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Clark, MI

Aneta Clark, Bay City, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100317249Article Comprising Fibers And A Method Of Forming The Same - An article is provided that comprises fibers, as is a method of forming the article. The fibers comprise an organopolysiloxane component selected from (i) an organopolysiloxane having the formula (R3SiOi/2)w(R2Siθ2/2)x(RSiθ3/2)y(Siθ4/2)z (I), wherein each R is selected from the group of an inorganic group, an organic group, and combinations thereof, w is from 0 to 0.95, x is from 0 to 0.95, y is from 0 to 1, z is from 0 to 0.9, and w+x+y+z=1, and (ii) a cured product of said organopolysiloxane having the formula (I), and combinations of (i) and (ii), provided that the fibers are free from organic polymers, organic copolymers, and organosiloxane-organic copolymers. The method of forming the article includes the step of forming fibers from a composition. The composition used to form the fibers comprises the organopolysiloxane having the formula (I), provided that the composition is free from organic polymers, all-organic copolymers, and organosiloxane-organic copolymers. The article exhibits excellent hydrophobicity and maximized fire resistance.12-16-2010

Barry A. Clark, Ortonville, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120107040Remote Hopper Release - A dump body latching system for application to a self dumping hopper comprises a battery, a linear actuator assembly having an actuator rod configured for reciprocal motion into and out of a housing, an actuator cable having a first end attached to the actuator rod and a second end attached to a biased trip lever and a controller configured to connect the battery with the linear actuator to withdraw the actuator rod into the housing and thereby pull the actuator cable and the biased trip lever to disengage the trip lever from a locking pin.05-03-2012

Ct Thomas Clark, Redford, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080238364SYSTEM FOR INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER - An inductive power transfer system including a synchronous drive system having a resonance control module. The resonance control module includes a primary coil module with a primary LC circuit. The resonance control module seeks and detects the resonant frequency of the primary LC circuit. The synchronous drive system further includes a switching coil amplifier for selectively energizing the primary coil to keep the primary LC circuit operating at or as close as possible to its natural resonant frequency. The inductive power transfer system may further include a secondary receiving unit. The secondary receiving unit includes a secondary LC circuit coupled with the primary LC circuit for inductively receiving power. The secondary LC circuit includes an LC filter and a rectifier unit for operating the secondary LC circuit at a mutual resonance with the primary LC circuit.10-02-2008

Davion Clark, Macomb, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120128557Three-Way Catalyst Having an Upstream Single-Layer Catalyst - Disclosed herein is a layered, three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides being separated in a front and rear portion is disclosed. Provided is a catalytic composite material of a single front and two rear layers in conjunction with a substrate, where each of the layers includes a support, all layers comprise a platinum group metal component, and the rear bottom layer is substantially free of an oxygen storage component (OSC).05-24-2012
20120128558Three-Way Catalyst Having an Upstream Multi-Layer Catalyst - Disclosed herein is a layered, three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides being separated in a front and rear portion is disclosed. Provided is a catalytic material of at least two front and two rear layers in conjunction with a substrate, where each of the layers includes a support, all layers comprise a platinum group metal component, and the rear bottom layer is substantially free of a ceria-containing oxygen storage component (OSC).05-24-2012

Davion Onuga Clark, Macomb, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110192138HC Adsorber with OBD Capability - A device and process for storing hydrocarbons as part of an exhaust emission control system and diagnosing the state of said device based on the incorporation of reactive metal species within the porous microstructure of the associated hydrocarbon adsorbent.08-11-2011

