Patents by Inventor Robert Michel

Robert Michel 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: 7126462
    Abstract: A tool for measuring force associated with engaging an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system of a motor vehicle. The tool includes a force measuring device, an engagement arm having a slot, and a guide mechanism. The engagement arm transmits force to the measuring device when the anchorage is seated within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20060201777
    Abstract: A trailer having an endless conveyor is provided. The trailer comprises a support frame, and a load supporting floor having opposed first and second ends, the floor being disposed above the support frame. A pair of opposed sidewalls extend upwardly from lateral sides of the floor. A first roller positioned towards the first end of the floor and a second roller positioned towards the second end of the floor. An endless belt extends about the floor and the first and second rollers such that an upper portion of the belt passes over the floor and a lower portion of the belt extends below the floor. The belt has sufficient elasticity to frictionally engage the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is coupled to the first roller for rotating the first roller and causing travel of the belt. A tensioning mechanism for maintaining a relatively constant belt tension during travel of the belt is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: John Michel, Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 7065889
    Abstract: A tool for assessing the position of an indicator mark disposed on a seat of a vehicle. The tool includes an arm adapted to contact an anchorage and a plurality of lasers adapted to project a set of beams toward the seat. The set of beams define an area indicative of a desired location of the indicator mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20060102411
    Abstract: An apparatus for assessing visibility of an anchorage disposed proximate a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly adapted to engage a first anchorage and a laser adapted to project a beam toward a second anchorage. The mounting assembly is pivotable about the first anchorage to adjust an angle at which the beam is projected toward the second anchorage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20060101659
    Abstract: A tool for assessing the position of an indicator mark disposed on a seat of a vehicle. The tool includes an arm adapted to contact an anchorage and a plurality of lasers adapted to project a set of beams toward the seat. The set of beams define an area indicative of a desired location of the indicator mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20060103199
    Abstract: An apparatus for assessing a position of an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system. The apparatus includes a frame, an engagement arm, and a latch pin. The engagement arm is adapted to receive the anchorage and is disposed proximate the frame. The latch pin is disposed at least partially within the engagement arm and is adapted to rotate to secure the engagement arm to the anchorage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20060103515
    Abstract: A tool for measuring force associated with engaging an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system of a motor vehicle. The tool includes a force measuring device, an engagement arm having a slot, and a guide mechanism. The engagement arm transmits force to the measuring device when the anchorage is seated within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 6793807
    Abstract: A system for skimming oil and other pollutants from the surface of a body of water. Each skimmer has a frame supporting and housing pumps, sensors, computers, and piping for separating the pollutant from the water and moving it to a collection and storage barge for further processing. The skimming operation is controlled by varying the approach angle of a skimmer toeboard, and the depth of the front end of the skimmer in the water. Hydraulic cylinders are used to pivotally position the toeboard. Air bags are used to control the depth of the skimmer in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Russell Robert Michel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030010685
    Abstract: A system for skimming oil and other pollutants from the surface of a body of water. Each skimmer has a frame supporting and housing pumps, sensors, computers, and piping for separating the pollutant from the water and moving it to a collection and storage barge for further processing. The skimming operation is controlled by varying the approach angle of a skimmer toeboard, and the depth of the front end of the skimmer in the water. Hydraulic cylinders are used to pivotally position the toeboard. Air bags are used to control the depth of the skimmer in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Russell Robert Michel
  • Publication number: 20020161272
    Abstract: This invention is simple in design, effective in functionality, cost effective and is vitally important and beneficial to the enviroment in saving our oceans, beaches, marine wildlife and to prevent ecological contamination. This oil spill recovery system is designed to boom, skim and vacuum the oil or hazardous spills from the surface of fresh or salt water in semi rough or calm seas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Russell Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 5293952
