Patents by Inventor Andrew Lakerdas

Andrew Lakerdas 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: 20240151274
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle closure includes a drive unit having a first coupler supported for rotation about a first longitudinal axis. The first coupler defines a receptacle. A second coupler has a first side and a second side configured to engage with a hinge component of a vehicle. A driveshaft extends between the first and second couplers at an angled orientation relative to the first and second axes. The driveshaft has a first end connected to the first coupler and a second end connected to the first side of the second coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Shane Alexander, Michael Kidd, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Patent number: 11938902
    Abstract: A sliding vehicle center console is provided. The center console may include an elongated rack, including an elongated rack, defining a plurality of teeth, a carrier member coupled to the rack, and a gearbox assembly including a pinion configured to rotate in a first or a second direction to translate the carrier member and the elongated rack from a first position to a second position. The sliding vehicle center console may also include a controller configured to change the rotation of the pinion from one of the first or second directions to the other directions, responsive to a comparison of a sensor value to a threshold condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Ulf Hartmann, James Elsarelli, Michael Kidd, Andrew Lakerdas, Raymond Weir, Sarah Miller, Robert Neundorf
  • Patent number: 11345418
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for adjusting a flap, in particular a tailgate, of a motor vehicle, which in the mounted state is mounted on a body of the motor vehicle so as to be pivotable about a flap pivot axis and which can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position over a pivot angle. It is proposed that the drive arrangement comprises a torsion spring arrangement having a torsion spring, the torsion spring being adapted to generate a torsional torque about a torsion axis, that the torsion axis is arranged with an offset to the flap pivot axis, and that the drive arrangement comprises a first gear unit which converts the torsional torque into a supporting force or torque acting on the flap in the direction of the closed position or in the direction of the open position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Andrew Lakerdas, Kim Taylor, Vitali Wendland, Maximilian Kunzelmann, Jacob Rye, Adam Laczo
  • Patent number: 11168770
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for adjusting a position of a vehicle closure, with respect to a vehicle body, is provided. The drive mechanism may include a linear drive and a telescoping arrangement. The linear drive may include a spindle and a spindle nut and the telescoping arrangement may be coupled to the spindle nut and include a pair of gears coupled to one another. As the spindle rotates, the pair of gears may rotate to extend and retract translating portions of the telescoping arrangement in a telescoping manner such that the position of the vehicle closure may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Kim Taylor, Andrew Lakerdas, Mark Farrugia, Alwin Macht, Michael Kuiper
  • Publication number: 20210309156
    Abstract: A sliding vehicle center console is provided. The center console may include an elongated rack, including an elongated rack, defining a plurality of teeth, a carrier member coupled to the rack, and a gearbox assembly including a pinion configured to rotate in a first or a second direction to translate the carrier member and the elongated rack from a first position to a second position. The sliding vehicle center console may also include a controller configured to change the rotation of the pinion from one of the first or second directions to the other directions, responsive to a comparison of a sensor value to a threshold condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ulf HARTMANN, James ELSARELLI, Michael KIDD, Andrew LAKERDAS, Raymond WEIR, Sarah MILLER, Robert NEUNDORF
  • Patent number: 11098504
    Abstract: A vehicle closure system for use with a vehicle closure is provided. The vehicle closure may be pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and movable from an open position to a closed position by a spindle assembly. The vehicle closure system may include a controller configured to, responsive to the vehicle closure moving to the closed position, powering the spindle assembly to retract a slide connected to a latch by a cable so that the latch moves from a secondary latch position to a primary latch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventors: Kim Taylor, Andrew Lakerdas, Mark Farrugia
  • Publication number: 20210155297
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for adjusting a flap, in particular a tailgate, of a motor vehicle, which in the mounted state is mounted on a body of the motor vehicle so as to be pivotable about a flap pivot axis and which can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position over a pivot angle. It is proposed that the drive arrangement comprises a torsion spring arrangement having a torsion spring, the torsion spring being adapted to generate a torsional torque about a torsion axis, that the torsion axis is arranged with an offset to the flap pivot axis, and that the drive arrangement comprises a first gear unit which converts the torsional torque into a supporting force or torque acting on the flap in the direction of the closed position or in the direction of the open position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Andrew LAKERDAS, Kim TAYLOR, Vitali WENDLAND, Maximilian KUNZELMANN, Jacob RYE, Adam LACZO
  • Patent number: 10876341
    Abstract: A door drive assembly including: a drive arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the drive arm and configured to rotate the drive arm between an open position and a closed position. The door drive assembly also includes a control arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a race configured to be disposed between the body and the first end of the control arm where the first end of control arm is configured to translate by a first distance along the race as the drive arm rotates between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Kim Taylor, Andrew Lakerdas, Mark Farrugia, Alwin Macht, Anil Bhat, Arnd Herwig, Michael Kidd, Travis Briggs
  • Publication number: 20200370629
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for adjusting a position of a vehicle closure, with respect to a vehicle body, is provided. The drive mechanism may include a linear drive and a telescoping arrangement. The linear drive may include a spindle and a spindle nut and the telescoping arrangement may be coupled to the spindle nut and include a pair of gears coupled to one another. As the spindle rotates, the pair of gears may rotate to extend and retract translating portions of the telescoping arrangement in a telescoping manner such that the position of the vehicle closure may be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Kim TAYLOR, Andrew LAKERDAS, Mark FARRUGIA, Alwin MACHT, Michael KUIPER
  • Publication number: 20200123816
    Abstract: A vehicle closure system for use with a vehicle closure is provided. The vehicle closure may be pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and movable from an open position to a closed position by a spindle assembly. The vehicle closure system may include a controller configured to, responsive to the vehicle closure moving to the closed position, powering the spindle assembly to retract a slide connected to a latch by a cable so that the latch moves from a secondary latch position to a primary latch position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Kim TAYLOR, Andrew LAKERDAS, Mark FARRUGIA
  • Publication number: 20200032569
    Abstract: A door drive assembly including: a drive arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the drive arm and configured to rotate the drive arm between an open position and a closed position. The door drive assembly also includes a control arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a race configured to be disposed between the body and the first end of the control arm where the first end of control arm is configured to translate by a first distance along the race as the drive arm rotates between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kim TAYLOR, Andrew LAKERDAS, Mark FARRUGIA, Alwin MACHT, Anil BHAT, Arnd HERWIG, Michael KIDD, Travis BRIGGS
  • Patent number: 9360015
    Abstract: An electric water pump, and more specifically an electric water pump having an improved wet sleeve so that the water pump is free of a housing. The electric water includes a pump rotor having a shaft. A wetsleeve surrounds the rotor and has a cap, a sleeve that houses the rotor, and a seat in communication with the shaft of the rotor so that the seat assists in supporting the shaft a stator. Surrounding the wet sleeve and the rotor is a volute covering an upper portion of the rotor, wet sleeve, and stator. The electric water pump further includes a rubber boot covering a lower portion of the rotor, wet sleeve, and stator and is in communication with the volute forming a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Muizelaar, Nicholas J. Glowacki, Liping Wang, Dave A. Moritz, Kyle Mills, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Publication number: 20140017073
    Abstract: An electric pump comprising: a rotor, a wet sleeve surrounding the rotor; and a stator surrounding the wet sleeve and the rotor; wherein the rotor and stator have a magnetic air gap of about 2 mm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Muizelaar, Nicholas J. Glowacki, Liping Wang, Dave A. Moritz, Kyle Mills, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Patent number: 8398378
    Abstract: A fan module assembly includes at least one a rotatable fan (38) having blades (39) with tips of blades being joined by an annular fan band (42). An electrically conductive squirrel cage (46) is associated with the fan band to rotate therewith. Flux receiving structure (48) is associated with the fan band. A shroud (40) has a shaft (54) with the fan being associated with the shaft so as to rotate about the shaft and with respect to the shroud. Control structure (52) is mounted stationary with respect to the shroud generally adjacent to a portion of the fan band. The control structure is constructed and arranged to generate a changing magnetic field, generally at the radius of the fan band, which interacts with the flux receiving structure and the squirrel cage to cause the fan to be driven by tangential force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Andrew Lakerdas, Paul Stephen McLennan
  • Patent number: 7977835
    Abstract: A cooling module includes a shroud (38) having an integral cover (42). The cover receives a bearing structure (40). A fan (36) is provided for moving air. A rotor and stator assembly (30) has an opened end and includes a stator (29) having permanent magnets. A rotor (31) includes a lamination stack (16), windings (21), a commutator (20); and a shaft (18). The rotor is associated with the stator so as to rotate with respect thereto. One end (34) of the shaft is coupled with the fan and another end (39) of the shaft is received by the bearing structure. A brush and connector unit (52) is associated with the cover of the shroud and includes brushes (58) associated with the commutator, and an electrical connector (62). The cover covers the opened end of the rotor and stator assembly and covers at least a portion of a brush and connector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Paul Stephen McLennan, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Publication number: 20110114196
    Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a valve, mechanical advantage device, actuator, controller and pressure sensor. The valve is disposed between an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve includes a pintle and seat. An actuator is provided to move the pintle away from the seat to allow the flow of gas from the inlet port to the outlet port and a pintle return spring is provided to bias the pintle towards seat. The actuator is configured to move the pintle in response to the magnitude of a control signal. A control system is provided to receive a gas pressure signal from a pressure transducer at the outlet port which detects the gas pressure at the outlet port and generate a control signal having a magnitude proportional to the detected gas pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Jason Lall, Jakub Hurnik, Andrew Lakerdas
  • Patent number: 7868498
    Abstract: A motor case assembly 20 a permanent magnet D.C. electric motor includes a motor case 24 having a generally cylindrical wall 25, a closed end 21, and an open end 23 opposite the closed end, defining an interior 27. Permanent magnet structure 26 is mounted to the wall 25 in the interior 27. A surface defines at least one hole 22 through the wall 25. The hole 22 is constructed and arranged to be employed in mounting the case 20 to a shroud to obtain a mass balance distribution of a motor shroud assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniela Pricope, Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Andrew Lakerdas, Antonio Giammarco, Bonifacio Castillo
  • Patent number: 7839038
    Abstract: A cooling module 67 includes a motor assembly 42 having a motor case 24 having at least one open end and including mounting brackets 30 integral therewith. Each bracket has only a bottom portion 32 connected with the motor case. An armature assembly is disposed in the motor case and includes a rotatable shaft 46. A brush card assembly 56 is associated with the armature assembly, and an end cap 60 is disposed over the brush card assembly and partially covers the open end of the motor case and thereby defining a non end cap covered motor portion 63. A fan 64 is coupled to an end of the shaft and has a hub substantially covering one end of the motor assembly. A shroud 74 has a motor cover 76. Fastening structure 78 is associated with the shroud and engaged with the brackets thereby mounting the motor assembly to the shroud, with the motor cover substantially covering the end cap and the non end cap covered motor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Stefan Zenon Smorowski, Andrew Lakerdas, Paul Stephen McLennan, Ovidius Turcanu
  • Publication number: 20100146769
    Abstract: A cooling module 67 includes a motor assembly 42 having a motor case 24 having at least one open end and including mounting brackets 30 integral therewith. Each bracket has only a bottom portion 32 connected with the motor case. An armature assembly is disposed in the motor case and includes a rotatable shaft 46. A brush card assembly 56 is associated with the armature assembly, and an end cap 60 is disposed over the brush card assembly and partially covers the open end of the motor case and thereby defining a non end cap covered motor portion 63. A fan 64 is coupled to an end of the shaft and has a hub substantially covering one end of the motor assembly. A shroud 74 has a motor cover 76. Fastening structure 78 is associated with the shroud and engaged with the brackets thereby mounting the motor assembly to the shroud, with the motor cover substantially covering the end cap and the non end cap covered motor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Stefan Zenon Smorowski, Andrew Lakerdas, Paul Stephen McLennan, Ovidius Turcanu
  • Patent number: 7508146
    Abstract: A dual fan module system 28 includes a two-speed electric motor 12 for operating a first fan 36, a one-speed electric motor 14 for operating a second fan 38, and switching structure K1, K2, K3, and K4 constructed and arranged to operate the system at more than two different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Andrew Lakerdas, Mike Toner, Alex Gubbels, Jahan Kargar