Patents by Inventor Valerie Anne Nelson

Valerie Anne Nelson 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: 10347927
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly including a plate assembly having an anode inlet, a cathode inlet, a first coolant inlet, and a second coolant inlet is provided. The first coolant inlet is located adjacent the anode inlet on a first plate side. The second coolant inlet is located adjacent the cathode inlet on a second plate side. The inlets are arranged such that coolant influences reactant temperature at the anode and cathode inlets to encourage formation of a membrane uniform hydration distribution during fuel cell operation. The fuel cell assembly may include a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The coolant channel may extend between the hydrogen channel and the oxygen channel to draw heat from hydrogen and oxygen flowing therethrough and such that the hydrogen and oxygen are close enough to one another for chemical reaction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Pence, Michael Allen DeBolt, Valerie Anne Nelson, Daniel E. Wilkosz
  • Publication number: 20190027766
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly including a plate assembly having an anode inlet, a cathode inlet, a first coolant inlet, and a second coolant inlet is provided. The first coolant inlet is located adjacent the anode inlet on a first plate side. The second coolant inlet is located adjacent the cathode inlet on a second plate side. The inlets are arranged such that coolant influences reactant temperature at the anode and cathode inlets to encourage formation of a membrane uniform hydration distribution during fuel cell operation. The fuel cell assembly may include a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The coolant channel may extend between the hydrogen channel and the oxygen channel to draw heat from hydrogen and oxygen flowing therethrough and such that the hydrogen and oxygen are close enough to one another for chemical reaction therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Pence, Michael Allen DeBolt, Valerie Anne Nelson, Daniel E. Wilkosz
  • Patent number: 9353672
    Abstract: An exemplary cooling system includes, among other things, a first pump to supply coolant to a cylinder head or cylinder block of an engine, a second pump to supply coolant to a cylinder block or cylinder head of the engine. A control unit governs the first pump and second pump. Fluid return channels recirculate coolant to the pumps. The first and second pumps are arranged to backflow coolant through the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Peter Bilezikjian, Kenneth J. Jackson, Valerie Anne Nelson, Thomas Joseph Cusumano, Elmer Sidney Foster
  • Publication number: 20150007783
    Abstract: An exemplary cooling system includes, among other things, a first pump to supply coolant to a cylinder head of an engine, a second pump to supply coolant to a cylinder block of the engine, a control unit that governs the first pump and second pump, and at least two fluid return channels to recirculate coolant to the pumps. The first and second pumps are arranged to backflow coolant through the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: John Peter Bilezikjian, Kenneth J. Jackson, Valerie Anne Nelson, Thomas Joseph Cusumano, Elmer Sidney Foster
  • Patent number: 8869756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for an internal combustion engine. The cooling system can be used in a hybrid electric vehicle. The system includes electric pumps in fluid communication with the engine and a control unit that governs the pumps. The pumps can be configured to supply fluid to either a cylinder block or cylinder head and backflow fluid through either the cylinder block or cylinder heads. Various arrangements of electrical and mechanical pumps are disclosed to control fluid flow and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Bilezikjian, Kenneth J. Jackson, Valerie Anne Nelson, Thomas J. Cusumano, Elmer S. Foster
  • Publication number: 20100139582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for an internal combustion engine. The cooling system can be used in a hybrid electric vehicle. The system includes electric pumps in fluid communication with the engine and a control unit that governs the pumps. The pumps can be configured to supply fluid to either a cylinder block or cylinder head and backflow fluid through either the cylinder block or cylinder heads. Various arrangements of electrical and mechanical pumps are disclosed to control fluid flow and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: John P. Bilezikjian, Ken J. Jackson, Valerie Anne Nelson, Thomas J. Cusumano, Elmer S. Foster
  • Patent number: 6471133
    Abstract: A thermostat cartridge assembly 14 for a cooling system 10 of an automotive vehicle 12 including a housing 50. The housing 50 includes a first opening 62, a second opening 68, and a direct-flow opening 72. A thermostat mechanism 80 located at least partially within the housing 50 adjusts the amount of coolant flowing between the first opening 62, the second opening 68, and the direct-flow opening 72. An attachment mechanism 52 attaches the thermostat cartridge assembly 14 to the cooling system 10. A releasing mechanism 54 engages and disengages the thermostat cartridge assembly 14 to and from the cooling system 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. O'Flynn, Michael Bruno Magnan, Valerie Anne Nelson