Patents by Inventor Thomas Joseph Ciccone
Thomas Joseph Ciccone 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: 11945517Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a front subframe having two frame rails and a control arm connector on each frame rail. The assembly includes a panel supported on the frame rails and spaced vehicle-rearward of the control arm connector. The panel extends cross-vehicle from one of the frame rails to the other of the frame rails. The panel includes a channel elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a vehicle component spaced vehicle-rearward of the panel. The channel is aimed at the vehicle component.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jack Wiley Cooper, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Erik Christensen, Brett Clarke Peters
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Publication number: 20230257039Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a front subframe having two frame rails and a control arm connector on each frame rail. The assembly includes a panel supported on the frame rails and spaced vehicle-rearward of the control arm connector. The panel extends cross-vehicle from one of the frame rails to the other of the frame rails. The panel includes a channel elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a vehicle component spaced vehicle-rearward of the panel. The channel is aimed at the vehicle component.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jack Wiley Cooper, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Erik Christensen, Brett Clarke Peters
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Patent number: 11203261Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an airflow to an engine via a primary air induction pathway or a secondary air induction pathway, where the secondary air induction pathway routes the airflow to the engine via a deployable snorkel system. Thus, in one example, a method comprises routing the airflow to the engine solely via the primary air induction pathway by commanding open a first air inlet valve and commanding closed a second air inlet valve, and responsive to a request to switch the routing, commanding closed the first air inlet valve and commanding open the second air inlet valve. In this way, the snorkel system may selectively be used in response to requests from a vehicle operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Jaymin Joseph, Joseph Ovalles Quinones, James Patrick Cahill, Trenton Lee McMillion
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Patent number: 11149474Abstract: An articulating hood pin assembly includes a double-ended ball stud, a receiver, a retention element holding the double-ended ball stud and a snap ring securing the retention element in the receiver. A hood latch assembly includes a latch mechanism and the articulating hood pin assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Greg B. Zinn, Trenton McMillion, Jacek Brzozowski
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Publication number: 20210170860Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an airflow to an engine via a primary air induction pathway or a secondary air induction pathway, where the secondary air induction pathway routes the airflow to the engine via a deployable snorkel system. Thus, in one example, a method comprises routing the airflow to the engine solely via the primary air induction pathway by commanding open a first air inlet valve and commanding closed a second air inlet valve, and responsive to a request to switch the routing, commanding closed the first air inlet valve and commanding open the second air inlet valve. In this way, the snorkel system may selectively be used in response to requests from a vehicle operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Jaymin Joseph, Joseph Ovalles Quinones, James Patrick Cahill, Trenton Lee McMillion
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Publication number: 20200114985Abstract: An aerodynamic wing assembly includes a stanchion, a wing and an actuator feature. The stanchion includes an internal passageway. The wing is supported on the stanchion and is displaceable between a home position and a deployed position. The actuator feature functions to displace the wing between the home position and the deployed position while being accommodated in the internal passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Keith Weston, Joshua Taylor Sharpe, Matthew Arthur Titus, Joseph Ovalles Quinones
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Publication number: 20190376326Abstract: An articulating hood pin assembly includes a double-ended ball stud, a receiver, a retention element holding the double-ended ball stud and a snap ring securing the retention element in the receiver. A hood latch assembly includes a latch mechanism and the articulating hood pin assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Greg B. Zinn, Trenton McMillion, Jacek Brzozowski
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Patent number: 10457132Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a hybrid electric vehicle including a front-wheel drive system and a rear-wheel drive system. In one example, the rear-wheel drive system includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, and the front-wheel drive system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine. The first electric motor is coupled to a first reduction gearbox to drive a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the second electric motor is coupled to a second reduction gearbox to drive a second front wheel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Mackenzie, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, James William Dunham, Adam Deibler, Kyle Mattinson
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Patent number: 10351183Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. In one embodiment each side splitter includes an underwing extending between the extension section and the wicker section inboard of the end plate of the side splitter. A related method of improving stability and peak cornering speed of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Peter Thai
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Patent number: 10315713Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. Each side splitter includes a dive plane feature that increases generation of downforce at negligible drag cost.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Thai, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Matthew Arthur Titus
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Patent number: 10215120Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a speed of a vehicle based on whether a rain tray is coupled within the vehicle, below a vented hood of the vehicle. In one example, a method may include maintaining a vehicle speed of a vehicle below a set vehicle speed threshold and alerting a vehicle operator of the set vehicle speed threshold when it is detected that a rain tray is installed in the vehicle, below a vent of a vented hood of the vehicle. In another example, the set vehicle speed threshold may be reduced due to the presence of rain.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jeff Grauer, Jon Holt, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Mike Makled
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Publication number: 20190023115Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a hybrid electric vehicle including a front-wheel drive system and a rear-wheel drive system. In one example, the rear-wheel drive system includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, and the front-wheel drive system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine. The first electric motor is coupled to a first reduction gearbox to drive a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the second electric motor is coupled to a second reduction gearbox to drive a second front wheel of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Kevin Mackenzie, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, James William Dunham, Adam Deibler, Kyle Mattinson
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Patent number: 10144456Abstract: A strut-tower brace includes a pair of strut-tower attachments, and front and rear cross members extending between the attachments. The rear cross member has a flange configured to connected with a vehicle cowl. A lattice structure interconnects the cross members and has ribs that are each joined to another of the ribs at a node that is spaced between the front and rear cross members.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Amol Kurane, Ryan Delaney, Samson Ng, Peter Thai, Jamal Hameedi
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Publication number: 20180297649Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. Each side splitter includes a dive plane feature that increases generation of downforce at negligible drag cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Peter Thai, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Matthew Arthur Titus
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Publication number: 20180297648Abstract: A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. In one embodiment each side splitter includes an underwing extending between the extension section and the wicker section inboard of the end plate of the side splitter. A related method of improving stability and peak cornering speed of a motor vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Michael Stephen Sylvester, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Peter Thai
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Publication number: 20180238254Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a speed of a vehicle based on whether a rain tray is coupled within the vehicle, below a vented hood of the vehicle. In one example, a method may include maintaining a vehicle speed of a vehicle below a set vehicle speed threshold and alerting a vehicle operator of the set vehicle speed threshold when it is detected that a rain tray is installed in the vehicle, below a vent of a vented hood of the vehicle. In another example, the set vehicle speed threshold may be reduced due to the presence of rain.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jeff Grauer, Jon Holt, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Mike Makled
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Patent number: 9776579Abstract: A hood air extractor includes a support defining a first passageway. A first flap is carried on the support. The first flap is displaceable between a first position closing the first passageway to water passage in a first direction and a second position opening the first passageway to air passage in a second direction. A hood assembly incorporating one or more hood air extractors is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan Delaney, Joseph Ovalles Quinones, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Joshua Walters, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Peter Thai
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Patent number: 9469354Abstract: An adjustable airfoil assembly attached to a front fascia of a vehicle. The airfoil assembly includes an airfoil wing and a flap pivotally connected to the airfoil wing. An actuator is operatively attached to the flap to selectively pivot the flap upwardly and downwardly to adjust downforce applied by the airfoil assembly to the front end of the vehicle. The wing is a fiber reinforced polymeric member fixedly attached to the front fascia by a plurality of posts connected to the front fascia. The flap has a top surface extending from the flat top surface of the wing to a rear edge of the flap and a base surface extending from the convex bottom surface to the rear edge of the flap.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Joseph Ciccone