Patents by Inventor Eric J. MacLean

Eric J. MacLean 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).

  • Valve assembly with shape-memory alloy wires and method of using the same
    Patent number: 10821806
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a valve assembly for a motor vehicle, such as a pressure relief valve, and a method of using the same. The valve assembly includes a flap moveable to between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly further includes a pair of shape memory-alloy (SMA) wires configured to move the flap between the open and closed positions. Specifically, the valve includes a first shape-memory alloy wire configured to rebound to a first rebound shape to urge the flap to the open position, and a second shape-memory alloy wire configured to rebound to a second rebound shape to urge the flap to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. MacLean, David Arthur Wade
  • VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH SHAPE-MEMORY ALLOY WIRES AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190030988
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a valve assembly for a motor vehicle, such as a pressure relief valve, and a method of using the same. The valve assembly includes a flap moveable to between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly further includes a pair of shape memory-alloy (SMA) wires configured to move the flap between the open and closed positions. Specifically, the valve includes a first shape-memory alloy wire configured to rebound to a first rebound shape to urge the flap to the open position, and a second shape-memory alloy wire configured to rebound to a second rebound shape to urge the flap to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Eric J. MacLean, David Arthur Wade
  • Air deflector system and method for sunroof
    Patent number: 9849766
    Abstract: An air deflector system for a sunroof of a vehicle including an air deflector with holes along the length of the air deflector and having an input port, an air pump connected to the input port, an airspeed sensor, and an air controller configured to control a speed of the air pump based on the airspeed sensor to enable discharge of an air stream through the holes of the air deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. MacLean, Shintaro Katsura