Patents by Inventor Barry Shepherd

Barry Shepherd 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: 20250136129
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powerplant, an accelerator pedal, a sensor associated with the accelerator pedal and configured to output data indicative of accelerator pedal position, and a controller. The controller is programmed to command a torque that includes a gravitational-offset component to the powerplant when the vehicle is on non-flat road grade, wherein the torque is commanded such that the gravitational-offset component converges towards zero as the accelerator pedal position increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Sergey Gennadievich Semenov, Barry Shepherd, Richard B. Eckenrode
  • Publication number: 20230334989
    Abstract: Example embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods to form a caravan of vehicles and take advantage of a slipstream formation that can provide benefits such as, for example, a reduction in fuel consumption for follower vehicles. In an example method, a first vehicle transmits a request to form a caravan with a second vehicle. The request may be originated by a slipstream driving arrangement system that can be a part of the first vehicle or provided in a personal communication device of a driver of the first vehicle. Upon receiving an acceptance of the request from a second vehicle, the first vehicle may execute a rendezvous operation to rendezvous with the second vehicle and execute a slipstream formation with the second vehicle. A financial incentive may be offered to either vehicle for operating as a lead vehicle of the caravan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Campanaro, William Hartnagel, Anthony Melatti, Barry Shepherd, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Patent number: 11634020
    Abstract: Exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles may include an enclosure assembly that houses one or more battery internal components (e.g., battery arrays, battery electronic components, or both). A tear-away service panel may be positioned within a wall of the enclosure assembly. The service panel may be removed from the enclosure assembly to access one of the battery internal components requiring service and may be subsequently replaced with a replacement service panel. The replacement service panel may be part of a battery pack resealing kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Thomas Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20210399375
    Abstract: Exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles may include an enclosure assembly that houses one or more battery internal components (e.g., battery arrays, battery electronic components, or both). A tear-away service panel may be positioned within a wall of the enclosure assembly. The service panel may be removed from the enclosure assembly to access one of the battery internal components requiring service and may be subsequently replaced with a replacement service panel. The replacement service panel may be part of a battery pack resealing kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Thomas Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 11133550
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include an enclosure assembly that houses one or more battery internal components (e.g., battery arrays, battery electronic components, or both). A tear-away service panel may be positioned within a wall of the enclosure assembly. The service panel may be removed from the enclosure assembly to access one of the battery internal components requiring service and may be subsequently replaced with a replacement service panel. The replacement service panel may be part of a battery pack resealing kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Thomas Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20200028135
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include an enclosure assembly that houses one or more battery internal components (e.g., battery arrays, battery electronic components, or both). A tear-away service panel may be positioned within a wall of the enclosure assembly. The service panel may be removed from the enclosure assembly to access one of the battery internal components requiring service and may be subsequently replaced with a replacement service panel. The replacement service panel may be part of a battery pack resealing kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Thomas Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10476059
    Abstract: An example battery pack retention system includes, among other things, a retention assembly that transitions from a disengaged to an engaged position in response to movement of a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array housed within the battery pack enclosure. An example securing method includes, among other things, moving a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array that is housed within the battery pack enclosure to transition a retention assembly from a disengaged to an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Publication number: 20190341591
    Abstract: An example battery pack retention system includes, among other things, a retention assembly that transitions from a disengaged to an engaged position in response to movement of a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array housed within the battery pack enclosure. An example securing method includes, among other things, moving a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array that is housed within the battery pack enclosure to transition a retention assembly from a disengaged to an engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Patent number: D459759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Stephen Cohn