Patents by Inventor Michael Spurling |

Michael Spurling | 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: 20230182565
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank mounting assembly configured to secure a vehicle fuel tank to a vehicle is described. The assembly comprises a first elongate securing member having at least a first fixing point attachable to a vehicle body. The elongate securing member extends at least partially around the fuel tank in an assembled configuration. The assembly comprises a support member having a first end attachable to the first fixing point, and a second end configured to engage at least one of the elongate member and a wall of the fuel tank at a point remote from the fixing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Robert William Sleath
  • Patent number: 11598293
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air intake apparatus. In one example, a system comprises an air filter box rotatably mounted to an intake manifold. The air filter box rotates about an axis angled to a direction of forward vehicle travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 11597271
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank mounting assembly configured to secure a vehicle fuel tank to a vehicle is described. The assembly comprises a first elongate securing member having at least a first fixing point attachable to a vehicle body. The elongate securing member extends at least partially around the fuel tank in an assembled configuration. The assembly comprises a support member having a first end attachable to the first fixing point, and a second end configured to engage at least one of the elongate member and a wall of the fuel tank at a point remote from the fixing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Robert William Sleath
  • Patent number: 11584213
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a powertrain mount assembly. The assembly comprises a tether configured to block movement of a powertrain component relative to a support frame in the event of a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Matthew David George Shynn, Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11453285
    Abstract: A vehicle mount may comprise a member attach to a frame of a vehicle. Another mount member may comprise limbs. A space between limbs may receive an arm attachable to a component of the vehicle. The second member may attach to the first member such that the space between the first and second limbs forms an opening for receipt of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Joergen Hilmann, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11447181
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a structural element. In one example, a system comprises a structural element arranged between a steering column and a front bumper, wherein the structural element at least partially surrounds the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Stefan Schneider, Michael Spurling, Joergen Hilmann, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 11401853
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, the coupling element comprises a rotating element configured to rotate an aftertreatment device relative to a section of an exhaust passage in response to a force greater than a threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20220227224
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank mounting assembly configured to secure a vehicle fuel tank to a vehicle is described. The assembly comprises a first elongate securing member having at least a first fixing point attachable to a vehicle body. The elongate securing member extends at least partially around the fuel tank in an assembled configuration. The assembly comprises a support member having a first end attachable to the first fixing point, and a second end configured to engage at least one of the elongate member and a wall of the fuel tank at a point remote from the fixing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Robert William Sleath
  • Patent number: 11267512
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an inverter control system connected to a transmission such that the connection secures the inverter control system to the transmission during operation while allowing limited pivoting or rotating of the inverter control system relative to the transmission during a frontal collision to modify the translational motion and reduce or avoid loading of rigid objects or components between the inverter control system and the vehicle cabin or occupant compartment. Positioning of an electric cable conduit or connector near or adjacent to the pivot or rotational axis reduces translational force on the conductors to reduce or avoid damage during a frontal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling
  • Patent number: 11186316
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a deflector. In one example, a system includes a first engine bay component comprising a deflector with a deflection surface shaped to engage a second engine bay component to rotate the first engine bay component and mitigate contact between the first engine bay component and a third engine bay component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Luis Pinheiro, Scott Martin
  • Patent number: 11046173
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel line attachment. In one example, a system comprises a fuel line attachment assembly comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion, wherein the movable portion is shaped to slide along a recess of the fixed portion in response to a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Luis Pinheiro, Frank Kotthoff, Scott Holmes
  • Publication number: 20210171105
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a fastening system. In one example, the fastening system comprises a fastening element coupled to each of a subframe and an aftertreatment device. The fastening element is configured to alter a path of travel of the aftertreatment device in response to a deformation of the subframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210172408
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air intake apparatus. In one example, a system comprises an air filter box rotatably mounted to an intake manifold. The air filter box rotates about an axis angled to a direction of forward vehicle travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210172364
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, the coupling element comprises a rotating element configured to rotate an aftertreatment device relative to a section of an exhaust passage in response to a force greater than a threshold force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210129911
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an inverter control system connected to a transmission such that the connection secures the inverter control system to the transmission during operation while allowing limited pivoting or rotating of the inverter control system relative to the transmission during a frontal collision to modify the translational motion and reduce or avoid loading of rigid objects or components between the inverter control system and the vehicle cabin or occupant compartment. Positioning of an electric cable conduit or connector near or adjacent to the pivot or rotational axis reduces translational force on the conductors to reduce or avoid damage during a frontal collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling
  • Patent number: 10933729
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a powertrain support mount assembly. In one example, the powertrain support mount assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the second bracket comprising an engagement feature shaped to engage with the first bracket during a vehicle collision, which adjusts a load of the second bracket to decouple from the engage and avoid contacting an auxiliary component adjacent to the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Shynn, Brad Staines, Michael Spurling, Vlad Sunjerian, Alan Thorpe, Peter Brook, Jonathan Horseman, Matthew Sykes
  • Patent number: 10926801
    Abstract: A road vehicle having a powertrain is provided with a powertrain catcher apparatus comprised of a powertrain catcher and a transverse structural member having a weakened region against which the powertrain catcher reacts when the powertrain is moved rearwardly due to a collision. The powertrain catcher has a punch portion which punches through the weakened region to form an aperture with which the punch portion remains tightly engaged to restrain vertical and transverse movement of the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Duncan Stainer, Michael Spurling, Burak Yazici, Muhammet Balyemez, Onur Dalli, Gary Lansdowne, Ian James
  • Patent number: 10907539
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for one or more deflector elements coupled to an engine. In one example, a system includes a deflector element physically coupled to an interface at which edges of an engine head and an engine block join, wherein the deflector element extends around a portion of the edge and a screw boss, where the screw boss bulges out from the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 10858044
    Abstract: An assembly for an electrified vehicle having a housing containing a transmission, and a vehicle component positioned in a longitudinal direction between the housing and a passenger compartment, includes a deflector configured for mounting to the housing and having a deflection face configured to deflect the vehicle component and/or the housing away from the passenger compartment during a frontal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling, Bradley Staines, Kriste Tomovski, Mansoor Malik
  • Patent number: 10801397
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuator connected to a turbocharger via a connecting arrangement. In one example, a system may include a connection arrangement which yields above a threshold force. The yielding of the connection arrangement may allow the movement of the actuator in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki