Patents by Inventor Steven L. Lambert

Steven L. Lambert 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: 11628704
    Abstract: A method of operating a cooling system for a vehicle including providing a cooling system including a coolant loop having a coolant valve, a first refrigerant loop having a first compressor and a first chiller configured to exchange heat with the coolant loop, a second refrigerant loop having a second compressor and a second chiller configured to exchange heat with the coolant loop, and a cooling system controller operably coupled to the first compressor, the second compressor, and the coolant valve. The coolant valve is configured to selectively direct or prevent the flow of coolant between the battery and each of the first chiller and the second chiller. The method further includes operating the cooling system in one of a second chiller only mode, a first chiller only mode, an air conditioning (AC) only mode, a first refrigerant loop only mode, and a dual refrigerant loop mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Bray, Steven L. Lambert, Luke McDermott, William Stewart Johnston
  • Publication number: 20230056312
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing bimodal polyolefins comprising the steps of contacting ?-olefin monomers with a catalyst in slurry polymerization conditions in the presence of zero to minimum hydrogen to produce a high molecular weight polyolefin and contacting additional ?-olefin monomers in gas phase polymerization conditions and the high molecular weight polyolefin and the catalyst to produce bimodal polyolefin having high stiffness and broad molecular weight distribution. An additional step of polymerizing the bimodal polyolefin with a comonomer in a second gas phase can provide a bimodal impact copolymer having high stiffness and broad molecular weight distribution. Among the advantages of the present methods, bimodal polyolefins can be produced in a continuous process between a slurry polymerization reactor and a gas phase polymerization reactor without a venting step in between and with minimal hydrogen in the slurry polymerization reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodan ZHANG, Christopher G. BAUCH, Todd S. EDWARDS, Mark S. CHAHL, Blu E. ENGLEHORN, Khoa TO, Steven L. LAMBERT
  • Patent number: 11511595
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle including a coolant loop configured to exchange heat with a battery. The coolant loop includes a proportional valve for directing a coolant from the battery to at least one of a first chiller and a second chiller. The cooling system for a vehicle also includes a first refrigerant loop comprising the first chiller. The first chiller is configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant loop and the coolant loop. The cooling system for a vehicle also includes a second refrigerant loop comprising the second chiller. The second chiller is configured to exchange heat between the second refrigerant loop and the coolant loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Bray, Luke McDermott, Steven L. Lambert, William Stewart Johnston
  • Publication number: 20210283978
    Abstract: A method of operating a cooling system for a vehicle including providing a cooling system including a coolant loop having a coolant valve, a first refrigerant loop having a first compressor and a first chiller configured to exchange heat with the coolant loop, a second refrigerant loop having a second compressor and a second chiller configured to exchange heat with the coolant loop, and a cooling system controller operably coupled to the first compressor, the second compressor, and the coolant valve. The coolant valve is configured to selectively direct or prevent the flow of coolant between the battery and each of the first chiller and the second chiller. The method further includes operating the cooling system in one of a second chiller only mode, a first chiller only mode, an air conditioning (AC) only mode, a first refrigerant loop only mode, and a dual refrigerant loop mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Bray, Steven L. Lambert, Luke McDermott, William Stewart Johnston
  • Publication number: 20210283979
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle including a coolant loop configured to exchange heat with a battery. The coolant loop includes a proportional valve for directing a coolant from the battery to at least one of a first chiller and a second chiller. The cooling system for a vehicle also includes a first refrigerant loop comprising the first chiller. The first chiller is configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant loop and the coolant loop. The cooling system for a vehicle also includes a second refrigerant loop comprising the second chiller. The second chiller is configured to exchange heat between the second refrigerant loop and the coolant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Bray, Luke McDermott, Steven L. Lambert, William Stewart Johnston
  • Patent number: 10403946
    Abstract: A climate-control system for a vehicle includes a refrigerant subsystem having a chiller and an electronic expansion valve (EXV) arranged to selectively route refrigerant to the chiller. The vehicle further includes a coolant subsystem having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through a traction battery and the chiller. The coolant subsystem further includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure coolant circulating into an inlet side of the chiller and a second temperature sensor configured to measure coolant circulating out of an outlet side of the chiller. A vehicle controller is configured to, in response to the battery exceeding a threshold temperature and cabin air conditioning being requested, command opening of the EXV to a predetermined position and adjust the position based on a measured coolant temperature difference between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Jalilevand, Jan Xu, Steven L. Lambert, William Stewart Johnston, Timothy Van Evans, Mark C. Evans
  • Patent number: 10297880
    Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack, a coolant subsystem including a chiller configured to cool the battery pack, and a refrigerant subsystem including at least one evaporator. The coolant subsystem is arranged to exchange heat with the refrigerant subsystem within the chiller. A tap line extends from the at least one evaporator to the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Lambert, Manfred Koberstein, Ali Jalilevand
  • Publication number: 20170358833
    Abstract: A climate-control system for a vehicle includes a refrigerant subsystem having a chiller and an electronic expansion valve (EXV) arranged to selectively route refrigerant to the chiller. The vehicle further includes a coolant subsystem having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through a traction battery and the chiller. The coolant subsystem further includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure coolant circulating into an inlet side of the chiller and a second temperature sensor configured to measure coolant circulating out of an outlet side of the chiller. A vehicle controller is configured to, in response to the battery exceeding a threshold temperature and cabin air conditioning being requested, command opening of the EXV to a predetermined position and adjust the position based on a measured coolant temperature difference between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Ali JALILEVAND, Jan XU, Steven L. LAMBERT, William Stewart JOHNSTON, Timothy Van EVANS, Mark C. EVANS
  • Publication number: 20170309976
    Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack, a coolant subsystem including a chiller configured to cool the battery pack, and a refrigerant subsystem including at least one evaporator. The coolant subsystem is arranged to exchange heat with the refrigerant subsystem within the chiller. A tap line extends from the at least one evaporator to the chiller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Steven L. Lambert, Manfred KOBERSTEIN, Ali JALILEVAND
  • Patent number: 9796243
    Abstract: An automatic climate controller device identifies an operating zone of the climate control system according to at least two input factors, and identifies a discharge temperature of the climate control system. Based on the operating zone and the discharge temperature, the automatic climate controller device determines whether to perform at least one override action to override a climate control system setting to reduce the possibility of evaporator core icing. The automatic climate controller device also adjusts an evaporator set point according to the at least one override action to reduce the discharge temperature. The input factors may include evaporator temperature and cabin relative humidity. The actions may include one or more of increasing blower speed or increasing use of recirculated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Dage, Steven L. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20160108300
    Abstract: A heat transfer composition for use in a mobile air-conditioning system in a vehicle, includes a first component comprised of a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant. A second component of the composition includes a polyvinylether lubricant. The heat transfer composition is compatible for use in a mobile air-conditioning system when the mobile air-conditioning system is powered by a mechanically driven compressor, and is also compatible for use in the mobile air-conditioning system when the mobile air-conditioning system is powered by an electrically driven compressor built-in to the mobile air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Angelo Patti, manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert, Edward Stanley Sakowicz, William Stewart Johnston
  • Patent number: 9302565
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle is disclosed having a compressible fluid system including at least one sensor configured to determine a fluid pressure present within the compressible fluid system, and a circulator configured to circulate air in the engine compartment. The vehicle is configured to activate the circulator in response to a decrease in the fluid pressure, and in some approaches may also open a grill shutter or other fluid passage into the engine compartment. Exemplary methods may include providing a circulator configured to selectively circulate airflow, e.g., into an engine compartment of a vehicle, and detecting a fluid pressure decrease within a compressible fluid system in the engine compartment. The circulator may be activated to circulate air in the engine compartment in response to at least the detected fluid pressure decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William S. Johnston, Manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150352926
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle is disclosed having a compressible fluid system including at least one sensor configured to determine a fluid pressure present within the compressible fluid system, and a circulator configured to circulate air in the engine compartment. The vehicle is configured to activate the circulator in response to a decrease in the fluid pressure, and in some approaches may also open a grill shutter or other fluid passage into the engine compartment. Exemplary methods may include providing a circulator configured to selectively circulate airflow, e.g., into an engine compartment of a vehicle, and detecting a fluid pressure decrease within a compressible fluid system in the engine compartment. The circulator may be activated to circulate air in the engine compartment in response to at least the detected fluid pressure decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: William S. Johnston, Manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150329758
    Abstract: A heat transfer composition for use in a mobile air-conditioning system in a vehicle, includes a first component comprised of a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant. A second component of the composition includes a polyvinylether lubricant. The heat transfer composition is compatible for use in a mobile air-conditioning system when the mobile air-conditioning system is powered by a mechanically driven compressor, and is also compatible for use in the mobile air-conditioning system when the mobile air-conditioning system is powered by an electrically driven compressor built-in to the mobile air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angelo Patti, Manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert, Edward Sakowicz, William Stewart Johnston
  • Patent number: 9175883
    Abstract: A HVAC system including a multi-function unit for conditioning and controlling the flow of refrigerant. The multi-function unit may be contained within a housing that houses a receiver/dryer, integral heat exchanger and thermal expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Mitali Chakrabarti, Steven L. Lambert, Stephen Patrick Lepper, Angelo Patti
  • Publication number: 20150115603
    Abstract: A sealing system, comprises a male block including an annular flange, a female block including an annular recess configured to accommodate the annular flange, a circular seal having a diameter configured to fit within a hose aperture, and an O-ring configured to fit between the annular flange and a wall of the annular recess when the blocks are in a mated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory C. Trombley, Manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150075822
    Abstract: An engine compartment fire suppression system for an HVAC system of a vehicle monitors conditions including, but not limited to, a collision sensor, an air conditioning system pressure sensor, engine coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature, or an engine load calculation. The fire suppression system discharges a fire suppression composition when a controller receives a specified combination of the monitored conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, Manfred Koberstein, Kenneth J. Jackson, Steven L. Lambert, Steven Van Buren Lake
  • Publication number: 20140373560
    Abstract: A HVAC system including a multi-function unit for conditioning and controlling the flow of refrigerant. The multi-function unit may be contained within a housing that houses a receiver/dryer, integral heat exchanger and thermal expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Mitali Chakrabarti, Steven L. Lambert, Stephen Patrick Lepper, Angelo Patti
  • Publication number: 20140216705
    Abstract: An automatic climate controller device may be configured to perform operations including identifying, by an automatic climate controller device, an operating zone of the climate control system according to at least two input factors; identifying a discharge temperature of the climate control system; determining, based on the operating zone and the discharge temperature, whether to perform at least one override action to override a climate control system setting to reduce the possibility of evaporator core icing; and adjusting an evaporator set point according to the at least one override action to reduce the discharge temperature. The input factors may include evaporator temperature and cabin relative humidity. The actions may include to increase blower speed and to increase use of recirculated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Dage, Steven L. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8677779
    Abstract: An air conditioning system has one expansion valve supplying refrigerant to two evaporators. A vapor quality of a refrigerant has an initial value at a primary inlet of a primary evaporator, and has a resultant value at the primary outlet. The primary evaporator has a bypass inlet at a first location where the vapor quality of the refrigerant is less than about 80% of the resultant value. A secondary evaporator has a secondary inlet receiving a bypass portion of the metered flow of refrigerant split-off at a second location of the primary evaporator between the first location and the expansion valve. The secondary outlet is connected to the bypass inlet. Thus, cooling can be achieved for two different zones using only one expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven L. Lambert