Patents by Inventor Robert D. Sumpf

Robert D. Sumpf 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: 10780767
    Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel, a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and at least one mechanical connection securing the cross-members to the vehicle floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Rawlinson, Alan Clarke, Hitendra L Gadhiya, Robert D. Sumpf, Jr., Bruce P. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20180334022
    Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel, a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and at least one mechanical connection securing the cross-members to the vehicle floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Rawlinson, Alan Clarke, Hitendra L Gadhiya, Robert D. Sumpf, JR., Bruce P. Edwards
  • Patent number: 10023038
    Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes: first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel; a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and one or more bolts each extending though a respective opening in one of the cross-members and extending to an opposite side of the vehicle floor panel from the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. Rawlinson, Alan Clarke, Hitendra L Gadhiya, Robert D. Sumpf, Jr., Bruce P. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9577227
    Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
  • Publication number: 20150239331
    Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes: first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel; a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and one or more bolts each extending though a respective opening in one of the cross-members and extending to an opposite side of the vehicle floor panel from the cross-member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Peter D. Rawlinson, Alan Clarke, Hitendra L. Gadhiya, Robert D. Sumpf, JR., Bruce P. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20150111082
    Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
  • Publication number: 20090126364
    Abstract: A system for effecting cooling of a coolant fluid is provided, the system comprising: a solar energy collector system; and fluid channels for the coolant fluid that are at least partially above ground level and are at least partially shaded by the solar energy collector system. The system may comprise a system for cooling a condenser coolant fluid in a thermal power plant incorporating a solar energy collector system, the system comprising: one or more solar energy reflectors; and fluid channels for the coolant fluid that are at least partially above ground level and are at least partially shaded by one or more of the solar energy reflectors. Solar energy reflector carrier arrangements for use in said system, and methods and thermal power plants utilizing said system are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Ausra, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Mills, Robert C. Mierisch, Robert D. Sumpf, JR., Laura L. Chao
  • Patent number: RE44994
    Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Rawlinson, Alan Clarke, Robert D. Sumpf, Jr., Bruce P. Edwards