Patents by Inventor James Alan Acre
James Alan Acre 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).
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Patent number: 11878619Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Patent number: 11872907Abstract: A front end structure of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a housing having a fluid reservoir portion, a fan shroud portion, a back face, a bolster portion, a first air passage communicating airflow to an air intake system, and a second air passage in communication with a higher pressure airflow. A fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator mounted to the back face of the housing. A battery compartment is in communication with airflow from the second air passage for maintain battery temperature within a predefined range. A headlight also receives an airflow to actively remove moisture from an inner cavity. A method of assembling a front end structure is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak, Stuart C. Salter, Zeljko Deljevic, David A. Brown, Alan George Dry
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Patent number: 11772481Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Patent number: 11718142Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a passenger space and a HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a heater, an air conditioner, and ducts configured to heat and/or cool air to the passenger space. The HVAC system is configured to increase humidity of air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system, and to introduce a sanitizing agent into air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system. A controller is configured to actuate the HVAC system to circulate humidified air containing the sanitizing agent through the passenger space to neutralize pathogens that may be present in the passenger space.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zachary Alan Pecchia, Robert D. Bedard, James Alan Acre
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Patent number: 11643044Abstract: A grille assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a forward frame portion, an aft frame portion, and a plurality of spring portions coupling the forward frame portion to the aft frame portion such that the forward frame is movable relative to the aft frame portion. A front end assembly for a vehicle is also disclosed that includes a bolster assembly and an active grille shutter system supported relative to the bolster assembly. The disclosed active grille shutter system includes a plurality of spring portions coupling forward and aft frame portions such that the forward frame is movable relative to the aft frame. Vanes are supported by at least one of the forward and aft frame portions and are rotatable for controlling airflow.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, Darshan Arun Nayak, James Alan Acre, Aaron Peter Klop
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Patent number: 11512010Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20220242360Abstract: A grille assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a forward frame portion, an aft frame portion, and a plurality of spring portions coupling the forward frame portion to the aft frame portion such that the forward frame is movable relative to the aft frame portion. A front end assembly for a vehicle is also disclosed that includes a bolster assembly and an active grille shutter system supported relative to the bolster assembly. The disclosed active grille shutter system includes a plurality of spring portions coupling forward and aft frame portions such that the forward frame is movable relative to the aft frame. Vanes are supported by at least one of the forward and aft frame portions and are rotatable for controlling airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, Darshan Arun Nayak, James Alan Acre, Aaron Peter Klop
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Publication number: 20220169538Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20220169165Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20220153084Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a passenger space and a HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a heater, an air conditioner, and ducts configured to heat and/or cool air to the passenger space. The HVAC system is configured to increase humidity of air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system, and to introduce a sanitizing agent into air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system. A controller is configured to actuate the HVAC system to circulate humidified air containing the sanitizing agent through the passenger space to neutralize pathogens that may be present in the passenger space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zachary Alan Pecchia, Robert D. Bedard, James Alan Acre
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Publication number: 20220118881Abstract: A front end structure of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a housing having a fluid reservoir portion, a fan shroud portion, a back face, a bolster portion, a first air passage communicating airflow to an air intake system, and a second air passage in communication with a higher pressure airflow. A fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator mounted to the back face of the housing. A battery compartment is in communication with airflow from the second air passage for maintain battery temperature within a predefined range. A headlight also receives an airflow to actively remove moisture from an inner cavity. A method of assembling a front end structure is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak, Stuart C. Salter, Zeljko Deljevic, David A. Brown, Alan George Dry
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Publication number: 20220018461Abstract: A system can include a solenoid manifold including a plurality of solenoid valves to control fluid flow between a tube and a plurality of nozzles, wherein one end of the tube is connected to a pump and the other end of the tube is connected to an inlet of the solenoid manifold; and a controller programmed to determine whether at least one solenoid valve of the plurality of solenoid valves is incorrectly in an open position based on pressure measurements representing a fluid pressure within the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kunal Singh, Raghuraman Surineedi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Segundo Baldovino, James Alan Acre
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Publication number: 20210268894Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Patent number: 11014440Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Publication number: 20210031616Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Publication number: 20200331436Abstract: A washer fluid reservoir includes an outer wall, a washer fluid reservoir chamber defined within the outer wall and an integral heating element in the washer fluid reservoir chamber. The integral heating element includes a heat transfer efficiency heating feature. A washer fluid heating system incorporating the washer fluid reservoir is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Patent number: 5901786Abstract: A cooling module for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a pair of bypass doors for directing a flow of air around either of the condenser or radiator in the module depending upon the demands for engine cooling, air conditioning, and any other cooling requirements. Under suitable conditions, the radiator bypass feature or the condenser bypass feature will open, providing additional cooling for the condenser or radiator respectively, in order to satisfy given cooling requirements more efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Upendra Patel, Ajit Ravindra Shembekar, James Alan Acre