Patents by Inventor Robert Bolduc

Robert Bolduc 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: 10620271
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a high voltage battery and at least one control module configured to monitor the high voltage battery and command a visual warning in response to a disconnect event of the high voltage battery. The visual warning may be produced by a hazard light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bolduc, Massahiro Kimoto, Ken Jon Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10608222
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery assembly including a grouping of battery cells and an integrated module attached to the grouping of battery cells. The integrated module includes an upper section housing at least one electronics component and a lower section establishing a vent chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. Montgomery, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Robert Bolduc, Hari Krishna Addanki, Jeffrey Matthew Haag
  • Patent number: 10549643
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a relay and coil of a contactor. The relay is configured to transfer current between a traction battery and an electrical load when closed. The system also includes a controller configured to operate a switch such that current flow from the traction battery through the coil and switch, and bypassing the relay, causes the relay to close to permit pre-charging of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Arnold Kweku Mensah-Brown, Wesley Edward Burkman, Robert Bolduc
  • Patent number: 10384627
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a contactor including a coil and relay, a traction battery, a load, and a controller configured to transfer current from the traction battery through the coil to pre-charge the load without causing the relay to close such that a voltage drop across the relay falls below a threshold value, and subsequently cause the relay to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Edward Burkman, Robert Bolduc, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Arnold Kweku Mensah-Brown
  • Patent number: 10252635
    Abstract: A high-voltage interlock system includes a first module including a contactor and a shunt connection, and a second module, having first and second circuits, coupled with the first module via first and second wires. The second module, in response to impedance of the shunt connection exceeding a threshold, inhibits a signal to engage the contactor. The impedance is measured across the first and second wires while the first wire is multiplexed with low-voltage power to energize a coil of the contactor, and the second circuit is multiplexed with the signal to engage the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Edward Burkman, Robert Bolduc
  • Patent number: 10099570
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for analyzing a vehicle battery system of a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a battery pack and a battery controller. More specifically, a battery controller is disclosed for determining battery identification information of the battery pack based on a configuration of active and non-active pins in a connection module between the battery pack and the battery controller. It follows that the battery controller may identify the battery pack type in an efficient manner that does not require any additional components. The battery controller may further reference the battery identification to implement a battery operational strategy that may better realize an efficiency or durability of the identified battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, Deborah E. Callicoat, Robert Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20180083244
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery assembly including a grouping of battery cells and an integrated module attached to the grouping of battery cells. The integrated module includes an upper section housing at least one electronics component and a lower section establishing a vent chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin A. MONTGOMERY, Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH, Robert BOLDUC, Hari Krishna ADDANKI, Jeffrey Matthew HAAG
  • Publication number: 20180072179
    Abstract: A high-voltage interlock system includes a first module including a contactor and a shunt connection, and a second module, having first and second circuits, coupled with the first module via first and second wires. The second module, in response to impedance of the shunt connection exceeding a threshold, inhibits a signal to engage the contactor. The impedance is measured across the first and second wires while the first wire is multiplexed with low-voltage power to energize a coil of the contactor, and the second circuit is multiplexed with the signal to engage the contactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Wesley Edward Burkman, Robert Bolduc
  • Patent number: 9915703
    Abstract: A voltage sensing system for a vehicle traction battery having a plurality of cells includes: a battery controller, a plurality of electrical circuits, each being respectively connected to at least one of the cells and including an electrical component for limiting current therethrough, and a plurality of wires, each being respectively connected to one of the electrical circuits in series with a respective one of the electrical components for limiting current and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Debbi Callicoat, Robert Bolduc, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Publication number: 20180043783
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a relay and coil of a contactor. The relay is configured to transfer current between a traction battery and an electrical load when closed. The system also includes a controller configured to operate a switch such that current flow from the traction battery through the coil and switch, and bypassing the relay, causes the relay to close to permit pre-charging of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH, Arnold Kweku MENSAH-BROWN, Wesley Edward BURKMAN, Robert BOLDUC
  • Publication number: 20180043847
