Patents by Inventor Marc Simon

Marc Simon 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: 10076939
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle suspension may include first and second steering knuckles. The suspension may also include a first set of control arms connected to the first steering knuckle and a second set of control arms connected to the second steering knuckle. Each of the first and second sets of control arms may include upper and lower control arms. The suspension may further include a spring/damper element acting between the first and second sets of control arms and a balancer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Robert Spahl, Thomas Gerhards
  • Patent number: 10023019
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Publication number: 20180186404
    Abstract: A tilting vehicle having a steering system actively steering a front axle and a rear axle having two wheels that can be deflected individually in a vertical manner with respect to a vehicle body and that are independent of the steering system. The wheels of the rear axle can be steered by passive steering device configured to generate a steering force because of a vertical deflection of the wheels as the vehicle body tilts to one side. The steering force causing wheels to steer towards the opposite side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 9925843
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9849744
    Abstract: A leaf spring bearing for a vehicle with a transverse leaf spring. The leaf spring bearing includes an upper bearing block and a lower bearing block between which a portion of the transverse leaf spring can be interposed. Each bearing block is formed at least partially of elastic material and comprises an upper support surface and a lower support surface. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has a bearing core and an insert positioned in the elastic material between the upper and lower support surfaces so as to define three layers of the elastic material within the at least one bearing block. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has two support plates arranged either outside the elastic material or at least partially surrounded by the elastic material in the area of the upper and lower support surfaces of the bearing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Marc Simon, Paul Zandbergen
  • Patent number: 9845129
    Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for a tilting running gear of a non-rail-borne vehicle is disclosed. The stabilizing arrangement includes a balance beam configured to have each end coupled to a respective suspension side of a multi-track running gear axle of the tilting running gear. A pivot bearing is connected to a frame or body of the vehicle and defines a stationary axis of rotation. The pivot bearing rotatably supports the balance beam about the stationary axis of rotation. At least one stabilizing element is connected to the balance beam and is supported with respect to a frame or body of the vehicle. The at least one stabilizing element is configured to provide a reaction force to counteract a tilting moment of the vehicle. A non-rail-borne vehicle comprising the stabilizing arrangement also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Advait Valluri, Robert Spahl, Thomas Gerhards, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9841402
    Abstract: An EWOD (or AM-EWOD) device includes a reference electrode and a plurality of array elements, each array element including an array element electrode, and control electronics. In a first mode optimized for EWOD actuation, the control electronics is configured to control a supply of time varying voltages to the array element electrodes and the reference electrode, thereby generating an actuation voltage as a potential difference between voltages at the array element electrodes and the reference electrode. The reference electrode includes a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection. In a second mode, the control electronics further is configured to supply an electrical current flow between the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection to generate resistance heat for controlling temperature of the EWOD device. Control may include sensing a temperature of the EWOD device, and switching between operating in the first or second mode based on the sensed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Life Science (EU) Limited
    Inventors: Robert Julian Amos, Benjamin James Hadwen, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Emma Jayne Walton, Christopher James Brown, Jonathan Buse
  • Patent number: 9821620
    Abstract: A method of operating a tilting running gear for a non-rail-borne vehicle having at least one actuator is disclosed. The method includes calculating an angle of tilt of the vehicle around an axis of rotation based on prevailing values of centrifugal acceleration and gravitational acceleration as the vehicle enters a curve. Based on a comparison between an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a desired lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the vehicle is accelerated or decelerated to achieve the calculated angle of tilt. When the calculated angle of tilt has been achieved, the actuator is deactivated. The actuator provides acceleration of the vehicle and a braking device provides deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Saeger, Marc Simon, Advait Valluri
  • Patent number: 9776527
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle driveline includes connecting an electric motor to each of respective vehicle wheels, determining from driver input a magnitude of demanded wheel torque, determining speed of each wheel, using demanded wheel torque and the respective wheel speed to determine from a power loss map a current power loss for each motor, and transmitting power from the motor having the lowest current power loss to the respective vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Monika Derflinger, Roger Graaf, Marc Simon
  • Publication number: 20170208890
    Abstract: A system for a shoe sole with at least one module is provided, the module including at least one piezoelectric element adapted to produce an electrical signal upon mechanical deformation of the at least one piezo element. The electrical signal is adapted to be used as signal for deriving at least one motion parameter of the shoe sole. The system further includes at least a first energy storage and a second energy storage, the at least first energy storage and second energy storages being adapted to store electrical energy obtained from the electrical signal, and the second energy storage is loaded only after the first energy storage reaches a first energy threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Vesa-Pekka TORVINEN, Michael WELKER, Marc Simon Anthony NORRIDGE, Burkhard Dümler
  • Publication number: 20170056887
    Abstract: A method of determining the result of an assay in a microfluidic device includes the steps of: dispensing a sample droplet onto a first portion of an electrode array of the microfluidic device; dispensing a reagent droplet onto a second portion of the electrode array of the microfluidic device; controlling actuation voltages applied to the electrode array to mix the sample droplet and the reagent droplet into a product droplet; sensing a dynamic property of the product droplet; and determining an assay of the sample droplet based on the sensed dynamic property. The dynamic property is a physical property of the product droplet that influences a transport property of the product droplet on the electrode array. Example dynamic properties of the product droplet include the moveable state, split-able state, and viscosity based on droplet properties. The method may be used to perform an amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin James Hadwen, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Jason Roderick Hector, Michael James Brownlow, Masahiro Adachi, Alison Mary Skinner, Mark Childs
  • Publication number: 20170059523
    Abstract: A method of determining the result of an assay in a microfluidic device includes the steps of: dispensing a sample droplet onto a first portion of an electrode array of the microfluidic device; dispensing a reagent droplet onto a second portion of the electrode array of the microfluidic device; controlling actuation voltages applied to the electrode array to mix the sample droplet and the reagent droplet into a product droplet; sensing a dynamic property of the product droplet; and determining an assay of the sample droplet based on the sensed dynamic property. The dynamic property is a physical property of the product droplet that influences a transport property of the product droplet on the electrode array. Example dynamic properties of the product droplet include the moveable state, split-able state, and viscosity based on droplet properties. The method may be used to perform an amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin James Hadwen, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Jason Roderick Hector, Michael James Brownlow, Masahiro Adachi, Alison Mary Skinner, Mark Childs
  • Patent number: 9492824
    Abstract: A method of droplet manipulation utilizing a droplet manipulation device includes activating elements of the device to bring a first droplet into proximity of a second droplet, controlling the elements of the device to alter the shape of at least one of the first and second droplets, and further controlling the elements of the device to move at least one of the first or second droplets until the droplets are in contact about an aggregate area. The elements are controlled in a manner so as to control the area of contact and the degree of mixing of the fluid between the first and second droplets. The method may be employed to move particles of a particulate suspension from the first droplet to the second droplet. The droplet manipulation device may be an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device, which includes shaping electrodes activated to shape droplets, and a bridging electrode activated to join the droplets to transfer fluid between the shaped droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Jason Roderick Hector, Hywel Morgan
  • Publication number: 20160305906
    Abstract: An EWOD (or AM-EWOD) device includes a reference electrode and a plurality of array elements, each array element including an array element electrode, and control electronics. In a first mode optimized for EWOD actuation, the control electronics is configured to control a supply of time varying voltages to the array element electrodes and the reference electrode, thereby generating an actuation voltage as a potential difference between voltages at the array element electrodes and the reference electrode. The reference electrode includes a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection. In a second mode, the control electronics further is configured to supply an electrical current flow between the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection to generate resistance heat for controlling temperature of the EWOD device. Control may include sensing a temperature of the EWOD device, and switching between operating in the first or second mode based on the sensed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Julian Amos, Benjamin James Hadwen, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Emma Jayne Walton, Christopher James Brown, Jonathan Buse
  • Publication number: 20160297269
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle including a carrier having a rotatably mounted bearing element. A spring damper strut connects to the carrier and the vehicle structure. A transverse control arm connects to the carrier at one end and at the other end to the vehicle structure. A control member connects to the carrier and the transverse control arm. The control member arranged relative to the transverse control arm such that a force application line of the control member is inclined toward a transverse control arm axis defined by a point of articulation of the transverse control arm on the structure side and a point of articulation of the transverse control arm on the carrier side wherein the force application line and the transverse control arm axis intersect between the points of articulation of the transverse control arm on the structure side and the carrier side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Thomas Gerhards, Paul Zandbergen
  • Publication number: 20160244094
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Marc SIMON, Edmund HALFMANN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Martin SAEGER
  • Publication number: 20160243918
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Marc SIMON, Edmund HALFMANN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Martin SAEGER
  • Publication number: 20160144680
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle suspension may include first and second steering knuckles. The suspension may also include a first set of control arms connected to the first steering knuckle and a second set of control arms connected to the second steering knuckle. Each of the first and second sets of control arms may include upper and lower control arms. The suspension may further include a spring/damper element acting between the first and second sets of control arms and a balancer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc SIMON, Robert SPAHL, Thomas GERHARDS
  • Patent number: 9302706
    Abstract: An articulated connection can be used to transfer a steering movement to a vehicle wheel. The articulated connection can include an axle journal and a steering arm. The axle journal can be configured to be coupled to the wheel. The steering arm can be configured to receive and transfer the steering movement to the axle journal. The steering arm can be bendable so as to elastically deflect with respect to the axle journal. The steering arm can be curved along a portion of its length and/or the articulated connection can include a limiting device. The limiting device can be configured to limit an amount of deflection of the steering arm in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pim van der Jagt, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards
  • Patent number: 9283989
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon