Patents by Inventor Todd Allen

Todd Allen 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).

  • Publication number: 20100145574
    Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers, Michael Edward Brewer
  • Patent number: 7688191
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 7654066
    Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Todd Allen Link, Jeffrey David Witwer, Jason Mclamb Honeycutt, Brian Keith Pearman, Ronald Lee Reichen
  • Patent number: 7653471
    Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers, Michael Edward Brewer
  • Patent number: 7650215
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a housed sensor cluster generating a plurality of signals. An integrated controller includes a sensor signal compensation unit and a kinematics unit, wherein the sensor signal compensation unit receives at least one of the plurality of signals and compensates for an offset within the signal and generates a compensated signal as a function thereof. The integrated controller further generates a kinematics signal including a sensor frame with respect to an intermediate axis system as a function of the compensated signal and generates a vehicle frame signal as a function of the kinematics signal. A dynamic system controller receives the vehicle frame signal and generates a dynamic control signal in response thereto. A safety device controller receives the dynamic control signal and further generates a safety device signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown, Li Xu, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 7631951
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for limited wheel slip of a traction drive system includes first and second pilot directional valves between a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic wheel motors. If a wheel slips, the first or second pilot directional valves moves to a first position directing some hydraulic fluid through a restricted passage to the slipping motor and the remainder through an unrestricted passage to the opposite motor. Absent wheel slip, the pilot directional valve is in a second position directing all of the hydraulic fluid through an unrestricted passage to the corresponding motor. The first and second pilot directional valves detect wheel slippage and move between the first and second positions based on a first pilot signal corresponding to the pressure sensed entering the respective pilot directional valve, which is balanced against a biased spring and a second pilot signal from the opposite motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Todd Allen Link
  • Patent number: 7630805
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a housed sensor cluster generating a plurality of signals. An integrated controller includes a sensor signal compensation unit and a kinematics unit, wherein the sensor signal compensation unit receives at least one of the plurality of signals and compensates for an offset within the signal and generates a compensated signal as a function thereof. The integrated controller further generates a kinematics signal including a sensor frame with respect to an intermediate axis system as a function of the compensated signal and generates a vehicle frame signal as a function of the kinematics signal. A dynamic system controller receives the vehicle frame signal and generates a dynamic control signal in response thereto. A safety device controller receives the dynamic control signal and further generates a safety device signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown, Li Xu, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 7624110
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, an information handling system determines whether a resource is likely misrepresented as a trusted resource within a global computer network. In a second embodiment, the information handling system outputs an indication of whether a resource within a global computer network is recognized as a known trusted resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Symantec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Alagna, Charles Andrew Payne, Luca Loiodice, Todd Allen Smith
  • Publication number: 20090260547
    Abstract: A conferencing assembly for use with at least one computer, the assembly including a table top forming a table top opening, a leg support structure, a display screen supported adjacent the top surface, a switcher for controlling input to the display screen, a plurality of handsets, each hand set including a selector button usable to send a signal to the switcher thereby causing the switcher to link a computer associated with the selector button to the display, a plurality of handset cables, each handset cable having first and second ends linked to the switcher and an associated selector button, respectively, for passing signals from the selector buttons to the switcher, a take up assembly including a separate weight for each of the handset cables, the take up assembly disposed below the top member and aligned with the top opening, each handset cable linked to an associated weight, each weight applying a force tending to pull the second end of the associated handset cable into the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Lewis Mark Epstein, Kyle J. Doerksen, Matthew Robert Adams, Larry Cheng, Brian Joseph Mason, Thomas Overthun, Todd Allen Pelman, Vivek Mohan Rao, David John Rinaldis, Lukas Martin Scherrer, Mark D. Siminoff, Susanne Stage, Joerg Christoph Student, James Nolan Ludwig, Brett Robert Kincald
  • Patent number: 7602279
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20090195084
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable cellular phone or electronic device that is powered by a recharging process that does not employ conventional methods of recharging cellular phones such as AC 110V/220V into DC power or by a solar panel connected to said cellular phone or electronic device. The new process utilizes the sun's energy rays collected by solar panels from an orbiting space station or satellite and then beamed to earth solar power stations by low density microwaves (Microwave-Beaming Technology) or alternatively laser beams which are beamed to “rectenna” rectifying Antenna receiver which converts the energy into DC current and then transmitted to cellular phones or portable digital assistants (PDA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Todd Allen Bland
  • Patent number: 7568331
    Abstract: A trim mower includes a frame supported by a plurality of wheels to travel over a ground surface, at least two front reel-type cutting units and at least one rear reel-type cutting unit. A separate lift arm is attached between the frame and each reel-type cutting unit. Each lift arm can pivot to move a reel-type cutting unit between a mowing position on a ground surface and a transport position raised above the ground surface. The lift arm for at least two of the cutting units, and preferably at least one front cutting unit and one rear cutting unit, can extend to selectively move the cutting units attached thereto laterally while the cutting units are in the mowing position. The lateral movement of a front cutting unit may be proportionately further than the lateral movement of a rear cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Reichen, Brian Keith Pearman, Todd Allen Link
  • Publication number: 20090112435
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling vehicle stability may comprise determining whether a vehicle is oversteering or understeering and, if the vehicle is oversteering or understeering, determining an amount by which to reduce a speed of the vehicle to correct for understeering or oversteering and applying brake pressure to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle to reduce vehicle speed. The method and system also may comprise determining an engine torque reduction amount based on vehicle oversteer or understeer conditions, reducing engine torque by the determined amount or to zero if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than an actual engine torque, and applying braking to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than the actual engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Daniel Domek Eisele, Todd Allen Brown, Li Xu, Albert Chenouda Salib
  • Patent number: 7523654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating NVH characteristics of a mechanical system including a torque-transmitting assembly having drive and driven members drivingly engaging each other. The torque-transmitting assembly is characterized by transmission error between the drive and driven members. The method comprises the steps of measuring a parameter representing NVH characteristics of the mechanical system during operation thereof upon a predetermined test cycle so as to obtain at least one NVH characteristic corresponding to at least two discrete values of the transmission error. The apparatus comprises a supporting member mounted to a casing for rotatably supporting the drive member and being axially movable relative to the casing so as to selectively adjust the transmission error, and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the supporting member for selectively adjusting position of the supporting member relative to the casing in order to selectively control the transmission error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Semion Zeitlin, Todd Allen Smith, Zouhair Lazreq
  • Publication number: 20090037050
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: JIANBO LU, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20090014225
    Abstract: A reverse over-ride system is provided for a mower traction drive having a front pair of hydraulic traction motors and a rear pair of hydraulic traction motors. Each motor is operable in a forward direction or a reverse direction, and each front motor is in series with a rear motor. The system includes a solenoid operated valve connected to each rear motor. Each solenoid operated valve has a first position in which a check valve opens to allow recirculation through the rear wheel motors while the mower operates in a forward turn, and closes to disallow recirculation so the rear wheel motors may build pressure and drive during hill climbing. Each solenoid operated valve has a second position allowing free rotation of the rear motor while the machine operates in a reverse direction. A mechanical or electronic linkage is provided between the reverse pedal and solenoid operated valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Todd Allen Link
  • Publication number: 20090007535
    Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Todd Allen Link, Jeffrey David Witwer, Jason Mclamb Honeycutt, Brian Keith Pearman, Ronald Lee Reichen
  • Publication number: 20080311273
    Abstract: A composition for reducing or substantially eliminating oil or fat separation in a food product is described. The composition includes a source of saturated fat and a recrystallization agent. A method of making this composition, and of using this composition in a food product, is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: VISION PHARMA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Allen Ringhouse, Ann Elizabeth Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7464019
    Abstract: A method is provided in a server, having a first operating system (Windows) and a second operating system (MCP), to allow both environments to share the same resilient and redundant benefits provided by the Fibre Channel storage systems with multi-path capabilities and to ensure that MCP formatted disk units in a virtualized environment in the first operating system will only receive and accept MCP formatted data from the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo Javier Serrano, Amy Liu Miura, Todd Allen Bumbera
  • Publication number: 20080271538
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating NVH characteristics of a mechanical system including a torque-transmitting assembly having drive and driven members drivingly engaging each other. The torque-transmitting assembly is characterized by transmission error between the drive and driven members. The method comprises the steps of measuring a parameter representing NVH characteristics of the mechanical system during operation thereof upon a predetermined test cycle so as to obtain at least one NVH characteristic corresponding to at least two discrete values of the transmission error. The apparatus comprises a supporting member mounted to a casing for rotatably supporting the drive member and being axially movable relative to the casing so as to selectively adjust the transmission error, and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the supporting member for selectively adjusting position of the supporting member relative to the casing in order to selectively control the transmission error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Semion Zeitlin, Todd Allen Smith, Zouhair Lazreq