Patents by Inventor Steven Schondorf
Steven Schondorf 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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Patent number: 11801791Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a video feed from a trailer control module disposed in a vehicle trailer are described. One method includes aggregating a trailer front view, a trailer rear view, a trailer left view, and a trailer right view into an aggregated birds-eye view at a first control module disposed on the trailer, and sending the aggregated view to a vehicle towing the trailer via a single auxiliary video channel integrated into a trailer hitch wiring harness. The method further includes receiving the feed of the birds-eye view at the second control module disposed in the vehicle via the single auxiliary camera input channel, and displaying the trailer birds-eye view video feed at an output display disposed in a cabin of the towing vehicle. The birds-eye view may be output on a split screen in conjunction with a rear-view of the trailer, obtained from a vehicle camera system.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Aaron Bresky, Ali Nizar Yassine, Matthew Flis
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Patent number: 11176827Abstract: Extendable blind spot sensors and methods of use are provided herein, which may include a blind spot sensor configured to monitor a blind spot of a vehicle and an extender in mechanical communication with the blind spot sensor. The extender is configured to move the blind spot sensor between a first position and a second position when a trailer is attached to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Steven Schondorf
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Publication number: 20210237646Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a video feed from a trailer control module disposed in a vehicle trailer are described. One method includes aggregating a trailer front view, a trailer rear view, a trailer left view, and a trailer right view into an aggregated birds-eye view at a first control module disposed on the trailer, and sending the aggregated view to a vehicle towing the trailer via a single auxiliary video channel integrated into a trailer hitch wiring harness. The method further includes receiving the feed of the birds-eye view at the second control module disposed in the vehicle via the single auxiliary camera input channel, and displaying the trailer birds-eye view video feed at an output display disposed in a cabin of the towing vehicle. The birds-eye view may be output on a split screen in conjunction with a rear-view of the trailer, obtained from a vehicle camera system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Aaron Bresky, Ali Nizar Yassine, Matthew Flis
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Publication number: 20210233407Abstract: Extendable blind spot sensors and methods of use are provided herein, which may include a blind spot sensor configured to monitor a blind spot of a vehicle and an extender in mechanical communication with the blind spot sensor. The extender is configured to move the blind spot sensor between a first position and a second position when a trailer is attached to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Steven Schondorf
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Patent number: 11066014Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a video feed from a trailer control module disposed in a vehicle trailer are described. One method includes aggregating a trailer front view, a trailer rear view, a trailer left view, and a trailer right view into an aggregated birds-eye view at a first control module disposed on the trailer, and sending the aggregated view to a vehicle towing the trailer via a single auxiliary video channel integrated into a trailer hitch wiring harness. The method further includes receiving the feed of the birds-eye view at the second control module disposed in the vehicle via the single auxiliary camera input channel, and displaying the trailer birds-eye view video feed at an output display disposed in a cabin of the towing vehicle. The birds-eye view may be output on a split screen in conjunction with a rear-view of the trailer, obtained from a vehicle camera system.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Aaron Bresky, Ali Nizar Yassine, Matthew Flis
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Publication number: 20210213976Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of an autonomous vehicle (AV) and determine that the first capacitive signal exceeds a threshold value. The AV controller may be configured to determine water levels using a capacitive sensor system, and perform mitigating actions that cause the vehicle to either clean soiled capacitive sensors, or move the vehicle to a location that mitigates the risk of vehicle damage. Other mitigating actions may be performed as well, including disabling or powering down critical vehicle components when the vehicle cannot be moved to another location, providing means for emergency vehicle exit, and sending warning messages to the fleet control server, to occupants of the AV, or to other emergency personnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Pietro Buttolo, Steven Schondorf, David Tippy, Brian Bennie
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Publication number: 20210213878Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a video feed from a trailer control module disposed in a vehicle trailer are described. One method includes aggregating a trailer front view, a trailer rear view, a trailer left view, and a trailer right view into an aggregated birds-eye view at a first control module disposed on the trailer, and sending the aggregated view to a vehicle towing the trailer via a single auxiliary video channel integrated into a trailer hitch wiring harness. The method further includes receiving the feed of the birds-eye view at the second control module disposed in the vehicle via the single auxiliary camera input channel, and displaying the trailer birds-eye view video feed at an output display disposed in a cabin of the towing vehicle. The birds-eye view may be output on a split screen in conjunction with a rear-view of the trailer, obtained from a vehicle camera system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Aaron Bresky, Ali Nizar Yassine, Matthew Flis
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Patent number: 10928239Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of a vehicle. The systems and methods may determine that the first capacitive signal is not below a threshold value. The systems and methods display an image in a cab of the vehicle, wherein the image corresponds to a water depth level associated with the first capacitive signal. The systems and methods receive a second capacitive signal from a second capacitive sensor corresponding to a rising water level. The systems and methods display a warning message, on a display, indicating the rising water level.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Pietro Buttolo, Steven Schondorf, David James Tippy, Brian Bennie
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Patent number: 8443787Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
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Publication number: 20120111308Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
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Patent number: 8104454Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
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Publication number: 20110175715Abstract: A system and method of manually associating, in a predetermined order, each sensor in a plurality of sensors used by a tire pressure monitoring system with a corresponding wheel location on a vehicle comprising, activating an indicator at a first location, associating a first sensor for the first location in the tire pressure monitoring system, activating an indicator at a subsequent location, associating a subsequent sensor for the subsequent location in the tire pressure monitoring system, and repeating the steps of activating and associating for each sensor in the plurality of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Dilip Patel, Brian Bennie, Greg Swadling, Fred Gaynier
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Patent number: 7892128Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Steven Schondorf
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Publication number: 20100307464Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
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Patent number: 7801661Abstract: A power boost system and method. An illustrative embodiment of the power boost system includes an operator interface having a system activation button; a vehicle system controller connected to the operator interface; and at least one of an engine system controller, a battery system controller and an accessory system controller connected to the vehicle system controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Brandon Masterson, Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Francis T. Connolly, William Paul Perkins
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Patent number: 7775195Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
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Publication number: 20100139998Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Steven Schondorf
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Patent number: 7703444Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for reducing the rate of fuel vapor formation within a fuel storage tank include a plurality of discrete independent floating particles or elements to reduce exposed evaporative surface area of fuel in the fuel storage tank while conforming to a changing fuel tank cross-section as fuel level changes. The elements or particles may have a self-tessellating geometry to facilitate formation of a single or multi-layer barrier or cover and be made or coated with a material that resists fuel wetting and degradation, such as a highly fluorinated polymer including polytetrafluoroethylene.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Scott Gaboury, Craig Stephan
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Patent number: 7690459Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain include an engine operable to output torque in only one direction, and further includes a power transfer arrangement configured to provide output torque in two rotational directions. In one embodiment, the power transfer arrangement includes three gears and a single clutch, the configuration of which provides a simple mechanism for driving the vehicle in reverse using torque produced by the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Schondorf, Brandon Masterson
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Patent number: 7686723Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Steven Schondorf