Patents by Inventor Nicholas Lee Mawhinney

Nicholas Lee Mawhinney 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: 10821797
    Abstract: A disclosed vehicle wheel sensor module includes a housing having a mount portion for attachment to a vehicle suspension assembly, a wheel speed sensor supported within the housing, a ride height sensor including a lever movable responsive to movement of a vehicle suspension component and a single connector providing electrical communication with the wheel speed sensor and the ride height sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Steven J. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20200130453
    Abstract: A disclosed vehicle wheel sensor module includes a housing having a mount portion for attachment to a vehicle suspension assembly, a wheel speed sensor supported within the housing, a ride height sensor including a lever movable responsive to movement of a vehicle suspension component and a single connector providing electrical communication with the wheel speed sensor and the ride height sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Steven J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 10270193
    Abstract: A sensor assembly, having an inner spring, a middle spring circumscribing the inner spring, and an outer spring circumscribing the middle spring. Each of the springs are connected to a first circuit board and a second circuit board. An axis extends through the inner spring, the middle spring, and the outer spring such that the springs are rotatable about the axis, and the inner spring, middle spring, and outer spring provide electrical communication between the first circuit board and the second circuit board regardless of the orientation of the inner spring, middle spring, and outer spring about the axis. The first circuit board is a sensor board, and the second circuit board is a printed circuit board (PCB), but it is within the scope of the invention that different types of circuit boards may be used in various combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Michael J Zaitz
  • Publication number: 20160176384
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a radar sensor for a vehicle comprises monitoring a signal output from an external radar sensor for the vehicle with an electronic control unit and comparing the signal output to a signal quality threshold. Debris is cleaned from a protective screen located between the sensor and the external environment of the vehicle when the signal output is below the quality threshold. Cleaning the debris from the protective screen is performed by one of heating the protective screen by activating a heating element located proximate to the protective screen or spraying a fluid from a nozzle located in a bezel surrounding the protective screen and proximate to the protective screen over the exterior surface of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Dissette, Michael J. Zaitz, Nicholas Lee Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 9072183
    Abstract: An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding printed circuit board (PCB) has at least a routing layer and a ground layer. The shielding PCB has an opening that receives a motor bushing and at least one opening that receives motor terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Andrew Malcolm Haig, Michael Zaitz
  • Patent number: 9003878
    Abstract: A fluid level sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted to a sensor housing. A carrier extends from the sensor housing in an angled orientation. A float is located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier. A fragment is secured to the float, and the sensor detects a location of the fragment as the float moves within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Michael Zaitz
  • Publication number: 20130154411
    Abstract: An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding printed circuit board (PCB) has at least a routing layer and a ground layer. The shielding PCB has an opening that receives a motor bushing and at least one opening that receives motor terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Andrew Malcolm Haig, Michael Zaitz
  • Patent number: RE46944
    Abstract: A fluid level sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted to a sensor housing. A carrier extends from the sensor housing in an angled orientation. A float is located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier. A fragment is secured to the float, and the sensor detects a location of the fragment as the float moves within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive System, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Michael Zaitz