Patents by Inventor ANDRE SYKULA

ANDRE SYKULA 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).

  • Patent number: 11643052
    Abstract: A sensor-cleaning apparatus includes an upper piece, a lower piece fixed to the upper piece, a plurality of inserts inserted into the upper piece, and a plurality of nozzles. The upper piece and the lower piece form a tubular segment that is elongated along an arc of a circle and encloses a chamber. Each nozzle is formed of the upper piece and one of the inserts. Each nozzle includes a deflection surface and a tunnel from the chamber to the deflection surface, and each tunnel is partially formed of the upper piece and partially formed of the respective insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Yoann Dolle, William Terrasse, Denis Thebault, Veeramanikandan Gopal, Gowtham Ilanthirayan, Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 11458932
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and an annular member coupled to the sensor window and rotatable about the axis. The annular member includes a nozzle aimed at the sensor window and oriented at an acute angle from a radial direction toward the axis in a plane orthogonal to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dhaval P. Vaishnav, Yi-Hsin Yen, Syed K. Ali, Andre Sykula, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20220097656
    Abstract: A sensor-cleaning apparatus includes an upper piece, a lower piece fixed to the upper piece, a plurality of inserts inserted into the upper piece, and a plurality of nozzles. The upper piece and the lower piece form a tubular segment that is elongated along an arc of circle and encloses a chamber. Each nozzle is formed of the upper piece and one of the inserts. Each nozzle includes a deflection surface and a tunnel from the chamber to the deflection surface, and each tunnel is partially formed of the upper piece and partially formed of the respective insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Yoann Dolle, William Terrasse, Denis Thebault, Veeramanikandan Gopal, Gowtham Ilanthirayan, Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 11279325
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor lens defining an axis, a first nozzle and a second nozzle positioned a same perpendicular direction from the axis and spaced along a direction parallel to the axis, and an air source fluidly connected to the nozzles. The nozzles are oriented to emit respective airstreams intersecting the axis and directed apart at an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Steven Marshall, Michael Whitney
  • Publication number: 20220057509
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a base, a nozzle positioned in the base and rotatable relative to the base, an extension arm elongated from a first portion to a second portion, and a fluid source fluidly connected to the nozzle. The first portion is fixed to the nozzle, and the second portion is spaced from the nozzle. Pressurizing the fluid source applies force to the second portion of the extension arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Michael Robertson, JR., James Pizzimenti, William Ethan-Alexander McClure, Inderpal Singh
  • Publication number: 20210146406
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a plurality of at least three tubular segments fixed relative to the sensor window. Each tubular segment is elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The tubular segments collectively form a ring substantially centered around the axis. Each tubular segment includes at least one first nozzle and at least one second nozzle. The first nozzles and second nozzles are arranged in an alternating pattern around the ring. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis, and the second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, the second angle being different than the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Rashaun Phinisee, Venkatesh Krishnan, Kunal Singh, Raghuraman Surineedi, Michael Whitney, David Franco, Robin Moulart, William Terrasse
  • Patent number: 10969478
    Abstract: A system includes a base having a sensor opening. An object-detection sensor is aligned with the sensor opening. A motor and a guide are each supported by the base and are spaced from each other. A continuous band is flexible relative to and engaged with the motor and the guide. At least a portion of the continuous band is transparent and extends between the sensor and the sensor opening. If a contaminant, e.g., dirt, water, snow, etc., is on the continuous band at the sensor opening, the motor moves the continuous band to locate a clean section of the continuous band at the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dhaval P. Vaishnav, Yi-Hsin Yen, Syed K. Ali, Andre Sykula, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10946838
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a tubular annular member fixed relative to the sensor window and substantially centered around the axis. The annular member includes a plurality of first nozzles and second nozzles arranged in an alternating pattern around the annular member. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis. The second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, and the second angle is different than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Michael Whitney, David Franco, Maxime Baudouin, Xavier Bousset, William Terrasse, Theophile Jullien, Geoffroy Duplaix
  • Publication number: 20200398795
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor lens defining an axis, a first nozzle and a second nozzle positioned a same perpendicular direction from the axis and spaced along a direction parallel to the axis, and an air source fluidly connected to the nozzles. The nozzles are oriented to emit respective airstreams intersecting the axis and directed apart at an acute angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: ANDRE SYKULA, VENKATESH KRISHNAN, SEGUNDO BALDOVINO, STEVEN MARSHALL, MICHAEL WHITNEY
