Patents by Inventor Douglas Scott

Douglas Scott 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).

  • Road roughness preview with drive history
    Patent number: 10160281
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect a first road feature, an adjustable suspension system, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine, using a drive history map, a location of the vehicle based on the first road feature and apply a suspension profile to the suspension system. The suspension profile is associated with a second road feature identified by the drive history map, which is at a different location from the first road feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Shane Elwart, Nanjun Liu, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF PROCESSING A SLURRY CONTAINING ORGANIC COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20180354834
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for processing a slurry containing organic components, such as biomass, having a water contents of at least 50%, comprising a heat exchanger (7) to heat the slurry and a reactor (8) to convert at least a part of the organic components in the slurry, wherein at least one of the heat exchanger (7) and the reactor (8) comprises one or more pipes (7A; 8A). At least one transport screw (15) is accommodated in the pipe (7A; 8A) or at least one of the pipes (7A; 8A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Gerardus Cornelis Otto Bernard ESSING, Douglas Scott Hendry
  • Determining available dynamic turning radius
    Patent number: 10150470
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. One instruction is to determine a transition in performance of a steering system actuator of a vehicle to a diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to determine a maneuverable envelope of vehicle velocity and path curvature adapted to the diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to select a vehicle velocity within the envelope for a path curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VIRTUAL TORSION BAR STEERING CONTROLS
    Publication number: 20180346021
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for virtual torsion bar steering controls are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a sensor associated with a steering system to measure an operational angle of the steering system, a virtual torsion bar operatively coupled to the steering system, the virtual torsion bar to calculate a control torque based on a request angle and the operational angle, and a torque compensator to control an output torque of the steering system based on the control torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Steven R. El Aile, Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Sheath retainer devices, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10099037
    Abstract: In general, medical sheath systems that can employ retainer devices having a plurality of channels configured to retain a sheath assembly in one or more curved configurations are described. In one embodiment, a retainer device may releasably retain a curvable tube of the sheath assembly in any of multiple curved configurations that range, for example, in selectable increments between 0° to 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Radux Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Gordon, Douglas Scott Wahnschaffe
  • Wearable computer in an autonomous vehicle
    Patent number: 10088844
    Abstract: A wearable computing device in a vehicle is identified by a computer in a vehicle. Collected data is received relating to autonomous operation of the vehicle. A message is sent to the wearable computing device based at least in part on the collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matt Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • SENSOR CLEANER
    Publication number: 20180272998
    Abstract: A system includes a nozzle directed toward a sensor window and a Venturi valve including a discharger that is connected to the nozzle. The Venturi valve is connected to a fluid input valve and an air source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Schmidt, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DOOR COLLISION AVOIDANCE
    Publication number: 20180238098
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: (a) a rotatable door including: a door stop assembly configured to arrest opening of the door; a rotatable handle; a haptic feedback assembly arranged to vibrate the handle; (b) processor(s) configured to simultaneously activate the door stop and haptic feedback assemblies. The haptic feedback assembly is disposed within the rotatable handle. The processor(s) are configured to: compute a time-to-collision, and run the haptic feedback assembly at a level based on the time-to-collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Levasseur Tellis, David J. Schmidt
  • Systems and methods for improving torque feel in column EPAS
    Patent number: 10053143
    Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Douglas Scott Rhode, Taehyun Shim, Yijun Li
  • System and method for autonomous valet parking using plenoptic cameras
    Patent number: 10046760
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Sensor apparatus
    Patent number: 10046713
    Abstract: A vehicle roof mount includes at least one datum feature. The datum feature is provided according to at least one datum. The at least one datum is determined according to a specified orientation of a sensor included in a sensor frame. The sensor frame is mateable to the roof mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Wesley Maranville, Douglas Scott Rhode, Rick H. Wykoff, Randal Henry Visintainer
