Patents by Inventor Eric A. Hill
Eric A. Hill 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: 11975591Abstract: An aerodynamic vehicle includes an aerodynamic heat exchanger formed as one or more body panels disposed along an outer surface of the vehicle having one or more fluidic chambers or micro-channels. The aerodynamic heat exchanger is adapted to provide effective and highly efficient heat transfer, and also to provide substantially reduced or negligible contribution to the aerodynamic drag. The aerodynamic heat exchanger may provide adequate heat rejection capacity throughout vehicle operating conditions that advantageously results in increased fuel economy and overall vehicle performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: APTERA MOTORS CORP.Inventors: Daniel Morris, Steve Fambro, Eric Byers, Chris Anthony, Jason Hill, John Klopp, III
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Publication number: 20240140161Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle having a drivetrain flow path coupling one or more motors and one or more inverters to an aerodynamic heat exchanger comprising one or more body panels disposed along an outer surface of the vehicle, the aerodynamic heat exchanger having one or more fluidic chambers or micro-channels. The drive flow path is decoupled from the vehicle's chiller and/or refrigeration cycle under all operating conditions. The drivetrain may be further characterized by the one or more motors being disposed proximate one or more wheels of the vehicle, such as within the wheel skirt or cowling, to capitalize on passive or free cooling via ambient airflow about the wheel. The thermal management system may further include a refrigeration cycle wherein the cabin and the battery pack are provided cooling in a parallel configuration or in a serial configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: APTERA MOTORS CORP.Inventors: Daniel MORRIS, Steve FAMBRO, Eric BYERS, Chris ANTHONY, Jason HILL, John KLOPP, III
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Publication number: 20240125014Abstract: A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Frederick A. SLEZAK, Charles WINAFELD, Brent C. CRONEBACH, Chad ZIVICH, Margaret MANNING, Clinton A. HILL, Lee W. MILLER, Eric J. WHITTAKER
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Publication number: 20240109394Abstract: An aerodynamic vehicle includes an aerodynamic heat exchanger formed as one or more body panels disposed along an outer surface of the vehicle having one or more fluidic chambers or micro-channels. The aerodynamic heat exchanger is adapted to provide effective and highly efficient heat transfer, and also to provide substantially reduced or negligible contribution to the aerodynamic drag. The aerodynamic heat exchanger may provide adequate heat rejection capacity throughout vehicle operating conditions that advantageously results in increased fuel economy and overall vehicle performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: APTERA MOTORS CORP.Inventors: Daniel MORRIS, Steve FAMBRO, Eric BYERS, Chris ANTHONY, Jason HILL, John KLOPP, III
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Patent number: 11946286Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position. A force sensor is in electrical communication with the controller configured to measured when a force exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Adam Kuenzi, Anthony Pettigrew, Matthew Hill, Eric Chang, Christopher Marks, Patrick Sweeney
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Publication number: 20240100905Abstract: An electric vehicle having a heat exchanger formed in an aerodynamic airfoil shape comprising one or more body panels disposed along an outer surface of the vehicle having one or more fluidic chambers or micro-channels. The heat exchanger is adapted to provide effective and highly efficient heat transfer, and also to provide substantially reduced or negligible contribution to the aerodynamic drag. The heat exchanger includes a supplemental heat exchange system wherein at least a portion of the heat exchange capacity is provided by an inner heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger exposed to an interstitial space within the vehicle. Airflow is forced, via a fan for example, from an aerodynamically-efficient inlet, over the inner heat exchange surface, and exhausted through an aerodynamically-efficient outlet, thereby providing a supplemental heat exchange system including substantially reduced or negligible contribution to the aerodynamic drag.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: APTERA MOTORS CORP.Inventors: Daniel MORRIS, Steve FAMBRO, Eric BYERS, Chris ANTHONY, Jason HILL, John KLOPP, III
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Publication number: 20240068275Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A battery assembly is removable from the housing when the lock assembly is in first position and fixed to the housing when the lock assembly is in a second position. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Matthew Hill, Anthony Pettigrew, Eric Chang, Christopher Marks, Patrick Sweeney
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Publication number: 20230374717Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi, Andrew C. Kubasiak
