Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph E. Smith

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  • Ultrasonic control of bolt tightening
    Patent number: 7360435
    Abstract: Tightening of a bolt is controlled by monitoring the change in round trip time of propagating longitudinal ultrasonic waves through the bolt and the reflection of these waves at the end of the bolt. The round trip time of the longitudinal waves through bolt is continuously measured and monitored in real-time. Elongation of the bolt as it is being tightened is determined based on the change in the round trip time of the longitudinal waves, which provides the level of bolt tension and joint clamp load. In determining the bolt elongation, an elongation-dependent wave speed has been formulated and used in-real time. When the elongation of the bolt reaches a predetermined level, tightening is automatically stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Sayed Nassar, Gerald Grzadzinski
  • Balance assembly for coupling first and second rotating members
    Patent number: 7361092
    Abstract: A flange member is disclosed for a balance assembly that includes a first rotating element coupled to a second rotating element. The flange member includes a main body exhibiting a predetermined imbalance vector when rotated about an axis of rotation. The flange member also includes a plurality of fastener apertures for attaching one of the first and second rotation elements to the main body. Angular spacing between each of the fastener apertures is substantially equal but for one fastener aperture, such that angular spacing is greater to one side of the one fastener aperture, and such that angular spacing is less to another side of the one fastener aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Roger P Pawlowski, Jeff Orzechowski
  • Market center based purchasing system and method
    Patent number: 7363250
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for procuring goods and services through a computer based system accessible by a plurality of entities having a common relationship. An arrangement is made with a plurality of suppliers to participate in offering goods and services to the entities through the computer based system. A price for the respective goods and services provided by at least subset of the suppliers at which the entities can purchase those goods and services is negotiated with those suppliers. The entities can, via the computer based system, obtain prices directly from the suppliers. The entities can place orders with any of the suppliers via the computer based system. Information on the transactions made via the computer based system is tracked and used to determine if more favorable prices are available for a good or service than the negotiated price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Mark E Nagel, Stephen R Luyckx, Michael F Milad, Jonathan L Morgan, Keith E Helfrich
  • Re-positionable vehicle control-by-wire assembly, method, and system
    Patent number: 7363131
    Abstract: A vehicle control assembly and a method and system for controlling a vehicle. The assembly includes a controller. A steer-by-wire component, a brake-by-wire component, and an accelerator-by-wire component are each operably attached to the controller. A track is operably attached to the vehicle. The controller is laterally re-positionable with respect to the track. The method includes the steps of providing a controller, and steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller. The method further includes the step of re-positioning the controller between a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side. The system includes controller means, and means for steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller means. The system further includes means for reversibly positioning the controller means from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Howell, Stephen T Lim, Stuart P Macey
  • Steering column bracket
    Patent number: 7350817
    Abstract: A steering column bracket for a motor vehicle includes a body defining a bore adapted to receive a lower mounting bracket. A pair of wings extend out from the body on opposite sides thereof. A bracing is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the body and a at least a portion of a surface of the wings. The bracing includes of a plurality of ribs defining pockets. The bracing provides stiffness to the steering column bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Mirjana Jurik, Donald A Mahoney, Jeffrey D Ottenhoff
  • Fuel system performance monitor
    Patent number: 7353103
    Abstract: A system for monitoring performance of a fuel system in a vehicle includes a plurality of sensing modules that periodically sense data from a plurality of control systems in the vehicle during a predetermined evaluation period. The system includes a control module that analyzes the data after the evaluation period, generates performance ratings for the control systems based on the data, generates a set of values for the performance of the fuel system based on the performance ratings and a plurality of predetermined fuzzy logic rules, and generates a control signal based on a numerical analysis of the set of values. The system includes an indicator module that indicates in real time whether the performance of the fuel system conforms to a designed performance of the vehicle based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Binienda, Hussein A. Dourra, Ali Mourtada, Fadi S. Kanafani
  • Inflatable interior panel for a vehicle
    Patent number: 7350852
    Abstract: An inflatable interior panel for a passenger vehicle includes a non-inflatable section, and an inflatable section having a peripheral portion adjacent the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section is isolated from the non-inflatable section wherein the inflatable section is not in fluid communication with the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section includes a base wall including a slack material section enabling inflation of the inflatable section, and an inboard wall connected to the base wall to define an interior of the inflatable section. When the interior is pressurized the inboard wall is moved away from the base wall to an extended position with respect to the relatively stationary non-inflatable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: John C Rust, Risto C Trendov, Michael A Warnez
  • Method for effecting kickdown shift
    Patent number: 7353100
    Abstract: A method for effecting a kickdown shift in a transmission of an automotive vehicle controls turbine speed change based on a continuous desired acceleration calculation. The method determines an initial speed of a turbine that transmits torque between an engine and a plurality of gears through a plurality of releasing and engaging elements. A target speed of one of the plurality of gears is determined. A desired time required to increase the turbine speed to the target speed is determined. A desired acceleration of the turbine is calculated according to the initial speed, the target speed, and the desired time. Turbine speed change rate is controlled through controlling the clutch torque of one or more of the releasing and engaging elements based on the desired acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Aaron Pfadt
  • Front end for a vehicle and method for making same
    Patent number: 7347489
    Abstract: A vehicle end portion includes a right-hand closure assembly, a left-hand closure assembly, an end module, and at least one locating component positioned to locate the end module relative the left-hand closure assembly and the right-hand closure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Henry J Ziaja, Ian N Dupret, Randy Wall, Robert Cukr, Dennis Wilgus, John Showalter
  • Energy absorbing support for a vehicle steering assembly
    Patent number: 7344157
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly with a movable steering column includes a mounting plate carried by the vehicle, a bracket supporting a portion of the steering column, movable with the steering column, and coupled to the mounting plate, a bend mandrel, and a bend strap operably associated with the bracket for movement with the bracket. The bend strap has a pair of legs on opposed sides of the bend mandrel and a bight interconnecting the legs and arranged so that upon movement of the bracket relative to the mounting plate the bend strap engages the bend mandrel and one leg is progressively deformed about the mandrel to absorb energy from the moving bracket and steering column. A portion of the leg progressively deformed about the mandrel upon movement of the bracket engages a reaction surface defined by at least one of the mounting plate or the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Keith Jensen, Richard Stuedemann, William J Elliot, William A Jolley, Travis D Bechtel
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D564944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Alan R. Barrington, John C. Sodano, Kevin R. Verduyn, Michael R. Castiglione
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D564945
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Jae Chung, Andrew P. Dyson, Thomas G. Tremont, Brandon L. Faurote
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D564946
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Krugger, Irina Zavatski, Dennis Myles
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D565466
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Mark T Moushegian, Clifford Wilkins, Steven W Ferrerio
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D565467
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Z. Aneiros, John P. Sgalia, Mark T. Allen, Dan M. Zimmermann
  • Vehicle tail lamp
    Patent number: D565764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Dan M. Zimmermann, Mark T. Allen, Dennis Myles
  • Vehicle headlamp
    Patent number: D565765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Dan M. Zimmermann, Mark T. Allen, Dennis Myles
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D566622
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Todd M Rabinowitz, Joseph S Dehner
  • Vehicle tail lamp
    Patent number: D566868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: John G Opfer, Timothy W Anness
  • Vehicle headlamp
    Patent number: D567409
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: John G Opfer, Timothy W Anness