Patents by Inventor Christopher Michael Seubert
Christopher Michael Seubert 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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Publication number: 20190232323Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to a substrate includes a base, an applicator, and a quick-connect connector. The base includes a fluid conduit. The applicator includes at least one actuator and an array of nozzle plates. Each nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The at least one actuator is configured to oscillate the nozzle plates to eject fluid from the apertures. The quick-connect connector couples the fluid conduit to the applicator for fluid communication therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Scott Adams, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20190232321Abstract: A method of controlling application of material onto a substrate includes ejecting atomized droplets from an array of micro-applicators while the array of micro-applicators cyclically moves about at least one axis. The atomized droplets from each of the plurality of micro-applicators overlap with atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators and a diffuse overlap of deposited atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators is provided on a surface of the substrate. The array of micro-applicators cyclically rotates back and forth around the at least one axis and/or moves back and forth parallel to the at least one axis. For example, the at least one axis can be a central axis of the array of micro-applicators, a length axis of the array of micro-applicators, a width axis of the array of micro-applicators, and the like. Also, the array of micro-applicators can be part of an ultrasonic material applicator used to paint vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu
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Publication number: 20190232318Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Publication number: 20190232320Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Publication number: 20190084526Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include comparing a captured image of a predetermined object to a target image of the predetermined object to quantify a first noise characteristic of the captured image, comparing the first noise characteristic to a first predetermined threshold, and detecting debris on an image sensor that outputs the captured image as a result of comparing the first noise characteristic to the first predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Cindy Anne Peters, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
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Patent number: 10170747Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a battery is provided comprising an electron beam-treated current collector having an increased surface energy compared to an untreated current collector and an electrode disposed on a treated surface of the current collector. The electrode may include a water-soluble binder uniformly coating a surface of the current collector and the treated current collector may have a contact angle with the water-soluble binder of 70 degrees or less. The electron beam treatment may be applied to a moving current collector foil as part of a battery production process, prior to application of an electrode slurry.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin James Rhodes, Andrew Robert Drews, Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 10114156Abstract: A vehicle body panel includes a substrate defining an exterior surface. A detectable layer is positioned on the exterior surface and is configured to interact with a first band of an electromagnetic spectrum. A decorative layer is positioned on the detectable layer and is configured to reflect a portion of a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum and transmit the first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A top layer is positioned on the decorative layer and is configured to transmit the first and second band of the electromagnetic spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20180208028Abstract: A computer is programmed to modify an electrical property to adjust an opacity of a sensor cover window. The computer is programmed to actuate an excitation source to emit electro-magnetic beams toward the cover window.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Kenneth Edward Nietering, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 10026192Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Christopher Michael Seubert, Tony Misovski
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Publication number: 20180149782Abstract: A vehicle body panel includes a substrate defining an exterior surface. A detectable layer is positioned on the exterior surface and is configured to interact with a first band of an electromagnetic spectrum. A decorative layer is positioned on the detectable layer and is configured to reflect a portion of a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum and transmit the first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A top layer is positioned on the decorative layer and is configured to transmit the first and second band of the electromagnetic spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20150109443Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Edward NICHOLS, Kevin Richard John ELLWOOD, Christopher Michael SEUBERT, Tony MISOVSKI
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Publication number: 20140370377Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a battery is provided comprising an electron beam-treated current collector having an increased surface energy compared to an untreated current collector and an electrode disposed on a treated surface of the current collector. The electrode may include a water-soluble binder uniformly coating a surface of the current collector and the treated current collector may have a contact angle with the water-soluble binder of 70 degrees or less. The electron beam treatment may be applied to a moving current collector foil as part of a battery production process, prior to application of an electrode slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Kevin James Rhodes, Andrew Robert Drews, Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 8326017Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle, for identifying color mismatches, and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is programmed with standard confidence color curves and includes software programmed with an analysis algorithm to convert an image of a scanned region into a standard image format. Individual color curves are extracted from the standard format to compare the extracted color curves against the standard confidence color curves to determine whether or not the extracted color curves fall within standard confidence color curves. The standard confidence color curves may be adjusted during color testing based upon accumulated extracted color curves.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Scott Adams, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols
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Publication number: 20110170763Abstract: A system for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle and for identifying color mismatches and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array of one or more digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is initially programmed with upper and lower standard confidence color curves.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Scott Adams, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols