Patents by Inventor Rodolfo Palma

Rodolfo Palma 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: 11046196
    Abstract: A charge port covering assembly includes, among other things, doors moveable between a covering position where the doors block access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the doors permit access to the charge port. A door release assembly includes a portion that tilts in response to movement of a charger toward an engaged position with the charge port to permit movement of the doors to the accessing position. A charge port covering method includes, among other things, blocking access to a charge port using a doors in a covering position, and tilting a portion of a door release assembly with a charger. The tilting permits a transitioning of the doors from the covering position to an accessing position where the charger can couple with the charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael T. Zitkovic, Rodolfo Palma, Mohammad Usman
  • Patent number: 10836248
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for nozzle guides for vehicle refueling adapters. In one example, a nozzle guide includes a plurality of protrusions adapted to center a fuel nozzle within the nozzle guide and to reduce a likelihood of over-insertion of the fuel nozzle into the nozzle guide. The nozzle guide may include features such as a rear guard and upper wall adapted to reduce ingression of liquid fuel with fuel vapor flowing from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Rodolfo Palma, Michael Zitkovic, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10570778
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling system of a turbocharger and emissions control device of a vehicle. In one example, the coupling system may include a chamfer on one or more of the flanges of a turbine housing and a catalyst housing to decrease a distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Jakobcic, Sami Siddiqui, Rodolfo Palma, Sr., Bhageerath Bogi, Xiankai Song
  • Patent number: 10569645
    Abstract: Systems are provided for refueling a fuel tank of a motor vehicle via an insert for a filler pipe. In one example, a system may include an insert coupled to an inner circumference of the filler pipe, the insert including a plurality of projections positioned on an inner circumference of the insert. The plurality of projections may include a first projection spanning a first axial length, a second projection spanning a second axial length, and a third projection spanning a third axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Rodolfo Palma, Mike Zitkovic, John Alva Kinzinger
  • Publication number: 20200031235
    Abstract: An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes, among other things, doors moveable between a covering position where the doors block access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the doors permit access to the charge port. A door release assembly includes a portion that tilts in response to movement of a charger toward an engaged position with the charge port to permit movement of the doors to the accessing position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes, among other things, blocking access to a charge port using a doors in a covering position, and tilting a portion of a door release assembly with a charger. The tilting permits a transitioning of the doors from the covering position to an accessing position where the charger can couple with the charge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael T. Zitkovic, Rodolfo Palma, Mohammad Usman
  • Publication number: 20190255939
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for nozzle guides for vehicle refueling adapters. In one example, a nozzle guide includes a plurality of protrusions adapted to center a fuel nozzle within the nozzle guide and to reduce a likelihood of over-insertion of the fuel nozzle into the nozzle guide. The nozzle guide may include features such as a rear guard and upper wall adapted to reduce ingression of liquid fuel with fuel vapor flowing from the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Rodolfo Palma, Michael Zitkovic, JR.
  • Patent number: 10381621
    Abstract: An exemplary battery pack assembly includes an enclosure having a plurality of horizontally facing sides extending between a first and a second vertically facing side to provide an interior, a component within the interior, and a pocket of the first vertically facing side. The pocket is vertically recessed such that a pocket floor of the pocket is vertically aligned with a portion of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Hyung Min Baek, Rodolfo Palma, Sr., Yi Zhang, Stephen Liptak, Olivia Lomax
  • Publication number: 20190078467
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling system of a turbocharger and emissions control device of a vehicle. In one example, the coupling system may include a chamfer on one or more of the flanges of a turbine housing and a catalyst housing to decrease a distance therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Jakobcic, Sami Siddiqui, Rodolfo Palma, SR., Bhageerath Bogi, Xiankai Song
  • Patent number: 10230083
    Abstract: An exemplary traction battery retention assembly includes an attachment feature formed with a portion of an enclosure that houses a battery array. The attachment feature is sized such that a portion of the attachment feature can be received within an attachment feature of the battery array to hold the battery array within the enclosure. Another exemplary traction battery retention assembly includes a projection from an outer wall of a battery array. An attachment feature is formed with a portion of an enclosure that houses the battery array and includes an overhang surface to a surface of the projection to hold the array relative to the enclosure. Yet another traction battery pack assembly includes an enclosure of a battery pack that is formed together with a rib having sides extending to an end face. The rib extends to a structure housed within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Hyung Min Baek, Stephen Liptak, Olivia Lomax, Rodolfo Palma, Sr., Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180251022
