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).

  • Publication number: 20170030133
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20170030126
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
  • Publication number: 20170030127
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Publication number: 20170028966
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door opening, a door mounted adjacent the opening and moveable relative to the opening between a closed position and a range of open positions, and a controller. The controller determines whether an instantaneous door position is the closed position or within the range of open positions and prevents one of vehicle movement and engine ignition in response to the door being within the range of open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Publication number: 20160312517
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a door that has a swing radius, a light-field camera, and a controller. The light-field camera is configured to detect the presence of an object within the swing radius of the door. The controller is programmed to prevent the door from transitioning between an opened position and a closed position in response to the light-field camera detecting the presence of an object in the swing radius of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Larry Dean ELIE, Timothy J. POTTER, Robert F. NOVAK, John W. JARANSON, Jeffrey A. WALLACE, Michael M. AZZOUZ, Gerald J. HEATH, Evangelos P. SKOURES
  • Publication number: 20160314362
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a swing radius, a light_field camera, and a controller. The light-field camera is configured to detect the presence of an object within the swing radius of the door. The controller is programmed to prevent the door from transitioning between an opened position and a closed position in response to the light-field camera detecting the presence of an object in the swing radius of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John W. Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20160129768
    Abstract: A bi-directional element drive system includes a motor having a drive shaft, a cable anchor and a cable connector. The cable connector is carried on the drive shaft and has two ends connected to the cable anchor. In addition the drive system includes a support and a driven element. The driven element is displaced between a first position and a second position relative to the support by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, John W. Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 9188034
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • Patent number: 9178219
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an electrochemical device includes a substrate having a substrate surface; an amorphous metal oxide layer supported on the substrate surface; and a noble metal catalyst supported on the amorphous metal oxide layer to form a catalyst layer. The amorphous metal oxide layer may contact only 25 to 75 percent of the substrate surface. The amorphous metal oxide layer may include less than 10 weight percent of crystalline metal oxide. In certain instances, the amorphous metal oxide layer is substantially free of crystalline metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Patrick Pietrasz, Chunchuan Xu, Richard E. Soltis, Mark S. Sulek, Robert F. Novak
  • Patent number: 9003411
    Abstract: A system may receive a request to create a virtual machine, create the virtual machine on a first physical server in response to the request, and receive parameters for configuring a second physical server. The system may also configure the second physical server in accordance with the parameters during an installation of an operating system on the second physical server, and notify a user that the second physical server is ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wilson, Robert F. Novak, Patrick M. Joanny
  • Patent number: 8959979
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 8815468
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a layered catalyst having an active area is provided. In at least one embodiment, the layered electrode includes a first catalyst layer having a first noble metal concentration and a first ionomer concentration, and a second catalyst layer disposed next to the first catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer having a second noble metal concentration different from the first noble metal concentration and a second ionomer concentration different from the first ionomer concentration. In at least another embodiment, the metallic alloy includes a metallic alloy of platinum, nickel, and cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi Paik, Robert F. Novak, Richard E. Soltis, Mark S. Sulek
  • Patent number: 8707678
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Publication number: 20140090361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • Patent number: 8627645
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • Publication number: 20130255353
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 8463882
    Abstract: A system may convert a server into a reference server, create a clone of the reference server in a selected network, place the clone in a user network, and notify a user that the clone server is ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Katherine Witt, Robert F. Novak, Patrick M. Joanny
  • Patent number: 8448511
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 8438899
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 8370481
    Abstract: A system may receive parameters for provisioning a resource object and may select network resources that correspond to the resource object based on the parameters, inventory information, and configuration information. In addition, the system may configure the selected network resources in accordance with the parameters and may monitor the selected network resources to obtain information on the selected network resources. Further, the system may update the inventory information and the configuration information based on the obtained information to reflect changes in state and configuration of the selected network resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wilson, Robert F. Novak, Patrick M. Joanny