Patents by Inventor Douglas Zhu
Douglas Zhu 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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Publication number: 20070024245Abstract: A power supply apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The power supply apparatus comprises a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The power supply apparatus also comprises a first fan proximate to the first battery pack and a second fan proximate to the second battery pack. The power supply apparatus can extend battery life and increase performance through the independent cooling of the first and second battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2005Publication date: February 1, 2007Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20070024244Abstract: A system and method of controlling temperature of a vehicle power source. The method includes determining a representative temperature of the power source, determining an ambient zone in which the power source is operating, determining a thermal control action based on the representative temperature and the ambient zone, and adjusting the temperature of the power source based on the thermal control action.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2005Publication date: February 1, 2007Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, William Treharne
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Patent number: 7154068Abstract: A system for heating a vehicle battery and a method for using the same. The system and method enable energy flow from the battery to a heater to heat the battery after determining a shut-down condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Bob Taenaka, Patrick Maguire
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Patent number: 7070015Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a battery mounting system including battery tray fastened to a floor within a compartment of the vehicle, and a motion convertor for repositioning battery tray as a result of a collision impact upon the compartment by causing the battery tray to rotate from a first position in which the battery tray is generally parallel to the floor to which it is mounted, to a second position which the battery tray is not parallel to the plane of the floor.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Jacob Mathews, Alison Japikse Carothers, Patrick Maguire, Leonard Anthony Shaner, Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20060116062Abstract: A cooling system for a battery in a vehicle does not use air from the vehicle passenger compartment, but rather, takes in ambient air from outside the vehicle. When the temperature of the ambient air outside the vehicle is low enough, the air is moved through a duct system by a pair of fans and blown across a battery assembly. When the temperature of the ambient air outside the vehicle is too warm to cool the battery directly, it is first passed through an evaporator coil where it exchanges heat with a refrigerant, prior to being blown across the battery assembly. The cooling air may be recirculated across the battery assembly, or exhausted from the vehicle through an air extractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2006Publication date: June 1, 2006Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark Smith, Halim Wijaya, Jacob Mathews, Ranganathan Madhaven, Patrick Maguire, James Castellano, Douglas Zhu
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Patent number: 7044848Abstract: An air intake for a vehicle that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space is provided. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet, thereby inhibiting liquid flow through the outlet and into the vehicle space. A portion of the air intake housing is configured for attachment to a vehicle window, and the inlet is configured to be disposed along one edge of the window.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lim Wijaya, MarĂa Heirtzler, Ranganatha Madhavan, Arthur Henke, Rachid El Aile, Michael Mandernach, Carolyn Tatge, Douglas Zhu
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Patent number: 7024871Abstract: The present invention provides a method for masking noise in a motor vehicle that has a component that produces noise when operated. The method of the invention comprises monitoring the speed of the vehicle, and increasing the movement of the moveable part when the vehicle is at a predetermined speed. It is well known that vehicles naturally produce more noise as the speed of the vehicle is increased. The invention also provides a noise masking system that exploits the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Jeffrey Boismier, James Castellano
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Publication number: 20060033468Abstract: An environmental control system for a battery in a vehicle includes an air intake for receiving ambient air from outside the vehicle. A duct system provides communication between the air intake and the battery. The duct system includes a movable door which can facilitate or inhibit movement of air between the air intake and the battery. An air outlet facilitates air flow from the duct system to the ambient environment outside the vehicle. A fan cooperates with the duct system for moving the air through a heat exchanger in the duct system and across the battery. A control system controls operation of the fan and the movable door, and is configured to determine whether the battery environment requires fresh air or recirculated air.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, Patrick Maguire, Bob Taenaka
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Patent number: 6991531Abstract: An air intake for a vehicle that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space is provided. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet, thereby inhibiting liquid flow through the outlet and into the vehicle space. A portion of the air intake housing is configured for attachment to a vehicle window, and the inlet is configured to be disposed along one edge of the window.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lim Wijaya, Maria Heirtzler, Ranganatha Madhavan, Arthur Henke, Rachid El Aile, Michael Mandernach, Carolyn Tatge, Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20060016793Abstract: A heater system for an electrical storage device, such as a high voltage traction battery, is connectable to an external AC power source maintain a proper temperature of the battery as long as the system remains connected to the external power source. The battery temperature can be maintained at a level that ensures that the vehicle will start even in extremely cold climates. The heater system includes a heater disposed within the battery itself. Other system components, such as an AC/DC converter and a control module, may be connected to the battery heater system outside of the battery, allowing the battery heater system to act as a modular component that can be easily included in or excluded from a vehicle as an option, either alone or in a package with an engine block heater. The battery heater system is designed so that it can be connected along with the engine block heater to the AC power source using a single common connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2004Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Pax Maguire, Patrick Padgett
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Publication number: 20050274705Abstract: A system for heating a vehicle battery and a method for using the same. The system and method enable energy flow from the battery to a heater to heat the battery after determining a shut-down condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Bob Taenaka, Patrick Maguire
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Publication number: 20050196662Abstract: A method for heating a battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle has an engine, a battery, a motor generator powered by the engine or the battery, and a control module. The method includes the steps of determining a battery temperature and determining whether a tip-in event, a tip-out event, or a terminal voltage event has occurred. The polarity of the battery is reversed if the battery temperature is below a predetermined value and if a tip-in event, a tip-out event, or a terminal voltage event has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2003Publication date: September 8, 2005Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mukunda Prema, Shailesh Kozarekar, Christopher Ochocinski, Robert Taenaka, Vincent Freyermuth, Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20050132727Abstract: The present invention provides a method for masking noise in a motor vehicle that has a component that produces noise when operated. The method of the invention comprises monitoring the speed of the vehicle, and increasing the movement of the moveable part when the vehicle is at a predetermined speed. It is well known that vehicles naturally produce more noise as the speed of the vehicle is increased. The invention also provides a noise masking system that exploits the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Jeffrey Boismier, James Castellano
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Publication number: 20050095974Abstract: An air intake for a vehicle that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space is provided. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet, thereby inhibiting liquid flow through the outlet and into the vehicle space. A portion of the air intake housing is configured for attachment to a vehicle window, and the inlet is configured to be disposed along one edge of the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2004Publication date: May 5, 2005Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lim Wijaya, Maria Heirtzler, Ranganatha Madhavan, Arthur Henke, Rachid El Aile, Michael Mandernach, Carolyn Tatge, Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20050059338Abstract: An air intake for a vehicle that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space is provided. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet, thereby inhibiting liquid flow through the outlet and into the vehicle space. A portion of the air intake housing is configured for attachment to a vehicle window, and the inlet is configured to be disposed along one edge of the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Lim Wijaya, Maria Heirtzler, Ranganathan Madhavan, Arthur Henke, Rachid Aile, Michael Mandernach, Carolyn Tatge, Douglas Zhu
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Publication number: 20040226765Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a battery mounting system including battery tray fastened to a floor within a compartment of the vehicle, and a motion convertor for repositioning battery tray as a result of a collision impact upon the compartment by causing the battery tray to rotate from a first position in which the battery tray is generally parallel to the floor to which it is mounted, to a second position which the battery tray is not parallel to the plane of the floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: JACOB MATHEWS, ALISON JAPIKSE CAROTHERS, PATRICK MAGUIRE, LEONARD ANTHONY SHANER, DOUGLAS ZHU