Patents by Inventor Randolph Donald Whitney

Randolph Donald Whitney 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).

  • Road noise reduction apparatus and method using selective placement of vibration dampers
    Patent number: 6688618
    Abstract: An active vibration damper, such as a piezoelectric element (310, 400, 604, 800), a magnetostrictive element (510, 902) or a magnetic shaped alloy, is placed at a connection point (102) between a vehicle suspension component and a vehicle body or frame. The vehicle suspension component, for example, a suspension control arm (100) or shock absorber, determines, in part, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the vehicle. In addition the vehicle suspension component determines steering and handling of the vehicle. Desirable NVH and good steering and handling are at odds; that is, good steering and handling typically requires a compromise in NVH characteristics. By virtue of the selective placement of vibration dampers in accordance with the invention, good steering and handling are achieved without sacrificing NVH characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph lynn Schmidt, Randolph Donald Whitney, Diana Chen Mastanduno
  • Road noise reduction apparatus and method using selective placement of vibration dampers
    Publication number: 20030034624
    Abstract: An active vibration damper, such as a piezoelectric element (310, 400, 604, 800), a magnetostrictive element (510, 902) or a magnetic shaped alloy, is placed at a connection point (102) between a vehicle suspension component and a vehicle body or frame. The vehicle suspension component, for example, a suspension control arm (100) or shock absorber, determines, in part, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the vehicle. In addition the vehicle suspension component determines steering and handling of the vehicle. Desirable NVH and good steering and handling are at odds; that is, good steering and handling typically requires a compromise in NVH characteristics. By virtue of the selective placement of vibration dampers in accordance with the invention, good steering and handling are achieved without sacrificing NVH characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lynn Schmidt, Randolph Donald Whitney, Diana Chen Mastanduno