Patents by Inventor Howard Churchwell
Howard Churchwell 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: 10920688Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a primary intake manifold, a secondary intake manifold, a valve, and a computer. The primary and secondary intake manifolds are configured for an engine compartment of the vehicle. The secondary intake manifold is arrangeable to extend from outside the engine compartment to the valve. The valve is connected to each of the primary and secondary intake manifolds. The computer is in communication with the valve and programmed to identify a flood risk and then actuate the valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lirjon Llusho, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell, John W. Jensen, John Vincent Fazio
-
Patent number: 10828983Abstract: A fuel control regulator system for a vehicle is disclosed in which a restraint control module registers an acceleration/deceleration that falls outside of predetermined limits. In one embodiment, the fuel control regulator system includes a vehicle including steering, an accelerator, brakes, one or more audio devices in proximity to one or more front crash sensors recording sensor data, a processor, and memory. The restraint control module is coupled to the processor and configured to dynamically adjust a threshold to lie outside of an amplitude of the sensor data of the one or more front crash sensors compromised by sound from the one or more audio devices. In another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system adjusts the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor to lie within an existing threshold. In yet another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system ignores the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, David James Bauch, Howard Churchwell
-
Patent number: 10718148Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle door assistance. An example vehicle includes a solenoid between a frame of the vehicle and a door, a restraint control module with an accelerometer to provide a roll angle and a pitch angle of the vehicle; and a body control unit. The body control unit determines a door adjustment force based on the roll and pitch angles and personal characteristics of an occupant, and when a door is moving, applies the door adjustment force with the solenoid.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell, II
-
Publication number: 20190323440Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a primary intake manifold, a secondary intake manifold, a valve, and a computer. The primary and secondary intake manifolds are configured for an engine compartment of the vehicle. The secondary intake manifold is arrangeable to extend from outside the engine compartment to the valve. The valve is connected to each of the primary and secondary intake manifolds. The computer is in communication with the valve and programmed to identify a flood risk and then actuate the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2017Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Lirjon LLUSHO, Mahmoud Yousef GHANNAM, Howard CHURCHWELL, John W. JENSEN, John Vincent FAZIO
-
Publication number: 20180363353Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle door assistance. An example vehicle includes a solenoid between a frame of the vehicle and a door, a restraint control module with an accelerometer to provide a roll angle and a pitch angle of the vehicle; and a body control unit. The body control unit determines a door adjustment force based on the roll and pitch angles and personal characteristics of an occupant, and when a door is moving, applies the door adjustment force with the solenoid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell II
-
Patent number: 10046707Abstract: A door blocker for a vehicle includes a rotation platform positioned between first and second lateral drive members. The rotation platform is operably coupled to the first and second lateral drive members. An actuator has a first end operably coupled to the rotation platform. A reaction block has a slot that receives a second end of the actuator. The door blocker may be transformable to a power running board.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard Churchwell, John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, John Vincent Fazio
-
Publication number: 20180208055Abstract: A fuel control regulator system for a vehicle is disclosed in which a restraint control module registers an acceleration/deceleration that falls outside of predetermined limits. In one embodiment, the fuel control regulator system includes a vehicle including steering, an accelerator, brakes, one or more audio devices in proximity to one or more front crash sensors recording sensor data, a processor, and memory. The restraint control module is coupled to the processor and configured to dynamically adjust a threshold to lie outside of an amplitude of the sensor data of the one or more front crash sensors compromised by sound from the one or more audio devices. In another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system adjusts the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor to lie within an existing threshold. In yet another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system ignores the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, David James Bauch, Howard Churchwell
-
Patent number: 10017142Abstract: A vehicle includes: an audio system, local sensors including a crash sensor, a fuel pump, and processor(s) configured to: (a) select filter(s) based on a determined audio system state; (b) decontaminate present crash sensor data via the filter(s); (c) determine whether to deactivate the fuel pump based on the decontaminated data. The processor(s) are configured to map prior crash sensor data to prior determined audio system states and select the filter(s) by selecting some of the mapped prior crash sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell, John Vincent Fazio, Lirjon Llusho
-
Patent number: 10015260Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive sensor data from a vehicle sensor. The processor is also configured to determine an existence of a condition for which information display has been designated. The processor is further configured to determine a non-vehicular device predesignated for receipt and display of the information and responsive to the condition determination, transfer the information to the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald A. Perlick, Jerry Alex James, Howard Churchwell
-
Publication number: 20180118117Abstract: A door blocker for a vehicle includes a rotation platform positioned between first and second lateral drive members. The rotation platform is operably coupled to the first and second lateral drive members. An actuator has a first end operably coupled to the rotation platform. A reaction block has a slot that receives a second end of the actuator. The door blocker may be transformable to a power running board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Howard Churchwell, John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, John Vincent Fazio
-
Publication number: 20180124177Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive sensor data from a vehicle sensor. The processor is also configured to determine an existence of a condition for which information display has been designated. The processor is further configured to determine a non-vehicular device predesignated for receipt and display of the information and responsive to the condition determination, transfer the information to the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Donald A. PERLICK, Jerry Alex JAMES, Howard CHURCHWELL
-
Patent number: 9925867Abstract: A fuel control regulator system for a vehicle is disclosed in which a restraint control module registers an acceleration/deceleration that falls outside of predetermined limits. In one embodiment, the fuel control regulator system includes a vehicle including steering, an accelerator, brakes, one or more audio devices in proximity to one or more front crash sensors recording sensor data, a processor, and memory. The restraint control module is coupled to the processor and configured to dynamically adjust a threshold to lie outside of an amplitude of the sensor data of the one or more front crash sensors compromised by sound from the one or more audio devices. In another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system adjusts the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor to lie within an existing threshold. In yet another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system ignores the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, David James Bauch, Howard Churchwell
-
Publication number: 20180072324Abstract: A vehicle includes: an audio system, local sensors including a crash sensor, a fuel pump, and processor(s) configured to: (a) select filter(s) based on a determined audio system state; (b) decontaminate present crash sensor data via the filter(s); (c) determine whether to deactivate the fuel pump based on the decontaminated data. The processor(s) are configured to map prior crash sensor data to prior determined audio system states and select the filter(s) by selecting some of the mapped prior crash sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell, John Vincent Fazio, Lirjon Llusho
-
Patent number: 9796266Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine. The vehicle also includes an accelerometer configured to detect acceleration of a vehicle component. A plurality of sensors are provided about the vehicle for detecting conditions that would indicate aggressive driving. At least one controller is provided and is in communication with the fuel pump, the accelerometer, and the sensors. The at least one controller is programmed to adjust a fuel pump shutoff threshold to an adjusted shutoff threshold in response to one or more conditions indicating aggressive driving. The at least one controller then shuts off the fuel pump in response to the acceleration exceeding the adjusted shutoff threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, David James Bauch, Howard Churchwell
-
Publication number: 20170232841Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine. The vehicle also includes an accelerometer configured to detect acceleration of a vehicle component. A plurality of sensors are provided about the vehicle for detecting conditions that would indicate aggressive driving. At least one controller is provided and is in communication with the fuel pump, the accelerometer, and the sensors. The at least one controller is programmed to adjust a fuel pump shutoff threshold to an adjusted shutoff threshold in response to one or more conditions indicating aggressive driving. The at least one controller then shuts off the fuel pump in response to the acceleration exceeding the adjusted shutoff threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: John W. JENSEN, Mahmoud Yousef GHANNAM, David James BAUCH, Howard CHURCHWELL
-
Publication number: 20170197504Abstract: A fuel control regulator system for a vehicle is disclosed in which a restraint control module registers an acceleration/deceleration that falls outside of predetermined limits. In one embodiment, the fuel control regulator system includes a vehicle including steering, an accelerator, brakes, one or more audio devices in proximity to one or more front crash sensors recording sensor data, a processor, and memory. The restraint control module is coupled to the processor and configured to dynamically adjust a threshold to lie outside of an amplitude of the sensor data of the one or more front crash sensors compromised by sound from the one or more audio devices. In another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system adjusts the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor to lie within an existing threshold. In yet another embodiment, the fuel control regulator system ignores the sensor data of an affected front crash sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, David James Bauch, Howard Churchwell
-
Patent number: 9539947Abstract: A running board assembly for a vehicle including a running board and a plurality of brackets for connecting the running board to a rocker. The brackets include first and second planar supports extending downward and laterally outward from the rocker to the running board. The planar supports are spaced from each other and are disposed in a vertical/transverse plane. The first and second planar supports are disposed parallel to each other and form a parallelogram connecting the running board to the rocker that deflects in a longitudinal direction when impacted from the side in an impact. The running board assembly includes a mounting plate attached to the rocker that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending slots. The first and second planar supports are secured to the mounting plate with a first set of fasteners that are received in the slots.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, David James Bauch, John Vincent Fazio, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard Churchwell
-
Patent number: 5991672Abstract: A diagnostic readout tool can be programmed to generate and deliver electronic signals representative of different road wheel slippage conditions on various road surfaces, such as ice, snow, gravel or dry pavement. The artificially-created signals can be applied to an electronic control module in a vehicle anti-lock brake system, thereby permitting a person seated in the vehicle to experience the action and feel of the anti-lock brake operation while the vehicle is in a stand-still condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Anthony J. Rendi, Howard Churchwell