Patents by Inventor Heather L. Knechtges

Heather L. Knechtges 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).

  • Patent number: 11097940
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Heather L. Knechtges
  • Patent number: 11091364
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Heather L. Knechtges
  • Publication number: 20200017352
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are electrically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Heather L. Knechtges
  • Publication number: 20190256343
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Heather L. Knechtges
  • Publication number: 20160214657
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo bed extension having a base that is operable to translate relative to, and stow beneath a vehicle cargo bed. The cargo bed extension also includes a pair of opposing secondary sidewalls extending from the base that are adapted to latch to opposing sides of the cargo bed. The cargo bed extension further includes a tailgate pivotally coupled to the base and capable of selectively retaining to the cargo bed when the base is stowed. The tailgate is further capable of retaining to the secondary sidewalls when the base is extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Topolovec, Heather L. Knechtges, Dennis Michael Harrigan
  • Patent number: 7211307
    Abstract: A permeation resistant polymer fuel tank having a multilayer wall that includes a structural layer and a vapor barrier layer. A secondary barrier layer is attached to the multilayer wall wherein the vapor barrier layer and the second barrier layer have a permeation rate less than the structural layer. A protective coating may be applied over the secondary barrier layer to add durability and prevent degradation of the secondary barrier layer from environmental hazards that fuel tanks may be exposed to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Techologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Potter, Heather L. Knechtges
  • Publication number: 20040009315
    Abstract: A permeation resistant polymer fuel tank having a multilayer wall that includes a structural layer and a vapor barrier layer. A secondary barrier layer is attached to the multilayer wall wherein the vapor barrier layer and the second barrier layer have a permeation rate less than the structural layer. A protective coating may be applied over the secondary barrier layer to add durability and prevent degradation of the secondary barrier layer from environmental hazards that fuel tanks may be exposed to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: James F. Potter, Heather L. Knechtges