Patents by Inventor Michael J. Petkus

Michael J. Petkus 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).

  • Patent number: 11865982
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a powertrain assembly, includes a combustion engine arranged to propel a vehicle, an electric motor arranged to propel a vehicle, a transmission coupled to the combustion engine and having a transmission housing and an output, an exhaust assembly coupled to the combustion engine, a drivetrain component driven for rotation by the output, multiple wires connected to the electric motor, and a housing. The housing has a first housing part and a second housing part that are coupled together to define an interior between them. At least one of the first housing part and the second housing part is coupled to the transmission housing, the wires are received within the interior and the housing is received between the transmission housing and both a portion of the exhaust assembly and a portion of the drivetrain component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Prabhu L Selvaraj, Tim Coffin, Michael J Petkus, Robert Attisha, Seethal Doddannawar, Brett A Swan
  • Patent number: 11760216
    Abstract: A portable alternating current (AC) power adapter system for a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) having a high voltage (HV) battery system and configured for bi-directional charging includes a charging connector including a first 240 volts AC (VAC) signal circuit, a second 240 VAC signal circuit, a 120 VAC ground circuit, and a proximity circuit comprising a resistor, the proximity circuit being configured to wake-up the PEV when the charging cable is connected to the plug-in charging port, and a charging power panel electrically coupled to the charging connector and including a charge plug port connected to the first and second 240 VAC signal circuits and the 120 VAC ground circuit and configured to be connected to a 120 VAC or 240 VAC external load, and a switching relay connected to the proximity circuit and configured to transition on/off to disable/enable exporting power from the HV battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Richard A Scholer, Michael J Petkus, Anson Lee, Brandon S Linn
  • Publication number: 20220396159
    Abstract: A portable alternating current (AC) power adapter system for a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) having a high voltage (HV) battery system and configured for bi-directional charging includes a charging connector including a first 240 volts AC (VAC) signal circuit, a second 240 VAC signal circuit, a 120 VAC ground circuit, and a proximity circuit comprising a resistor, the proximity circuit being configured to wake-up the PEV when the charging cable is connected to the plug-in charging port, and a charging power panel electrically coupled to the charging connector and including a charge plug port connected to the first and second 240 VAC signal circuits and the 120 VAC ground circuit and configured to be connected to a 120 VAC or 240 VAC external load, and a switching relay connected to the proximity circuit and configured to transition on/off to disable/enable exporting power from the HV battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Richard A Scholer, Michael J Petkus, Anson Lee, Brandon S Linn
  • Publication number: 20220396220
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a powertrain assembly, includes a combustion engine arranged to propel a vehicle, an electric motor arranged to propel a vehicle, a transmission coupled to the combustion engine and having a transmission housing and an output, an exhaust assembly coupled to the combustion engine, a drivetrain component driven for rotation by the output, multiple wires connected to the electric motor, and a housing. The housing has a first housing part and a second housing part that are coupled together to define an interior between them. At least one of the first housing part and the second housing part is coupled to the transmission housing, the wires are received within the interior and the housing is received between the transmission housing and both a portion of the exhaust assembly and a portion of the drivetrain component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Prabhu L Selvaraj, Tim Coffin, Michael J Petkus, Robert Attisha, Seethal Doddannawar, Brett A Swan
  • Publication number: 20170237052
    Abstract: A vehicle battery pack system includes a cable bracket that has a conductive base, and a clamp. The base includes a mount, base arm, and base bridge. The mount is configured to be mounted to an electrical ground. The base bridge defines an aperture and fixedly couples the mount to the base arm. The base arm has a concave surface. The clamp includes a clamp arm and clamp bridge. The clamp bridge defines an aperture. The clamp arm is fixedly coupled to the clamp bridge and has a concave surface opposing the concave surface of the base arm. A fastener is received through the apertures to couple the clamp to the base. A protrusion extends radially inward from at least one of the concave surfaces. The protrusion is coupled for electrical communication with the mount to transmit electricity between the protrusion and the electrical ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J Petkus, Constantine J Nicolopoulos
  • Patent number: 9735405
    Abstract: A vehicle battery pack system includes a cable bracket that has a conductive base, and a clamp. The base includes a mount, base arm, and base bridge. The mount is configured to be mounted to an electrical ground. The base bridge defines an aperture and fixedly couples the mount to the base arm. The base arm has a concave surface. The clamp includes a clamp arm and clamp bridge. The clamp bridge defines an aperture. The clamp arm is fixedly coupled to the clamp bridge and has a concave surface opposing the concave surface of the base arm. A fastener is received through the apertures to couple the clamp to the base. A protrusion extends radially inward from at least one of the concave surfaces. The protrusion is coupled for electrical communication with the mount to transmit electricity between the protrusion and the electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ralph E. Smith
    Inventors: Michael J Petkus, Constantine J Nicolopoulos
  • Patent number: 9527395
    Abstract: An access arrangement for a power system of an electrified vehicle includes a housing body, at least one electrical conductor, a passageway, and a closure. The electrical conductor passes through the housing body. The passageway extends inwardly from an opening on the housing body and intersects a portion of the electrical conductor within the housing body. The closure is positioned proximate to the opening. The closure is adjustable between a plurality of different configurations. The closure is adjustable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The closure closes the passageway while in the closed configuration. The opening is at least partially exposed when the closure is in the open configuration. The closure is biased to return to the closed configuration from the open configuration. The passageway and closure are configured to cooperatively facilitate access for testing the electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Raymond D Price, Kenneth J Wenzel, Michael J Petkus
  • Publication number: 20150314698
    Abstract: An access arrangement for a power system of an electrified vehicle includes a housing body, at least one electrical conductor, a passageway, and a closure. The electrical conductor passes through the housing body. The passageway extends inwardly from an opening on the housing body and intersects a portion of the electrical conductor within the housing body. The closure is positioned proximate to the opening. The closure is adjustable between a plurality of different configurations. The closure is adjustable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The closure closes the passageway while in the closed configuration. The opening is at least partially exposed when the closure is in the open configuration. The closure is biased to return to the closed configuration from the open configuration. The passageway and closure are configured to cooperatively facilitate access for testing the electrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond D. Price, Kenneth J. Wenzel, Michael J. Petkus