Patents by Inventor Stuart C. Salter

Stuart C. Salter 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: 12103420
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive data indicating a plurality of tasks to be performed at a site by a plurality of electric machines, receive charge statuses of the electric machines and of a plurality of first electric vehicles at the site, and generate an ordered allocation of a plurality of charging operations for the electric machines and first electric vehicles based on the plurality of tasks and on the charge statuses. The charging operations include charging at least one of the electric machines or first electric vehicles from a second electric vehicle with charge ports that is scheduled to visit the site from offsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, William H. Wurz, Ryan O'Gorman, Zeljko Deljevic, Peter Phung
  • Patent number: 12103547
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises user inputs, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the vehicle, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals. The controller controls activation of the user input controls based on the determined location of the pet to disable an operating mode of one or more of the user inputs when the pet is detected proximate to the user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Hussein H. Berry, Annette Lynn Huebner, Marguerite Lynn Kimball, David Brian Glickman, Gregory Paul Thomas, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 12103371
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a tonneau cover with moveable panels. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a cargo area; and a tonneau cover including a first side panel, a second side panel, and a central panel between the first and second side panels, wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a first configuration in which the central, first side, and second side panels provide a cover for a top of the cargo area, and wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a second configuration in which portions of the first side panel and the second side panel are raised relative to the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jim Baumbick, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman
  • Publication number: 20240321152
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing HUD power in vehicle head up displays are disclosed. State indications are stored. Based on the state indications a determination is made as to whether a HUD power control condition is met. If a HUD power control condition is met a corresponding HUD power control action is determined. A set of HUD power control commands corresponding to the HUD power control action is sent to the HUD to control the HUD to take the power control action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Brendan Francis Diamond, Stuart C. Salter, Ryan Joseph Gorski, Mahmoud Y. Ghannam
  • Patent number: 12097794
    Abstract: A load ramp for a vehicle includes a corrugated layer that has a first surface and a second surface. A first layer is positioned adjacent to the first surface of the corrugated layer. A second layer is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the corrugated layer such that the corrugated layer is positioned between the first and second layers. A thickness of the load ramp can be in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm. A load capacity of the load ramp can be at least about 100 kg. A method of manufacturing the load ramp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Peter Phung, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20240310801
    Abstract: A server includes an interface configured to communicate with a vehicle and a charger, and a processor configured to responsive to receiving, from the vehicle, vehicle data indicative of an energy transfer amount from the vehicle to one or more receiving entities above a transfer threshold, impose a limitation on the charger to charge the vehicle by sending a message to the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan F. DIAMOND, Stuart C. SALTER, Anthony MARALDO, Roman KOCH, Solomon LIN
  • Publication number: 20240308426
    Abstract: An event detection system is for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a sensor suite electrically connected to the processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations including receive an ON command, and receive data from the sensor suite. The data is indicative of the event, and the event includes the planting of unknown cargo on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Brendan Diamond, Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Keith Weston, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20240313579
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat component, a seat cover configured to cover at least a portion of the seat component, a connector for connecting the seat cover to the seat component, and an inductive transmitter coil provided on the seat component. The seating system for a vehicle also includes an inductive receiver coil provided on the seat cover and configured to inductively couple to the inductive transmitter coil when the seat cover is connected to the seat component, an electric powered heater provided on the seat cover and configured to receive electrical power from the inductive receiver coil to heat the seat cover, and a shape memory alloy provided on the seat cover and configured to reconfigure the seat cover between a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, William James Mangan, Ryan Welch, Brendan Diamond
  • Patent number: 12090959
    Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a running board assembly including a deck, and a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck. The vehicle further includes a motor configured to move the linkage assembly to adjust a position of the deck, and a sensor configured to obtain information indicative of activity adjacent an exterior of the motor vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle includes a controller configured to interpret the information from the sensor to determine a length of at least a portion of a leg of a person. The controller is configured to instruct the motor to adjust the position of the deck based on the determined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Brendan Diamond, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Lawrence Amadi, Manda Mustaine
  • Patent number: 12096115
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods associated with a vehicle that is configured to provide photography assistance. An example method executed by processor of a vehicle may include generating a guidance associated with a photo capture operation and conveying the guidance to a vehicle controller. The processor may assist the vehicle controller to execute a vehicle maneuvering operation to capture a photograph of an object of photographical interest located outside the vehicle. The vehicle maneuvering operation can include parking the vehicle at a location that provides a view of the object or slowing down the vehicle while driving past the location. The photo capture operation can include the processor determining that the object is in a field of view of a camera mounted on the vehicle, configuring the camera to capture a photograph of the object, and operating the camera to capture the photograph of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Kennedy, Pietro Buttolo, Jeff Seaman, Annette Huebner
  • Patent number: 12090824
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes a rear gate assembly of the vehicle having a first closure panel operable between an open position and a closed position. The system also includes at least one sensor coupled to the first closure panel. The system further includes a controller that prompts execution of a security measure in response to the at least one sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least a portion of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristopher Karl Brown, David Michael Diamond, Clayton Benjamin Ford
  • Patent number: 12094218
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for detecting obstacles in the pathway of cables. In an example method, a first location at a site for stationing a vehicle may be selected. A first routing for a cable may then be determined, where a first end of the cable is connected to the vehicle stationed at the first location. It may then be determined at the vehicle whether the first routing for the cable passes through at least one potential or actual obstacle, where the determination is based at least in part on a topographic map. Responsive to the determination that the first routing for the cable passes through the at least one potential or actual obstacle, a remedial action may be performed, where the remedial action prevents the first routing of the cable from passing through the at least one potential or actual obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Vyas Shenoy, David Celinske, Todd Ansbacher, Paul Kenneth Dellock, John Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 12090917
    Abstract: A system for power reduction during vehicle access. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to receive an access message by a target vehicle, authenticate the access message, and determine either an occurrence of a power-saving condition or a non-occurrence of the power-saving condition. The instructions include activating a greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the non-occurrence of the power-saving condition, and determining not to activate the greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the occurrence of the power-saving condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan Francis Diamond, Jonathan Hair, Michael Alan McNees, Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 12090881
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coordinating and controlling power flow during in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events between an electrified vehicle, one or more charging trailers, and optionally, one or more electrified recreational vehicles. The systems and methods may prioritize energy transfers between each connected energy unit based on various parameters, including but not limited to in-transit travel logistics, environmental information, time of day, etc. Charge energy may be transferred to the appropriate power source to meet customer needs with varying levels of priority according to an energy transfer prioritization control strategy that is derived from the various inputs that are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James Baumbick, Ryan O'Gorman, Peter Phung, Michael J. Kipley, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Publication number: 20240300429
    Abstract: Responsive to a magnitude of current associated with power from a vehicle being supplied to upfitter loads approaching a predefined threshold, a controller discontinues supply of power to vehicle loads according to a user defined priority order of the vehicle loads such that the vehicle loads of lowest priority among the priority order of the vehicle loads are sequentially shed to maintain the magnitude less than the predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Anthony Gerald King, Kevin Thomas Hille, David Celinske, John Anthony DeMarco, Todd Ansbacher
  • Publication number: 20240300426
    Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical distribution system includes an upfitter power supply subsystem with overcurrent protection for tripping (opening) a solid-state relay when current drawn from a main electrical source by the upfitter subsystem impacts other priority electrical loads of the vehicle. Warnings/alerts are generated to inform the user (e.g., driver) of the tripping events, which may include real-time graphing of a recent history of events. In order to restore power to the upfitter subsystem, a voltage supplied by a supplemental battery (i.e., vehicle start-up battery) to the upfitter subsystem is monitored. If the voltage stabilizes then a voltage from the main electrical source is intentionally dropped to the stabilized value and the solid-state relay is re-closed. Then the main voltage is ramped back up to its nominal value. An automatic reset time may be added to delay the reclosing if the solid-state relay has been operated excessively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Celinske, Zeljko Deljevic, Todd Ansbacher, John Anthony DeMarco
  • Patent number: 12083942
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a vehicle hammock and a thermal energy adjustment device of the vehicle hammock. A method of controlling thermal energy within a hammock includes, among other things, providing a vehicle hammock having a thermal energy adjustment device, and adjusting the thermal energy level of the vehicle hammock based, at least in part, on a thermal energy level outside the vehicle hammock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Jeffrey Robert Seaman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 12081008
    Abstract: A vehicle terminal holder assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an electronic latch configured to hold a closure assembly in a latched position, and a vehicle body structure. The terminal holder assembly further includes a terminal holder that can be accessed through an aperture in the vehicle body structure and moved to a disengaged position relative to the vehicle body structure through the aperture. At least one terminal is held by the terminal holder. The at least one terminal is operatively coupled to the electronic latch when the terminal holder is in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Zeljko Deljevic, Michael John Huddy, Karen A. Stanhope, Robert Vitali
  • Patent number: 12078116
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system includes a battery, a customer connection point, a switch electrically connected in series between the battery and the customer connection point, a computer communicatively coupled to the switch, and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the computer. The computer is programmed to instruct the switch to open in response to a state of charge of the battery decreasing below a charge threshold, receive an input selecting a time limit, and instruct the transceiver to transmit a message to a remote server upon determining that the state of charge of the battery will decrease below the charge threshold in less than the time limit from a current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Alasdair Collins, Yukiyasu Nagata, Gabriel Jim, Malcolm Fry, Kelvin Howard, Hanyang Chen
  • Publication number: 20240289740
    Abstract: A delivery vehicle is described. The vehicle may include a holding mechanism configured to hold a plurality of containers within the delivery vehicle. The plurality of containers may be configured to store a plurality of packages. The vehicle may further include a memory configured to store a first information including package attributes of each package and a mapping of each package with a container of the plurality of containers. The vehicle may further include a processor configured to obtain the first information from the memory. The processor may be further configured to determine a target location to load a target package or a target container in the delivery vehicle based on the first information. The processor may further activate a vehicle interior visual or audio component to indicate the target location in the delivery vehicle to load the target package or the target container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond, Pietro Buttolo, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Christina Galvez, Arnav Wagh