Patents by Inventor Alan Gutowski

Alan Gutowski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240131898
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a cabin that is defined by the body, an air delivery system, and a controller. The air delivery system includes a blower, an air register, ductwork, and an intake module. The air register is positioned within the cabin. The ductwork extends between the blower and the air register. The intake module is positioned upstream of the blower. The controller adjusts a speed of the blower as a function of a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Halim Wijaya, Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein
  • Publication number: 20240051369
    Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode and determining a risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode. The controller is configured to increase a climate control system blower speed to increase a rate of airflow provided by the currently-actuated climate control system operating mode. The controller may sequentially advance the climate control system operating mode through the outside air mode, air-conditioning mode, and defrost mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston
  • Patent number: 11897437
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, activating an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while the UVGI system may supplement the heat sanitizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Patent number: 11897313
    Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode and determining a risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode. The controller is configured to increase a climate control system blower speed to increase a rate of airflow provided by the currently-actuated climate control system operating mode. The controller may sequentially advance the climate control system operating mode through the outside air mode, air-conditioning mode, and defrost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston
  • Patent number: 11890914
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an electric machine powered by the traction battery and configured to power wheels of the vehicle, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes a battery loop, a cabin heating loop, and a valve configured to fluidly connect the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a first position and configured to fluidly isolate the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a second position. A controller is programmed to, responsive to (i) battery heating being requested, (ii) a temperature of the battery being greater than a lower threshold, and (iii) cabin heating being requested, actuate the valve to the first position to heat a cabin and the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Mazaira, Angel Fernando Porras, Brett Allen Dunn, Zachary March, Alan Gutowski
  • Patent number: 11807072
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while receiving power from an external power source and responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, operating an electric heater of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration using the power received from the external power source. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while vehicle battery power and fuel are conserved by using power supplied from the external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20230249515
    Abstract: A method of operating a stop-start vehicle with an HVAC system that does not include an electric auxiliary coolant pump for circulating warm coolant to a heater core of the HVAC system in an engine-off condition of the vehicle comprises the steps of driving the vehicle via compulsion by an engine in an environment having an ambient outside temperature of about or less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, entering an auto stop event, such that the engine enters the engine-off condition, and circulating heated air into a cabin of the vehicle in the engine-off condition for at least one minute. The heated air is circulated by decreasing the speed of a blower motor, adjusting a recirculation door position to increase air recirculation, and adjusting a temperature blend door position toward a full-heat position based on a sensed engine coolant temperature and a sensed evaporator core temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, Angelo Patti
  • Patent number: 11673535
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Manfred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 11660935
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system including an electric powertrain, a single thermal loop, and a controller is provided. The electric powertrain includes a high voltage battery. The single thermal loop is for managing thermal conditions of the high voltage battery and a vehicle cabin and may include a climate control system, a blower, and a front evaporator in fluid communication with the vehicle cabin. The controller is programmed to, responsive to detection of a climate control system off request, output a command to direct the blower to push air through a heater core to the vehicle cabin at a predetermined temperature such that a temperature within the vehicle cabin is maintained at a predetermined temperature and refrigerant continues to flow through the front evaporator. The system may include a vehicle cabin temperature sensor and an ambient temperature sensor, each in electrical communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Mark Jones, William Stewart Johnston, Manfred Koberstein
  • Publication number: 20230123367
    Abstract: A vehicle air control system includes a vehicle body that defines an interior. A first particulate matter sensor is coupled to an exterior of the vehicle body. A second particulate matter sensor is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. A temperature sensor is coupled to the exterior of the vehicle body. A vehicle speed sensor is coupled to the vehicle body. A heat, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. The HVAC system includes an inlet door rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position therebetween. A controller is configured to receive a signal from at least one of the first and second particulate matter sensors, the temperature sensors, and the vehicle speed sensor. The controller is configured to rotate the inlet door in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, David Alan Wong
  • Publication number: 20230074313
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an electric machine powered by the traction battery and configured to power wheels of the vehicle, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes a battery loop, a cabin heating loop, and a valve configured to fluidly connect the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a first position and configured to fluidly isolate the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a second position. A controller is programmed to, responsive to (i) battery heating being requested, (ii) a temperature of the battery being greater than a lower threshold, and (iii) cabin heating being requested, actuate the valve to the first position to heat a cabin and the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan Mazaira, Angel Fernando Porras, Brett Allen Dunn, Zachary March, Alan Gutowski
  • Patent number: 11571947
    Abstract: A vehicle air control system includes a vehicle body that defines an interior. A first particulate matter sensor is coupled to an exterior of the vehicle body. A second particulate matter sensor is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. A temperature sensor is coupled to the exterior of the vehicle body. A vehicle speed sensor is coupled to the vehicle body. A heat, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. The HVAC system includes an inlet door rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position therebetween. A controller is configured to receive a signal from at least one of the first and second particulate matter sensors, the temperature sensors, and the vehicle speed sensor. The controller is configured to rotate the inlet door in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, David Alan Wong
  • Patent number: 11563247
    Abstract: A cold ambient battery chilling mode of an electric vehicle may be implemented if the vehicle battery is being charged when the ambient air temperature is low and a temperature of the battery is elevated. During cold ambient charging, coolant flows through a heater core and through a battery heat exchanger. Cold ambient air may be utilized to cool the coolant flowing through the heater core, and coolant from the heater core flows through the battery heat exchanger and cools the battery during charging. A battery chiller may be deactivated when the cold ambient battery chilling mode is activated to reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, William Stewart Johnston, Hamish Lewis, Christian Brent Schoeneman, Alan Gutowski
  • Patent number: 11433733
    Abstract: A vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a cabin air filter, a sensor for providing a sensor reading, and a controller for determining a feedback signal from the sensor reading, wherein the controller determines a cabin air filter expected blockage level from the feedback signal. The feedback signal relates to a usage modifier of the cabin air filter, wherein the controller at east partially adjusts the estimated usage the cabin air filter from the usage modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Imad Hassan Makki, Hadi Abbas, Alan Gutowski, Clay Wesley Maranville, Volker Scheer
  • Publication number: 20220118951
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, adjusting a position of a sun shade based on at least one of an ambient temperature outside of the vehicle and a sun load of the vehicle, and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20220118952
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, activating an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system and operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while the UVGI system may supplement the heat sanitizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Publication number: 20220118822
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while receiving power from an external power source and responsive to receiving a request for cleaning an interior of a vehicle, operating an electric heater of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the interior above an upper threshold temperature for a first threshold duration using the power received from the external power source. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes while vehicle battery power and fuel are conserved by using power supplied from the external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Fred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco
  • Patent number: 11267314
    Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode according to that determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from: an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston
  • Publication number: 20210339712
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Curtis Jones, Manfred Koberstein, Stephen White, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Rollinger, Scott Thompson, M. Scott Christensen, David Hancock, Adam Richards, Steve Skikun, Frank Fusco, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20210339604
    Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode and determining a risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode. The controller is configured to increase a climate control system blower speed to increase a rate of airflow provided by the currently-actuated climate control system operating mode. The controller may sequentially advance the climate control system operating mode through the outside air mode, air-conditioning mode, and defrost mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston