Patents by Inventor John Paul Gibeau

John Paul Gibeau 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).

  • Publication number: 20180236879
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a coil and a sensor. The coil is adapted to receive power wirelessly in single-phase form from an external coil. The sensor is adapted to measure a characteristic of the power. The vehicle is also provided with a controller that is programmed to estimate a parameter indicative of coil alignment using a three-phase representation of the power based on the characteristic, and to adjust the power received by the coil based on the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Mohamed ELSHAER, Chingchi CHEN, John Paul GIBEAU, Mark J. FERREL
  • Patent number: 10040358
    Abstract: An inductive charge system may include an inductive charging circuit having a switchgear configured to swap between a step-up converter and a step-down converter. The inductive vehicle charge station or system may include a controller configured to operate the switchgear to switch between the step-up converter and the step-down converter based on presence or absence of a load. The step-up converter may be a boost converter. The step-down converter may be a buck converter. The buck converter may have a maximum power output of 100 W. An output of the step-down converter may include a forward-biased diode to prevent backfeeding. The controller may be further configured to ramp an output voltage of the step-down converter from a coupling voltage to a charging voltage to prevent hard switching between the step-up converter and the step-down converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Elshaer, Christopher W. Bell, James A. Lathrop, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 10027148
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a surface, an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) system attachable to the surface, and a retention assembly configured to removably secure the EVSE system to the surface. The retention assembly includes a first segment affixed to the surface and a second segment affixed to the EVSE system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brittany Connolly, Sriram Jala, Susan Curry, John Paul Gibeau
  • Publication number: 20180194236
    Abstract: A charging system includes an inverter configured to receive rectified mains line voltage and current to power a primary coil to induce charge current in a secondary coil of a vehicle. The charging system also includes a controller configured to alter a switching frequency of the inverter based on charge voltage data from the vehicle to cause the inverter to operate to drive a voltage of an energy storage capacitor of a battery charger of the vehicle toward a constant value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Mohamed ELSHAER, Chingchi CHEN, Mark J. FERREL, John Paul GIBEAU
  • Patent number: 10020475
    Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a tray, a battery array mounted to the tray, a cover positioned about the battery array and a reinforcement member disposed between the cover and the battery array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 10017061
    Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a charging system having a luminescent portion. The charging system is configured to electrically couple together a charging station and an electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Lopez, Sriram Jala, John Paul Gibeau, Kevin Layden, Susan Curry
  • Publication number: 20180115030
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery assembly includes, among other things, a plurality of battery cells, a cold plate, and a cantilevered member to urge the plurality of battery cells toward the cold plate. An electric vehicle battery assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery cell, a cold plate, and a cantilevered member biasing a first side of the battery cell toward the cold plate to enhance thermal energy transfer between the battery cell and the cold plate. The cantilevered member biases the first side by pressing against an opposite, second side of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Bhaskara Boddakayala, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 9931954
    Abstract: A park assist system may, in response to receiving a signal indicating that a remote inductive charge source is within a vicinity of a vehicle, transition from a park assist mode to a wireless charging mode. During the wireless charging mode, the park assist system generates instructions to assist a driver in positioning the vehicle relative to the inductive charge source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkateswa Anand Sankaran, John Paul Gibeau, James A. Lathrop, Christopher W. Bell
  • Patent number: 9925883
    Abstract: Electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles include a rechargeable traction battery. An automated vehicle charging system is configured to charge the traction battery with minimal operator intervention. The vehicle charging system includes at least one tire pad including a plurality of pressure-sensitive sensors arranged at known locations of the tire pad and outputting signals having a magnitude indicative of a pressure applied by a tire at the known locations. The vehicle charging system also includes at least one controller programmed to receive the signals and control movement of a transmit coil according to a position of the tire on the tire pad that is derived from the signals. The known locations may be generally equally spaced or unevenly spaced across the tire pad. The tire pad may include a tire stop to limit motion of the tire in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Bell, Brittany Connolly, James A. Lathrop, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 9887439
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells, a cold plate, and a biasing device to urge the plurality of battery cells toward the cold plate. An example method includes biasing a battery cell toward a cold plate to enhance thermal energy transfer between the battery cell and the cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Bhaskara Boddakayala, John Paul Gibeau
  • Publication number: 20170368949
    Abstract: A battery system includes a housing, a battery array inside the housing, a first wiring path that bypasses the battery array, and a second wiring path electrically connected to the battery array. The battery system is adapted to charge a battery pack of an electrified vehicle using AC power, DC power, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin LAYDEN, John Paul GIBEAU, Kendrick J. TAYLOR, Yuling ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20170361723
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a controller configured to, responsive to an alignment mode, disable a power rectifier configured to transfer charge between a secondary coil and battery, and enable a precision rectifier to output a voltage responsive to current induced in the secondary coil resulting from current through a corresponding primary coil, and responsive to the voltage exceeding a threshold, enable the power rectifier and disable the precision rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed ELSHAER, Christopher W. BELL, James A. LATHROP, John Paul GIBEAU
  • Publication number: 20170355270
    Abstract: An inductive charge system may include an inductive charging circuit having a switchgear configured to swap between a step-up converter and a step-down converter. The inductive vehicle charge station or system may include a controller configured to operate the switchgear to switch between the step-up converter and the step-down converter based on presence or absence of a load. The step-up converter may be a boost converter. The step-down converter may be a buck converter. The buck converter may have a maximum power output of 100 W. An output of the step-down converter may include a forward-biased diode to prevent backfeeding. The controller may be further configured to ramp an output voltage of the step-down converter from a coupling voltage to a charging voltage to prevent hard switching between the step-up converter and the step-down converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed Elshaer, Christopher W. Bell, James A. Lathrop, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 9806320
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly includes adjacent battery cells supported by a tray and a busbar electrically connecting the adjacent battery cells. The busbar includes a longitudinal midpoint and a pair of bowed sections joined at the midpoint. Each of the bowed sections has an actuate portion in contact with a terminal on one of the cells. The bowed sections provide increased contact with the cells when the cells have different elevations with respect to the tray. A busbar module is also disclosed. The busbar module comprises a housing and a busbar supported within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, John Paul Gibeau
  • Patent number: 9776521
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a charging port configured to couple to a connector of an external power source in order to recharge a battery, a lock to secure the connector to the charging port, an electrical actuator configured to transition the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition when energized and maintain the locked or unlocked condition when de-energized, and a mechanical lock override configured to transition the lock to the unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Lopez, John Paul Gibeau, Nondo G. Basoukeas, Susan Curry
  • Publication number: 20170259673
    Abstract: A system and method for managing communications with a vehicle wireless charging station include a vehicle having a battery configured for wireless charging and a vehicle computing system having a transceiver and a processor programmed to broadcast a signal by the vehicle computing system using the transceiver to establish a communication link with a vehicle wireless charging station in response to a current vehicle location being within a specified range of a previously authorized vehicle wireless charging station. The system and method may include a vehicle HMI to prompt a user for input to authorize communication with a wireless charging station that is not recognized or that has not been previously authorized. Wireless charging related broadcasts may be inhibited when the vehicle is not within a specified range of a known wireless charging station location to conserve energy and reduce potential for unauthorized responses to the vehicle broadcasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Arthur M. RUTYNA, John Paul GIBEAU, Christopher W. BELL
  • Publication number: 20170256966
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a surface, an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) system attachable to the surface, and a retention assembly configured to removably secure the EVSE system to the surface. The retention assembly includes a first segment affixed to the surface and a second segment affixed to the EVSE system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Brittany CONNOLLY, Sriram JALA, Susan CURRY, John Paul GIBEAU
  • Patent number: 9748695
    Abstract: A high voltage connector assembly is provide which may include a first connector having a first adapter and a first portion of an identification mark and a second connector having a second portion of the mark and a second adapter which may be configured to engage the first adapter. The first and second portions may be arranged on the connectors such that the portions are aligned to define the mark when the adapters are completely engaged and not aligned otherwise. The mark may include one or more electronically readable indicators identifying each of the first and second connectors. The mark may include indicia indicative of adapter engagement or adapter mis-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Paul Gibeau
  • Publication number: 20170243411
    Abstract: An exemplary reporting method includes the steps of receiving diagnostic data from electric vehicle supply equipment, and then reporting the diagnostic data through an interface of an electrified vehicle. An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a controller of an electrified vehicle. The controller is configured to receive diagnostic data from electric vehicle supply equipment. The exemplary assembly further includes an interface of the electrified vehicle configured to report the diagnostic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: John Paul Gibeau, Susan Curry, Arthur M. Rutyna, Sriram Jala, Brittany Connolly
  • Publication number: 20170214015
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly includes adjacent battery cells supported by a tray and a busbar electrically connecting the adjacent battery cells. The busbar includes a longitudinal midpoint and a pair of bowed sections joined at the midpoint. Each of the bowed sections has an actuate portion in contact with a terminal on one of the cells. The bowed sections provide increased contact with the cells when the cells have different elevations with respect to the tray. A busbar module is also disclosed. The busbar module comprises a housing and a busbar supported within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel MAGUIRE, John Paul GIBEAU