Patents by Inventor Robert D. Bedard
Robert D. Bedard 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).
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Patent number: 11965045Abstract: A method of forming an etched part includes forming a substrate including a thermoset resin and etching a surface of the substrate. The thermoset resin includes a vat photopolymerization (VPP) thermoset resin and at least one of an etchable phase and etchable particles disposed within the VPP thermoset resin. The etching removes the etchable phase from the VPP thermoset resin at the surface of the substrate such that a plurality of micro-mechanical bonding sites are formed on an etched surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaojiang Wang, Shannon Christine Bollin, Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Ellen Cheng-Chi Lee
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Publication number: 20240125611Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing routes and water usage are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining calendar data for a traveler, the calendar data including trip information for a trip, determining a current water supply for the traveler, determining water generation capability of a vehicle used by the traveler for the trip, predictively determining a water estimate for the trip, determining when the water supply and the water generation capability substantially correspond to the water estimate, and providing an alert to the traveler when the water supply and the water generation capability are insufficient relative to the water estimate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert D. Bedard, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Patent number: 11878619Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20240019256Abstract: A system for a water generation apparatus of a vehicle includes a sensing device that detects an environmental condition of a geographical area associated with the vehicle. A display device is configured to present a depiction of the geographical area. A controller is in communication with the sensing device and the display device. The controller is configured to determine at least one water generation estimate for the water generation apparatus based on the environmental condition and the geographical area. The controller is further configured to generate a modified representation of the geographical area based on the at least one water generation estimate and the depiction of the geographical area. The controller is further configured to communicate an instruction to present the modified representation at the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, James George Gebbie, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci
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Patent number: 11826954Abstract: Methods of in-situ additively manufacturing (AM) a part include placing a blank of a decorative material onto a platform and applying an AM material onto the blank such that the blank and the AM material simultaneously contour to a shape of the platform to form the part. The AM material may be applied onto the part by an extrusion process. The blank and the AM material may be under vacuum. The blank and/or the AM material may be directly or indirectly heated while the AM material is applied onto the blank.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Jeffery N. Conley, Giuseppe Domenic Lacaria
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Publication number: 20230311406Abstract: A plurality of layers of material are additively generated to form an internal channel within the part, the internal channel including an inlet and an outlet. A liquid colorant is flowed from the inlet to the outlet. The liquid colorant is diffused into walls of the internal channel. A second plurality of layers of material are additively generated to close the inlet and the outlet such that the internal channel is completely encapsulated within the part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Cassoli, Robert D. Bedard, Xiaojiang Wang
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ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED THERMOSET POLYMERS FOR METAL PLATING AND METAL PLATED PARTS FORMED THEREFROM
Publication number: 20230287161Abstract: A method of forming an etched part includes forming a substrate including a thermoset resin and etching a surface of the substrate. The thermoset resin includes a vat photopolymerization (VPP) thermoset resin and at least one of an etchable phase and etchable particles disposed within the VPP thermoset resin. The etching removes the etchable phase from the VPP thermoset resin at the surface of the substrate such that a plurality of micro-mechanical bonding sites are formed on an etched surface of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaojiang Wang, Shannon Christine Bollin, Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Ellen Cheng-chi Lee -
Publication number: 20230278894Abstract: A vehicle including: (a) a water generator configured to generate water; (b) a water storage container configured to store the water that the water generator generates; (c) an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container; (d) a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted; and (e) a human-machine interface configured to issue a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the ultraviolet light emitter. The sensor can detect a wavelength range of the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The sensor can detect an intensity of the ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The vehicle further comprises a controller in communication with the ultraviolet light emitter, the sensor, and the human-machine interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Robert D. Bedard
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Patent number: 11718142Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a passenger space and a HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a heater, an air conditioner, and ducts configured to heat and/or cool air to the passenger space. The HVAC system is configured to increase humidity of air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system, and to introduce a sanitizing agent into air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system. A controller is configured to actuate the HVAC system to circulate humidified air containing the sanitizing agent through the passenger space to neutralize pathogens that may be present in the passenger space.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zachary Alan Pecchia, Robert D. Bedard, James Alan Acre
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Additively manufactured thermoset polymers for metal plating and metal plated parts formed therefrom
Patent number: 11692049Abstract: A thermoset resin for forming parts to be metal plated includes a vat photopolymerization (VPP) thermoset resin and an etchable phase disposed in the VPP thermoset resin. The etchable phase is etched from a surface of a part formed from the VPP thermoset resin such that a plurality of micro-mechanical locking sites is formed on the surface of the part. The etchable phase is at least one of organic particles, organic resins, inorganic particles, and copolymers of the VPP thermoset resin. For example, the etchable phase can be a polybutadiene phase and/or a mineral such as calcium carbonate.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaojiang Wang, Shannon Christine Bollin, Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Ellen Cheng-chi Lee -
Patent number: 11643959Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst substrate including a body having a length and defining a plurality of zones along the length, with each zone having at least one cross-sectional structure defining a plurality of cells forming an exhaust gas flow path through the length via cells of adjacent zones, and the cells being more densely arranged within the at least one cross-sectional structure of an upstream zone than an adjacent downstream zone. The catalytic converter also includes a wash-coat layer deposited on surfaces of the cells forming active surface area configured to react with exhaust gas traveling along the length. The exhaust gas flows along the exhaust gas flow path through the cells such that more active surface area is available for reaction in each upstream zone than an adjacent downstream zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Perkins, Robert D. Bedard
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Patent number: 11512010Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Patent number: 11438332Abstract: A system includes a first plurality of blockchain nodes including first network nodes external to a vehicle and second network nodes internal to the vehicle, the first plurality of blockchain nodes maintaining a first distributed blockchain ledger; and a first computing device. The first computing device is programmed to transmit a first request to the first plurality of blockchain nodes requesting access to a vehicle network via a communications access port in the vehicle; demonstrate a first proof of work by responding to a second request from the first plurality of blockchain nodes; and receive, based on a first majority of the first network nodes and the second network nodes in the first plurality of blockchain nodes accepting the first request, first authorization specifying access to the vehicle access via the communications access port.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Hassani, Clifford Anthony Bailey, Robert D. Bedard, Willie Ham, Michael Kruntovski, Lauren Peng
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Publication number: 20220243634Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst substrate including a body having a length and defining a plurality of zones along the length, with each zone having at least one cross-sectional structure defining a plurality of cells forming an exhaust gas flow path through the length via cells of adjacent zones, and the cells being more densely arranged within the at least one cross-sectional structure of an upstream zone than an adjacent downstream zone. The catalytic converter also includes a wash-coat layer deposited on surfaces of the cells forming active surface area configured to react with exhaust gas traveling along the length. The exhaust gas flows along the exhaust gas flow path through the cells such that more active surface area is available for reaction in each upstream zone than an adjacent downstream zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Alexander PERKINS, Robert D. BEDARD
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Publication number: 20220169165Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20220169538Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alan Acre, Robert D. Bedard, John P. Casci, James George Gebbie, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Publication number: 20220153084Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a passenger space and a HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a heater, an air conditioner, and ducts configured to heat and/or cool air to the passenger space. The HVAC system is configured to increase humidity of air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system, and to introduce a sanitizing agent into air while the air is flowing through the HVAC system. A controller is configured to actuate the HVAC system to circulate humidified air containing the sanitizing agent through the passenger space to neutralize pathogens that may be present in the passenger space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zachary Alan Pecchia, Robert D. Bedard, James Alan Acre
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Publication number: 20220097296Abstract: Methods of in-situ additively manufacturing (AM) a part include placing a blank of a decorative material onto a platform and applying an AM material onto the blank such that the blank and the AM material simultaneously contour to a shape of the platform to form the part. The AM material may be applied onto the part by an extrusion process. The blank and the AM material may be under vacuum. The blank and/or the AM material may be directly or indirectly heated while the AM material is applied onto the blank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Jeffery N. Conley, Giuseppe Domenic Lacaria
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ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED THERMOSET POLYMERS FOR METAL PLATING AND METAL PLATED PARTS FORMED THEREFROM
Publication number: 20220089799Abstract: A thermoset resin for forming parts to be metal plated includes a vat photopolymerization (VPP) thermoset resin and an etchable phase disposed in the VPP thermoset resin. The etchable phase is etched from a surface of a part formed from the VPP thermoset resin such that a plurality of micro-mechanical locking sites is formed on the surface of the part. The etchable phase is at least one of organic particles, organic resins, inorganic particles, and copolymers of the VPP thermoset resin. For example, the etchable phase can be a polybutadiene phase and/or a mineral such as calcium carbonate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaojiang Wang, Shannon Christine Bollin, Robert D. Bedard, Matthew Cassoli, Ellen Cheng-chi Lee -
Patent number: 11084189Abstract: A method of forming a molding tool includes performing a computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis on a molding tool design. The CAE analysis predicts flow of injection molded material and a location of gas entrapment within a molding recess of the molding tool design. At least one venting design constraint is applied to the molding tool design as a function of the gas entrapment location. Also, a biomimetic shaped passageway for venting gas away from the gas entrapment location is selected from a plurality of biomimetic shaped passageways. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) CAE analysis of the molding tool design with the selected biomimetic shaped passageway is performed and modifications of the selected biomimetic shaped passageway are CFD CAE analyzed until a final biomimetic shaped passageway is determined and a molding tool with the final biomimetic shaped passageway is formed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Derren Woods, Robert D. Bedard