Patents by Inventor Jeff A. Wallace
Jeff A. Wallace 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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Publication number: 20210222474Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 11047163Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10995535Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10982481Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
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Patent number: 10801246Abstract: A power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying a swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10787847Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Gerald J. Heath, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Musa Azzouz, Jeff Wallace, Robert F. Novak, Timothy J. Potter
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Patent number: 10745957Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10626657Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Publication number: 20200087960Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Gerald J. Heath, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Musa Azzouz, Jeff Wallace, Robert F. Novak, Timothy J. Potter
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Publication number: 20190383647Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
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Patent number: 10443287Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
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Publication number: 20190071913Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Publication number: 20190063138Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. The power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying as swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying to the controller one or more user-inputted selections for controlling door swing, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10151132Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10145165Abstract: A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls the motor and a user-input device supplies the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Publication number: 20180245390Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10030431Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
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Patent number: 10000961Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures, Jeff A. Wallace
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Publication number: 20180112130Abstract: Compositions and methods for resisting soil erosion are shown. The compositions comprise either an aqueous mixture of a polymer mixed with an organic material or, alternatively, a polymer and organic material that can be mixed in water. The polymer preferably comprises polyacrylamide having anionic functional groups and the organic base comprises either cellulose, mulch and/or seed, and/or mulch. The methods of the present invention comprise providing or forming an aqueous mixture of the compositions of the present invention and applying them to an area of land sought to be provided with soil erosion resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventor: Jeff Wallace
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Publication number: 20180066466Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz