Patents by Inventor Michael R. Powell
Michael R. Powell 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: 20230202401Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat base, and/or a retractable cover assembly connected to the seat base. The retractable cover assembly may include a retractable cover that is selectively connectable to the seatback. The retractable cover assembly may include a housing mounted to an underside of the seat base. The seat base may be configured to rotate relative to the seatback between a seating position and a storage position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to the seatback at least when the seat base is in the seating position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to a second seatback of a second seat at least when the seat base is in the storage position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Mark Weaver, Sumanth Muthyala, Brandon Landry, Paul Severinski, Michael R. Powell
-
Patent number: 11541784Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seatback having a forward surface to support an upper body of an occupant and an upper console portion formed on a rear surface of the seatback. The seatback pivots at a seatback pivot axis to a use position where the seatback extends generally horizontal. A bottom cushion has an upward surface to support a lower body of the occupant. The cushion pivots at a cushion pivot axis to an access position to access a lower console formed along an interior surface of the seat bottom cushion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. Powell, Karl Henn, Paul S. Severinski, Wee Tzee Gam, Anthony James Mollica, Louella Ann Patterson
-
Patent number: 11524691Abstract: A system and method are described for controlling a vehicle interior environmental condition. A biometric sensor senses a biometric condition of a vehicle seat occupant and generates a sensed biometric condition value. A controller receives the sensed biometric condition value, a sensed interior environmental condition value, and a sensed exterior environmental condition value. Each of multiple exterior environmental condition values has an associated biometric condition value defined as optimal for the vehicle occupant.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: LEAR CorporationInventors: David Gallagher, Francesco Migneco, Marie-Eve Cote, Vyachislav Ivanov, Karl Henn, Michael R. Powell
-
Publication number: 20220314850Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback frame, a primary carrier, an airflow duct, and a plurality of airflow outlets. The primary carrier may be connected to the seatback frame. The airflow duct may be defined at least partially by the primary carrier. The plurality of airflow outlets may extend through the primary carrier to an external surface and may be in fluid communication with the airflow duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Michael R. Powell, Jeanette Puig-Pey, Vyachislav Ivanov, Louella Patterson, Anthony Mollica, Brad Duncan, Wee Gam, Karl W. Henn, Paul Severinski, Mark Weaver
-
Patent number: 11453320Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback frame, a primary carrier, an airflow duct, and a plurality of airflow outlets. The primary carrier may be connected to the seatback frame. The airflow duct may be defined at least partially by the primary carrier. The plurality of airflow outlets may extend through the primary carrier to an external surface and may be in fluid communication with the airflow duct.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Michael R. Powell, Jeanette Puig-Pey, Vyachislav Ivanov, Louella Patterson, Anthony Mollica, Brad Duncan, Wee Gam, Karl W. Henn, Paul Severinski, Mark Weaver
-
Patent number: 11142106Abstract: A padding component for intelligent distribution of airflow in a vehicle seat, optimizing the sensation of airflow for the occupant. This includes a top layer, a bottom layer, and a fibrous layer interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The fibrous layer defines airflow channels having a first filament density and non-channel regions having a second filament density. Characteristically, the second filament density is greater than the first filament density such that air preferentially flow through the airflow channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. Powell, Samuel Hanlon, Vyachislav Ivanov, Thomas Korycinski, Lisa Townley
-
Patent number: 10562426Abstract: A head restraint is provided for a seat for use with a motor vehicle. The head restraint includes a base configured to be attached to the seat, and a main portion configured to be positioned between the base and a head of a seat occupant when the base is attached to the seat and the seat is mounted in the vehicle. The head restraint further includes at least one movement mechanism associated with at least one of the base and the main portion and configured to move at least part of the main portion laterally or upwardly and downwardly relative to the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Raymond E. Scott, Arjun Yetukuri, Jasmine Pizana, Michael R. Powell, James Brackenbury, Peter Festag
-
Patent number: 10124699Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly a seat bottom and a seatback pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seatback comprises a seatback support shell comprising a shaped resinous sheet comprising a main seat portion, a left side bolster, and a right side bolster. The seatback support shell further comprising a left side hinge extending between and connecting the left side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the left side bolster and the main seat portion and a right side hinge extending between and connecting the right side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the right side bolster and the main seat portion. The vehicle seat assembly further comprising trim cover disposed over the seatback and the seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Michael R. Powell
-
Patent number: 10112513Abstract: A vehicle seat with an inflatable bladder having a rear surface and a support surface opposite the rear surface is provided. The subassembly includes a seat climate control system having an air duct. An air duct tunnel is formed in the inflatable bladder and extends from the rear surface to the support surface. The air duct tunnel cooperates with the air duct to supply climate control air to a seating surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Gerald Patrick, Michael R. Powell
-
Publication number: 20170282754Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly and controller are provided. The assembly includes a front seat having a front seat bottom and a front seat back mounted adjacent to the front seat bottom. A sensor cooperates with at least one of the front seat bottom and the front seat back. An actuator is disposed on at least one of the seat bottom and seat back. A rear seat assembly is behind the front seat assembly. The vehicle seat controller is in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The controller receives an input indicative of a request to move a rear seat assembly to a storage position. The controller conveys a signal to an actuator to move a front seat assembly to an accommodation position in response to the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Winsen C. ZOUZAL, Gerald PATRICK, Michael R. Powell, Samuel Hanlon
-
