Patents by Inventor Melvin Douglas Palmer

Melvin Douglas Palmer 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).

  • Ramp identification in adaptive cruise control
    Patent number: 7260465
    Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control system, is provided including a navigation system 34. The navigation system 34 includes a global positioning system 38. The navigation system 34 detects a ramp and generates a navigation signal including navigation data and map data. A controller 24 is electrically coupled to the navigation system 34. The controller 24 in response to the navigation signal adjusts the speed of the vehicle 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Waldis, Gerald H. Engelman, Melvin Douglas Palmer, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Regenerative braking on an electrical vehicle when towed
    Patent number: 6866350
    Abstract: Regenerative braking is actuated in an electrical vehicle during towing of the vehicle to recharge the battery and brake the vehicle. When a driver of a towing vehicle depresses the brakes of the vehicle (202), the electrical vehicle applies regenerative braking in proportion to a braking signal from the towing vehicle (206). Also, regenerative braking is applied to the electrical vehicle when the vehicle is inadvertently disconnected from a connector (110) that couples the electrical vehicle to the towing vehicle (208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Melvin Douglas Palmer, William P. Milam
  • Ramp identification in adaptive cruise control
    Publication number: 20030204299
    Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control system, is provided including a navigation system 34. The navigation system 34 includes a global positioning system 38. The navigation system 34 detects a ramp and generates a navigation signal including navigation data and map data. A controller 24 is electrically coupled to the navigation system 34. The controller 24 in response to the navigation signal adjusts the speed of the vehicle 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Waldis, Gerald H. Engelman, Melvin Douglas Palmer, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Regenerative braking on an electrical vehicle when towed
    Publication number: 20020163249
    Abstract: Regenerative braking is actuated in an electrical vehicle during towing of the vehicle to recharge the battery and brake the vehicle. When a driver of a towing vehicle depresses the brakes of the vehicle (202), the electrical vehicle applies regenerative braking in proportion to a braking signal from the towing vehicle (206). Also, regenerative braking is applied to the electrical vehicle when the vehicle is inadvertently disconnected from a connector (110) that couples the electrical vehicle to the towing vehicle (208).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Melvin Douglas Palmer, William P. Milam