Patents by Inventor Gary Stevens

Gary Stevens 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).

  • Patterning on surface with high thermal conductivity materials
    Publication number: 20060234576
    Abstract: The present invention provides for high thermal conductivity paper that comprises a host matrix (10), and high thermal conductivity materials (12) added to a surface of the host matrix in a specific pattern (12). The high thermal conductivity materials are comprised of one or more of nanofillers, diamond like coatings directly on the host matrix, and diamond like coatings on the nanofillers. In particular embodiments the specific pattern comprises one or more of a grid, edging, banding centering and combinations thereof and the high thermal conductivity materials cover 15-55% of the surface of the host matrix. Multiple surfaces, including sub layers my have patterning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Extruded granola process
    Patent number: 7037551
    Abstract: A method for creating bite-sized or filled pieces of chewy or crunchy granola. The invention is an improved process for manipulating and shaping chewy granola without having the granola lose its characteristic texture. The improved process includes: adding extra water to the ordinary ingredients of chewy granola, allowing the water to soften the granola, extruding or shaping the softened granola, and drying or removing the water from the softened granola thereby restoring the granola to about its original texture and composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Steven Moore, Susan L. Franz
  • Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system in a vehicle having a countermeasure system using stereo cameras
    Patent number: 7009500
    Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system is coupled to a countermeasure system that has at least a first countermeasure and a second countermeasure. The pre-crash sensing system has a vision system (26) that generates an object size signal and an object distance signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the vision system (26) and deploys either the first countermeasure or first and second countermeasures in response to the object distance and object size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Solar panel overlay and solar panel overlay assembly
    Publication number: 20060032527
    Abstract: A solar panel overlay for mounting on an underlying roof deck comprises a substrate and at least one row of photovoltaic cells on the substrate. The photovoltaic cells define a solar collecting surface having an appearance mimicking that of the underlying roof deck. A solar panel overlay assembly comprising a plurality of interconnect solar panel overlays is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Stevens, Milfred Hammerbacher, Glen Crossley, Brett Barnes, My Thi Hoang
  • Method for construction of rigid photovoltaic modules
    Publication number: 20050284515
    Abstract: A flexible solar module is provided sufficient rigidity for use in construction, and comparable rigidity to a glass based solar module, by incorporation of a metal backing to the module, preferably in the laminated module. The rigidity of the construction is enhanced by the inclusion of a corrugation, either in the metal backing, or in a structure that is affixed to the backing. The resulting structure is a modular unit that has connection points and does not need to be connected to other modules to operate. A connection point is provided by an integrated junction box that allows for a simpler installation and the use of standard building techniques for the installation on a roof or wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Stevens, Milfred Hammerbacher, Glen Crossley, Jonathan Albert
  • High thermal conductivity materials aligned within resins
    Publication number: 20050277721
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity resin that comprises a host resin matrix 32 a high thermal conductivity filler 30. The high thermal conductivity filler forms a continuous organic-inorganic composite with the host resin matrix, and the fillers have an aspect ratio of between 3-100. The fillers are substantially evenly distributed through the host resin matrix, and are aligned in essentially the same direction. In some embodiments the resins are highly structured resin types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Diamond like coating on nanofillers
    Publication number: 20050276977
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for a diamond like coating on small particles. This comprises small particles 10 in the size range of approximately 1-1000 nm and a diamond like coating on the small particles. The diamond like coating is distributed over approximately 50-100% of the surface of the small particles and the diamond like coating is one micron or less in thickness. These small particles then may be applied to materials such as resins 12 and insulating tapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Blackhall Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • High thermal conductivity materials incorporated into resins
    Publication number: 20050277349
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity resin that comprises a host resin matrix 32 and a high thermal conductivity filler 30. The high thermal conductivity filler forms a continuous organic-inorganic composite with the host resin matrix, and the high thermal conductivity fillers are from 1-1000 nm in length and have an aspect ratio of between 3-100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Compression of resin impregnated insulating tapes
    Publication number: 20050274450
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of impregnating a matrix with a high thermal conductivity filled resin 32, which produces a resin impregnated matrix. The high thermal conductivity material 30 comprises 5-60% by volume of the resin 32. This is compressed by approximately 5-30%, and the distances between the high thermal conductivity materials loaded in the resin are reduced, and the resin is then cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood, Andreas Lutz
  • Insulation paper with high thermal conductivity materials
    Publication number: 20050274774
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity (HTC) paper that comprises a host matrix, such as mica, and HTC materials intercalated into the host matrix. The HTC materials are comprised of at least one of nanofillers, diamond like coatings directly on the host matrix, and diamond like coatings on the nanofillers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Fabrics with high thermal conductivity coatings
    Publication number: 20050277350
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates the thermal conductivity of fabrics by surface coating of the fabrics with high thermal conductivity materials 6. The fabrics may be surface coated when they are individual fibers or strands 4, bundles of strands, formed fabric or combinations therefore. A particular type of fibrous matrix used with the present invention is glass. Some fabrics may be a combination of more than one type of material, or may have different materials in alternating layers. HTC coatings of the present invention include diamond like coatings (DLC) and metal oxides, nitrides, carbides and mixed stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric combinations that can be applied to the host matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Surface coating of lapped insulation tape
