Patents by Inventor Daniel D. Carlson
Daniel D. Carlson 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: 10288986Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the window, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, Anthony L. Rivas, Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 10139707Abstract: An apparatus for securing a camera housing (100) having a central axis (102) to a windshield (22) includes a bracket (20). The bracket (20) has a central axis (30) and extends from a first end (32) to a second end (34). A plurality of centering members (72) on the first end (32) of the bracket (20) is configured to engage the camera housing (100) to align the central axis (102) with the central axis (30). A plurality of locking members (90, 91) on the second end (34) of the bracket (20) is configured to form a snap-fit connection with the camera housing (100) to fasten the bracket (20) to the camera housing (100). The locking members (90, 91) are positioned on opposite sides of the central axis (30) of the bracket (20) with at least one locking member (90, 91) extending at an angle less than 90° to the central axis (30).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20180239223Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the window, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: THOMAS E. BLAKE, III, Anthony L. Rivas, Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 9910343Abstract: A system for moderating the environment surrounding a driver assist camera of a vehicle having a camera mounted within a housing, the housing adapted to be attached to a window of the vehicle. A fan is connected to the housing to force airflow through the housing to moderate the environment surrounding the camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 9744828Abstract: An apparatus for use in venting a compartment in a vehicle includes a housing which at least partially defines an air flow passage. A valve element moves from a closed condition to an open condition to enable air to flow through the air flow passage. The valve element has an inner surface facing the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. The valve element has an outer surface opposite the inner surface facing away from the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. A spring wire deflects as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition and is effective to urge the valve element toward the closed condition. The spring wire extends in a straight line from the housing to the inner surface of the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20170182952Abstract: A system for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera of a vehicle having a camera mounted within a housing adapted to be attached to a window and a headliner of the vehicle. A duct connection port is connectable to a headliner air duct to permit forced airflow through the housing to moderate the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20170184945Abstract: A system for moderating the environment surrounding a driver assist camera of a vehicle having a camera mounted within a housing, the housing adapted to be attached to a window of the vehicle. A fan is connected to the housing to force airflow through the housing to moderate the environment surrounding the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 9410629Abstract: An apparatus includes a vent valve movable between a closed condition blocking air flow through a vent opening and an open condition enabling air flow through the vent opening. A door position sensor assembly is operable from a first condition to a second condition in response to movement of a vehicle door from a closed position to an open position and is operable from the second condition to the first condition in response to movement of the vehicle door from the open position to the closed position. An actuator assembly operates the vent valve from the closed condition to the open condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the first condition to the second condition and releases the vent valve for movement from the open condition to the closed condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the second condition to the first condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Carlson, J. Michael Andrews
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Publication number: 20160216595Abstract: An apparatus for securing a camera housing (100) having a central axis (102) to a windshield (22) includes a bracket (20). The bracket (20) has a central axis (30) and extends from a first end (32) to a second end (34). A plurality of centering members (72) on the first end (32) of the bracket (20) is configured to engage the camera housing (100) to align the central axis (102) with the central axis (30). A plurality of locking members (90, 91) on the second end (34) of the bracket (20) is configured to form a snap-fit connection with the camera housing (100) to fasten the bracket (20) to the camera housing (100). The locking members (90, 91) are positioned on opposite sides of the central axis (30) of the bracket (20) with at least one locking member (90, 91) extending at an angle less than 90° to the central axis (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20160193898Abstract: A pressure relief valve including a housing that mounts in an aperture in a panel. The housing has a side wall defining an air flow passage. The side wall has a first side wall section at least partially defining the air flow passage. The first side wall section extends at an angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel. The first side wall section has an opening extending through the first side wall section. A valve element extends from the first side wall section. The valve element has a closed condition preventing air flow through the opening in the first side wall section and an open condition permitting air flow through the opening in the first side wall section. A louver assembly may be mounted in the aperture in the panel. The louver assembly has at least one louver that directs foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 9321326Abstract: A pressure relief valve including a housing that mounts in an aperture in a panel. The housing has a side wall defining an air flow passage. The side wall has a first side wall section at least partially defining the air flow passage. The first side wall section extends at an angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel. The first side wall section has an opening extending through the first side wall section. A valve element extends from the first side wall section. The valve element has a closed condition preventing air flow through the opening in the first side wall section and an open condition permitting air flow through the opening in the first side wall section. A louver assembly may be mounted in the aperture in the panel. The louver assembly has at least one louver that directs foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20150375598Abstract: An apparatus for use in venting a compartment in a vehicle includes a housing which at least partially defines an air flow passage. A valve element moves from a closed condition to an open condition to enable air to flow through the air flow passage. The valve element has an inner surface facing the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. The valve element has an outer surface opposite the inner surface facing away from the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. A spring wire deflects as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition and is effective to urge the valve element toward the closed condition. The spring wire extends in a straight line from the housing to the inner surface of the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: 8986086Abstract: An insert (10) for an opening in a base (20) includes a housing (12) having a peripheral side wall (18) defining an interior space (24). The peripheral side wall (18) includes at least one latch member (90) having a latching position. The latch member (90) engages the base (20) to secure the housing (12) in the opening when the latch member (90) is in the latching position. The housing (12) is inserted into the opening in a first direction (A) to engage the latch member (90) with the base (20). At least one indicator (100) shows when the at least one latch member (90) is in the latching position. The indicator (100) is visible in the first direction (A) when the insert (10) is in the opening in the base (20).Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Daniel D. Carlson, Timothy M. Barnes
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Publication number: 20120192978Abstract: A pressure relief valve including a housing that mounts in an aperture in a panel. The housing has a side wall defining an air flow passage. The side wall has a first side wall section at least partially defining the air flow passage. The first side wall section extends at an angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel. The first side wall section has an opening extending through the first side wall section. A valve element extends from the first side wall section. The valve element has a closed condition preventing air flow through the opening in the first side wall section and an open condition permitting air flow through the opening in the first side wall section. A louver assembly may be mounted in the aperture in the panel. The louver assembly has at least one louver that directs foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20120003907Abstract: A vehicle vent valve assembly (30) is provided to prevent excessive air pressure in a passenger compartment (52) of a vehicle (36). The vent valve assembly (30) includes a vent valve (32) which is movable between a closed condition blocking fluid (air) flow from a passenger compartment of the vehicle and an open condition. An actuator assembly (34) is provided to operate the vent valve (32) from the closed condition to the open condition. The vent valve (32) is urged toward the closed condition by a closing spring (112). A damper (132) is connected with the vent valve (32) to delay closing of the vent valve. A force transmitting member (64) in the actuator assembly (34) is connected with the vent valve (32) by a slide connection (94) that enables relative movement to occur between the vent valve and the force transmitting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Daniel D. Carlson, Michael J. Andrews
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Publication number: 20100291854Abstract: An insert (10) for an opening in a base (20) includes a housing (12) having a peripheral side wall (18) defining an interior space (24). The peripheral side wall (18) includes at least one latch member (90) having a latching position. The latch member (90) engages the base (20) to secure the housing (12) in the opening when the latch member (90) is in the latching position. The housing (12) is inserted into the opening in a first direction (A) to engage the latch member (90) with the base (20). At least one indicator (100) shows when the at least one latch member (90) is in the latching position. The indicator (100) is visible in the first direction (A) when the insert (10) is in the opening in the base (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Daniel D. Carlson, Timothy M. Barnes
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Vehicle pressure relief valve having peripherally secured flaps and method of manufacturing the same
Patent number: 7302962Abstract: A pressure relief valve (12) for relieving air pressure from a passenger compartment (14) of a vehicle (10) includes a base (18) having a peripheral portion (30). A central opening (42) extends through the peripheral portion (30). The pressure relief valve (12) also includes a plurality of flaps (74) for closing the central opening (42) of the base (18). Each flap (74) has an outer end (82) connected with the peripheral portion (30) of the base (18) and an inner end (80) that is movable relative to the peripheral portion (30) and the other flaps (74) for enabling airflow through the central opening (42). Each flap (74) has opposite surfaces (76 and 78) against which air pressure acts. Differential air pressure acts on the opposite surfaces (76 and 78) causing the flap (74) to move to enable airflow through the central opening (42).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, David Call, Brenda Schworer, Daniel D. Carlson -
Patent number: 7182093Abstract: A pressure relief valve (12) for relieving air pressure from a passenger compartment (14) of a vehicle (10) includes a base (18) having a central portion (26) and a peripheral portion (28). A plurality of openings (46) extends through the base (18) and a plurality of flaps (60) closes the openings (46). Each flap (60) is associated with at least one opening (46). An inner end (66) of each flap (60) connects with the central portion (26) of the base (18). An outer end (68) of each flap (60) is movable relative to the central portion (26) of the base (18) and the other flaps for enabling airflow through the at least one associated opening (46). The pressure relief valve (12) further includes a connector (22) on the base (18) that is configured for securing the pressure relief valve (12) to the vehicle (10).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: David Call, Thomas E. Blake, III, Daniel D. Carlson, John J. Strzempko, Brenda Schworer
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Patent number: 7044164Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) includes a housing (20) defining an air flow passage (34). A flap (90) overlies the air flow passage (34). At least a portion (92, 94) of the flap (90) is movable, in response to an air pressure differential acting on opposite portions of the flap, between an open condition venting air from one side (18) of the valve (10) to a closed condition blocking flow of air from a second side (19) of the valve. The flap (90) has a plurality of mounting openings (104, 106). The housing (20) has a plurality of generally T-shaped mounting posts (70, 72) projecting from the housing. A snap connection is provided between the flap (90) and the mounting posts (70, 72) to secure the flap to the housing (20) with the mounting posts extending through the openings (104, 106). The mounting posts (70, 72) are the only structure holding the flap (90) on the housing (20).Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventor: Daniel D. Carlson
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Patent number: D834633Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventor: Daniel D. Carlson