Patents by Inventor Mark E Stout, II
Mark E Stout, II 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: 12679215Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an electric traction motor configured to drive the vehicle, first and second half shafts operably coupled to the electric traction motor, and a single inboard friction brake assembly operably coupled to the first half shaft and configured to selectively brake the first half shaft and a first wheel connected thereto. A controller is in signal communication with the electric traction motor and the inboard friction brake assembly to selectively perform a regenerative braking operation with the electric traction motor and a friction braking operation with the inboard friction brake assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2024Date of Patent: July 14, 2026Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
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Publication number: 20260138681Abstract: An interchangeable body interface has a body interface has a first sealing zone with a channel to receive a first seal. A cab interface has a second sealing zone with a channel to receive a second seal. A drain zone is contained between the first and second seals. The drain zone has a cavity to remove liquid forced past a first seal zone and trapped by a second seal zone. A plurality of compensating fastener coupling the body and cab interfaces together. The compensating fasteners setting a nominal gap between the body and cab interfaces to receive the seals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2024Publication date: May 21, 2026Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Fabrizio Urbinati, Giovanni Luigi Gabiati
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Patent number: 12611911Abstract: A thermal management system configured to analyze thermal condition data generated by at least one thermal sensor located in a vehicle of an occupant of the vehicle, and control a flow of conditioned air to the occupant based on the analyzed thermal condition data.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2023Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel
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Patent number: 12612042Abstract: A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for control of a multi-vehicle system having independently powered and steered lead and trailer vehicles connected by a slidable length sensing tow bar system. The MVCS includes a controller configured to receive throttle, brake, and steering signals from the lead vehicle, receive signals from the tow bar system indicating an extension length of the tow bar system, a front angle deviation of the lead vehicle, and a rear angle deviation of the trailer vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received signals, a trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and a trailer vehicle steering output, determine a driving scenario of the multi-vehicle system, and operate the multi-vehicle system based on the determined driving scenario and the determined trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and trailer vehicle steering output.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2024Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel
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Publication number: 20260097778Abstract: A vehicle drive control system includes a first input that is movable in a first direction to cause a first drive output command, and a control system. The control system is coupled to the first input, the control system including a processor and programming to enable a first mode in which the first drive output command has a first drive control function and a second mode in which the first drive output command has a second drive control function that is different than the first drive control function.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2024Publication date: April 9, 2026Inventors: Zachary A Luetzen, Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
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Patent number: 12522046Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a thermal characteristic for an occupant of a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. Determining a thermal characteristic includes determining a clothing condition signal, determining an occupant entry condition signal, determining a heat loss area signal and controlling a climate control system based of the thermal characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2023Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis Bechtel
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Patent number: 12522034Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller configured to generate a trailer reverse screen on the display. The trailer reverse screen includes (i) a trailer rear view showing a view from one or more cameras located on a rear of the trailer vehicle, (ii) a multi-vehicle system top view showing a view from above the multi-vehicle system based on signals from one or more cameras located on the multi-vehicle system, and (iii) a lead vehicle backup camera view from a lead vehicle backup camera, to thereby provide a driver of the lead vehicle with an intuitive perspective for reversing the trailer vehicle without aid from another person outside of the lead vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2023Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Luca Ferraro
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Patent number: 12370933Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle interior, includes a track and an arm. The track has a base with a front end and a rear end spaced from the front end in a first direction, the track also has a carriage coupled to the base for movement of the carriage relative to the base in the first direction. The arm is coupled to the carriage so that the arm and carriage move together relative to the base. The arm also is coupled to the carriage for rotation of the arm relative to the carriage about a pivot axis to position the arm at an angle to the first direction of at least 75 degrees, and the arm includes a first part coupled to a second part so that the first part is movable relative to the second part to increase a surface area of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2023Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Brandon Brady, Benjamin Treinen
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Publication number: 20240424863Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a sun/shade line within a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. The method further includes controlling a climate control system based of the sun/shade line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: Travis Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
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Publication number: 20240424862Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a thermal characteristic for an occupant of a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. Determining a thermal characteristic includes determining a clothing condition signal, determining an occupant entry condition signal, determining a heat loss area signal and controlling a climate control system based of the thermal characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis Bechtel
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Publication number: 20240317003Abstract: A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer vehicle includes a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle. A free sliding bar is disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch. A length sensor is operably associated with the free sliding bar and configured to sense a length of the tow bar system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
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Publication number: 20240151547Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller in signal communication with the display, the lead vehicle sensor suite, and the trailer vehicle sensor suite. The controller is programmed to generate a trailer mode screen on the display when the trailer vehicle is connected to the lead vehicle. The trailer mode screen includes (i) a trailer top view section providing a top-view graphical representation of the multi-vehicle system, and (ii) a trailer enhanced view section providing a 3D dynamic representation of the multi-vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel, Brandon Brady, Mac Lynch
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Publication number: 20240149791Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller configured to generate a trailer reverse screen on the display. The trailer reverse screen includes (i) a trailer rear view showing a view from one or more cameras located on a rear of the trailer vehicle, (ii) a multi-vehicle system top view showing a view from above the multi-vehicle system based on signals from one or more cameras located on the multi-vehicle system, and (iii) a lead vehicle backup camera view from a lead vehicle backup camera, to thereby provide a driver of the lead vehicle with an intuitive perspective for reversing the trailer vehicle without aid from another person outside of the lead vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Luca Ferraro
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Publication number: 20240069635Abstract: In at least some implementations, a screen assembly, includes a screen, an internal structure, an isolating material and an actuator. The screen has an outer surface and an input area, and the internal structure is behind the outer surface and defines part of a chamber behind the input area. The isolating material is within the chamber, and the actuator is behind the screen and arranged to provide haptic output to the input area. The isolating material damps the haptic output to reduce transmission of the haptic output to portions of the screen outside of the input area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Ross S Maunders, Mark E Stout, II
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Patent number: 11907427Abstract: In at least some implementations, a screen assembly, includes a screen, an internal structure, an isolating material and an actuator. The screen has an outer surface and an input area, and the internal structure is behind the outer surface and defines part of a chamber behind the input area. The isolating material is within the chamber, and the actuator is behind the screen and arranged to provide haptic output to the input area. The isolating material damps the haptic output to reduce transmission of the haptic output to portions of the screen outside of the input area.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Ross S Maunders, Mark E Stout, II