Patents by Inventor David John Rutkowski

David John Rutkowski 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).

  • Publication number: 20240103555
    Abstract: Sense mirror circuitry receives a voltage signal having values corresponding to a magnitude of a measured current. Responsive to the values falling within a first predefined range, the sense mirror circuitry outputs a current at a first predefined magnitude that corresponds to the first predefined range. Responsive to the values falling within a second predefined range, the sense mirror circuitry outputs a current at a second predefined magnitude different than the first predefined magnitude and that corresponds to the second predefined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20240053175
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and related methods for vehicle sensor calibration are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a sensor including an output; sensor interface circuitry including a transistor, the sensor interface circuitry communicatively coupled to the output; and processor circuitry communicatively coupled to the sensor via the sensor interface circuitry. The processor circuitry is to cause the transistor to activate to electrically couple the output to one of (a) a ground potential or (b) a voltage source associated with a voltage different than a voltage corresponding to an output voltage range of the sensor; and cause a code to be transmitted to the sensor. The sensor is to perform a calibration in response to the electrical coupling of the output to ground and receipt of the code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 10933711
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a vehicle frame component, a suspension component coupled to and movable relative to the vehicle frame component, a flexible sensor, and a rotatable joint. The flexible sensor is elongated between a first end and a second end, and the first end of the flexible sensor is fixed relative to one of the vehicle frame component or the suspension component. The rotatable joint couples the second end of the flexible sensor to the other of the vehicle frame component or the suspension component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund Scott Anderson, Russ Lee Norton, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20200298646
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a vehicle frame component, a suspension component coupled to and movable relative to the vehicle frame component, a flexible sensor, and a rotatable joint. The flexible sensor is elongated between a first end and a second end, and the first end of the flexible sensor is fixed relative to one of the vehicle frame component or the suspension component. The rotatable joint couples the second end of the flexible sensor to the other of the vehicle frame component or the suspension component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: EDMUND SCOTT ANDERSON, RUSS LEE NORTON, DAVID JOHN RUTKOWSKI
  • Patent number: 10369856
    Abstract: A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20170166027
    Abstract: A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. RUTKOWSKI, David John RUTKOWSKI
  • Patent number: 9552679
    Abstract: A vehicle damper monitoring system of the present disclosure may include at least one height sensor and at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one height sensor and generate a notification if the signals indicate that one or more suspension dampers of a vehicle need to be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David John Rutkowski, Brian D. Rutkowski, Russ Lee Norton
  • Publication number: 20150112540
    Abstract: A vehicle damper monitoring system of the present disclosure may include at least one height sensor and at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one height sensor and generate a notification if the signals indicate that one or more suspension dampers of a vehicle need to be serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David John RUTKOWSKI, Brian D. RUTKOWSKI, Russ Lee NORTON
  • Patent number: 9013127
    Abstract: One embodiment of a drive system may include a motor shaft coupled to a gear set in connection between an input shaft and an output shaft. The system may also have a direct current motor selectively holding the motor shaft in a fixed position for engaging the input and output shafts to one another in response to a sudden power loss from a main power supply. The system may further include an auxiliary power supply enabling the direct current motor to provide a resistive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20140252998
    Abstract: One embodiment of a drive system may include a motor shaft coupled to a gear set in connection between an input shaft and an output shaft. The system may also have a direct current motor selectively holding the motor shaft in a fixed position for engaging the input and output shafts to one another in response to a sudden power loss from a main power supply. The system may further include an auxiliary power supply enabling the direct current motor to provide a resistive torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 6784389
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay 7 is provided. The flex circuit relay 7 has a first substrate 10. A first connective member 24 is connected on the first substrate 10. A second flexible substrate 20 is provided having a contact portion 30 spaced away from the first substrate 10 in a first position and being spaced adjacent to the first substrate 10 in a second position. A second conductive member 26 is provided on the second substrate 20 for making contact with the first conductive member 24. A piezoelectric actuator 28 is connected with the second substrate 20 to cause the second substrate contact portion 30 to move between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, Jr., David John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 6752637
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit (7) is provided which includes a first substrate (10) with a connected first conductive membrane (16) having a first gap (20). A second substrate (44) with a connected conductive membrane (50) is spaced away from the first substrate (10). At least one of the substrates (10), (44) is flexible. A first surface mounted device (24) with a first end cap termination (36), bridges over the first gap (20). The end cap termination (36) electrically connects with the second conductive membrane (50) to complete an electrical circuit between the first and second conductive membranes (16), (50) when the substrates (10), (44) are displaced toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, Jr., David John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 6734776
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay (7) is provided which in a preferred embodiment has a first substrate (16) and a second substrate (40). The substrates (16), (40) have conductive membranes (17), (50) connected thereto. The second substrate (40) has a contact portion (44). Adjacent to contact portion (44) is a ferritic member (48). A coil (22) is provided having wire windings wrapped around a core. The coil (22) provides a magnetic field to cause the second substrate (40) to move between a first position spaced away from the first substrate (16) and a second position spaced adjacent to the first substrate (16) against a flexural force of the second substrate (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, Jr., David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20030173196
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay 7 is provided. The flex circuit relay 7 has a first substrate 10. A first connective member 24 is connected on the first substrate 10. A second flexible substrate 20 is provided having a contact portion 30 spaced away from the first substrate 10 in a first position and being spaced adjacent to the first substrate 10 in a second position. A second conductive member 26 is provided on the second substrate 20 for making contact with the first conductive member 24. A piezoelectric actuator 28 is connected with the second substrate 20 to cause the second substrate contact portion 30 to move between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20030174038
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay (7) is provided which in a preferred embodiment has a first substrate (16) and a second substrate (40). The substrates (16), (40) have conductive membranes (17), (50) connected thereto. The second substrate (40) has a contact portion (44). Adjacent to contact portion (44) is a ferritic member (48). A coil (22) is provided having wire windings wrapped around a core. The coil (22) provides a magnetic field to cause the second substrate (40) to move between a first position spaced away from the first substrate (16) and a second position spaced adjacent to the first substrate (16) against a flexural force of the second substrate (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, David John Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20020106914
    Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit 7 is provided which includes a first substrate 10 with a connected first conductive membrane 16 having a first gap 20. A second substrate 44 with a connected conductive membrane 50 is spaced away from the first substrate 10. At least one of the substrates 10,44 is flexible. A first surface mounted device 24 with a first end cap 36, bridges over the first gap 20. The end cap 36 electrically connects with the second conductive membrane 50 to complete an electrical circuit between the first and second conductive membranes 16,50 when the substrates 10,44 are displaced toward one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Dudley Belanger, David John Rutkowski