Patents by Inventor Robert F. Novak
Robert F. Novak 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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Publication number: 20210222474Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 11047163Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10995535Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10871118Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an oxygen sensor heater. In one example, a method may include applying a less than maximum duty cycle of voltage to the oxygen sensor heater during an engine cold start (e.g., when a temperature of the oxygen sensor is less than its light-off temperature) and adjusting the applied duty cycle of voltage to maintain a constant amount of power. In this way, the oxygen sensor may be heated at a constant rate even as a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater increases, decreasing an amount of time before the oxygen sensor reaches its light-off temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Hao Zhang, Richard E. Soltis, William Russell Goodwin, Robert F. Novak, David Bilby, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10801246Abstract: A power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying a swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10787847Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Gerald J. Heath, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Musa Azzouz, Jeff Wallace, Robert F. Novak, Timothy J. Potter
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Publication number: 20200300027Abstract: A power door system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The system further comprises a plurality of detection devices configured to detect an approaching passenger approaching the vehicle and a seated passenger within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. An angular position sensor is configured to identify an angular position of the door. A controller is configured to control the actuator to position the door in a first opened position in response to the detection of the approaching passenger and control the actuator to control the door to a second closed position in response to detecting the seated passenger in the passenger compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kristopher Karl Brown, David Brian Glickman, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Patent number: 10745957Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10626657Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Publication number: 20200087960Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a door to a frame of a motor vehicle includes (a) a hinge bracket, having a first receiver and a second receiver, (b) a hinge pin pivotally connecting the door to the hinge bracket at the first receiver, (c) an actuator, having an output shaft, (d) a retention feature, connecting the output shaft to the hinge bracket at the second receiver, and (e) an actuator mounting feature securing the actuator to the door. A method of assembling an actuator in a hinge assembly that mounts a door to a frame of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Gerald J. Heath, John Wayne Jaranson, Michael Musa Azzouz, Jeff Wallace, Robert F. Novak, Timothy J. Potter
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Publication number: 20190145333Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an oxygen sensor heater. In one example, a method may include applying a less than maximum duty cycle of voltage to the oxygen sensor heater during an engine cold start (e.g., when a temperature of the oxygen sensor is less than its light-off temperature) and adjusting the applied duty cycle of voltage to maintain a constant amount of power. In this way, the oxygen sensor may be heated at a constant rate even as a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater increases, decreasing an amount of time before the oxygen sensor reaches its light-off temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Hao Zhang, Richard E. Soltis, William Russell Goodwin, Robert F. Novak, David Bilby, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Publication number: 20190071913Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Publication number: 20190063138Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. The power assist device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle, a display for displaying as swing path of the door, a controller for controlling the motor, and a touchscreen device for supplying to the controller one or more user-inputted selections for controlling door swing, wherein the user-inputted selections are received by the touchscreen device via one or more touch events.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10173647Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically cleaning the exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The systems can include a motorized robot, cleaning element, and camera all communicatively linked to a processor. The processor can receive CAD information regarding the shape and size of the exterior surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned along with information regarding the position of the motorized robot on the vehicle. The processor can then determine an efficient path for the motorized robot to travel across the vehicle surfaces. Along the course of its travel, the motorized robot can employ the cleaning element to remove dirt or other debris from the vehicle surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Patent number: 10161175Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises a door actuator, at least one sensor, and a controller. The at least one sensor is configured to capture data corresponding to an environment local to the vehicle. The controller is configured to process the data to identify at least one object moving proximate the vehicle and control the door actuator to oppose an opening motion of the door in response to the identification of the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak
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Patent number: 10151132Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 10145165Abstract: A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls the motor and a user-input device supplies the controller with one or more user-inputted selections for controlling a door swing of the door.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Publication number: 20180245390Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
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Patent number: 10030431Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
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Patent number: 10000961Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures, Jeff A. Wallace