Ian J. Clark, West Bloomfield, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080319475Methods, Devices, and Apparatus for Managing Access Through Tissue - Devices and methods for managing access through tissue is disclosed. The device includes a body. The body is movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration. The device includes a plurality of tissue engaging portions that extend from the body. At least a portion of the tissue engaging portions are obtuse. At least two of the tissue engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. The method includes deploying a closure element to tissue adjacent a tissue opening to substantially close the opening following a first procedure. The method also includes selectively opening the opening in the tissue by advancing a distal end of a medical device through the deployed closure element as a part of or before a second procedure.12-25-2008
20100114159CLOSURE DEVICE - A device for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen includes a closure element with a first flange and a second flange. Both the first flange and the second flange may have a delivery cross-sectional dimension and a deployed cross-sectional dimension. The device for closing an opening further includes a first coupler element disposed on the first flange and a second coupler element disposed on the second flange, the first and second coupler elements cooperating to couple the first flange to the second flange.05-06-2010
20100160958Closure Device - Devices and methods are disclosed herein for a closure device. A closure device includes a body movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration, a plurality of tissue-engaging portions extending from the body. At least two of the tissue-engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration in which the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The closure device also includes a plurality of device-capture features secured to the body. The device-capture features are configured to move the tissue-engaging portions to a separation greater than the first distance.06-24-2010
20100168790CURVED CLOSURE DEVICE - Devices and methods are disclosed herein for a closure device. A closure device includes a body movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration, a plurality of tissue-engaging portions extending from the body. At least two of the tissue-engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration in which the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The closure device also includes a plurality of device capture features secured to the body. The device capture features are configured to move the tissue-engaging portions to a separation greater than the first distance.07-01-2010
20110054492MEDICAL DEVICE FOR REPAIRING A FISTULA - A closure element applying medical device for repairing a fistula is described. The closure element applying medical device can be configured for repairing any type of fistula that provides an abnormal channel from one body part to another body part (e.g., organ to organ, organ to vessel, and/or vessel to vessel). Examples of fistulas that can be repaired with the present invention include anorectal fistulas, enteroenteral fistulas, enterocutaneous fistulas, vesicovaginal fistulas, arteriovenous fistulas, perilymph fistulas, rectovaginal fistulas, ureterocolon fistulas, and the like. The medical device can include a closure element, a shaft, a carrier assembly, and controller systems. The medical device can also include a locator assembly. Additionally, the closure element applying medical device can include endoscope components so as to function also as an endoscope.03-03-2011

Patent applications by Ian J. Clark, West Bloomfield, MI US

James R. Clark, Midland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120036072Transport Logistics Systems and Methods - A logistics system manages the shipments of goods supplied from a plurality of different shippers by a plurality of carriers. It has a variety of modules integrated with each other to perform various functionalities. For example, it may have a purchasing module evaluating proposals by shippers for respective shipments of goods and awarding contracts for the shipments to the plurality of carriers. It may have an optimization module analyzing the proposals and informing the purchasing module if an opportunity exists for at least some of the shipments to be consolidated, in which case at least one contract awarded by the purchasing module is for a consolidated group of the shipments. It may have a contract administration module maintaining information relating to the status of proposals received and contracts awarded by the purchasing module. It may have a scheduling module scheduling shipments according to the awarded contracts. It may also have a shipment management module tracking the status of shipments awarded by the purchasing module and scheduled by said scheduling module. It may further have a financial module authorizing payments according to the status of shipments tracked by the shipment management module are passed between first and second asynchronous clock domains.02-09-2012

James R. Clark, Plainwell, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120031716VARIABLE POSITION ANCHOR ASSEMBLY FOR ADJUSTING BRAKE SHOES IN A DRUM BRAKE - An anchor assembly is provided that permits adjustment of the brake shoes in a drum brake to account for wear. The assembly includes first and second adjuster shafts each having a plurality of threads and first and second pilot connectors. The pilot connectors each have a plurality of threads in engagement with the threads of a corresponding adjuster shaft. The pilot connectors each engage one end of a corresponding brake shoe. Rotation of each adjuster shaft causes longitudinal movement of a corresponding pilot connector in engagement with a corresponding brake shoe along an axis to adjust a position of the brake shoe.02-09-2012

Jason W. Clark, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090138264SPEECH TO DTMF GENERATION - A method of speech to DTMF generation involving ASR-enabled and DTMF-controlled communications systems. The ASR-enabled system is used to recognize speech received from the DTMF-controlled telecommunications system using sampling rate independent speech recognition. It then identifies a speech segment contained in the speech received from the DTMF-controlled system that corresponds with at least one keyword associated with user-defined data. Then, the ASR-enabled system transmits at least one DTMF signal to the DTMF-controlled system in response to the identified speech segment. This allows a user of an ASR-enabled system such as a vehicle telematics unit to at least partially automate access to the DTMF-controlled system using the telematics unit, so that voice mailbox numbers, passwords, and the like normally entered via a telephone keypad can be automatically sent to the DTMF-controlled system from the telematics unit without having to be manually input each time by the user.05-28-2009
20090248419SPEECH RECOGNITION ADJUSTMENT BASED ON MANUAL INTERACTION - A method of operating a speech recognition system on a vehicle having a visual display and manually-operated input device that includes initiating a speech recognition system, controlling menu selections on a visual display using a manually-operated input device, receiving a notification from the manually-operated input device indicating that the user is manipulating the device in conjunction with the menu selections on the visual display, and adjusting operation of the speech recognition system based on input received by the manually-operated input device.10-01-2009
20090326760LOCATION BASED METHOD FOR IMPROVING VEHICLE CABIN AIR QUALITY - Ways are provided for improving the in-cabin air quality of a vehicle by automatically adjusting the HVAC system settings sufficiently in advance of approaching a location associated with an air quality hazard. In one example, the vehicle's telematics unit correlates the vehicle's position information with locations of static and dynamic air quality hazards, including locations of incidents potentially affecting the air quality in vicinity of the vehicle's location and issues instructions to adjust the HVAC settings to minimize the impact on in-cabin air quality.12-31-2009

Jeffrey Allen Clark, Macomb Township, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080207017MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE POWER JUNCTION BOX - A mounting assembly for a vehicle power junction box includes a first mounting unit and a second mounting unit having a positioning relative to the first mounting unit. A weld bead is positioned between the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit to vibration weld the first mounting unit relative to the second mounting unit.08-28-2008

Jeffrey L. Clark, Holland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100318236MANAGEMENT OF THE PROVISIONING OF ENERGY FOR A WORKSTATION - A system for management of workstation energy is provided. The system includes a workstation having an energy outlet operable to provide energy to the workstation, a workstation occupancy sensor disposed in the workstation, and a cluster energy manager coupled with the energy outlet and workstation occupancy sensor. The workstation may be connected in a workstation cluster. The workstation occupancy sensor may be operable to detect occupancy of the workstation. The cluster energy manager may have a distribution circuit configured to control energy provided to the energy outlet, the cluster energy manager operable to control the energy based on occupancy of the workstation and/or a network event. The cluster energy manager is operable to report occupancy or workstation energy consumption to a monitoring system.12-16-2010

Kenneth M. Clark, Howell, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110233951VEHICLE SEATING SYSTEM AND CABIN - A passenger seating system (09-29-2011

Mark J. Clark, Grand Rapids, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120055123CORNER POST APPLICATION SYSTEM - A corner post application system comprises a conveyor subsystem and an enveloping machine adapted to envelope the plurality of units with a material. The system further includes a swing arm, an applicator arm coupled to the swing arm and adapted to move linearly, a corner post gripper coupled to the applicator arm, and a controller. The controller rotates the swing arm about a vertical axis until a corner post held by the corner post gripper is aligned with adjacent sides that define a corner of the load. The controller thereafter stops rotation of the swing arm and moves the applicator arm linearly toward the corner of the load until the corner post held by the corner post gripper contacts the adjacent sides of the load. A sensor may be included for detecting a corner of the load, with the controller aligning the corner post based on detection by the sensor.03-08-2012

Michael W. Clark, Essexville, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090205458NON-TRANSLATING TELESCOPIC RAKE PIVOT FOR STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY - A steering column assembly includes a column jacket and a rake bracket for mounting the column jacket to a vehicle. A bearing rotatably supports an output shaft within an interior of the column jacket and is in sliding engagement with the column jacket during telescopic adjustment of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis. The column jacket defines a telescope slot near a lower end of the column jacket. A fastener is coupled to the rake bracket and extends through the telescope slot into engagement with the bearing to define tilt axis for pivotal movement of the column jacket relative to the rake bracket.08-20-2009

Peter M. Clark, Grand Rapids, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120009387FLEXIBLE THERMOPLASTIC FILMS AND ARTICLES - A biodegradable, polyolefin-based material composition having incorporated therein thermoplastic starch particles is described. The material includes from about 5% to about 45% of a thermoplastic starch (TPS), from about 55% to about 95% of a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins, and from about 0.5% to about 8% of a compatibilizer, which has a non-polar backbone and a polar functional monomer or a block copolymer of both the non-polar block and a polar block. A method of forming a film and packaging assemblies made with the polymeric material are also described.01-12-2012

Scott A. Clark, Ypsilanti, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110175376VEHICLE STOWAGE ASSEMBLY HAVING ELECTROMAGNETIC CLOSURE - A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.07-21-2011

Shirley Clark, Grand Rapids, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120055123CORNER POST APPLICATION SYSTEM - A corner post application system comprises a conveyor subsystem and an enveloping machine adapted to envelope the plurality of units with a material. The system further includes a swing arm, an applicator arm coupled to the swing arm and adapted to move linearly, a corner post gripper coupled to the applicator arm, and a controller. The controller rotates the swing arm about a vertical axis until a corner post held by the corner post gripper is aligned with adjacent sides that define a corner of the load. The controller thereafter stops rotation of the swing arm and moves the applicator arm linearly toward the corner of the load until the corner post held by the corner post gripper contacts the adjacent sides of the load. A sensor may be included for detecting a corner of the load, with the controller aligning the corner post based on detection by the sensor.03-08-2012

