Patents by Inventor Hilde Anne Heremans

Hilde Anne Heremans 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: 10286800
    Abstract: A vehicle connected to electric vehicle supply equipment is configured to wake-up an onboard charger based on a pilot signal. A controller is configured to interrupt the pilot signal to prevent the pilot signal from subsequently waking the charger to reduce power consumed by the charger while the vehicle is connected. The interruption may be triggered by a completion of a charge cycle, an extensive charge wait interval, or a charging system condition that prevents charging. The controller may discontinue interruption of the pilot signal in response to a wake-up source other than the pilot signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Patent number: 10046661
    Abstract: Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles connect to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to recharge a traction battery. Existing standards define the signal interface between the vehicle and EVSE including control pilot and proximity detect signals. The vehicle may use the status of these signals to detect when a connection is established with EVSE. The vehicle may indicate a connection when the signals provide conflicting statuses. The vehicle may prevent driving off and permit charging in the event of a proximity detect signal indicating a state of engagement other than connected as long as a valid control pilot signal is present. The status of the control pilot signal may be utilized to prevent drive-off and permit charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Patent number: 9969276
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an auxiliary battery, a charger, and two DC-DC converters. A first DC-DC converter is connected between the traction battery and the auxiliary battery through a main contactor. A second DC-DC converter is connected between the charger and the auxiliary battery. The charger is configured to charge the auxiliary battery via the second DC-DC converter when the charger is receiving power. The second DC-DC converter is configured to charge the auxiliary battery when the first DC-DC converter is disconnected from the traction battery. The second DC-DC converter can charge the auxiliary battery independent of the charger charging the traction battery. The second DC-DC converter may be configured to generally maximize power conversion efficiency in a range of power outputs associated with charging the auxiliary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Patent number: 9739819
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a cable joint integrity detection systems for an electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle power converter module; a fastener joint on the power converter module; vehicle wiring connections electrically interfacing with the power converter module at the fastener joint; a current sensor electrically interfacing with the fastener joint; and a controller interfacing with the current sensor, the current sensor transmits a sensor signal to the controller to ensure connectional integrity between the fastener joint and the vehicle wiring connections. Cable joint integrity detection methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Hilde Anne Heremans, Nondo G. Basoukeas, Mark J. Ferrel
  • Publication number: 20150177305
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a cable joint integrity detection systems for an electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle power converter module; a fastener joint on the power converter module; vehicle wiring connections electrically interfacing with the power converter module at the fastener joint; a current sensor electrically interfacing with the fastener joint; and a controller interfacing with the current sensor, the current sensor transmits a sensor signal to the controller to ensure connectional integrity between the fastener joint and the vehicle wiring connections. Cable joint integrity detection methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Hilde Anne Heremans, Nondo G. Basoukeas, Mark J. Ferrel
  • Publication number: 20150097526
    Abstract: A vehicle connected to electric vehicle supply equipment is configured to wake-up an onboard charger based on a pilot signal. A controller is configured to interrupt the pilot signal to prevent the pilot signal from subsequently waking the charger to reduce power consumed by the charger while the vehicle is connected. The interruption may be triggered by a completion of a charge cycle, an extensive charge wait interval, or a charging system condition that prevents charging. The controller may discontinue interruption of the pilot signal in response to a wake-up source other than the pilot signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Publication number: 20150097527
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an auxiliary battery, a charger, and two DC-DC converters. A first DC-DC converter is connected between the traction battery and the auxiliary battery through a main contactor. A second DC-DC converter is connected between the charger and the auxiliary battery. The charger is configured to charge the auxiliary battery via the second DC-DC converter when the charger is receiving power. The second DC-DC converter is configured to charge the auxiliary battery when the first DC-DC converter is disconnected from the traction battery. The second DC-DC converter can charge the auxiliary battery independent of the charger charging the traction battery. The second DC-DC converter may be configured to generally maximize power conversion efficiency in a range of power outputs associated with charging the auxiliary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Publication number: 20150097525
    Abstract: Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles connect to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to recharge a traction battery. Existing standards define the signal interface between the vehicle and EVSE including control pilot and proximity detect signals. The vehicle may use the status of these signals to detect when a connection is established with EVSE. The vehicle may indicate a connection when the signals provide conflicting statuses. The vehicle may prevent driving off and permit charging in the event of a proximity detect signal indicating a state of engagement other than connected as long as a valid control pilot signal is present. The status of the control pilot signal may be utilized to prevent drive-off and permit charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
  • Publication number: 20140152255
    Abstract: Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is inhibited by detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger, and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exist. Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a PHEV may further be inhibited by detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition and, if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karin Lovett, Hilde Anne Heremans