Patents by Inventor Tyler D. Hamilton

Tyler D. Hamilton 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: 20220196801
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a vehicle includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, and a cover. The sensor body includes a sensor window and a wall having heat fins elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The cover is positioned to cover the heat fins. The cover includes an inlet open in the direction of rotation. The cover defines an airflow path from the inlet through the heat fins. The cover includes an outlet positioned to direction air across the sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Raghuraman Surineedi, Tyler D. Hamilton, Rashaun Phinisee, Colm Boran
  • Publication number: 20220196807
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base and a sensor housing mounted to the base. The sensor housing is rotatable relative to the base about an axis. The sensor housing includes a top panel having an exterior surface. A plurality of fins are disposed on the exterior surface and are fixed relative to the sensor housing. The fins extend radially outward relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 11353697
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a contaminant on a lens of a sensor upon determining a force applied to the lens based on an electric current exceeding a threshold and to actuate a cleaning component to remove the contaminant from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., James Pizzimenti, Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 11312338
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor window, a nozzle head coupled to the sensor window and including a first orifice and a second orifice, and a deflector fixed relative to the sensor window. The first orifice is shaped to discharge onto a first region of the sensor window. The second orifice is shaped to discharge onto a second region of the sensor window. The deflector is positioned to deflect at least some of the discharge from the second orifice onto a third region of the sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Kunal Singh, Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20220066031
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a first sensing device, a sensor housing, a bracket, a second sensor, and a channel plate. The sensor housing includes a first sensor window and a top panel, and the first sensing device has a field of view through the first sensor window. The bracket is mounted on top of the top plate. The second sensor is held by the bracket and includes a second sensor window. The channel plate is fixed to the bracket. The bracket includes a first nozzle aimed at the first sensor window and a second nozzle aimed at the second sensor window. The bracket includes a channel fluidly connected to the first nozzle and the second nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Raghuraman Surineedi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Tyler D. Hamilton, Kunal Singh, Shibu Koyadan Chathoth
  • Patent number: 11247644
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor including a sensor window; a nozzle aimed at the sensor window; a supply line to supply fluid to the nozzle; a primary reservoir to supply fluid to the supply line; a first valve actuatable to inject fluid from a first reservoir into the supply line; a second valve actuatable to inject fluid from a second reservoir into the supply line; a third valve actuatable to inject fluid from a third reservoir into the supply line; and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the valves. The computer is programmed to actuate the first valve in response to determining a first condition based on data from the sensor, actuate the second valve in response to determining a second condition based on data from the sensor, and actuate the third valve in response to determining a third condition based on data from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20220041138
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing attachable to a vehicle and including a panel, a sensor window, a liquid nozzle fixed relative to the housing, and a tunnel. The panel includes a port. The sensor window is positioned in the port. The liquid nozzle is aimed at the sensor window. The liquid nozzle is positioned in a first horizontal direction from the port along the panel. The tunnel extends along the panel and is positioned in a second horizontal direction from the port, the second horizontal direction being opposite the first horizontal direction. The tunnel terminates at an opening positioned to receive fluid outputted by the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Hamilton, Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20210331649
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor window, a nozzle head coupled to the sensor window and including a first orifice and a second orifice, and a deflector fixed relative to the sensor window. The first orifice is shaped to discharge onto a first region of the sensor window. The second orifice is shaped to discharge onto a second region of the sensor window. The deflector is positioned to deflect at least some of the discharge from the second orifice onto a third region of the sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Kunal Singh, Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11156485
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, a sensing apparatus inside the housing and rotatable with the housing, a sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and a duct on an exterior of the housing. The sensing apparatus has a field of view through the sensor window. The duct includes an inlet open toward the direction of rotation and an outlet aimed across the sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20210109345
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a contaminant on a lens of a sensor upon determining a force applied to the lens based on an electric current exceeding a threshold and to actuate a cleaning component to remove the contaminant from the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., James Pizzimenti, Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Publication number: 20210103036
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor having a field of view, a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct airflow across the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface including a plurality of heat-dissipation fins; and a cover extending over the fins and including an inlet. The inlet is positioned at an opposite edge of the sensor window from the air nozzle. The air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Raghu Raman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20210094079
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing including a chamber; a first sensor disposed in the chamber and including a first sensor window facing outward from the chamber; a second sensor outside and fixed relative to the chamber, the second sensor including a second sensor window; a blower having a blower outlet in the chamber and having a blower inlet; and a flexible hose extending from a first end positioned to receive ambient air to a second end positioned to direct air into the blower inlet. The housing includes a first outlet from the chamber to the exterior environment, and a second outlet from the second chamber to the exterior environment. The first outlet is positioned to direct air across the first sensor window, and the second outlet is positioned to direct air across the second sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Ashley Lucas, Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20210061233
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor including a sensor window; a nozzle aimed at the sensor window; a supply line to supply fluid to the nozzle; a primary reservoir to supply fluid to the supply line; a first valve actuatable to inject fluid from a first reservoir into the supply line; a second valve actuatable to inject fluid from a second reservoir into the supply line; a third valve actuatable to inject fluid from a third reservoir into the supply line; and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the valves. The computer is programmed to actuate the first valve in response to determining a first condition based on data from the sensor, actuate the second valve in response to determining a second condition based on data from the sensor, and actuate the third valve in response to determining a third condition based on data from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20210032922
    Abstract: A method includes predicting an environmental condition at a location to which a vehicle is travelling, the environmental condition including at least one of water, dust, and pollution, determining that an object within the vehicle is at a distance greater than a threshold distance from an unobstructed window of the vehicle, and then actuating the unobstructed window to a closed position based on the environmental condition and the object being at the distance from the window greater than the threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MICHAEL HERMAN, ASHWIN ARUNMOZHI, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR., TYLER D. HAMILTON
  • Publication number: 20200393550
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing including a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber, a first sensor disposed in the second chamber and including a first sensor window facing outward from the second chamber, and a second sensor outside and fixed relative to the first chamber and the second chamber. The second sensor includes a second sensor window. The housing includes an intake from an exterior environment to the first chamber, a first outlet from the second chamber to the exterior environment, and a second outlet from the second chamber to the exterior environment. The first outlet is positioned to direct air across the first sensor window, and the second outlet is positioned to direct air across the second sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: TYLER D. HAMILTON, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, Jr., ASHLEY LUCAS, VENKATESH KRISHNAN
  • Publication number: 20200391231
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first sensor window defining a first plane, a second sensor window fixed relative to the first sensor window and defining a second plane different than the first plane, and a nozzle positioned to deliver fluid to the first and second sensor windows. The nozzle is translatable along a first axis, rotatable about the first axis, and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton