Patents by Inventor Donald Charles Franks
Donald Charles Franks 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: 9766648Abstract: A controller timing system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a master controller to generate a timing signal, a first slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal, and a second slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal. Timing of the first slave controller and timing of the second slave controller is coordinated based on the timing signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 9630521Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an air conditioning system configured to selectively cool a cabin of the vehicle and at least one electrical component of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes one or more controllers configured to determine whether the air conditioning system is operating to cool the at least one electrical component, to determine whether cabin cooling is requested, and to enable the air conditioning system to cool the cabin if the air conditioning system is operating to cool the at least one electrical component and if cabin cooling is requested.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks, Brian C. Moorhead, Hasdi R. Hashim
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Publication number: 20170057362Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Michael Edward Loftus, Shane Schulze, Robert K. Taenaka, Donald Charles Franks, Ming Lang Kuang, Venkateswara Anand Sankaran
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Patent number: 9556787Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Sam Hashemi, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 9555704Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inhibiting operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle based on a proximity of the vehicle to a fueling location.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Lisa Scott, Jeffrey Alan Palic, Mark Davison, John A Lockwood, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 9496751Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Michael Edward Loftus, Shane Schulze, Robert K. Taenaka, Donald Charles Franks, Ming Lang Kuang, Venkateswa Anand Sankaran
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Publication number: 20160016468Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inhibiting operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle based on a proximity of the vehicle to a fueling location.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Lisa Scott, Jeffrey Alan Palic, Mark Davison, John A. Lockwood, Donald Charles Franks
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Publication number: 20150226112Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Sam Hashemi, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 9014952Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Sam Hashemi, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 8947039Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks
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Publication number: 20150026504Abstract: A controller timing system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a master controller to generate a timing signal, a first slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal, and a second slave controller configured to wake in response to the timing signal. Timing of the first slave controller and timing of the second slave controller is coordinated based on the timing signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Donald Charles Franks
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Publication number: 20140251267Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine is described. In one example, engine boost pressure is adjusted to improve engine starting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Sam Hashemi, Joe F. Stanek, Donald Charles Franks, John A. Lockwood
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Publication number: 20140067238Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Sam Hashemi, Donald Charles Franks
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Publication number: 20130169210Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 8354818Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks
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Patent number: 8125182Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an electrical circuit capable of being electrically connected with an electrical grid, a propulsion electrical bus electrically connected with the circuit, a power conversion module electrically connected with the propulsion electrical bus, and a power storage unit electrically connected with the power conversion module.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Donald Charles Franks, Bruce Carvell Blakemore
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Publication number: 20110163710Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Michael Edward Loftus, Shane Schulze, Robert K. Taenaka, Donald Charles Franks, Ming Lang Kuang, Venkateswa Anand Sankaran
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Publication number: 20110083449Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an air conditioning system configured to selectively cool a cabin of the vehicle and at least one electrical component of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes one or more controllers configured to determine whether the air conditioning system is operating to cool the at least one electrical component, to determine whether cabin cooling is requested, and to enable the air conditioning system to cool the cabin if the air conditioning system is operating to cool the at least one electrical component and if cabin cooling is requested.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks, Brian C. Moorhead, Hasdi R. Hashim
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Publication number: 20100231169Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an electrical circuit capable of being electrically connected with an electrical grid, a propulsion electrical bus electrically connected with the circuit, a power conversion module electrically connected with the propulsion electrical bus, and a power storage unit electrically connected with the power conversion module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Donald Charles Franks, Bruce Carvell Blakemore
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Publication number: 20100213887Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Robert Jay Louch, Donald Charles Franks