Patents by Inventor Mark A. Koors
Mark A. Koors 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: 7752925Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a webbing, a resistive film attached to the webbing, and a connector. The connector further includes a first contact connected to first contact point on the resistive film and a second contact connected to a second contact point on the resistive film. The electrical resistance of the film between the first contact point and the second contact point is proportional to tension applied axially to the webbing. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Koors, James F. Patterson
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Publication number: 20100071483Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a webbing, a resistive film attached to the webbing, and a connector. The connector further includes a first contact connected to first contact point on the resistive film and a second contact connected to a second contact point on the resistive film. The electrical resistance of the film between the first contact point and the second contact point is proportional to tension applied axially to the webbing. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Mark A. Koors, James F. Patterson
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Patent number: 7641288Abstract: This invention relates generally to an apparatus design that minimizes fabrication and assembly costs for an omni-directional wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Inventors: Andrew R. Baker, Mark A. Koors
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Patent number: 7268691Abstract: An apparatus for gathering weather related information is disclosed, in particular wind related information and rain related information, along with associated methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus may calculate at least one of a wind speed, a wind direction, and a rainfall amounts. The apparatus may include a controller, a sensor, and a communication member.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Koors, Andrew R. Baker, Mark C. Hansen
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Publication number: 20060244615Abstract: An apparatus for gathering weather related information is disclosed, in particular wind related information and rain related information, along with associated methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus may calculate at least one of a wind speed, a wind direction, and a rainfall amounts. The apparatus may include a controller, a sensor, and a communication member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Mark Koors, Andrew Baker, Mark Hansen
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Publication number: 20060196281Abstract: A capacitive load cell apparatus includes first and second conductor plates and an intermediate convoluted nonconductive elastomeric dielectric that variably collapses in response to applied force. The dielectric convolutions are defined by a pattern of cone-shaped or dome-shaped projections that alternately extend toward the first and second conductor plates. When an occupant sits in the seat, the projections of the dielectric material variably collapse in relation to the amount and distribution of the applied weight to locally reduce the separation between the first and second conductor plates. Preferably, the first conductor plate comprises an array of charge plate conductors to define a plurality of capacitances whose variation is detected as an indication of the amount and distribution of the applied weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Mark Koors
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Publication number: 20060091716Abstract: A seat bladder has a closed volume that is at least partially filled with an open-cell or highly-reticulated foam material. The bladder fluid soaks into interstices in the foam material and fills the remaining bladder volume. The presence of the foam material reduces the time required to evacuate the bladder prior to fluid filling, and reduces the quantity of fluid required to fill the bladder. In subsequent usage, the foam material increases the restoring force of the bladder and the dissipation of energy input to the bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2004Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Duane Fortune, John Waidner, Mark Koors
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Patent number: 6927678Abstract: A fluid-filled seat bladder assembly includes multiple capacitive sensing elements for detecting variation in bladder deformation due to occupant weight. The bladder is defined by upper and lower elastomeric sheets that are peripherally sealed by welding, and the capacitive sensors are defined by metalized films adjoining the upper and lower elastomeric sheets. The bladder fluid separating the upper and lower metalized films acts as a dielectric material, and the capacitance or electric field coupling of each sensor increases when the separation between the respective upper and lower films decreases due occupant seat weight. The cumulative change in capacitance or electric field coupling reflects the total seated weight, and the individual capacitance or electric field coupling changes provide a profile of the pressure distribution across the seat for improved occupant classification.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William W. Fultz, Dennis P. Griffin, Mark A. Koors
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Publication number: 20050043876Abstract: A fluid-filled seat bladder assembly includes multiple capacitive sensing elements for detecting variation in bladder deformation due to occupant weight. The bladder is defined by upper and lower elastomeric sheets that are peripherally sealed by welding, and the capacitive sensors are defined by metalized films adjoining the upper and lower elastomeric sheets. The bladder fluid separating the upper and lower metalized films acts as a dielectric material, and the capacitance or electric field coupling of each sensor increases when the separation between the respective upper and lower films decreases due occupant seat weight. The cumulative change in capacitance or electric field coupling reflects the total seated weight, and the individual capacitance or electric field coupling changes provide a profile of the pressure distribution across the seat for improved occupant classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: William Fultz, Dennis Griffin, Mark Koors
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Publication number: 20050039956Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Mark Koors, Andrew Baker
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Publication number: 20040200645Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Mark A. Koors, Andrew R. Baker
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Patent number: 6802381Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Koors, Andrew R. Baker
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Patent number: 6684141Abstract: An electric circuit module has a case made of a non-magnetic material. The case has an attachment portion for fixed mounting on a vehicle part made of a magnetic material and a permanent magnet fixed within the case. The module further has a Hall effect sensor fixed within the case in positional relation to the permanent magnet and the attachment portion such that the Hall effect sensor generates a first signal when the attachment portion of the case is fixedly attached to the vehicle part and a second signal different from the first signal when the attachment portion of the case is not so mounted. The module also has an electric circuit in the case with circuit elements responsive to the Hall effect sensor to provide a first mode of operation in response to the first signal and a second mode of operation in response to the second signal. The module is particularly useful when at least one of the electric circuit elements is an accelerometer, for example in a vehicle passive restraint deployment system.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Koors
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Publication number: 20030229431Abstract: An electric circuit module has a case made of a non-magnetic material. The case has an attachment portion for fixed mounting on a vehicle part made of a magnetic material and a permanent magnet fixed within the case. The module further has a Hall effect sensor fixed within the case in positional relation to the permanent magnet and the attachment portion such that the Hall effect sensor generates a first signal when the attachment portion of the case is fixedly attached to the vehicle part and a second signal different from the first signal when the attachment portion of the case is not so mounted. The module also has an electric circuit in the case with circuit elements responsive to the Hall effect sensor to provide a first mode of operation in response to the first signal and a second mode of operation in response to the second signal. The module is particularly useful when at least one of the electric circuit elements is an accelerometer, for example in a vehicle passive restraint deployment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: Mark A. Koors
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Patent number: 6434958Abstract: The control settings of a vehicle climate control system are adjusted in accordance with a relative ambient humidity correction to compensate for variations in relative ambient humidity, and the correction is based on normally measured system operating parameters. The ambient humidity correction value is determined according to a difference between the cooling performance of the system and the ambient heat energy absorbed by the system. The cooling performance of the system is determined during an initial period of vehicle operation based on the time required to reduce the initial evaporator temperature by a predetermined amount. Once steady-state operation of the system is achieved, the cooling performance of the system is determined by the steady-state deviation of the evaporator outlet air temperature from a target temperature of the system. The ambient heat energy absorbed by the system is determined based on the temperature of the ambient air and the flow rate of air through the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Koors, Christopher M Puranen
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Publication number: 20020095942Abstract: The control settings of a vehicle climate control system are adjusted in accordance with a relative ambient humidity correction to compensate for variations in relative ambient humidity, and the correction is based on normally measured system operating parameters. The ambient humidity correction value is determined according to a difference between the cooling performance of the system and the ambient heat energy absorbed by the system. The cooling performance of the system is determined during an initial period of vehicle operation based on the time required to reduce the initial evaporator temperature by a predetermined amount. Once steady-state operation of the system is achieved, the cooling performance of the system is determined by the steady-state deviation of the evaporator outlet air temperature from a target temperature of the system. The ambient heat energy absorbed by the system is determined based on the temperature of the ambient air and the flow rate of air through the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Mark A. Koors, Christopher M. Puranen
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Patent number: 4747017Abstract: A surface mount package formed by nesting an encapsulated tape automated bonding integrated circuit module in between two plastic rings snapped together, the inner surface of the outer ring contains recessed sockets for receiving socket pins upstanding on a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1986Date of Patent: May 24, 1988Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Mark A. Koors, Phillip A. Lutz
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Patent number: 4706811Abstract: A surface mount package formed by nesting an encapsulated tape automated bonding integrated circuit module in between two plastic rings snapped together.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1986Date of Patent: November 17, 1987Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James E. Jung, Mark A. Koors, Phillip A. Lutz
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Patent number: 4605140Abstract: A toggle-action end plug for a carrier tube used in transporting unmounted semiconductor packages.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1985Date of Patent: August 12, 1986Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Mark A. Koors