Patents by Inventor Mike Veenstra

Mike Veenstra 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: 8056928
    Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel storage system for a vehicle are provided. A frame defining a perimeter structure and having first and second ends, and a generally open central interior portion, is configured to receive any one of a plurality of vehicle bodies in a body-on-frame vehicle architecture. A fuel cell arrangement is disposed adjacent one end of the frame, and a fuel storage tank is disposed in the central interior portion of the frame, along a length of the frame. The fuel storage tank provides a source of fuel for the fuel cell, and also acts as a fuel delivery conduit from one end of the frame to the other. The fuel storage system can include a non-rigid mounting structure for the fuel tank, thereby substantially isolating the fuel tank from movements of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Dale Leanhardt, Mike Veenstra
  • Patent number: 7556113
    Abstract: An energy producing and storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank. The energy producing and storage system also includes a fuel cell disposed in a concavity formed in the vehicle body, thereby further minimizing the passenger and/or trunk space required to accommodate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rick Amori, Frank Stellon, Mike Veenstra, Deborah D. Pittman, Josephine Lee
  • Publication number: 20070137907
    Abstract: An energy producing and storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank. The energy producing and storage system also includes a fuel cell disposed in a concavity formed in the vehicle body, thereby further minimizing the passenger and/or trunk space required to accommodate the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick Amori, Frank Stellon, Mike Veenstra, Deborah Pittman, Josephine Lee
  • Patent number: 7198124
    Abstract: An energy producing and storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank. The energy producing and storage system also includes a fuel cell disposed in a concavity formed in the vehicle body, thereby further minimizing the passenger and/or trunk space required to accommodate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rick Amori, Frank Stellon, Mike Veenstra, Deborah D. Pittman, Josephine Lee
  • Publication number: 20040173391
    Abstract: An energy producing and storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank. The energy producing and storage system also includes a fuel cell disposed in a concavity formed in the vehicle body, thereby further minimizing the passenger and/or trunk space required to accommodate the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick Amori, Frank Stellon, Mike Veenstra, Deborah D. Pittman, Josephine Lee