    Abstract: The steering of a motor vehicle is assisted by a power steering means including a hydraulic distributor which is supplied with pressurized fluid by a pump from a reservoir. The vehicle also has a clutch having hydraulic servo assistance supplied by a servo unit. The distributor of the power steering system and the clutch servo unit are both supplied with hydraulic fluid from the same pump and reservoir, through a distribution unit which is so arranged that the power steering system has first call at all times on the available pressurized fluid. The distributor unit includes a flow distributing valve, fed from the pump and dividing the flow between a main circuit which leads to the steering distributor, and a secondary circuit which leads to the servo unit. A pressure regulating valve is connected to both the main circuit and the secondary circuit so as to regulate the pressure in each of these circuits according to the demand of the power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Claude Ledamoisel, Robert Michel, Veve R. Randriazanamparany
  • Patent number: 5235898
    Abstract: An actuator for a friction clutch having a diaphragm includes coupling means comprising a first part associated with the clutch actuating linkage, and a second part associated with the actuator proper. The actuator, of the fluid operated type, comprises a main piston working in a main cylinder and defining with it a control chamber. A secondary piston works within the hollow bore of the main piston to define within the latter a wear compensating chamber. The main piston carries a shut-off valve for bringing the control chamber and the wear compensation chamber into communication with each other when the clutch is in its engaged position. The actuator also includes a booster spring for applying additional force to the diaphragm, such that the characteristic of the diaphragm has a positive gradient over the whole travel between the engaged and disengaged positions of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Claude Delin, Claude Ledamoisel, Robert Michel, Veve R. Randriazanamparany
  • Patent number: 5010993
    Abstract: A servo control device for a torque coupling device comprises a driving member actuated by an electric motor, and a driven member driven by the driving member and coaxial with it. The electric motor is mounted on a fixed support in a position offset from the axis of the servo device and is coupled through a mechanical connection to the driving member, with the driven member being coupled to the driving member through connecting rods, each of which is pivoted on both the driving member and the driven member. The invention is applicable to automotive use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Armadno Carneiro, Marc Falcoz, Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 4592454
    Abstract: Hydropneumatic system for recovering braking energy for a vehicle comprising a power "shunt" transmission, characterized in that it comprises two hydraulic switches (19 and 20) or equivalent devices, the first of which permits two hydraulic machines or sets of machines (3a, 4a) to be combined or opposed and the second of which (20) enables the two-direction lines joining these machines to the hydropneumatic accumulator (17) and a low-pressure reservoir (18) to be connected straight through or crossed-over.Their operation enables the cylinder capacities of the machines to be controlled so as to store or restore the deceleration energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Renault Vehicules Industriels
    Inventor: Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 4520840
    Abstract: Hydropneumatic energy reservoir for accumulating the braking energy recovered on a vehicle by means of a hydrostatic energy recovery-restoration device, combined or not with the vehicle transmission and working between a high-pressure accumulator and a low-pressure accumulator, characterized in that it comprises several oblong cylindrical hydropneumatic accumulators (1) connected hydraulically in parallel and placed side by side inside a single casing (6) of small height, the space included between the said casing (6) and the said accumulators (1) forming the low-pressure accumulator (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Renault Vehicules Industriels
    Inventor: Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 4268307
    Abstract: A continuous process for recovery of metals, especially precious metals, from various ores, involves pulverizing the ore to a particle size less than five microns, forming a colloidal suspension of the particles in a liquid, extracting metal from the slurry with a solvent, and separating the solvent from the particles centrifugally. Metals are recovered from the liquid solvent, which is recycled. Contacting of the slurry with fresh solvent is preferably effected in a staged counter-current centrifugal extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 4108957
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of phosphoric acid directly from phosphate rock wherein the crushed phosphate rock is mixed with dilute phosphoric acid to form a slurry and the slurry is then heated to produce calcium monophosphate. Thereafter, oxalic acid is added to the slurry to precipitate the calcium therein as calcium oxalate which is separated. The liquid resulting therefrom which contains the phosphoric acid from the rock is then treated conventionally to recover the phosphoric acid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventor: Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 4041876
    Abstract: In a vehicle guidance system, a circular-section guidance rail is embraced y a detector on a vehicle. At a fork, where the rail progressively broadens prior to dividing, the rail height is reduced so that a detector, when tilted to select one branch of the fork, has its lowered side between the rail and a side wall of a channel in which the rail is mounted and its raised side riding over the broadened rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Transports-Recherches-Etudes et Groupement d'Interet Economique (Tregie)
    Inventor: Robert Michel