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a contactor including a coil and relay, a traction battery, a load, and a controller configured to transfer current from the traction battery through the coil to pre-charge the load without causing the relay to close such that a voltage drop across the relay falls below a threshold value, and subsequently cause the relay to close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Wesley Edward BURKMAN, Robert BOLDUC, Benjamin A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH, Arnold Kweku MENSAH-BROWN
  • Publication number: 20170328959
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a high voltage battery and at least one control module configured to monitor the high voltage battery and command a visual warning in response to a disconnect event of the high voltage battery. The visual warning may be produced by a hazard light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Bolduc, Massahiro Kimoto, Ken Jon Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9758091
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, activating hazard lights of an electrified vehicle in response to a high voltage battery disconnect event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bolduc, Masahiro Kimoto, Ken Jon Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20160362017
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for analyzing a vehicle battery system of a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a battery pack and a battery controller. More specifically, a battery controller is disclosed for determining battery identification information of the battery pack based on a configuration of active and non-active pins in a connection module between the battery pack and the battery controller. It follows that the battery controller may identify the battery pack type in an efficient manner that does not require any additional components. The battery controller may further reference the battery identification to implement a battery operational strategy that may better realize an efficiency or durability of the identified battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, Deborah E. Callicoat, Robert Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20160339837
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, activating hazard lights of an electrified vehicle in response to a high voltage battery disconnect event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Bolduc, Masahiro Kimoto, Ken Jon Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9446680
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for analyzing a vehicle battery system of a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a battery pack and a battery controller. More specifically, a battery controller is disclosed for determining battery identification information of the battery pack based on a configuration of active and non-active pins in a connection module between the battery pack and the battery controller. It follows that the battery controller may identify the battery pack type in an efficient manner that does not require any additional components. The battery controller may further reference the battery identification to implement a battery operational strategy that may better realize an efficiency or durability of the identified battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, Deborah E. Callicoat, Robert Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20160096444
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for analyzing a vehicle battery system of a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a battery pack and a battery controller. More specifically, a battery controller is disclosed for determining battery identification information of the battery pack based on a configuration of active and non-active pins in a connection module between the battery pack and the battery controller. It follows that the battery controller may identify the battery pack type in an efficient manner that does not require any additional components. The battery controller may further reference the battery identification to implement a battery operational strategy that may better realize an efficiency or durability of the identified battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, Deborah E. Callicoat, Robert Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20150102815
    Abstract: A voltage sensing system for a vehicle traction battery having a plurality of cells includes: a battery controller, a plurality of electrical circuits, each being respectively connected to at least one of the cells and including an electrical component for limiting current therethrough, and a plurality of wires, each being respectively connected to one of the electrical circuits in series with a respective one of the electrical components for limiting current and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Debbi Callicoat, Robert Bolduc, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Publication number: 20120133727
    Abstract: A screen sharing and video conferencing method and system comprising a presenter device, one or more attendee devices and a streaming server for receiving and rebroadcasting video and audio streams from the presenter and the attendee devices. The presenter device and the attendee devices each comprise a browser-based video and audio streaming components configured to transmit camera video and microphone audio to the streaming server and playback video and audio streams from the streaming server. The presenter device further comprises an installed screen capture and system audio capture component configured to compress and transmit video data from a desktop and/or video source of the presenter device and to transmit system audio to the streaming server. The attendee devices further receive video and audio streams from the streaming server of camera, microphone, system audio and screen capture sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CENTRE DE RECHERCHE INFORMATIQUE DE MONTREAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bolduc, Katharina Bauer-Öppinger, Jean-François Lavallée, Vincent Siveton, Sacha Leprêtre
  • Publication number: 20090295796
    Abstract: An example method of updating a model includes locating points on a part, establishing a reference dimension using the point locations, and updating the model using the reference dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Clayton D. Brown, Daniel Robert Bolduc, Willoughby Marshall Quin, James J. Toczko