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).

  • Systems for accessing cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly that includes a door subassembly
    Patent number: 12071102
    Abstract: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Nadia Preston, Dennis Yee, Joshua Robert Hemphill
  • Vehicle console having deployable heated shelf
    Patent number: 12065068
    Abstract: A vehicle console includes a housing having at least one cupholder, a deployable shelf located proximate to the housing and movable between a recessed position in thermal communication with the at least cupholder and an extended position extending outward from the housing. The deployable shelf has a thermally conductive surface, and a heater operatively coupled to the thermally conductive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Dustin Shedlarski, Micah Jones, Hussein H. Berry
  • LOCKING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ACCESSORY MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20240270205
    Abstract: A locking control system and method include providing a base plate with an attachment interface and attaching at least one accessory to the base plate via the attachment interface. A user profile is provided that comprises one or more classes of authorization. Locking and unlocking of the at least one accessory to the base plate is controlled based on the user profile and/or locking and unlocking of the at least one accessory itself is controlled based on the user profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Mathew B. Rutman, Eric Scott Levine, William Wurz, Michael Lozano, Jeff Sturges
  • Vehicle having steering wheel switches and method to reduce false actuation
    Patent number: 12060055
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a steering wheel, a steering wheel sensor sensing rotational movement of the steering wheel, an accelerator pedal actuatable to accelerate the vehicle, a brake pedal actuatable to decelerate the vehicle, and a sensor sensing a signal indicative of an acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes at least one proximity switch located on the steering wheel, and a controller configured to process the rotational movement of the steering wheel and the sensed signal and control an interaction mode of the at least one input switch, wherein the controller changes the interaction mode of the at least one input switch based on the sensed steering wheel movement and the sensed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Adrian Aguirre, Michael John Kipley, Pietro Buttolo, James Robert Chascsa, II, Ross Kern
  • Glass form and marking
    Patent number: 12060292
    Abstract: A system for forming a glass panel includes a mixing apparatus for weighing and mixing glass particles and additives, an oven for melting and holding molten glass, a float chamber for floating molten glass thereover, an annealing lehr, and at least a nozzle for delivering compressed air at least of one of a first pressure and a second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Daniel J. Martin
  • LAYERED BASE PLATE
    Publication number: 20240262300
    Abstract: A base plate for an accessory attachment system includes a first member made from a first material and a second member made from a second material, wherein the first and second members are attached to each other in an overlapping arrangement. At least one of the first and second members include a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures comprise at least mounting apertures and power connection apertures configured to interface with an accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew B. Rutman, Stuart C. Salter, Michael M. Azzouz, Dan Ritz, David Brian Glickman
  • DYNAMIC VEHICLE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT PROVIDING LOSS MITIGATION
    Publication number: 20240262315
    Abstract: A vehicle automatically engages a transportation security mode responsive to a vehicle location corresponding to a location predefined for engagement of the security mode. The vehicle also determines that the vehicle has begun movement, and that a characteristic of the movement corresponds to a trigger for a security action designated for the location predefined for engagement of the security mode. The vehicle, based on the movement, characteristic, and location predefined for engagement of the security mode, automatically engages the security action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Stuart C. SALTER, Douglas SMITH, Trevor FISHER, Vijay MALIK, Peter PHUNG, David CELINSKE
  • ACCESSORY BASE PLATE WITH POWER ROUTING
    Publication number: 20240262304
    Abstract: A base plate system base plate system includes a base plate with a surface to support an accessory and a power box mounted to the base plate. The power box includes at least one power outlet. An electrical connector connects the power box to a power source to be able to provide power to the accessory via the at least one power outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew B. Rutman, Stuart C. Salter, Michael M. Azzouz, Dan Ritz, David Brian Glickman
  • CHARGING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20240262241
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrical port, sensors, and a controller. The battery is configured to store electrical power. The electric machine is configured to receive electrical power from the battery to propel the vehicle. The electrical port is configured to receive an electrical connector of a charging station to initiate a charging operation of the battery. The sensors are configured to monitor an exterior of the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to the sensors detecting an unidentified individual approaching the vehicle, eject the electrical connector from the electrical port or enable full operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan F. DIAMOND, Lorne FORSYTHE, Keith WESTON, Stuart C. SALTER
  • INSERTS FOR BASE PLATE WITH APERTURES
    Publication number: 20240262295
    Abstract: A base plate for an accessory attachment system includes a plurality of apertures. At least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate. The base plate also includes an insert that is mounted in the apertures of the first set of apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew B. Rutman, Stuart C. Salter, Michael M. Azzouz, Dan Ritz, David Brian Glickman
  • VEHICLE DOOR CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20240263508
    Abstract: A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Halonen, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, David Brian Glickman, Kristopher Karl Brown
  • Self learning vehicle cargo utilization and configuration control
    Patent number: 12056962
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo utilization control system includes a processor disposed in a vehicle controller and a memory for storing executable instructions. The processor is programmed to execute the instructions to receive identity information associated with a vehicle user from a mobile device and vehicle sensory devices, and determine identity of the vehicle user. The system receives receive anthropometry information, and entry and exit data associated with the vehicle user that can indicate mobility limitations or special uses of the vehicle cargo hold that have been observed and recorded by the system. The processor may determine a vehicle recommendation based on the identity of the vehicle user and the anthropometry information, and cause a vehicle configuration change that modifies a vehicle system based on the unique user identity, mobility limitations, and predicted use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, David Kennedy, Hussein Berry
  • MODULAR ACCESSORY BASE PLATE
    Publication number: 20240253711
    Abstract: A base plate system includes a plurality of base plate panels that are attached to each other to provide a base plate that includes a surface to hold an accessory fixed relative to the base plate. An attachment feature is associated with each base plate panel such that adjacent base plate panels can be attached to each other to provide a desired base plate size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew B. Rutman, Eric Scott Levine, Stuart C. Salter, Daniel Ritz, Todd Rakus
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING USE OF EVSE ASSEMBLY AND CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20240253509
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for managing the use of an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) assembly and a charge port assembly of an electrified vehicle, including balancing usage and identifying potential wear of the same. Among other benefits, this disclosure is able to readily identify whether potential wear originates from the EVSE assembly or the charge port assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Christopher Schnettler, Jonathan Hair, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter
  • VEHICLE ELECTRIC POWER TAKE-OFF
    Publication number: 20240253518
    Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying electrical power from a vehicle to an external accessory are described. In one example, two different voltages may be applied at different times to a connector so that the external accessory device need not include a battery. In particular, a first voltage may power a main load of the external accessory and a second voltage may power a microcontroller that communicates with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Dominic Gelfuso, Andres Straulino, Prahlad Saggere, Christopher Ballard, Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond
  • Vehicle having steering wheel deployable as an assist handle
    Patent number: 12049250
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering column, a steering wheel and an actuator configured to move the steering handle amongst a plurality of positions, and at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate to the vehicle and generating sensed data based on the sensed user. The vehicle also includes a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the steering wheel to one of the plurality of positions based on the determined one or more characteristics of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond, Taras Palczynski, Erik William Soderlind, James Robert Chascsa, II, Lucretia Williams
  • Systems and methods for providing towing braking assistance during in-flight charging of electrified vehicles
    Patent number: 12049210
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and providing braking assistance between towing vehicles and towed vehicles during towing events, such as bidirectional charging towing events, are provided. The towing braking assistance may be provided by the towed vehicle in the form of an assistive braking torque output to assist the towing vehicle with meeting a target deceleration rate during the towing event. The assistive braking torque output may be provided to account for mutual vehicle deceleration events, brake compensation or brake fade events, and stability events of the coupled vehicles during the towing events, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Peter Phung, Kenneth Patrick McHugh, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Automated bidirectional energy transfer support selection for transient loads based on battery life modeling
    Patent number: 12049153
    Abstract: Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and other devices or structures, such as for supporting transient loads associated with the devices/structures. Battery life information and driving habit information may be leveraged for selecting an appropriate energy transfer strategy for any given vehicle, traction battery pack, structure, and/or grid power source condition. The proposed systems/methods may thereby align grid demand charge strategies to each vehicle's battery life, thereby preserving the life/warranty and asset utilization of the traction battery pack over the entire usage life of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Ryan O'Gorman, Peter Phung, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • COLLECTIVE ZONE LIGHTING FEATURES
    Publication number: 20240246478
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in collective zone lighting includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The controller is configured to create a group of vehicles using wireless messaging, via the wireless transceiver, between the vehicle and one or more other vehicles, and instruct the group of vehicles to collectively light an area using exterior lights of a plurality of the group of vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Keith WESTON, John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Aaron Bradley JOHNSON, Brendan F. DIAMOND, Stuart C. SALTER
  • Vehicle electrical system
    Patent number: 12046931
    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 solar panel electrically connected to a node between the battery and the switch, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch. The computer is programmed to instruct the switch to close upon determining that a voltage of the solar panel is greater than a voltage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Todd Ansbacher, Anthony Thomas Spoto, Hanyang Chen