Patents by Inventor Michael E. Reibling
Michael E. Reibling 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: 10818894Abstract: An exemplary method includes, among other things, providing first and second blanks that are nominally identical and that include an array of raised features. The method further includes removing a first combination of individual raised features from the first blank to provide a first battery component with a first flow path, and removing a different, second combination of individual raised features from the second blank to provide a second battery component with a different, second flow path. An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a blank having a plurality of ribs extending from a floor. The blank is configured such that a first combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a first battery component having first flow path, and a different, second combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a second battery component having a different, second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Brent Zapczynski, Steve Droste, Hari Krishna Addanki, Samir Subba, Ali Saad, Michael E. Reibling
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Publication number: 20200098201Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is programmed to receive sensor data about a vehicle occupant, select a category of behavior of the occupant based on the sensor data, and navigate to a predetermined location based on the selected category. The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle that can be operated by the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Michael E. REIBLING, Steven Michael CYR, Ray C. SICIAK
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Patent number: 10479328Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes interior sensors including a camera, IR camera, electro-chemical sensor, humidity sensor, and temperature sensor. Initial and final outputs of these sensors are captured for a trip conveying one or more passengers. If changes in the outputs of the sensors are detected, whether the final outputs of the sensors are acceptable may be evaluated. In some embodiments, an aggregation of the outputs is evaluated and found unacceptable even where individual outputs are acceptable. Outputs may be presented to a dispatcher to confirm that the outputs are unacceptable. If the outputs are found to be unacceptable, the vehicle may be autonomously driven to a cleaning station. Personal items may be identified in camera outputs and alerts generated in response.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Michael E Reibling, Ramzi Ahmad Chraim, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak
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Patent number: 10371181Abstract: An exemplary battery assembly includes first and second pieces of an enclosure, a flange of the first piece, and a clamping device compressing together the flange and a portion of the second piece to seal an interface. The clamping device has an interior area that receives the flange such that the clamping device extends continuously from a first side, about an outer edge, to an opposite, second side of the flange. An exemplary battery enclosure securing method includes receiving a flange of a first enclosure piece within an open area of a clamping device while the clamping device compresses together the flange and a portion of a second enclosure piece. The clamping device extends continuously from a first side of the flange, about an outer edge of the flange, to an opposite, second side of the flange when the flange is received within the open area.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael E. Reibling, Kevin A. Montgomery, Brock Dunlap, Samir Subba, Patrick Daniel Maguire
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Patent number: 10351005Abstract: A charge system includes a base, a platform including a projecting plug, at least three interlinked legs, and a first and second sets of articulating joints. The at least three interlinked legs are of a fixed same length and are mechanically biased to be perpendicular to the base. The first and second sets of articulating joints respectively connect opposite ends of the legs with the platform and base such that, responsive to a force on the plug, the legs tilt while remaining parallel to each other and the platform remains parallel with the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Matthew Haag, Michael E. Reibling, Lucas Amber
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Patent number: 10343674Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having one or more controllers, at least two axles independently driven by respective electric machines (EMs) that are each coupled to a separate battery, and a combustion engine (CE) coupled to one of the axles. At least one of the controller(s) are configured to deliver power to one of the axles in a single axle drive mode, and in response to a torque demand signal (TDS) exceeding a single axle power limit, to deliver power to another axle, and/or all axles. The controller(s) are further configured to respond to the TDS exceeding a multiple axle power limit, and to deliver additional CE power to the coupled axle. In response to a braking signal, the controller(s) may also adjust at least one of the EMs to capture mechanical braking energy from a respective axle, and generate negative torque to charge one or more of the separate batteries.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael E. Reibling, Hari Krishna Addanki, Raymond C Siciak, John Sturza
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Publication number: 20190202307Abstract: A battery pack includes a heat exchanger plate assembly that includes a plate body, a retention cradle protruding outwardly from the plate body, and a coolant conduit secured to the plate body by the retention device. The coolant conduit may snap into the retention cradle to secure the coolant conduit to the plate body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Kevin A. Montgomery, Hari Krishna Addanki, Eid Farha, Michael E. Reibling, Jeffrey Michael Haag, Brock Dunlap, Samir Subba
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Publication number: 20190140227Abstract: An exemplary method includes, among other things, providing first and second blanks that are nominally identical and that include an array of raised features. The method further includes removing a first combination of individual raised features from the first blank to provide a first battery component with a first flow path, and removing a different, second combination of individual raised features from the second blank to provide a second battery component with a different, second flow path. An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a blank having a plurality of ribs extending from a floor. The blank is configured such that a first combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a first battery component having first flow path, and a different, second combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a second battery component having a different, second flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Brent Zapczynski, Steve Droste, Hari Krishna Addanki, Samir Subba, Ali Saad, Michael E. Reibling
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Publication number: 20190126906Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having one or more controllers, at least two axles independently driven by respective electric machines (EMs) that are each coupled to a separate battery, and a combustion engine (CE) coupled to one of the axles. At least one of the controller(s) are configured to deliver power to one of the axles in a single axle drive mode, and in response to a torque demand signal (TDS) exceeding a single axle power limit, to deliver power to another axle, and/or all axles. The controller(s) are further configured to respond to the TDS exceeding a multiple axle power limit, and to deliver additional CE power to the coupled axle. In response to a braking signal, the controller(s) may also adjust at least one of the EMs to capture mechanical braking energy from a respective axle, and generate negative torque to charge one or more of the separate batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Michael E. REIBLING, Hari Krishna ADDANKI, Raymond C. SICIAK, John STURZA
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Publication number: 20190016218Abstract: A charge system includes a base, a platform including a projecting plug, at least three interlinked legs, and a first and second sets of articulating joints. The at least three interlinked legs are of a fixed same length and are mechanically biased to be perpendicular to the base. The first and second sets of articulating joints respectively connect opposite ends of the legs with the platform and base such that, responsive to a force on the plug, the legs tilt while remaining parallel to each other and the platform remains parallel with the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Haag, Michael E. Reibling, Lucas Amber
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Publication number: 20180342718Abstract: An exemplary traction battery assembly includes, among other things, a battery pack and a securing assembly. The securing assembly secures the battery pack to a structure of the vehicle. The securing assembly is disposed along a horizontally facing side of the battery pack and is configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to a load to permit movement of the battery pack relative to the vehicle structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2017Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, JR., Hassen Hammoud, Randall Ray Roth, Brent Zapczynski, Michael E. Reibling, Christian Johan Owen Handley
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Patent number: 10023174Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation of a hybrid vehicle to increase power output and fuel efficiency. In one example, a method may include operating the engine using an Atkinson cycle during a lower than threshold engine torque demand and a lower than threshold battery state of charge, and operating the engine using an Otto cycle during a higher than threshold torque demand. During operation in the Otto cycle, an octane booster is injected to the fuel line to increase the octane level in the fuel, if desired.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Michael Cyr, Michael E. Reibling, Ray C. Siciak
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Patent number: 10011283Abstract: Methods and systems for driving vehicle accessories of a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the vehicle accessories are driven via a vehicle's kinetic energy while an engine of the vehicle has stopped rotating. Vehicle accessories are driven from a location of a driveline downstream of a torque converter impeller.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael E. Reibling, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak
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Publication number: 20180131052Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a vehicle body establishing an interior space, a battery pack mounted within the interior space, and a battery thermal management system including a control module configured to command evacuation of hot air within the interior space if an external temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predefined temperature threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Michael E. REIBLING, Steven Michael CYR, Ray C. SICIAK
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Publication number: 20180126960Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes interior sensors including a camera, IR camera, electro-chemical sensor, humidity sensor, and temperature sensor. Initial and final outputs of these sensors are captured for a trip conveying one or more passengers. If changes in the outputs of the sensors are detected, whether the final outputs of the sensors are acceptable may be evaluated. In some embodiments, an aggregation of the outputs is evaluated and found unacceptable even where individual outputs are acceptable. Outputs may be presented to a dispatcher to confirm that the outputs are unacceptable. If the outputs are found to be unacceptable, the vehicle may be autonomously driven to a cleaning station. Personal items may be identified in camera outputs and alerts generated in response.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Michael E. Reibling, Ramzi Ahmad Chraim, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak
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Publication number: 20180072304Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation of a hybrid vehicle to increase power output, and fuel efficiency. In one example, a method may include operating the engine using an Atkinson cycle during a lower than threshold engine torque demand, and a lower than threshold battery state of charge, and operating the engine using an Otto cycle during a higher than threshold torque demand. During operating in the Otto cycle, an octane booster may be injected to the fuel line to increase the octane level in the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Steven Michael Cyr, Michael E. Reibling, Ray C. Siciak
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Publication number: 20170369066Abstract: Methods and systems for driving vehicle accessories of a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the vehicle accessories are driven via a vehicle's kinetic energy while an engine of the vehicle has stopped rotating. Vehicle accessories are driven from a location of a driveline downstream of a torque converter impeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael E. Reibling, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak