to be held opened for a period of time that is directly related to the value of the sensed ambient temperature above the critical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Clair E. Mitchell
  • Liquid level sensor switch
    Patent number: 4467156
    Abstract: A liquid level sensor switch to indicate whether a sensed liquid is above or below a predetermined level utilizing a generally cylindrical float element that is slightly ballasted along its length so that it is self-orienting with respect to the vertical. Electrically connected contacts are placed at opposite ends of the ballasted float element and are maintained in a proper downward orientation so as to connect and disconnect an electrically conducting path when the liquid level changes about a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Edwin A. Dvorak, George Nagy, Jr., Boris Puscasu, Gary A. Pniewski
  • Alternator load shedder for engine starting improvement
    Patent number: 4463305
    Abstract: A method and system for delaying mechanical loading of an internal combustion engine by an alternator during start-up and transitional phases of the engine by inhibiting the field winding current of the alternator until the engine reaches a predetermined operational condition for a continuous predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Wineland, Robert L. Gault
  • Power tool marking system
    Patent number: 4462285
    Abstract: A power tool comprises a drive shaft (16), a tool (20) for engaging a threaded bolt fastener (22) and marking means (30) for marking the threaded fastener after it has been tightened onto a compatibly threaded hole. The marking means (30) comprises a marking stylus (41, 42, 45, 48, 49) that is moved reciprocally into and out of contact with the fastener, and supply means (62, 63, 61) for supplying a predetermined quantity of liquid marking medium to the stylus for discharge therefore onto the fastener with each cycle of linear movement of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignees: Ford Motor Company, Desitech Limited
    Inventor: Antony R. Wiltshire
  • Anti-rattle pushbutton assembly
    Patent number: 4456802
    Abstract: End caps of a pushbutton assembly are formed to include biased tabs with raised portions extending towards adjacent pushbutton end caps so that when the pushbuttons of the assembly are in their unactuated position along a common reference plane, lateral compression exists between the pushbuttons so that rattle noise is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Donald M. Sutherland
  • Front panel for a graphic equalizer or similar article
    Patent number: D279182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: William B. Shenk, Jr.
  • Front panel for a motor vehicular combined radio and cassette player, or the like
    Patent number: D279470
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Ronald Dickie, Carlos A. Altgelt