Patents by Inventor Erik R. Anderson

Erik R. Anderson 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).

  • Publication number: 20190249923
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide closed loop control in a solar cell production system are disclosed. An example solar cell production system includes: a firing furnace comprising a plurality of zones and a belt configured to transport photovoltaic cells through a sequence of the plurality of zones, the zones comprising firing elements configured to fire a metallization layer of photovoltaic cells by heating ambient air in the zones to respective temperatures; a cooling chamber configured to cool the photovoltaic cells; a photovoltaic cell tester configured to measure a property of the photovoltaic cells after cooling of the photovoltaic cells in the cooling chamber; and control circuitry configured to control firing elements based on the property of the photovoltaic cells measured by the photovoltaic cell tester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel M. Ruf, Erik R. Anderson, Roy Kearns Ball
  • Patent number: 10279662
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a door to a motor vehicle is disclosed including a bracket assembly that includes a bracket having a first pair of holes and a second pair of holes, and weld nuts welded to the bracket, the weld nuts being aligned with the first pair of holes. The system further includes an alignment piece having first and second alignment holes, the first alignment hole corresponding to a first of the second pair of holes of the bracket, the second alignment hole corresponding to a second of the second pair of holes of the bracket, datum pins inserted through the first and second alignment holes and the second pair of holes in the bracket, and a roller assembly fixedly attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik R Anderson, Khang C Nguyen, Nathan Dimick
  • Publication number: 20180099546
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a door to a motor vehicle is disclosed including a bracket assembly that includes a bracket having a first pair of holes and a second pair of holes, and weld nuts welded to the bracket, the weld nuts being aligned with the first pair of holes. The system further includes an alignment piece having first and second alignment holes, the first alignment hole corresponding to a first of the second pair of holes of the bracket, the second alignment hole corresponding to a second of the second pair of holes of the bracket, datum pins inserted through the first and second alignment holes and the second pair of holes in the bracket, and a roller assembly fixedly attached to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Erik R. ANDERSON, Khang C. NGUYEN, Nathan DIMICK
  • Patent number: 9259996
    Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door movably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle and an extension member mounted to the vehicle body. The side door is longitudinally moveable between a closed position and an open position. The extension member is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik R. Anderson, Steven R. Thiele
  • Publication number: 20150123424
    Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door moveably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle for longitudinal movement between a closed position and an open position and an extension member mounted to the side door and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to longitudinal movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik R. Anderson, Steven R. Thiele
  • Publication number: 20150084366
    Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door movably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle and an extension member mounted to the vehicle body. The side door is longitudinally moveable between a closed position and an open position. The extension member is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik R. Anderson, Steven R. Thiele
  • Patent number: 7407222
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes longitudinally extending elements such as roof side rail outer and inner members, a reinforcement member and a gusset that are part of a side impact energy management system for vehicles that include a sunroof. A laterally extending cross member is connected to the roof side rail members, and the roof side rail members are connected to an upper portion of an approximately vertical B-pillar. The cross-member is connected to the roof side rail members approximately perpendicular to the B-pillar, but longitudinally offset from the B-pillar. The reinforcement member extends between the roof side rail members to the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik R. Anderson, Gary R. Osterberg, Yasuyuki Mitsuhashi, John S. Latimer, III