Patents by Inventor Kevin Pline
Kevin Pline 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: 20220297575Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a reflection magnitude from an infrared sensor during a movement of an object relative to the infrared sensor, to determine a change of the reflection magnitude, and to detect the object based on comparing the determined change of the received reflection magnitude to a change threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Kevin Pline
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Patent number: 10799976Abstract: An expanded laminate and method of forming an expanded laminate are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes selectively applying a relatively high temperature-resistant material to a surface of a first metal sheet to form a covered portion and an uncovered portion and diffusion bonding the first metal sheet to a second metal sheet at the uncovered portion to form a bonded region and an unbonded region. Pressurized gas may be introduced between the first and second metal sheets to expand the first and second metal sheets in the unbonded region. The metal sheets may be aluminum sheets. The sheets may be positioned in a die having a plurality of cavities such that when the pressurized gas is introduced the sheets expand into the cavities. The diffusion bonding may be performed by applying pressure, for example, using rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, James Chih Cheng, Matthew John Zaluzec, Fubang Wu
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Patent number: 9682677Abstract: An airbag assembly for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Srinivasan Sundararajan, Derek Board, Edward J. Desmet, Kevin Pline
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Patent number: 9637179Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20160152282Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Mohammed Omar FARUQUE, Kevin PLINE, Srinivasan SUNDARARAJAN, Duncan WHIPPS, Darrin Neil WAGNER
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Patent number: 9296432Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20160082544Abstract: An expanded laminate and method of forming an expanded laminate are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes selectively applying a relatively high temperature-resistant material to a surface of a first metal sheet to form a covered portion and an uncovered portion and diffusion bonding the first metal sheet to a second metal sheet at the uncovered portion to form a bonded region and an unbonded region. Pressurized gas may be introduced between the first and second metal sheets to expand the first and second metal sheets in the unbonded region. The metal sheets may be aluminum sheets. The sheets may be positioned in a die having a plurality of cavities such that when the pressurized gas is introduced the sheets expand into the cavities. The diffusion bonding may be performed by applying pressure, for example, using rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Mohammed Omar FARUQUE, Kevin PLINE, Srinivasan SUNDARARAJAN, James Chih CHENG, Matthew John ZALUZEC, Fubang WU
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Publication number: 20160068128Abstract: An airbag assembly for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: SRINIVASAN SUNDARARAJAN, DEREK BOARD, EDWARD J. DESMET, KEVIN PLINE
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Publication number: 20160009241Abstract: A frontal passenger airbag module is provided in association with the forward part of the instrument panel adjacent the windshield. The module includes a passageway through which the airbag may be deployed. The module is movable between an operational position in which the airbag may be deployed through the a breakaway opening in the instrument panel and a stowed position in which the module is moved vehicle-rearward such that the passageway is no longer adjacent the breakaway opening and the module no longer encroaches on the crush space provided for pedestrian protection. The vehicle includes an impact sensor for determining if an impact event involves a pedestrian. If it is determined by the sensor that a pedestrian has been involved, the module is moved to its stowed position. If it is determined by the sensor that no pedestrian has been involved, then the module remains in its operational position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Kevin Pline, Brian Robert Spahn, Sean West
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Patent number: 9221415Abstract: A method of assembling an airbag for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Srinivasan Sundararajan, Derek Board, Edward J. DeSmet, Kevin Pline
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Publication number: 20150370932Abstract: A system includes receiving a vehicle characteristic, a rear seatbelt characteristic, and an occupant characteristic and simulating a frontal impact based on the received characteristics. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, an optimal location of at least one component of a rear seatbelt based at least in part on the simulated frontal impact and whether at least one criterion is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Guosong Li, Yan Fu, Para Valentine Weerappuli, Kevin Pline
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Publication number: 20150353144Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20150232054Abstract: A method of assembling an airbag for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Srinivasan Sundararajan, Derek Board, Edward J. DeSmet, Kevin Pline
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Publication number: 20140335368Abstract: A laminate includes two pieces of metallic material bonded together at a plurality of regularly spaced-apart bonded regions. The laminate is formable during processing into a variety of vehicle structural elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, James Chih Cheng, Matt John Zaluzec, Fubang Wu