Patents by Inventor Clifton Ellis

Clifton Ellis 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: 11363438
    Abstract: Near field connection for secure tractor trailer communication, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for wireless communication between a tractor and a trailer includes a first transceiver (TRX) attached to the tractor, and a second TRX attached to the trailer. An engagement between the tractor and the trailer brings the first TRX within an operational distance to the second TRX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: Josef Lotz, Clifton Ellis
  • Publication number: 20210176616
    Abstract: Near field connection for secure tractor trailer communication, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for wireless communication between a tractor and a trailer includes a first transceiver (TRX) attached to the tractor, and a second TRX attached to the trailer. An engagement between the tractor and the trailer brings the first TRX within an operational distance to the second TRX.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Josef Lotz, Clifton Ellis
  • Patent number: 10924905
    Abstract: Near field connection for secure tractor trailer communication, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for wireless communication between a tractor and a trailer includes a first transceiver (TRX) attached to the tractor, and a second TRX attached to the trailer. An engagement between the tractor and the trailer brings the first TRX within an operational distance to the second TRX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Josef Lotz, Clifton Ellis
  • Patent number: 10899398
    Abstract: An aerodynamic control system for a ground vehicle comprises a LiDAR module including at least one LiDAR sensor configured to obtain wind data upstream of the ground vehicle; a computing device; an aerodynamic device controller; and an aerodynamic device including a control surface. The computing device is configured to receive the wind data from the LiDAR module and generate output signals based on the wind data. The aerodynamic device controller is configured to receive the output signals from the computing device and generate control signals to control the aerodynamic device to adjust aerodynamic properties of the ground vehicle based at least in part the wind data. Changes to the configuration of the control surface may include increasing or decreasing a deflection angle of the at least one aerodynamic device. The aerodynamic device may include, e.g., a pneumatically actuated aerodynamic device or an electro-mechanically actuated aerodynamic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Damon, Jeffrey P. Smith, Clifton Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190367104
    Abstract: An aerodynamic control system for a ground vehicle comprises a LiDAR module including at least one LiDAR sensor configured to obtain wind data upstream of the ground vehicle; a computing device; an aerodynamic device controller; and an aerodynamic device including a control surface. The computing device is configured to receive the wind data from the LiDAR module and generate output signals based on the wind data. The aerodynamic device controller is configured to receive the output signals from the computing device and generate control signals to control the aerodynamic device to adjust aerodynamic properties of the ground vehicle based at least in part the wind data. Changes to the configuration of the control surface may include increasing or decreasing a deflection angle of the at least one aerodynamic device. The aerodynamic device may include, e.g., a pneumatically actuated aerodynamic device or an electro-mechanically actuated aerodynamic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Damon, Jeffrey P. Smith, Clifton Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190364406
    Abstract: Near field connection for secure tractor trailer communication, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for wireless communication between a tractor and a trailer includes a first transceiver (TRX) attached to the tractor, and a second TRX attached to the trailer. An engagement between the tractor and the trailer brings the first TRX within an operational distance to the second TRX.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Josef Lotz, Clifton Ellis
  • Patent number: 9481273
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a device for maintaining a cable in place or otherwise securing, capping, shielding, or guarding a cable. In one embodiment, the cable retention unit is used to secure or guard a cable in place in a seat actuator or other cable-containing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Clifton Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140117172
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a device for maintaining a cable in place or otherwise securing, capping, shielding, or guarding a cable. In one embodiment, the cable retention unit is used to secure or guard a cable in place in a seat actuator or other cable-containing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLC
    Inventor: Clifton Ellis