    Publication number: 20050274540
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention improves the heat flow from an electrically insulated object 13 by providing an enhanced conduit at the interface between the layers of insulating tape 16. The tape 16 has been surface coated with a high thermal conductivity (HTC) material, so that the interface between the layers of tape 23 provides a pathway for the heat to reach the environment 24. The radiation of heat through the tape layers is also increased by the surface coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Structured resin systems with high thermal conductivity fillers
    Publication number: 20050277351
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity highly structured resin that comprises a host highly structured resin matrix, and a high thermal conductivity filler 30. The high thermal conductivity fillers are from 1-1000 nm in length, and high thermal conductivity fillers have an aspect ratio of between 3-100. Particular highly structured highly structured resins include at least one of liquid crystal 40 polymers, interpenetrating networks, dendrimer type matrices, expanding polymers, ladder polymers, star polymers and structured organic-inorganic hybrids 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Method and apparatus for acquiring and displaying images
    Patent number: 6975347
    Abstract: An image acquisition and display assembly 12 for use upon a vehicle 10 and which includes a pair of substantially identical cameras 14, 16 which are adapted to receive images of objects 50, 52 or portions of the vehicular ambient environment 27 located in the front of and/or along the sides 24, 26 of the vehicle 10 and of objects 28, 30 or portions of the vehicular ambient environment 27 located in the rear and/or along the sides of the vehicle 10. The assembly 12 may include a pair of movable mirror assemblies 34, 36 which selectively and respectively communicate with cameras 14, 16, thereby allowing the cameras 14, 16 to receive the desired and previously delineated images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Steven Strumolo, Ronald Hugh Miller
  • High thermal conductivity materials with grafted surface functional groups
    Publication number: 20050245644
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for high thermal conductivity materials 30 that have surface functional groups grafted thereto. These grafted surface functional groups then form a continuous bond with a host resin matrix 32 that the high thermal conductivity materials 30 are added to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Smith, Gary Stevens, John Wood
  • Method of fabricating an optical concent rator for a photovoltaic solar cell
    Publication number: 20050217721
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a photovoltaic solar cell is provided. A plurality of generally spherical semiconductor elements are provided. Each of the semiconductor elements has a core and an outer surface surface forming a p-n junction. An anti-reflection coating is deposited on the outer surface of each of the semiconductor elements and each of the semiconductor elements is bonded into a perforated aluminum foil array thereby providing ohmic contact to a first side of the p-n junction. The anti-reflection coating is removed from a portion of each of the semiconductor elements and then the core is exposed, thereby allowing ohmic contact to be made to a second side of the p-n junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Milfred Hammerbacher, Gary Stevens, Paul Sharrock, Aline Wullur, Frederic Rivollier
  • Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system in a vehicle having external airbags
    Patent number: 6950014
    Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system (10) for an automotive vehicle (50) is coupled to an external airbag system (120). The external airbag system (120) may include a bumper airbag (126), a grill airbag (122) or a bumper airbag and a grill airbag. An object classifier is used to generate an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object classifier and the external airbag system for varying an activation level of the external airbag system (120) in response to the object classification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Gary Steven Strumoto, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Saeed David Barbat, Peter J. Schuster
  • Integrated collision prediction and safety systems control for improved vehicle safety
    Patent number: 6944543
    Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle (50) has a radar or lidar system (22) used to generate a remote object signal. A vision system (26) confirms the presence of the target object in the detection zone. A controller (12) is coupled to the remote object sensor and a vehicle dynamics sensor and the brake system. The controller predicts a host vehicle trajectory in response to the host vehicle dynamic signal, determines an azimuth angle for the target object, determines an actuation value in response to the target range signal, the target relative velocity signal, the host vehicle trajectory, host vehicle brake system status and the target azimuth angle. The controller (12) activates a countermeasure in response to the actuation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Vehicular mirror
    Patent number: 6932483
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror 12 having a first curved portion 18 and a second substantially planar portion 16. The first curved portion 18 is deployed in close proximity to the vehicle 10, thereby substantially eliminating the conventional “blind spot” while concomitantly providing a relatively wide field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Steven Strumolo, Jeffry Allen Greenberg, Louis Tijerina, Ronald Hugh Miller
  • Method for operating a vehicle crash safety system in a vehicle having a pre-crash sensing system and countermeasure systems
    Patent number: 6915196
    Abstract: A vehicle crash safety system (10) for an automotive vehicle has a pre-crash sensing system (17) generating a pre-crash signal, a vehicle dynamics detector (32) generating a vehicle dynamics signal, a pre-crash countermeasure system (40), and a pre-crash controller (12) controlling the pre-crash countermeasure system in response to the pre-crash signal and the vehicle dynamics signal. Vehicle crash safety system (10) also has a coordinated safety system controller (44) coupled to the pre-crash controller (12), an early crash sensing system (46) and an early crash countermeasure system (45). The coordinated safety system controller controls the early crash countermeasure in response to the early crash signal and signals from the pre-crash controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Kwaku Prakah-Asante, Gary Steven Strumolo