Patents by Inventor Mark Michels
Mark Michels 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: 12220764Abstract: A visible light laser system and operation for welding materials together. A blue laser system and operation for welding conductive elements, and in particular thin conductive elements, together for use in energy storage devices, such as battery packs.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Nuburu, Inc.Inventors: Jean Michel Pelaprat, Mark S. Zediker, Mathew Finuf
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Publication number: 20240010181Abstract: Systems for monitoring brake systems on railway assets include a load measuring device. The load measuring device includes an instrumented coupling configured to be connected to the rigging of a brake system of the railway asset; and to an underframe of the railway asset. The load measuring device also includes a data collection unit configured to process an output of a sensor of the instrumented coupling and, based on the sensor output, determine the force being transmitted between the brake rigging and the underframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Mark Michel, Peter Novellino
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Patent number: 11787382Abstract: Systems for monitoring brake systems on railway assets include a load measuring device. The load measuring device includes an instrumented coupling configured to be connected to the rigging of a brake system of the railway asset; and to an underframe of the railway asset. The load measuring device also includes a data collection unit configured to process an output of a sensor of the instrumented coupling and, based on the sensor output, determine the force being transmitted between the brake rigging and the underframe.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Mark Michel, Peter Novellino
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Publication number: 20230302874Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling the ventilation of an electric vehicle comprising a power cell and a cabin vent. An operational mode of the electric vehicle is determined. An operational state of the power cell is determined. The closure of the cabin vent is controlled based on the operational mode of the electric vehicle and the operational state of the power cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Brian Pearce, Adriana Cevoli Giroldo, Mark Michel, Yichen Gao
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Patent number: 10989140Abstract: A shaft assembly may include two or more Poka-Yoke bearing caps, each Poka-Yoke bearing cap having a pair of reference bores offset from a central axis of the bearing cap by differing offset distances, and each bearing cap defining a semi-circular recess that is positioned so as to align in use a central axis of the semi-cylindrical recess in the bearing cap with an axis of rotation of a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing cap. The differing offsets of the reference bores prevent the bearing cap from being assembled in a reversed orientation. To ensure that each bearing cap can only be fitted in one position, a centre spacing between the first and second reference bores of each bearing cap is different to the centre spacing used for other bearing caps used to support a single shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Mark Michel
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Publication number: 20210053548Abstract: Systems for monitoring brake systems on railway assets include a load measuring device. The load measuring device includes an instrumented coupling configured to be connected to the rigging of a brake system of the railway asset; and to an underframe of the railway asset. The load measuring device also includes a data collection unit configured to process an output of a sensor of the instrumented coupling and, based on the sensor output, determine the force being transmitted between the brake rigging and the underframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.Inventors: Mark Michel, Peter Novellino
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Patent number: 10718241Abstract: An engine housing component is provided, the housing component defining two or more drain channels configured to receive oil separated from a crankcase ventilation system and to drain said oil through the housing component, wherein the engine housing component comprises two or more drain features, each of the drain features corresponding to one of the drain channels, wherein each of the drain features is configured to allow an oil drain pipe to be coupled to the drain feature such that the oil drain pipe is in fluid communication with the corresponding drain channel, wherein a first drain feature differs from the or each of the other drain features, such that a particular oil drain pipe configured to couple to the first drain feature is not couplable to the other drain features. An engine housing assembly and kit of oil drain pipes is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10648378Abstract: An engine with an engine casing and a dipstick. The dipstick extends into the engine casing and has a free end. The design of the free end may be selected such that the natural frequency of the dipstick does not resonate with the operating frequency of the engine. The dipstick may also be oriented such that the free end does not contact the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10591019Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for balancer shaft assemblies featuring bearing caps. In one example, a system may include a bearing cap connected to a housing surrounding a balancer shaft. The bearing cap may have faces which contact components of the balancer shaft. This contact may prevent movement of the balancer shaft in a particular direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Thomas Fisk, Robert Davies, Alex Fu, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10520038Abstract: A method of manipulating a bearing cap for a machine, the method comprising: attaching an intermediate member to the bearing cap, the intermediate member having one or more handling formations; and using the handling formations of the intermediate member to manipulate the bearing cap.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10508616Abstract: An engine is provided with a cylinder block and a ladderframe having a portion of an oil conduit and a deflector. The engine has a metal-to-metal seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to circumferentially surround the oil conduit, and has a gasket seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to be outboard and spaced apart from the oil conduit. The deflector is positioned between the metal-to-metal seal and the gasket seal. An engine component is provided with a member having a deflector and forming an oil conduit. The deflector has an arcuate deflector surface following an outer wall of the oil conduit to redirect oil escaping the oil conduit. A ladderframe is configured to provide a deflection surface, with the deflection surface positioned to guide high pressure oil away from adjacent RTV seals.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel, David Harknett
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Publication number: 20190301397Abstract: A shaft assembly may include two or more Poka-Yoke bearing caps, each Poka-Yoke bearing cap having a pair of reference bores offset from a central axis of the bearing cap by differing offset distances, and each bearing cap defining a semi-circular recess that is positioned so as to align in use a central axis of the semi-cylindrical recess in the bearing cap with an axis of rotation of a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing cap. The differing offsets of the reference bores prevent the bearing cap from being assembled in a reversed orientation. To ensure that each bearing cap can only be fitted in one position, a centre spacing between the first and second reference bores of each bearing cap is different to the centre spacing used for other bearing caps used to support a single shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Mark Michel
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Publication number: 20190285025Abstract: An engine is provided with a cylinder block and a ladderframe having a portion of an oil conduit and a deflector. The engine has a metal-to-metal seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to circumferentially surround the oil conduit, and has a gasket seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to be outboard and spaced apart from the oil conduit. The deflector is positioned between the metal-to-metal seal and the gasket seal. An engine component is provided with a member having a deflector and forming an oil conduit. The deflector has an arcuate deflector surface following an outer wall of the oil conduit to redirect oil escaping the oil conduit. A ladderframe is configured to provide a deflection surface, with the deflection surface positioned to guide high pressure oil away from adjacent RTV seals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Xavier DEMEULENAERE, Graham SLAUGHTER, Mark MICHEL, David HARKNETT
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Patent number: 10393267Abstract: Methods and systems for metal-to-metal sealing and, in particular, to the use of sintered parts to create metal-to-metal sealing joints is disclosed. In one example, a metal-to-metal sealing joint may comprise: a first mating surface and a second mating surface; wherein the first mating surface is formed on a first assembly having an annular projection with one or more annular grooves and the second mating surface is formed on a second assembly; wherein the projection is configured such that when the first and second surfaces are brought into mating contact, the annular projection on the first mating surface deforms the second mating surface to form a sealing joint. In this way, the metal-to-metal sealing joint between the first and second mating surfaces may minimize oil leakage between two assemblies, thereby improving engine fuel economy while simplifying part manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10385803Abstract: A shaft assembly may include two or more Poka-Yoke bearing caps, each Poka-Yoke bearing cap having a pair of reference bores offset from a central axis of the bearing cap by differing offset distances, and each bearing cap defining a semi-circular recess that is positioned so as to align in use a central axis of the semi-cylindrical recess in the bearing cap with an axis of rotation of a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing cap. The differing offsets of the reference bores prevent the bearing cap from being assembled in a reversed orientation. To ensure that each bearing cap can only be fitted in one position, a center spacing between the first and second reference bores of each bearing cap is different to the center spacing used for other bearing caps used to support a single shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10364772Abstract: An engine is provided with a cylinder block and a ladderframe having a portion of an oil conduit and a deflector. The engine has a metal-to-metal seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to circumferentially surround the oil conduit, and has a gasket seal positioned between the ladderframe and block to be outboard and spaced apart from the oil conduit. The deflector is positioned between the metal-to-metal seal and the gasket seal. An engine component is provided with a member having a deflector and forming an oil conduit. The deflector has an arcuate deflector surface following an outer wall of the oil conduit to redirect oil escaping the oil conduit. A ladderframe is configured to provide a deflection surface, with the deflection surface positioned to guide high pressure oil away from adjacent RTV seals.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel, David Harknett
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Publication number: 20180238206Abstract: An engine with an engine casing and a dipstick. The dipstick extends into the engine casing and has a free end. The design of the free end may be selected such that the natural frequency of the dipstick does not resonate with the operating frequency of the engine. The dipstick may also be oriented such that the free end does not contact the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel
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Patent number: 10054042Abstract: An engine assembly is provided, the engine assembly comprising an engine cover configured to cover a portion of an engine housing. The engine cover comprises: a coupling region provided around a periphery of at least a portion of the engine cover, the coupling region configured to mate with a corresponding coupling region on the engine housing so as to form a seal between the engine cover and the engine housing, and an engine cover boss provided on a planar region of the engine cover and spaced apart from the coupling region, the engine cover boss comprising a contact surface configured to receive an adhesive to couple the engine cover to a corresponding contact surface of the engine housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Lavender, David Harknett, Dominic T. Evans, Mark Michel, Wesley Shepherd
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Publication number: 20180231101Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for balancer shaft assemblies featuring bearing caps. In one example, a system may include a bearing cap connected to a housing surrounding a balancer shaft. The bearing cap may have faces which contact components of the balancer shaft. This contact may prevent movement of the balancer shaft in a particular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Thomas Fisk, Robert Davies, Alex Fu, Mark Michel
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Publication number: 20180223707Abstract: An engine housing component is provided, the housing component defining two or more drain channels configured to receive oil separated from a crankcase ventilation system and to drain said oil through the housing component, wherein the engine housing component comprises two or more drain features, each of the drain features corresponding to one of the drain channels, wherein each of the drain features is configured to allow an oil drain pipe to be coupled to the drain feature such that the oil drain pipe is in fluid communication with the corresponding drain channel, wherein a first drain feature differs from the or each of the other drain features, such that a particular oil drain pipe configured to couple to the first drain feature is not couplable to the other drain features. An engine housing assembly and kit of oil drain pipes is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Graham Slaughter, Mark Michel