  • Elevator Counterweight Signaling System
    Publication number: 20180179020
    Abstract: An elevator counterweight signaling system is provided. The elevator counterweight signaling system includes an actuation assembly configured for contact with an elevator counterweight guide rail. A signaling assembly is configured for electrical communication with the actuation assembly and one or more electrical connectors is configured to electrically connect the actuation assembly with the signaling assembly. The signaling assembly is configured to provide visual and/or audio indications of a moving elevator counterweight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Wurtec, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven P. Wurth, Douglas Scott, Terry Rodebaugh, Mike Churski
  • CATHETER-BASED APPARATUSES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20180168793
    Abstract: Blood flow into vascular tissue is filtered in a manner that can also be useful for trapping particulates while allowing the flow of blood. Consistent with one or more embodiments, a filter apparatus includes a filter, an outer delivery sheath such as a catheter, and one or more shafts that are operable to manipulate the shape of the filter for positioning within vascular tissue. The filter conforms to various types of vascular tissue, and filters blood flow passing through openings in the vascular tissue. In some implementations, the filter is used to trap particulates that have been collected on the filter, and collapses to trap and draw the particulates into the outer delivery sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Brad Lees, J. Eric Goslau, Michael K. Handley, Steven Wayne Berhow, Douglas Scott Wahnschaffe, Reed Allan Houge, David Schechter
  • CATHETER-BASED APPARATUSES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20180168792
    Abstract: Blood flow into vascular tissue is filtered in a manner that can also be useful for trapping particulates while allowing the flow of blood. Consistent with one or more embodiments, a filter apparatus includes a filter, an outer delivery sheath such as a catheter, and one or more shafts that are operable to manipulate the shape of the filter for positioning within vascular tissue. The filter conforms to various types of vascular tissue, and filters blood flow passing through openings in the vascular tissue. In some implementations, the filter is used to trap particulates that have been collected on the filter, and collapses to trap and draw the particulates into the outer delivery sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Berhow, J. Eric Goslau, Brad Lees, Michael K. Handley, Douglas Scott Wahnschaffe, Reed Allan Houge
  • DETERMINING AN OCCUPANCY STATUS OF A VEHICLE SEAT
    Publication number: 20180170307
    Abstract: A computer that may be programmed to: in response to receiving an indication that a vehicle is approaching a geofence boundary, retract slack in a webbing associated with a seat in the vehicle by actuating a seatbelt retractor; then receive measurement data from one or more sensors associated with the seat; using the data, determine whether an occupant occupies the seat; and when no occupant occupies the seat, then transmit an instruction to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Colm Boran, Mark Crawford, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Electronic Fluid Metering Valve
    Publication number: 20180157279
    Abstract: An electronic fluid metering valve is provided, which may include a valve body and a proportional solenoid. The fluid metering valve has an inlet and an outlet, with a needle disposed between the inlet and the outlet to control the flow of fluid through the valve. An armature is disposed within the valve body and at least a first flat spring is disposed between the armature and the valve body. A second flat spring is disposed between the needle and the valve body. A method of metering fuel flow may also be provided, including the step of adjusting the current input to adjust the flow of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Ray Ganowsky, Tom P. Thompson, Douglas Scott Petty, Joshua Bruce Marriott
  • METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A SLURRY CONTAINING ORGANIC COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20180119038
    Abstract: A method of and a system for processing a slurry containing organic components, such as biomass, having a water contents of at least 50%, comprises a pump and heater or heat exchanger to bring the liquid in the slurry in a supercritical state. A reactor converts at least a part of the organic components in the slurry. A separator removes gaseous products from the converted slurry. A mixer adds fluid from the converted slurry to the slurry upstream from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Gerardus Cornelis Otto Bernard ESSING, Douglas Scott Hendry
  • Container
    Patent number: D820098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Miller, Peter Kaori Patzak, Marek Mikovec, Danielle Nicole Joaquin
  • Climbable play sculpture
    Patent number: D821526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PLAYWORLD SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jill Elaine Jackson, Michael Philip Laris, Eric Tritsch, Gregory Douglas Scott, Craig Phillip Mellott, Gabriela Diego-Gomez, Aida Abolahrar
  • Climbable play sculpture
    Patent number: D835224
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Playworld Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jill Elaine Jackson, Michael Philip Laris, Eric Tritsch, Gregory Douglas Scott, Craig Phillip Mellott, Gabriela Diego-Gomez, Aida Abolahrar