  • Patent number: 10845465
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing having a chamber. A pressure source is in fluid communication with the chamber. A first sensor window and a second sensor window are each defined by the housing. The housing has a first port and a second port each in fluid communication with the chamber. The first port is adjacent the first sensor window, and the second port is adjacent the second sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Haiping Hong, Mario D. Iaquinta, Sunil Patil, James Pizzimenti, Katherine Jo Ralston, Andre Sykula
  • Publication number: 20200298804
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a tubular annular member fixed relative to the sensor window and substantially centered around the axis. The annular member includes a plurality of first nozzles and second nozzles arranged in an alternating pattern around the annular member. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis. The second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, and the second angle is different than the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: ANDRE SYKULA, VENKATESH KRISHNAN, SEGUNDO BALDOVINO, MICHAEL WHITNEY, DAVID FRANCO, MAXIME BAUDOUIN, XAVIER BOUSSET, WILLIAM TERRASSE, THEOPHILE JULLIEN, GEOFFROY DUPLAIX
  • Patent number: 10773273
    Abstract: An annular nozzle assembly includes an inlet tube, an annular tube, at least three first spray nozzles, and a plurality of separating vanes. The annular tube connects to the inlet tube. The first spray nozzles are fixed to the annular tube and are directed to spray inwardly and in a first vertical direction and are equally spaced from each other. The separating vanes are disposed within the annular tube and extend along a length thereof and define a flow channel for each first spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi Ehteshami, Dhaval P. Vaishnav, Andre Sykula, Syed K. Ali, Yi-Hsin Yen
  • Patent number: 10761190
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, a blower fixed relative to the housing, an air tunnel, a filter, a first drain, and a second drain. The air tunnel includes an inlet, a first turn, a second turn, a first portion extending upward from the inlet to the first turn, a second portion extending downward from the first turn to the second turn, and a third portion extending from the second turn to the blower. The filter is positioned between the first portion and the first turn. The first drain extends through the first portion. The second drain extends through the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VALEO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Segundo Baldovino, Steven Marshall, Michael Whitney, Earl Buckman
  • Publication number: 20200094783
    Abstract: A sensor having a positive temperature coefficient shroud is described, as well as a computing system to control actuation of the positive temperature coefficient shroud. According to one example, the computing system executes a method that actuates the positive temperature coefficient shroud of the sensor based on a transmittance parameter of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Prashant Dubey, Segundo Baldovino, Jose Garcia Crespo, Venkatesh Krishnan, Andre Sykula
  • Patent number: 10589724
    Abstract: A sensor cleaning system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may include a fluid-dispensing nozzle for a vehicle sensor, a housing within a body of a vehicle, and a driving member which can move the nozzle between a stowed position within the housing and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Andre Sykula, Segundo Baldovino, Jose Garcia Crespo
  • Patent number: 10589723
    Abstract: A sensor having a positive temperature coefficient shroud is described, as well as a computing system to control actuation of the positive temperature coefficient shroud. According to one example, the computing system executes a method that actuates the positive temperature coefficient shroud of the sensor based on a transmittance parameter of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Prashant Dubey, Segundo Baldovino, Jose Garcia Crespo, Venkatesh Krishnan, Andre Sykula
  • Patent number: 10549723
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to receive data indicating a contaminant on a sensor window of a vehicle; determine a combination of an air pressure setting of an air source and a liquid pressure setting of a liquid source to remove the contaminant from the sensor window; and set the air source to the air pressure setting and the liquid source to the liquid pressure setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Segundo Baldovino, Haiping Hong, Venkatesh Krishnan, Andre Sykula, Sunil Patil
  • Patent number: 10549726
    Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a sensor cover according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor provided within the sensor cover, a wiper configured to wipe the sensor cover, and a vibrating motor configured to vibrate at least one of the wiper and the sensor cover. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Garcia Crespo, Brad Napier Doman, Andre Sykula
  • Patent number: 10543814
    Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade carried on the wiper arm and a light source provided between the wiper arm and the raised wiper blade. The wiper assembly may also include a heating element and a controller to control operation of the light source and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Andre Sykula
  • Patent number: 10516813
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing having an airfoil shape and including a pressure surface and a suction surface, a sensor attached to the housing and disposed on the suction surface, and a nozzle attached to the housing and directed toward the sensor. A vehicle may include an exterior panel, and the sensor assembly may be attached to the exterior panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Andre Sykula