Patents by Inventor Venkatesh Krishnan

Venkatesh Krishnan 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: 12386040
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, a sensor unit attached to the housing, and an elastomeric flap. The sensor unit includes a shell defining a vertical axis. The shell is rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The shell includes a lower edge and extends upward along the axis from the lower edge. The housing includes an aperture centered on the axis. The aperture defines an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the aperture relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and positioned to receive airflow from the aperture. The aperture and the lower edge define a fixed gap extending around the axis. The flap is fixed to one of the housing or the sensor unit, and the flap extends across the fixed gap toward the other one of the housing or the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sunil Reddy Patil, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr., Rashaun Phinisee
  • Patent number: 12377790
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a sensor to a vehicle includes a base, a sensor bracket, and a tolerance compensator between the base and the sensor bracket. The tolerance compensator is threadedly coupled to the base and releasably engaged with the sensor bracket in an assembled position. The assembly includes a washer including a hub fixed relative to the base and a plurality of tabs arranged circumferentially around the hub and extending radially relative to the hub. One of the tabs is moveable into engagement with the tolerance compensator in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Kunal Chaudhari, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20250243886
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing having an internal bore defined by a bore surface and a fastener that is insertable within the internal bore. A receiving portion is located within a vehicle body structure and has an opening that is aligned with the internal bore. The fastener includes threads that cut into the bore surface as the fastener is rotated relative to the housing to secure the housing to the vehicle body structure via the receiving portion, or the fastener cooperates with an insert positioned within the internal bore to secure the housing to the vehicle body structure via the receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 12372620
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing including an outlet. The sensor assembly includes a sensor window, the sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and the outlet aimed across the sensor window. The sensor assembly includes a flap rotatably coupled to the housing at the outlet. The sensor assembly includes a deflector covering the flap. The flap is disposed between the outlet and the deflector and rotatable toward and away from the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vahan Kazandjian, Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12368834
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and an optical sensor supported by the vehicle body and defining a field-of-view. The vehicle includes a transparent shield in the field-of-view, the transparent shield having an outer surface. The vehicle includes a camera facing the outer surface of the transparent shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12365314
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first pump positioned to pump fluid out of the first reservoir, a second pump positioned to pump fluid out of the second reservoir, a connecting hose fluidly connecting the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and a third pump positioned to control fluid flow through the connecting hose. The third pump is operable to pump fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, and the third pump is operable to pump fluid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Fabio Ferreira, Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 12358469
    Abstract: Upon determining an autonomous mode for a vehicle is activated, a motor is actuated to move a wiper across a windshield in a low mode based on determining to clean the windshield. A blower is actuated to direct air across a sensor. Then, after expiration of a first timer, a pump is actuated according to a pressure threshold to direct fluid through a fluid nozzle and across the windshield towards the sensor. The pressure threshold specifies a fluid pressure less than a maximum fluid pressure for the pump. The pump is stopped after expiration of a second timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Michael Robertson, Jr., Fabio Ferreira, Henrico Quinelato
  • Publication number: 20250222901
    Abstract: Washer fluid systems are provided for motor vehicles. The washer fluid systems may supply a washer fluid for cleaning various front and rear mounted components (e.g., cameras, sensors, etc.) of the vehicle. An exemplary washer fluid system may include a first washer fluid reservoir for providing the washer fluid to components located within a front zone of the vehicle, and a second washer fluid reservoir for providing the washer fluid to components located within a rear zone of the vehicle. The rear zone is fluidly isolated from the front zone. The second washer fluid reservoir may be mounted within a cargo bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12351112
    Abstract: An assembly includes a liftgate having a frame and a body panel supported by the frame, the body panel defining a plurality of openings, the openings providing access to the frame. The assembly includes a first cover covering the plurality of openings of the body panel. The assembly includes a second cover supported by the first cover and defining a chamber therebetween. The assembly includes a sensor assembly supported within the chamber between the first cover and the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Hamilton, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr., Moura Renato da Rosa Borges, Henrico Quinelato
  • Patent number: 12351138
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a sensor window, a cover fixed relative to the sensor, a bracket supporting the sensor, a duct extending around the sensor from an inlet at the cover adjacent to the sensor to an outlet at the cover adjacent to the sensor on an opposite side of the sensor from the inlet, and a deflector fixed relative to the sensor and spaced downwardly from the sensor. The cover is positioned to expose at least a portion of the sensor window. The duct extends between the sensor and the bracket. The deflector is shaped to direct airflow toward the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kunal Chaudhari, Tyler D. Hamilton, Venkatesh Krishnan, Subba Reddy Boggu
  • Patent number: 12352867
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, a sensor unit attached to the housing, and a gutter fixed relative to the housing. The sensor unit includes a cylindrical shell defining a vertical axis. The cylindrical shell extends above a highest point of the housing. The cylindrical shell is rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The cylindrical shell includes a lower edge and extending upward along the axis from the lower edge. The gutter is elongated along the lower edge and positioned directly below the lower edge relative to the axis. The gutter defines an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the gutter relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and positioned to receive airflow from the airflow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr., Rashaun Phinisee, Tyler D. Hamilton, Alexander Petniunas, Subba Reddy Boggu
  • Patent number: 12345822
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield having a top edge. The vehicle includes a roof extending rearward from the top edge of the windshield. The vehicle includes a sensor assembly supported by the roof, the sensor assembly including at least one of a LIDAR sensor or a camera. The vehicle includes a deflector movable from a lowered position to a raised position and supported by the roof at the top edge of the windshield forward of and spaced from the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Navvab Khajehosseini
  • Patent number: 12344200
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a housing, a manifold, a plurality of valves, and a cover. The housing includes a panel, and the panel includes a channel integral to the panel. The manifold is disposed in the channel, and the manifold includes a plurality of outlets. The valves are attached to the manifold, and the valves selectively control flow to the outlets. The cover extends over the manifold, the cover is fixed to the panel, and the cover holds the valves in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 12338971
    Abstract: An assembly includes a lamp housing defining an interior cavity and at least one light component positioned within the interior cavity. At least one first turbulation feature is associated with the lamp housing and at least one second turbulation feature is associated with the at least one light component. The at least one first turbulation feature and the at least one second turbulation feature cooperate with each other to increase turbulent air flow within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Segundo Baldovino, Aaron B. Johnson, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12313781
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor mounted to the base, a housing mounted to the base, and a seal extending around the base. The seal is compressed between the base and the housing. The seal includes a notch sized to permit fluid to exit from a space enclosed by the base and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Patent number: 12311891
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle window, a sprayer positioned above the vehicle window and aimed at the vehicle window, a sensor positioned below the vehicle window, and a deflector positioned to receive fluid from the sprayer and shaped to direct the fluid to the sensor. A single sprayer therefore provides cleaning for both the vehicle window and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Mohan Kamath, John A. Shinska
  • Publication number: 20250153769
    Abstract: A method for operating a steering device of a motor vehicle according to the steer-by-wire principle, wherein the steering device comprises a rotatable steering handle, in particular steering wheel, to provide a steering request, wherein the steering device comprises an electric machine mechanically coupled to the steering handle, wherein the electric machine is actuated in an active state of the steering device to generate a reset torque counteracting a rotational movement of the steering handle, and wherein the machine is control free in an idle state of the steering device. It is provided that, in the idle state, an electrical voltage of the electric machine is sensed to detect a rotation of the steering handle, and that, if the electrical voltage at least reaches a predetermined threshold value, and in particular exceeds it, the active state is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Kunchala Siva Prasad, Nicolas Huebner, Sriram Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 12296792
    Abstract: A sensor-cleaning system includes a sensor of a vehicle, an electrode, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electrode. The sensor includes a lens. The electrode is positioned to draw dust from the lens when the electrode is energized. The computer is programmed to energize the electrode in response to the vehicle moving and deenergize the electrode in response to the vehicle being stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lorne Forsythe, Lars Niklas Pettersson, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20250130079
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a carrier plate, a mounting plate, and a sensor on or over the mounting plate. The assembly can additionally include two ball studs attaching the mounting plate to the carrier plate, the ball studs defining a first axis passing through center points of the ball studs. A first adjustable screw can be positioned to tilt the mounting plate about the first axis, and a second adjustable screw can be positioned to rotate the mounting plate about a vertically oriented second axis, in which the second axis is spaced from the ball studs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Martin D. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20250128678
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body defining a cabin interior and having a window on a rearward facing surface, an air intake for receiving air from an exterior environment, an air blower for blowing the air in the cabin interior, and an air exhaust vent coupled to the body proximate the rearward facing window. A duct and vent assembly is operatively coupled to the exhaust vent for receiving the blown air and has a nozzle oriented to direct the blown air on the rearward facing window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Sunil Reddy Patil, Martin D. Lopez