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Patent number: 11761134Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20230166846Abstract: A variable chiller exhaust system incorporate a plurality of chillers, each driller having an inlet receiving air from a crown in an aircraft fuselage and an outlet connected to a manifold. A plurality of check valves are connected to the manifold and configured to maintain a differential back pressure on the plurality of chillers of 2? water pressure or less. The check valves vent into the crown. An exhaust conduit is connected to direct air from the manifold to a variable speed fan. An outflow valve exhausts air from the variable speed fan to an exterior of the fuselage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Eric A. Hill, Brian C. Christenson, John C. Pizzichemi
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Patent number: 11591093Abstract: A variable chiller exhaust system incorporate a plurality of chillers, each chiller having an inlet receiving air from a crown in an aircraft fuselage and an outlet connected to a manifold. A plurality of check valves are connected to the manifold and configured to maintain a differential back pressure on the plurality of chillers of 2? water pressure or less. The check valves vent into the crown. An exhaust conduit is connected to direct air from the manifold to a variable speed fan. An outflow valve exhausts air from the variable speed fan to an exterior of the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric A. Hill, Brian C. Christenson, John C. Pizzichemi
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Patent number: 11587821Abstract: A substrate support assembly suitable for use in a reactor including a common processing and substrate transfer region is disclosed. The substrate support assembly includes a susceptor and one or more lift pins that can be used to lower a substrate onto a surface of the susceptor and raise the substrate from the surface, to allow transfer of the substrate from the processing region, without raising or lowering the susceptor.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.Inventors: Eric Hill, John DiSanto
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Publication number: 20220372686Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20220367175Abstract: A system and method for removing both carbon-based contaminants and oxygen-based contaminants from a semiconductor substrate within a single process chamber is disclosed. The invention may comprise utilization of remote plasma units and multiple gas sources to perform the process within the single process chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Xing Lin, Peipei Gao, Fei Wang, John Tolle, Bubesh Babu Jotheeswaran, Vish Ramanathan, Eric Hill
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Publication number: 20220324364Abstract: A seatback pad holder apparatus for storing dashboard foot pads and other items includes a rear panel having a rear top side, a rear bottom side, a rear front side, a rear back side, a rear left side, and a rear right side. A plurality of rest pads is coupled to the rear panel. Each rest pad is selectively removable and placed within the vehicle for user comfort. A front panel is coupled to the rear panel and selectively covers the rear front side. A pair of headrest mount straps is coupled to the rear panel. Each headrest mount strap is coupled to the rear top side and configured to engage a pair of posts of a headrest of the vehicle. A stability strap is coupled to the rear panel and extends from the rear left side to the rear right side to engage a seat back of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: Eric Hill
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Patent number: 11460485Abstract: Improved electrically conductive guide plates for vertical probe arrays are provided by patterning a thin metal layer disposed on an insulating substrate. Holes passing through the guide plate for guiding probes can be electrically connected or isolated from each other in any pattern according to the deposition of the metal. Such structures can include several distinct ground and/or voltage planes. Furthermore, passive electrical components can be included in the guide plate, by patterning of the deposited metal and/or by integration of passive electrical components with the deposited metal traces.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.Inventors: Jason William Cosman, Benjamin N. Eldridge, Eric Hill, John Ebner, Edin Sijercic
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Publication number: 20220307139Abstract: A system and method for depositing a film within a reaction chamber are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a temperature measurement device, such as a pyrometer, to measure an exterior wall surface of the reaction chamber. A temperature of the exterior wall surface can be controlled to mitigate cleaning or etching of an interior wall surface of the reaction chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Hyeongeu Kim, Tom Kirschenheiter, Eric Hill, Mark Hawkins, Loren Jacobs
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Patent number: 11390950Abstract: A system and method for depositing a film within a reaction chamber are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a temperature measurement device, such as a pyrometer, to measure an exterior wall surface of the reaction chamber. A temperature of the exterior wall surface can be controlled to mitigate cleaning or etching of an interior wall surface of the reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.Inventors: Hyeongeu Kim, Tom Kirschenheiter, Eric Hill, Mark Hawkins, Loren Jacobs
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Publication number: 20220042233Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
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Patent number: 11193229Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney