Patents by Inventor Dale Leanhardt

Dale Leanhardt 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: 8056928
    Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel storage system for a vehicle are provided. A frame defining a perimeter structure and having first and second ends, and a generally open central interior portion, is configured to receive any one of a plurality of vehicle bodies in a body-on-frame vehicle architecture. A fuel cell arrangement is disposed adjacent one end of the frame, and a fuel storage tank is disposed in the central interior portion of the frame, along a length of the frame. The fuel storage tank provides a source of fuel for the fuel cell, and also acts as a fuel delivery conduit from one end of the frame to the other. The fuel storage system can include a non-rigid mounting structure for the fuel tank, thereby substantially isolating the fuel tank from movements of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Dale Leanhardt, Mike Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20090133948
    Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel storage system for a vehicle are provided. A frame defining a perimeter structure and having first and second ends, and a generally open central interior portion, is configured to receive any one of a plurality of vehicle bodies in a body-on-frame vehicle architecture. A fuel cell arrangement is disposed adjacent one end of the frame, and a fuel storage tank is disposed in the central interior portion of the frame, along a length of the frame. The fuel storage tank provides a source of fuel for the fuel cell, and also acts as a fuel delivery conduit from one end of the frame to the other. The fuel storage system can include a non-rigid mounting structure for the fuel tank, thereby substantially isolating the fuel tank from movements of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Dale Leanhardt, Michael Veenstra