Patents by Inventor Bert Niessen
Bert Niessen 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).
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Patent number: 10173519Abstract: A motor vehicle having a frame-like assembly carrier as a component of a bodywork in the front end region of the motor vehicle which is driven by means of an internal combustion engine. The assembly carrier has an inner side and an outer side and includes a plurality of web-like carriers. In the installation position of the assembly carrier, two lateral carriers spaced apart from each other are connected by an upper carrier with a frame being formed. The upper web-like carrier has at least one air passage defined by the upper carrier which leads from the outer side to the inner side of the assembly carrier. A suction system is arranged on the inner side of the assembly carrier for supplying the internal combustion engine with air. At least one air inlet opening of the suction system adjoins at least one air passage of the upper carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bert Niessen, Darren John Wood, Stefan Kuehne, Neil McGregor, Scott James Martin, Henry Ward
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Patent number: 10137822Abstract: A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle is provided herein. The headlamp fastening system includes a support structure, a headlamp structure, and an alignment element. The alignment element is configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with the support structure with respect to the z-direction of the vehicle. The alignment element holds the sup port structure and the headlamp in an alignment position. In the alignment position the support structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z-direction relative to one another. The alignment element fixes the support structure and the headlamp in the fixed position, wherein, upon the alignment element fixing the support structure and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the support structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bert Niessen, Boris Herrmann, Mark Witschel, Thorsten Warwel
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Patent number: 9925632Abstract: A fixture for positioning a component in a desired location in a first plane for assembly, machining, or other processing related to manufacturing. The fixture includes a holder establishing a reference position within a second plane parallel with the first plane, and a pin retained by the holder for movement relative thereto in the second plane within a range of coarse alignment about the reference position. The pin and holder are movable together normal to the second plane to engage the pin with the locating feature. A fixing element is movable, when the pin is engaged with the feature, to urge the pin to the reference position.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ruediger Maier, Bert Niessen
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Publication number: 20180043765Abstract: A motor vehicle having a frame-like assembly carrier as a component of a bodywork in the front end region of the motor vehicle which is driven by means of an internal combustion engine. The assembly carrier has an inner side and an outer side and includes a plurality of web-like carriers. In the installation position of the assembly carrier, two lateral carriers spaced apart from each other are connected by an upper carrier with a frame being formed. The upper web-like carrier has at least one air passage defined by the upper carrier which leads from the outer side to the inner side of the assembly carrier. A suction system is arranged on the inner side of the assembly carrier for supplying the internal combustion engine with air. At least one air inlet opening of the suction system adjoins at least one air passage of the upper carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bert NIESSEN, Darren John WOOD, Stefan KUEHNE, Neil MCGREGOR, Scott James MARTIN, Henry WARD
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Publication number: 20180029524Abstract: A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle is provided herein. The headlamp fastening system includes a support structure, a headlamp structure, and an alignment element. The alignment element is configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with the support structure with respect to the z-direction of the vehicle. The alignment element holds the sup port structure and the headlamp in an alignment position. In the alignment position the support structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z- direction relative to one another. The alignment element fixes the support structure and the headlamp in the fixed position, wherein, upon the alignment element fixing the support structure and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the support structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Bert Niessen, Boris Herrmann, Mark Witschel, Thorsten Warwel
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Patent number: 9079537Abstract: An automotive side view mirror attachment assembly includes a polymeric outer shell having a metal reinforcement member coupled thereto, wherein the polymeric outer shell forms form closures about connecting features of the metal reinforcement member, so as to provide an operably coupling between the polymeric outer shell and the metal reinforcing member that is secured by independent connection locations that are effective to support an external mirror assembly in multiple dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bert Niessen, Andreas Thiessen, Michael Meyer, Helmut Olbricht
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Patent number: 8733485Abstract: A front module for a motor vehicle includes two longitudinal members arranged one on either side, a bumper sitting in front of the two longitudinal members and connected to front ends of the longitudinal members with the interconnection of a respective deformation element, and a radiator frame arranged between the longitudinal members and supporting the cooling assembly. In a collision, the bumper, after the deformation of the deformation element, comes to bear against the radiator frame, wherein the radiator frame can then be displaced for a limited distance to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment. After displacement or deformation of the radiator frame, the bumper (1) comes to bear against at least one point of the cooling assembly (5) in order to displace the latter to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ford-Werke GmbHInventors: Joergen Hilmann, Bert Niessen, Bernd Linden
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Patent number: 8555478Abstract: A method for fitting a vehicle body component to a body shell of a vehicle having at least one side wall includes the steps of gauging an actual position of a partial area of the side wall relative to a first coordinate axis of the vehicle, plotting a first reference point relative to the first coordinate axis on the basis of the gauged actual position, and mounting the vehicle body component at a designated position relative to the first reference point. The partial area may advantageously be a vehicle A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar. The method affords a simpler and more cost-effective fitting of the vehicle body components. The method is also feasible in less mechanized production facilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bert Niessen, Ruediger Maier
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Publication number: 20130062496Abstract: An automotive side view mirror attachment assembly includes a polymeric outer shell having a metal reinforcement member coupled thereto, wherein the polymeric outer shell forms form closures about connecting features of the metal reinforcement member, so as to provide an operably coupling between the polymeric outer shell and the metal reinforcing member that is secured by independent connection locations that are effective to support an external mirror assembly in multiple dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.Inventors: Bert Niessen, Andreas Thiessen, Michael Meyer, Helmut Olbricht
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Patent number: 8251438Abstract: Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernd Linden, Bert Niessen, Joergen Hilmann
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Publication number: 20120181818Abstract: Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bernd Linden, Bert Niessen, Joergen Hilmann
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Publication number: 20120104797Abstract: A front module for a motor vehicle includes two longitudinal members arranged one on either side, a bumper sitting in front of the two longitudinal members and connected to front ends of the longitudinal members with the interconnection of a respective deformation element, and a radiator frame arranged between the longitudinal members and supporting the cooling assembly. In a collision, the bumper, after the deformation of the deformation element, comes to bear against the radiator frame, wherein the radiator frame can then be displaced for a limited distance to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment. After displacement or deformation of the radiator frame, the bumper (1) comes to bear against at least one point of the cooling assembly (5) in order to displace the latter to the rear in the direction of the passenger compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: FORD-WERKE GMBHInventors: Joergen Hilmann, Bert Niessen, Bernd Linden
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Publication number: 20110167608Abstract: A method for fitting a vehicle body component to a body shell of a vehicle having at least one side wall includes the steps of gauging an actual position of a partial area of the side wall relative to a first coordinate axis of the vehicle, plotting a first reference point relative to the first coordinate axis on the basis of the gauged actual position, and mounting the vehicle body component at a designated position relative to the first reference point. The partial area may advantageously be a vehicle A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar. The method affords a simpler and more cost-effective fitting of the vehicle body components. The method is also feasible in less mechanized production facilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bert Niessen, Ruediger Maier