Patents by Inventor Chad Reed

Chad Reed 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: 11787248
    Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Publication number: 20230191859
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed, cause one or more processors to determine a location of a hitch ball of a hitch of a vehicle, determine a load condition of the hitch based on the location and data received from a sensor of a first pin of the hitch, the hitch including a second pin, the first pin to react loads in a first direction and a second direction, the second pin to react loads in the first direction and in response to the load condition satisfying an alert threshold, alert a user of the load condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11607919
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hitch configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the hitch including a crossbar, a receiver tube, and a pin housing coupled to the receiver tube. The pin housing includes a first pin including a load sensor, the first pin reacting loads in a first direction and a second direction and a second pin, the second pin reacting loads in the first direction, the first pin and the second pin acting as the only load path between the receiver tube and the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11491832
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Publication number: 20220242180
    Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11221262
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11135882
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11097580
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a modular double pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver. An example disclosed apparatus to be coupled to a receiver tube includes a crossbar interface to be coupled to a crossbar of a hitch, a pin adapter coupled to the crossbar interface, a first load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter, and a second load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Christopher Eric Allard, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Chad Reed, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 11084342
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Publication number: 20210229679
    Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a torque transferring member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has oppositely polarized magnetically conditioned regions with initial directions of magnetization that are perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the torque-transferring member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing. The torque sensing devices are incorporated on vehicle drive train components, including differential components, transfer case components, transmission components, and others, including on power transmission shafts, half-shafts, and wheels, and output signals representing characteristics of the vehicle are processed in algorithms to provide useful output information for controlling actions of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11014417
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl
  • Publication number: 20210061030
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 10899183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetoelastic hitch receiver force detection are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a chassis, a trailer hitch receiver configured to receive a trailer hitch arm along an axis, a first pin having a first magnetic field, the first pin disposed above and perpendicular to the axis, a second pin, the first pin and the second pin coupling the trailer hitch receiver to the chassis and a first sensor configured to detect changes in the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Rinku Patel, Anton Rogness, Elliott Pearson, Chad Reed, Johannes Gießibl
  • Publication number: 20200240853
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Giessibl
  • Publication number: 20200198421
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Giessibl, Chris Liston
  • Publication number: 20200198423
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Giessibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 10670479
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl
  • Publication number: 20200041362
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Publication number: 20190265112
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Giessibl
  • Publication number: 20190263204
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl