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).

  • Publication number: 20260138681
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Fabrizio Urbinati, Giovanni Luigi Gabiati
  • Patent number: 12611911
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel
  • Patent number: 12612042
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel
  • Publication number: 20260097778
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2024
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: Zachary A Luetzen, Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
  • Patent number: 12522046
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis Bechtel
  • Patent number: 12522034
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Luca Ferraro
  • Patent number: 12370933
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Brandon Brady, Benjamin Treinen
  • Publication number: 20240424863
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Travis Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
  • Publication number: 20240424862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis Bechtel
  • Publication number: 20240317003
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
  • Publication number: 20240151547
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Mark E Stout, II, Travis D Bechtel, Brandon Brady, Mac Lynch
  • Publication number: 20240149791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II, Luca Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20240069635
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Ross S Maunders, Mark E Stout, II
  • Patent number: 11907427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Ross S Maunders, Mark E Stout, II