Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Tyndall

Patrick A. Tyndall 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: 8121754
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for inductively coupling tire rotations related signals to a tire electronics module associated with a tire are provided. The tire electronics module is configured to receive the tire rotation related signals through inductive transmission from a signal transmission module that includes at least a piezoelectric element and a transmitter inductor. The signal transmitter module and the tire electronics module may be physically separated from each other and may be separately or collectively encased in a protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique
    Inventors: Patrick A. Tyndall, Frank E. Gramling
  • Patent number: 7954370
    Abstract: Disclosed ia an apparatus and methodology for detecting tire (1) rotation by associating a piezoelectric sensor (250) with an enclosure housing (210) tire environment related sensors and electronics. The enclosure (210) may be mounted in a tire (1) in a location subject to multi-dimensional strain and a signal processor is employed to separate tire rotation information for other types of strain induced signals that may be produced by the piezoelectric sensor (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique
    Inventors: Frank E. Gramling, Jay C. Sinnett, Patrick A. Tyndall
  • Publication number: 20090134710
    Abstract: Discloses is apparatus and methodology for inductively coupling tire rotations related signals to a tire electronics module (200) associated with a tire. The tire electronics module (200) is configured to receive the tire rotation related signals (220) through inductive transmission from a signal transmission module (210) that includes at least a piezoelectric element (212) and a transmitter inductor (216). The signal transmitter module (210) and the tire electronics module (200) may be physically separated from each other and may be separately or collectively encased in a protective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Tyndall, Frank E. Gramling
  • Publication number: 20080289407
    Abstract: Disclosed ia an apparatus and methodology for detecting tire (1) rotation by associating a piezoelectric sensor (250) with an enclosure housing (210) tire environment related sensors and electronics. The enclosure (210) may be mounted in a tire (1) in a location subject to multi-dimensional strain and a signal processor is employed to separate tire rotation information for other types of strain induced signals that may be produced by the piezoelectric sensor (250).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Frank E. Gramling, Jay C. Sinnett, Patrick A. Tyndall
  • Patent number: 7138911
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a rotating tire's mechanical energy concerns a piezoelectric power generation device associated with a power harvesting and conditioning module. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. The electrodes of the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power harvesting and conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure, conditions and stores it in a multi-stage energy storage device, preferably a plurality of capacitors. A regulated voltage source is provided from the energy stored in the power generation device and can be used to selectively power various electronics systems integrated within a tire or wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Tyndall
  • Patent number: 7132939
    Abstract: A self-powered tire revolution counter includes a motion sensitive power generation mechanism, a power conditioner, a pulse detector, a microcontroller, and, optionally, a radio frequency (RF) transmitting device. In one exemplary embodiment, the power generation mechanism corresponds to a piezoelectric patch that, during movement, provides both operating electrical power and pulsed signals indicative of tire rotation. The power conditioner receives a generator signal from the power generation mechanism and produces a conditioned output voltage that can be used to power associated electronic devices, including the microcontroller. The pulse detector receives the generator signal and produces a detection signal whenever the generator signal meets a predetermined condition. The microcontroller is programmed to determine current and lifetime-accumulated values of selected pulse indications in the detection signal that meet predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Tyndall, George Phillips O'Brien, Timothy R. Tedrow