Patents by Inventor David Charles Weber

David Charles Weber 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: 11485242
    Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a vehicle charge port having a first connector with one or more first magnets and a plurality of first terminals arranged in a first array. A charge station for the vehicle includes a support and a second connector attached to the support by an articulating mechanism that permits movement of the second connector relative to the support. The second connector has one or more second magnets and a plurality of second terminals arranged in a second array that matches the first array so that the first terminals are connectable to the second terminals when the first and second connectors aligned. The first and second magnets are arranged to move the second terminals, via the articulating mechanism, into alignment with first terminals when the first and second connectors are within a magnetic-coupling range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Christopher W. Bell, Emil G. Serban, Hannah Bailey, Christopher Westfall
  • Publication number: 20210138919
    Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a vehicle charge port having a first connector with one or more first magnets and a plurality of first terminals arranged in a first array. A charge station for the vehicle includes a support and a second connector attached to the support by an articulating mechanism that permits movement of the second connector relative to the support. The second connector has one or more second magnets and a plurality of second terminals arranged in a second array that matches the first array so that the first terminals are connectable to the second terminals when the first and second connectors aligned. The first and second magnets are arranged to move the second terminals, via the articulating mechanism, into alignment with first terminals when the first and second connectors are within a magnetic-coupling range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: David Charles WEBER, Brad Alan IGNACZAK, Adil Nizam SIDDIQUI, Christopher W. BELL, Emil G. SERBAN, Hannah Bailey, Christopher Westfall
  • Patent number: 10488315
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for predicting response time of a particulate matter (PM) sensor and resetting the PM sensor upon completion of response time prediction, independent of actual or predicted soot load on PM sensor. Soot accumulation data collected during steady state vehicle operation may be fitted with a time-based polynomial function and sensor output and regeneration schedule may be estimated from the curve fit even if the overall signal is noisy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Garry Anthony Zawacki, Vidhushekhar Vasant Zambare, Evangelos P. Skoures, Zaid Alnaqash
  • Patent number: 10481065
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a PM sensor. In one example, a method comprises flowing exhaust gas to a cone-shaped PM sensor having a pair of openings arranged across from one another and a plurality of outlets distal to the pair of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, David Charles Weber, Vidhushekhar Zambare
  • Patent number: 10479333
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to access a train schedule to determine active train crossings along an original route, based on a predicted vehicle-arrival time at a given crossing. The processor is also configured to determine that a driver identity has an avoidance parameter associated therewith and determine a new route avoiding active train crossings, if possible, responsive to the avoidance parameter and determination of at least one active train crossing along the original route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu
  • Patent number: 10423130
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive weather data including a plurality of measured data points in an area around a vehicle, from a remote weather server. The processor is also configured to receive a path from a vehicle subsystem. The processor is further configured to combine the data points and path to form a predictive model reflecting expected weather conditions along the path at future times, the model based on predefined parameters defining expected weather behavior and send the model to a requesting vehicle subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu, David Charles Weber, Steven Joseph Szwabowski
  • Publication number: 20190271629
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a PM sensor. In one example, a method comprises flowing exhaust gas to a cone-shaped PM sensor having a pair of openings arranged across from one another and a plurality of outlets distal to the pair of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, David Charles Weber, Vidhushekhar Zambare
  • Patent number: 10399564
    Abstract: A first phantom vehicle is projected into one of a branch and a circle lane of a roundabout in association with a first autonomous vehicle. The first autonomous vehicle is caused to enter the circle lane upon predicting no collision with oncoming vehicles. The first autonomous vehicle is caused to exit from the roundabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu, David Charles Weber
  • Publication number: 20190152450
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to access a train schedule to determine active train crossings along an original route, based on a predicted vehicle-arrival time at a given crossing. The processor is also configured to determine that a driver identity has an avoidance parameter associated therewith and determine a new route avoiding active train crossings, if possible, responsive to the avoidance parameter and determination of at least one active train crossing along the original route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: David Charles WEBER, Perry Robinson MACNEILLE, Yimin LIU
  • Publication number: 20190146427
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive weather data including a plurality of measured data points in an area around a vehicle, from a remote weather server. The processor is also configured to receive a path from a vehicle subsystem. The processor is further configured to combine the data points and path to form a predictive model reflecting expected weather conditions along the path at future times, the model based on predefined parameters defining expected weather behavior and send the model to a requesting vehicle subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MACNEILLE, Yimin LIU, David Charles WEBER, Steven Joseph SZWABOWSKI
  • Patent number: 10209286
    Abstract: A tool to measure resistance of a wire harness is disclosed herein. An example disclosed tool includes a connector with first and second plugs. The example disclosed tool also includes a resistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically coupled to the first plug. Additionally, the example disclosed tool includes a thermal switch attached to the resistor with a thermally conductive adhesive. A first terminal of the thermal switch is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the resistor, and a second terminal of the thermal switch is electrically coupled to the second plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Mark Milton Mahoney, Jonathan Strachan
  • Patent number: 9975446
    Abstract: A vehicle charge station includes at least a first interface and second interface coupled with a power converter and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to detecting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) classified vehicle coupled with the power converter via the first interface while flowing a charge current to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) classified vehicle via the second interface, redirect the charge current from the second interface to the first interface. Also, a method of controlling a charge station includes receiving first vehicle data from a first vehicle connected to a first interface and transferring power to the first interface. The method then receives second vehicle data from a second vehicle connected to a second interface and, in response to a comparison of the first vehicle data and the second vehicle data indicating a higher priority for the second vehicle, redirects power from the first interface to the second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Imtiaz Ali, Mohannad Hakeem, Michael James Uhrich
  • Publication number: 20180111611
    Abstract: A first phantom vehicle is projected into one of a branch and a circle lane of a roundabout in association with a first autonomous vehicle. The first autonomous vehicle is caused to enter the circle lane upon predicting no collision with oncoming vehicles. The first autonomous vehicle is caused to exit from the roundabout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu, David Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 9863336
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating ambient humidity based on a wet bulb temperature and a dry bulb temperature during precipitation, and estimating ambient humidity based on the dry bulb temperature and not based on wet bulb temperature when precipitation is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, David Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 9804074
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing soot sensor electrode degradation in harsh chemical environment introduced as a result of desulfation of a lean NOx trap positioned upstream of the soot sensor. In one example, a method may include in response to the SOx load being higher than the threshold, prior to initiating desulfation of LNT, operating the soot sensor in a pre-desulfation mode where the negative electrode is connected to the positive electrode for a brief duration, while the positive electrode is disconnected from the positive electrode. However during desulfation, when H2S is released as a by-product, both the electrodes may be open, i.e. not connected to the positive electrode or ground, thereby reducing the possibility of sensor degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Charles Weber
  • Publication number: 20170246962
    Abstract: A vehicle charge station includes at least a first and second interface coupled with a power converter and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to detecting a BEV classified vehicle coupled with the power converter via the first interface while flowing a charge current to a PHEV classified vehicle via the second interface, redirect the charge current from the second interface to the first interface. Also, a method of controlling a charge station includes receiving first vehicle data from a first vehicle connected to a first interface and transferring power to the first interface. The method then receives second vehicle data from a second vehicle connected to a second interface, and in response to a comparison of the first vehicle data and second vehicle data indicating higher priority for the second vehicle, redirecting power from the first interface to the second interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Imtiaz ALI, Mohannad HAKEEM, Michael James UHRICH
  • Publication number: 20170234917
    Abstract: A tool to measure resistance of a wire harness is disclosed herein. An example disclosed tool includes a connector with first and second plugs. The example disclosed tool also includes a resistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically coupled to the first plug. Additionally, the example disclosed tool includes a thermal switch attached to the resistor with a thermally conductive adhesive. A first terminal of the thermal switch is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the resistor, and a second terminal of the thermal switch is electrically coupled to the second plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Mark Milton Mahoney, Jonathan Strachan
  • Publication number: 20170234786
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for predicting response time of a particulate matter (PM) sensor and resetting the PM sensor upon completion of response time prediction, independent of actual or predicted soot load on PM sensor. Soot accumulation data collected during steady state vehicle operation may be fitted with a time-based polynomial function and sensor output and regeneration schedule may be estimated from the curve fit even if the overall signal is noisy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: David Charles Weber, Garry Anthony Zawacki, Vidhushekhar Vasant Zambare, Evangelos P. Skoures, Zaid Alnaqash
  • Publication number: 20160320285
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing soot sensor electrode degradation in harsh chemical environment introduced as a result of desulfation of a lean NOx trap positioned upstream of the soot sensor. In one example, a method may include in response to the SOx load being higher than the threshold, prior to initiating desulfation of LNT, operating the soot sensor in a pre-desulfation mode where the negative electrode is connected to the positive electrode for a brief duration, while the positive electrode is disconnected from the positive electrode. However during desulfation, when H2S is released as a by-product, both the electrodes may be open, i.e. not connected to the positive electrode or ground, thereby reducing the possibility of sensor degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: David Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 9328698
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adjusting an engine powertrain component responsive to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on vehicle position in a region, clock time ambient temperature, and historical humidity data for that region for a current time of year. This may be accomplished without relying on a costly, and often, temperamental physical humidity sensor. Training modules and cloud updates may further increase the accuracy of the virtual humidity sensor of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, David Charles Weber