Patents by Inventor Christopher Stephen O'Connor
Christopher Stephen O'Connor 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: 10589705Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel having an exterior panel directed downward, an airbag having an uninflated position behind the exterior panel and having a left chamber and a right chamber, a left inflator coupled to the left chamber, a right inflator coupled to the right chamber, and a controller programmed to selectively activate each inflator to one of a high output and a low output based on an impact angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
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Patent number: 10525923Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a controller, and a seatbelt retractor. The controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor indicating detection of a vehicle front oblique impact. The seatbelt retractor includes a load limiting mechanism selectively releasable from a high load mode to a low load mode. The controller is programmed to release the load limiting mechanism from the high load mode to the low load mode at a predetermined time in response to a signal from the sensor indicating a vehicle front oblique impact.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee, Elizabeth G. Owen, Keith Trudgeon, Jamel E. Belwafa
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Publication number: 20190077354Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a controller, and a seatbelt retractor. The controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor indicating detection of a vehicle front oblique impact. The seatbelt retractor includes a load limiting mechanism selectively releasable from a high load mode to a low load mode. The controller is programmed to release the load limiting mechanism from the high load mode to the low load mode at a predetermined time in response to a signal from the sensor indicating a vehicle front oblique impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee, Elizabeth G. Owen, Keith Trudgeon, Jamel E. Belwafa
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Publication number: 20190039549Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel having an exterior panel directed downward, an airbag having an uninflated position behind the exterior panel and having a left chamber and a right chamber, a left inflator coupled to the left chamber, a right inflator coupled to the right chamber, and a controller programmed to selectively activate each inflator to one of a high output and a low output based on an impact angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
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Patent number: 10053040Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel. The restraint system includes an airbag coupled to the instrument panel and having an impact panel facing away from the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. The impact panel has a left half and a right half. A left tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the left half of the impact panel. A right tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the right half of the impact panel. A controller is programmed to selectively release one of the left and right tethers based on an impact angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TEHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
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Publication number: 20170282974Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan Craig, Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Akshay Kulkarni
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Patent number: 9776663Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ryan Craig, Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Akshay Kulkarni
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Patent number: 8500191Abstract: A frangible vehicle sub-frame joint between a sub-frame and compartment pan. The sub-frame defines a clearance area forward of a collar. In a collision event, the collar is separated into a breakaway portion and a portion that is retained by the sub-frame. The breakaway portion breaks into a clearance area defined in front of the frame joint when the sub-frame is subjected to a front end impact.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa, Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Thierry Guimberteau, Saeed David Barbat
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Publication number: 20130181481Abstract: A frangible vehicle sub-frame joint between a sub-frame and compartment pan. The sub-frame defines a clearance area forward of a collar. In a collision event, the collar is separated into a breakaway portion and a portion that is retained by the sub-frame. The breakaway portion breaks into a clearance area defined in front of the frame joint when the sub-frame is subjected to a front end impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa, Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Thierry Guimberteau, Saeed David Barbat