Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph E. Smith

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  • Systems and methods for intelligent charging and intelligent conditioning of a high voltage battery
    Patent number: 7825630
    Abstract: The technology described herein provides a stand-alone intelligent battery charger and intelligent conditioner for use with a high-voltage battery, such as those used in hybrid automotive vehicles. Additionally, in various exemplary embodiments, this technology provides a system and method for validating the capacity of a high voltage battery. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Daimler AG
    Inventors: Euthemios Nicholas Stamos, Tobias Glossmann, Christopher Richard Koziara
  • Guide system release device for vehicle impact testing
    Patent number: 7818991
    Abstract: A guide release system for use in an impact test of a motor vehicle includes a first guide releasably coupled to a first portion of the motor vehicle to guide the first portion of the motor vehicle towards a test barrier. The system also includes a second guide releasably coupled to a second portion of the motor vehicle to guide the second portion of the motor vehicle towards the test barrier. The second guide is displaced a distance from the first guide. The system further includes an actuator that releases the first guide and the second guide substantially simultaneously to enable the motor vehicle to freely contact the test barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Todd L. Saunders, Maynard L. Robinson, David L. Tiihonen
  • Torque converter output augmentation method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7818965
    Abstract: A torque converter output augmentation apparatus includes a torque converter connected between an engine and a driven component in a drive train. The torque converter is connected into a hydraulic circuit along with a hydraulic fluid pressurizer, a hydraulic fluid container, and a valve. The hydraulic fluid pressurizer pressurizes hydraulic fluid received from the torque converter and the hydraulic fluid container stores pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the hydraulic fluid pressurizer. A controller is programmed to cause the valve to alternately admit and block pressurized hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic fluid container to the torque converter. Pressurized fluid received from the hydraulic fluid container is directed within the torque converter in a manner that augments torque converter output to the driven component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Poly A. Endrasik, Jr.
  • Muffler
    Patent number: 7810609
    Abstract: An absorption muffler includes a metallic exhaust pipe including a plurality of perforations, a polymeric housing carried by the exhaust pipe and enclosing the plurality of perforations, and including axially opposed ends. Thermal insulation is carried radially between the exhaust pipe and the polymeric housing and axially between the axially opposed ends inclusive thereof. Acoustic insulation is carried between the thermal insulation and the polymeric housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Woco Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy Sikes, Udo Gaertner
  • Four-bar linkage hinge for a motor vehicle hood
    Patent number: 7802345
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage hinge having a restraining catch arranged to prevent the hinge from opening and translating rearward when said hinge is subjected to an external force causing a transverse deflection of its linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Bob George Mathew, Curtis Scott Hargraves, Jeffrey Daniel Krzeszak, Michael James Reeves, James Chapp, Jr., Jeffrey Michael McGarry, Andrew J. Poulios
  • Mountable table for the rear of a vehicle
    Patent number: 7798073
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mountable recreation table that mounts on the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked and the tailgate is open. The recreation table includes a table top and a table pole attached to the underside of the table top. A table mount attaches to the rear of the vehicle, and the mount includes a receiver for the table pole to be inserted into. The mount is secured to either a striker or a seat headrest in the rear of the vehicle. Advantageously, the recreation table of the present disclosure easily attaches to the rear of the vehicle. The recreation table can be utilized in combination with seats in the rear of the vehicle, and the present disclosure requires no modification to attach the table to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Steven Richard Swailes, Mick Robert Zuk, Joseph Leo Neighbors, Steven M. Jakubiec, David W. Smith
  • Suspension interlock system
    Patent number: 7798505
    Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension system that supports a vehicle frame has a suspension interlock for governing the distance that the suspension system may move away from the frame during a vehicular rear impact event, thereby channeling impact forces through the suspension system and into the vehicle frame. A flexible member attaches to the vehicle frame and to the suspension system and acts as a tether to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, the suspension interlock may be a u-shaped bar mounted to the vehicular frame that interacts with a pin that is mounted to the suspension system. The pin resides within the confines of the u-shaped bar to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, a hooked plate may be used instead of a pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Dorinel Neag, Vernon S Siple, Constantinos Sakatis, Ileana C Ball, Oh-Seong Kim, Stylianos A Meidanis, Rajesh Garg, Jerry R Balogh, Brian J Haemmerle
  • Windshield washer system
    Patent number: 7797785
    Abstract: A windshield washer control system comprising a wiper device; a motor connected to the wiper device, the motor being in operative connection with a controller, the controller including a timer; a pump selectively operated by the controller; and a sprayer for dispensing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Harold B. Thibodeau, James M. Burcar, David K. Novack
  • Robotic frame handling system
    Patent number: 7798316
    Abstract: A system for handling vehicle frames. The system includes a conveyor assembly including a loading end and an unloading end, and the conveyor assembly carries a plurality of vehicle frames thereon. The system also includes a frame transfer assembly disposed at the unloading end of the conveyor assembly. The frame transfer assembly may be adapted to grasp a vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly and transfer the vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly. A vehicle frame inversion system is also provided that includes a first robotic inversion device that may include a first clamping system, and a second robotic inversion device that may include a second clamping system. The first and second clamping systems are adapted to grasp a vehicle frame, and the first and second robotic inversion devices are adapted to lift and invert the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: James G. Powers, Allan C. McNear, Ronald M. Laux, Robert A. Florian, Paramjit S. Girn
  • User interface system and method for jump assist of hybrid vehicles
    Patent number: 7795838
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a system and method for charging a high voltage battery of a hybrid automotive vehicle which contemporaneously provides a user with a visual display of diagnostic hybrid system information, including but not limited to, battery data and state of charge data through a user interface located internal a cabin of the vehicle. In other exemplary embodiments, the user interface is operable for providing the visual display while also providing access to other features of the vehicle to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Daimler AG
    Inventors: Kumar Singarajan, Berlinda Bai, Shweta Kumar, Gunnar Urbschat
  • Steering damper for solid axle steering system
    Patent number: 7789404
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a motor vehicle including and axle interconnecting a pair of wheels, a pair of tie rods coupled to the wheels, and a cross bar having a piston mounted thereon interconnecting the rods. A steering damper may be integral with the cross bar such that the piston is housed within said steering damper, and the steering damper may be mounted to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Chad W. Rummel
  • Transmission upshift control method
    Patent number: 7789798
    Abstract: A method of controlling an upshift in a transmission having a main box and a compounder that has at least one gearset and at least one friction element separate from the main box includes initiating an upshift in the main box including application of at least one friction element (e.g. a clutch) in the main box, and releasing a friction element (e.g. a clutch) in the compounder providing a swap shift. The duty cycles of solenoids associated with the releasing and applying elements may be alternately controlled in open loop and closed loop fashion to improve the quality of the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gang Chen
  • Method and apparatus for assessing the quality of spot welds
    Patent number: 7789286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the size and/or quality of a spot weld. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers arranged with a delay line for positioning adjacent a surface of a weld. A layer of gel is placed between the delay line and the weld surface. The array of transducers emit ultrasonic waves that pass into the weld. The reflected waves are received by the transducers and relayed to a central processing unit that analyzes the time delay, amplitude, and amplitude attenuation to calculate the border of the weld nugget, the thickness of the welded material, the thickness of the gel layer, and other factors contributing to weld quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Roman Gr. Maev, Frank J Ewasyshyn, Serguei A Titov, John M Paille, Elena Yu Maeva, Alexey A Denisov, Fedar M Seviaryn
  • Methods and systems for drive-to-neutral and neutral-to-drive transmission garage shift quality improvement
    Patent number: 7789797
    Abstract: The present disclosure improves both the D-N and N-D garage shift by reducing torque applied to the powertrain mount system and vehicle suspension systems during garage shifts. Since less energy in stored in the mount system and suspension system, the reaction bump during garage shifts will be reduced without compromising vehicle performance. For the N-D garage shift, such as after key-on when a shift lever is positioned in drive, a vehicle shifts to second gear (or some other higher gear) which provides reduced torque applied to the powertrain mount system and vehicle suspension system. For the D-N garage shift, as a vehicle slows down to a zero speed with the brake on, the vehicle is shifted into a higher gear. As the vehicle starts to launch, the vehicle is immediately shifted back to first gear, launching the vehicle with its first gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Hussein A. Dourra, Maged Choucair
  • Axially adjustable steering column assembly with flexible bearing sleeve
    Patent number: 7784830
    Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly has an inner jacket and an outer jacket telescopically engaged with a sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve has internal and external ribs which run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the internal ribs contacting an outer surface of the inner jacket, and the external ribs contacting an inner surface of the outer jacket. The internal and external ribs are circumferentially offset to allow the wall of the sleeve to flex relative to the opposing surfaces of the jackets, resulting in smooth telescoping action of the assembly without lash. In addition, the system provides a constant collapsing force and provides guidance for a controlled collapse of either a telescoping or non-telescoping column assembly in a vehicle crash impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Ulintz
  • Trailer detection system
    Patent number: 7786849
    Abstract: A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Buckley
  • Method and apparatus for assessing the quality of spot welds
    Patent number: 7775415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the size and/or quality of a spot weld. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers arranged with a delay line for positioning adjacent a surface of a weld. A layer of gel is placed between the delay line and the weld surface. The array of transducers emit ultrasonic waves that pass into the weld. The reflected waves are received by the transducers and relayed to a central processing unit that analyzes the time delay, amplitude, and amplitude attenuation to calculate the border of the weld nugget, the thickness of the welded material, the thickness of the gel layer, and other factors contributing to weld quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Roman Gr. Maev, Frank J Ewasyshyn, Serguei A Titov, John M Paille, Elena Yu Maeva, Alexey A Denisov, Fedar M Seviaryn
  • Coolant sensor and bleed valve
    Patent number: 7762313
    Abstract: A coolant sensor doubles as a bleed valve for purging trapped air from a cooling system. The sensor slides into a port placing a sensor element in contact with the coolant. The sensor includes a pair of encircling o-rings for sealing the system from atmosphere in one position and permitting bleeding in a second position. The bleed channel is in the sensor port between the o-rings. The sensor is moved so the innermost o-ring clears the narrow opening into the cooling system. The outermost o-ring maintains a seal to keep the coolant from leaking out of the sensor port. The sensor is held in either position by a horseshoe clip or by a bayonet arrangement, the horseshoe clip arrangement including multiple apertures for each position, the bayonet having a position to provide for safe bleeding of air from the cooling system without completely removing the sensor from its retention port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Eric Darby
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D620393
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter Arnell
  • Automobile body
    Patent number: D626453
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter Arnell