Patents by Inventor Robert Alex Mitchell

Robert Alex Mitchell 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: 20230339363
    Abstract: A non-pressurized fluid reservoir for a vehicle coolant system includes a bottle configured to store fluid. The bottle has a neck defining an inner circumferential surface that is devoid of threads. The reservoir further includes a cap having a lid and a shank extending from the lid. The shank has an outer circumferential surface and with a spiral ramp supported on the outer circumferential surface to encircle a portion of the shank. The shank is receivable within the neck with the spiral ramp adjacent to the inner circumferential surface to mitigate fluid leaks through the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Arindam Basu, Erik Thomas Andersen, Charles Wyman, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Patent number: 11111839
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a first cooling circuit having a first operating temperature range when the vehicle is in an operational state, a second cooling circuit having a second operating temperature range, and a degas bottle. The degas bottle has a first chamber operably coupled to the first cooling circuit and a second chamber operably coupled to the second cooling circuit. The degas bottle includes a fill port operably coupled to the second chamber and a flow restrictor disposed at a divider separating the first and second chambers. The flow restrictor is configured to open to enable cooling fluid provided via the fill port, when the vehicle is in a non-operational state, to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber and be closed when the vehicle is in the operational state to prevent the cooling fluid from flowing between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mursel Ayva, Robert Alex Mitchell, Eduardo Correia
  • Publication number: 20210207522
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a first cooling circuit having a first operating temperature range when the vehicle is in an operational state, a second cooling circuit having a second operating temperature range, and a degas bottle. The degas bottle has a first chamber operably coupled to the first cooling circuit and a second chamber operably coupled to the second cooling circuit. The degas bottle includes a fill port operably coupled to the second chamber and a flow restrictor disposed at a divider separating the first and second chambers. The flow restrictor is configured to open to enable cooling fluid provided via the fill port, when the vehicle is in a non-operational state, to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber and be closed when the vehicle is in the operational state to prevent the cooling fluid from flowing between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Mursel Ayva, Robert Alex Mitchell, Eduardo Correia
  • Patent number: 10611332
    Abstract: A collapsible fluid reservoir capable of being displaced from its operational position during normal vehicle use to a position that is pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir is attached to the body structure by a hinge assembly and a breakaway connector. The hinge assembly may be one of various structures that allow the reservoir to pivot away from the operational position in an impact event without allowing the reservoir to become completely detached from the body structure. The reservoir may include upper and lower portions or may be of one piece construction. Support arms are attached to the reservoir. The arms may be integrally formed with the portion. The hinge assembly may be one of a living hinge, a C-clip assembly and a ball-and-socket assembly. The breakaway connector may be a pin or a flange having a relatively thin breakaway area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Tylutki, Robert Alex Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10487718
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a cap for a the overflow reservoir bottle, including a lower cup having a syncline void, said syncline void having by a wall extending above and below at least one surface of the lower cup. The cap also includes an upper cup with an anticline projection nesting adjacent to the syncline void of the lower cup, and said upper cup affixed to the lower cup, with at least one vent to permit gas to traverse the overflow reservoir bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Alsayyed, Robert Alex Mitchell, Sandy Corbett, Scott Russo, Jeannette Madej Richards
  • Patent number: 10345177
    Abstract: Sensors are provided in reservoirs on internal combustion engines, and other applications, in which the reservoir is subjected to variations in pressure and temperature that cause the reservoir to exert variable forces on the sensor, thereby affecting sensor accuracy. To overcome problems in the prior art, a reservoir and sensor cartridge system are disclosing having: a reservoir with first and second openings, a cap coupled to the first opening, and a sensor cartridge disposed in the second opening. The sensor cartridge includes a sensor disposed in a body, a circumferential indentation formed in an outer surface of the body, a seal disposed in the indentation, and a retention feature provided on the body's outer surface. The circumferential indentation with the seal is axially displaced along the body from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Michael Joseph Giunta, Joshua Putman Styron, Jeanette Madej
  • Publication number: 20190071049
    Abstract: A collapsible fluid reservoir capable of being displaced from its operational position during normal vehicle use to a position that is pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir is attached to the body structure by a hinge assembly and a breakaway connector. The hinge assembly may be one of various structures that allow the reservoir to pivot away from the operational position in an impact event without allowing the reservoir to become completely detached from the body structure. The reservoir may include upper and lower portions or may be of one piece construction. Support arms are attached to the reservoir. The arms may be integrally formed with the portion. The hinge assembly may be one of a living hinge, a C-clip assembly and a ball-and-socket assembly. The breakaway connector may be a pin or a flange having a relatively thin breakaway area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Tylutki, Robert Alex Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180339674
    Abstract: An isolated coolant reservoir displaceable from an operational position to a position pushed out of the Pedestrian Protection Zone in an impact event is provided. The reservoir relative to the vehicle's body structure is generally isolated either by external damping structures or by integrated or internal flexible mounts. Structures that provide external damping of the reservoir relative to the vehicle's body structure include flexible polymerized isolators and flexible metal isolators. Flexible polymerized isolators may be compressible insulators or may be flexible arms, both of which are positioned between the integral arms of the reservoir and the body structure. Flexible metal isolators may be springs or dampers. Integrated or internal flexible mounts include angular flexible arms having slotted ends that extend from the reservoir to the body structure. Further variations of the integrated arm structure include a living hinge incorporated into the arm and arcuate arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Daniel Robert Tylutki
  • Publication number: 20180313710
    Abstract: Sensors are provided in reservoirs on internal combustion engines, and other applications, in which the reservoir is subjected to variations in pressure and temperature that cause the reservoir to exert variable forces on the sensor, thereby affecting sensor accuracy. To overcome problems in the prior art, a reservoir and sensor cartridge system are disclosing having: a reservoir with first and second openings, a cap coupled to the first opening, and a sensor cartridge disposed in the second opening. The sensor cartridge includes a sensor disposed in a body, a circumferential indentation formed in an outer surface of the body, a seal disposed in the indentation, and a retention feature provided on the body's outer surface. The circumferential indentation with the seal is axially displaced along the body from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Michael Joseph Giunta, Joshua Putman Styron, Jeanette Madej
  • Publication number: 20180142606
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a cap for a the overflow reservoir bottle, including a lower cup having a syncline void, said syncline void having by a wall extending above and below at least one surface of the lower cup. The cap also includes an upper cup with an anticline projection nesting adjacent to the syncline void of the lower cup, and said upper cup affixed to the lower cup, with at least one vent to permit gas to traverse the overflow reservoir bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Alsayyed, Robert Alex Mitchell, Sandy Corbett, Scott Russo, Jeannette Madej Richards
  • Patent number: 9419316
    Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
  • Publication number: 20160190665
    Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
  • Patent number: 9312582
    Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan
  • Publication number: 20130260194
    Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hornblower Meyer, Robert Alex Mitchell, Neil Robert Burrows, Valerie Jean Allan, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Michael Thomas Kramer, Patrick Michael Brennan