Publication number: 20140238634Abstract: High-temperature thermal energy storage and retrieval systems, devices, and processes are described that reversibly store high-temperature heat in metal hydride beds composed of titanium-containing metals or transition metal alloy that reversibly form metal hydrides at high temperatures above about 600° C. and at low temperatures at or below 100° C. The present invention provides exergetic efficiency up to 96% or better.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Ewa Carin Ellinor Ronnebro, Greg A. Whyatt, Michael R. Powell
-
Patent number: 8666235Abstract: The efficiency and effectiveness of apparatuses for vaporizing and combusting liquid fuel can be improved using thermal conductors. For example, an apparatus having a liquid fuel vaporizer and a combustion chamber can be characterized by a thermal conductor that conducts heat from the combustion chamber to the vaporizer. The thermal conductor can be a movable member positioned at an insertion depth within the combustion chamber that corresponds to a rate of heat conduction from the combustion chamber to the vaporizer. The rate of heat conduction can, therefore, be adjusted by positioning the movable member at a different insertion depth.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Michael R. Powell, Greg A. Whyatt, Daniel T. Howe, Matthew S. Fountain
-
Patent number: 8497338Abstract: A process for manufacturing an organosilicon product having a stabilized low color and no formation of black particles during storage includes (a) reacting an unsaturated compound with a silicon compound having a reactive Si—H bond under hydrosilylation conditions in a reaction zone in the presence of a heterogeneous precious metal catalyst to provide an organosilicon product having a color of less than 40 pt/co; (b) separating the heterogeneous precious metal catalyst from the organosilicon product; and (c) recovering the heterogeneous precious metal catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.Inventors: He Bai, Kevin L. Bobbitt, Michael R. Powell
-
Publication number: 20130109772Abstract: A process for manufacturing an organosilicon product having a stabilized low color and no formation of black particles during storage includes (a) reacting an unsaturated compound with a silicon compound having a reactive Si—H bond under hydrosilylation conditions in a reaction zone in the presence of a heterogeneous precious metal catalyst to provide an organosilicon product having a color of less than 40 pt/co; (b) separating the heterogeneous precious metal catalyst from the organosilicon product; and (c) recovering the heterogeneous precious metal catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.Inventors: He Bai, Kevin L. Bobbitt, Michael R. Powell
-
Patent number: 8394544Abstract: The present invention is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Reforming Power System that utilizes adiabatic reforming of reformate within this system. By utilizing adiabatic reforming of reformate within the system the system operates at a significantly higher efficiency than other Solid Oxide Reforming Power Systems that exist in the prior art. This is because energy is not lost while materials are cooled and reheated, instead the device operates at a higher temperature. This allows efficiencies higher than 65%.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Lawrence A. Chick, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Michael R. Powell, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Greg A. Whyatt
-
Patent number: 7954519Abstract: Safe storage of volatile compounds or elements is provided by utilizing storage configurations that take advantage of the diffusibility and release characteristics of cell-based materials, such as foam materials. Such configurations may provide storage of hazardous, liquefied gases in closed-cell foam material. Release of gas/liquid from the foam is restricted by the need for the gas to diffuse through the closed cells. Because rapid release is prevented, storage safety is greatly improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Powell, Matthew Fountain, Anand Chellappa
-
Publication number: 20110059409Abstract: The efficiency and effectiveness of apparatuses for vaporizing and combusting liquid fuel can be improved using thermal conductors. For example, an apparatus having a liquid fuel vaporizer and a combustion chamber can be characterized by a thermal conductor that conducts heat from the combustion chamber to the vaporizer. The thermal conductor can be a movable member positioned at an insertion depth within the combustion chamber that corresponds to a rate of heat conduction from the combustion chamber to the vaporizer. The rate of heat conduction can, therefore, be adjusted by positioning the movable member at a different insertion depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Michael R. Powell, Greg A. Whyatt, Daniel T. Howe, Matthew S. Fountain
-
Patent number: 7899309Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing liquid in a vaporization pathway having an actively controlled temperature are disclosed according to some aspects. The apparatus can comprise a first body having a cross sectional shape and dimensions substantially equal to the cross sectional shape and dimensions of a cavity in a second body, which allows the first body to be non-permanently inserted into the second body. The outer surface of the first body, the inner surface forming the cavity in the second body, or both can be modified to create a vaporization pathway between the first and second bodies when the surfaces mate and/or align. The liquid vaporizer can further comprise a vaporization pathway inlet for fluid comprising liquid, a vaporization pathway outlet for fluid comprising primarily vapor, and a heater in thermal communication with the first body, the second body, or both. The heater provides active control of the temperature of the vaporization pathway.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Greg A. Whyatt, Michael R. Powell
-
Publication number: 20090280369Abstract: The present invention is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Reforming Power System that utilizes adiabatic reforming of reformate within this system. By utilizing adiabatic reforming of reformate within the system the system operates at a significantly higher efficiency than other Solid Oxide Reforming Power Systems that exist in the prior art. This is because energy is not lost while materials are cooled and reheated, instead the device operates at a higher temperature. This allows efficiencies higher than 65%.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Lawrence A. Chick, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Michael R. Powell, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Greg A. Whyatt
-
Publication number: 20080193112Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing liquid in a vaporization pathway having an actively controlled temperature are disclosed according to some aspects. The apparatus can comprise a first body having a cross sectional shape and dimensions substantially equal to the cross sectional shape and dimensions of a cavity in a second body, which allows the first body to be non-permanently inserted into the second body. The outer surface of the first body, the inner surface forming the cavity in the second body, or both can be modified to create a vaporization pathway between the first and second bodies when the surfaces mate and/or align. The liquid vaporizer can further comprise a vaporization pathway inlet for fluid comprising liquid, a vaporization pathway outlet for fluid comprising primarily vapor, and a heater in thermal communication with the first body, the second body, or both. The heater provides active control of the temperature of the vaporization pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Greg A. Whyatt, Michael R. Powell