    Abstract: Systems are provided for refueling a fuel tank of a motor vehicle via an insert for a filler pipe. In one example, a system may include an insert coupled to an inner circumference of the filler pipe, the insert including a plurality of projections positioned on an inner circumference of the insert. The plurality of projections may include a first projection spanning a first axial length, a second projection spanning a second axial length, and a third projection spanning a third axial length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Rodolfo Palma, Mike Zitkovic, John Alva Kinzinger
  • Patent number: 10060544
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a noise attenuation device for a valve. In one example, a system may include a single noise attenuation device located below a base of a fill limit vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Zhe Li, Dennis Michael Harrigan, Sr., Rodolfo Palma, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9975440
    Abstract: An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes a door assembly moveable between a covering position where the door assembly blocks access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the door assembly permits access to the charge port. A plurality of ring segments are configured to move to permit the door assembly to pivot from the covering position to the accessing position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes blocking access to a charge port using at least one door assembly in a covering position, and moving a charger toward a coupled position with the charge port to transition the at least one door assembly from the covering position to an accessing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael Terrence Zitkovic, Rodolfo Palma
  • Publication number: 20180123101
    Abstract: An exemplary battery pack assembly includes an enclosure having a plurality of horizontally facing sides extending between a first and a second vertically facing side to provide an interior, a component within the interior, and a pocket of the first vertically facing side. The pocket is vertically recessed such that a pocket floor of the pocket is vertically aligned with a portion of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Hyung Min Baek, Rodolfo Palma, SR., Yi Zhang, Stephen Liptak, Olivia Lomax
  • Publication number: 20180123098
    Abstract: An exemplary traction battery retention assembly includes an attachment feature formed with a portion of an enclosure that houses a battery array. The attachment feature is sized such that a portion of the attachment feature can be received within an attachment feature of the battery array to hold the battery array within the enclosure. Another exemplary traction battery retention assembly includes a projection from an outer wall of a battery array. An attachment feature is formed with a portion of an enclosure that houses the battery array and includes an overhang surface to a surface of the projection to hold the array relative to the enclosure. Yet another traction battery pack assembly includes an enclosure of a battery pack that is formed together with a rib having sides extending to an end face. The rib extends to a structure housed within the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Hyung Min Baek, Stephen Liptak, Olivia Lomax, Rodolfo Palma, SR., Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170248243
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a noise attenuation device for a valve. In one example, a system may include a single noise attenuation device located below a base of a fill limit vent valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Zhe Li, Dennis Michael Harrigan, SR., Rodolfo Palma, SR.
  • Patent number: 9590216
    Abstract: An example battery assembly enclosure includes a tray and a lid secured to the tray to provide an interior therebetween. A plurality of molded retention features secure a battery assembly received in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Yi Zhang, Rodolfo Palma, Hyung Min Baek
  • Publication number: 20150318525
    Abstract: An example battery assembly enclosure includes a tray and a lid secured to the tray to provide an interior therebetween. A plurality of molded retention features secure a battery assembly received in the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Yi Zhang, Rodolfo Palma, Hyung Min Baek
  • Publication number: 20110017748
    Abstract: A fuel storage tank for an automotive vehicle includes a receiver with a number of perimeter walls defining an interior volume for storing liquid fuel. A number of anti-slosh bodies are located within the receiver. A locator structure cooperates with perimeter walls to confine the anti-slosh bodies within a predetermined part of the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rodolfo Palma, Mike Dong, Mohammad Usman
  • Patent number: 6758430
    Abstract: Non-random windings are employed to reduce the proximity effect in electrical machines, including rotating machines such as various types of motors. Thus, with respect to electrical machinery of the type wherein multi-strand electrical wiring is received within a slot relative to a surface associated with the transmission of magnetic flux, a method of dressing the wiring within the slot according to the invention includes the step of winding the strands of each turn in one or more layers, each layer being substantially parallel to the surface associated with the transmission of magnetic flux. The winding may be a multi layer winding, in which case the windings associated with each layer are preferably separated by an insulating layer. The invention is applicable to various types of machines and motors, including AC, brushless DC and variable reluctance (VR) types. The conductors may be of a circular cross section or other geometry, such as flattened tapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Aesop, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Palma, Sr., John C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6626150
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator is provided for producing more than one fuel pressure. The fuel pressure regulator includes a pressure plate that restricts fuel flow between an input line and an output line. A spring is provided for applying a force to the pressure plate. A coil and armature are also provided. The coil attracts the armature to a casing or head pole, thus applying more force to the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Palma