Steven L. Clark, Canton, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090088261Spring-Mass Damper System for Vehicle Transmission - A damper assembly for absorbing and attenuating torsionals and vibrations transmitted from an engine to a transmission is provided. The damper assembly includes a damper flange with a plurality of spring-mass damper systems operatively attached thereto and elongated circumferentially about its outer periphery. Each spring-mass damper systems include an inner spring nestably positioned inside an outer spring, a first spring retainer having a base portion defining a first interface surface with a first pilot portion extending therefrom to define a second interface surface with a second pilot portion extending therefrom, and a second spring retainer having a base portion defining an interface surface with a pilot portion extending therefrom to define a fourth interface surface. The first and third pilot portions engage with and thereby restrict axial and radial movement of the outer spring. The second pilot portion is attached to the inner spring thereby restricting relative movement therebetween.04-02-2009
20100050798PINION SHAFT AND BEARING ASSEMBLY - A pinion shaft and bearing assembly is provided having two different surface finish interfaces. A first surface finish functions to locate the bearing to the pinion. A second surface finish functions to improve the cure time of an adhesive used to retain the bearing to the pinion.03-04-2010
20100062894Internal Gear and Cap Assembly and Method of Manufacture Thereof - An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.03-11-2010

Tamara A. Clark, Gregory, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120119908COMMUNICATIONS-PAIRED EMERGENCY INFORMATION CONTAINER - A system and method for pairing an emergency information container to communications technology. A sensor for signals when the emergency information container is placed on or removed from a location and an interface allows a user to input the name of the person identified in the emergency information container as well as one or more emergency contact numbers. A communications device is included that is able to communicate with the one or more emergency contact numbers, and a control system receives signals from the sensor that indicate when an emergency information container is placed on or removed from the location. The control system utilizes the interface to receive and store the name of the person identified in the container and the one or more emergency contact numbers, and the control system utilizes the communications device to contact the one or more emergency contact numbers.05-17-2012

Terence J. Clark, Midland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120001358DRYING METHOD FOR CERAMIC GREENWARE - The present invention is directed to a method comprising a) placing wet ceramic greenware body on a carrying structure, and b) exposing the wet ceramic greenware body to conditions such that the liquid carrier in the ceramic greenware body is substantially removed; wherein the carrying structure contains a carrying sheet comprising a material which retains its shape under drying conditions, the carrying sheet having two flat parallel faces and a plurality of walls perpendicular to the flat parallel faces wherein the walls form a plurality of flow passages communicating between the two faces wherein the largest distance between any two walls in the carrying sheet is about 6 mm or less and the walls have a sufficient thickness to support the wet ceramic greenware body under drying conditions without deforming and the area of the flow passages measured parallel to the two faces is from about 60 to about 90 percent by volume.01-05-2012

Thomas P. Clark, Midland, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110028657MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHAIN SHUTTLING AGENTS - The invention generally relates to chain shuttling agents (CSAs), a process of preparing the CSAs, a composition comprising a CSA and a catalyst, a process of preparing the composition, a processes of preparing polyolefins, end functional polyolefins, and telechelic polyolefins with the composition, and the polyolefins, end functional polyolefins, and telechelic polyolefins prepared by the processes.02-03-2011
20120083575COMB ARCHITECTURE OLEFIN BLOCK COPOLYMERS - Embodiments of the invention provide a comb architecture olefin block copolymer, a method of making the comb olefin block copolymer and blends comprising the comb olefin block copolymer.04-05-2012

Thomas P. Clark, Sanford, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100204500PROCESS OF MAKING ALUMINUM ALKYLS - The present invention generally relates to a new process of making a trialkyl aluminum compound in which at least one alkyl group is a primary alkyl derived from an internal olefin or alpha-olefin. The process employs an isomerization/hydroalumination catalyst.08-12-2010

Timothy Joseph Clark, Livonia, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100031645TRAP FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM - A system for trapping liquid exhaust during a cold start of an internal combustion engine is provided. As one example, a system includes, an exhaust inlet, an exchange area fluidly coupled downstream of said exhaust inlet, a trap coupled to said exchange area having a liquid exhaust chamber for collection of liquid exhaust, and a catalytic converter fluidly coupled downstream to said exchange area. In another example, a method includes condensing, at least partly, exhaust from the engine in an exchange area in an exhaust system into liquid exhaust, collecting liquid exhaust into a trap disposed in the exchange area, and evaporating the liquid exhaust into the exchange area after an evaporation temperature is reached in the trap.02-11-2010
20100242569APPROACH FOR DETERMINING EXHAUST GAS SENSOR DEGRADATION - A method for determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor positioned in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes modulating an air/fuel ratio of gas exhausted by the internal combustion engine to the exhaust system through a cycle that includes at least one rich-to-lean transition and at least one lean-to-rich transition, indicating a degradation condition of the exhaust gas sensor in response to at least one of a rich-to-lean response duration of the exhaust gas sensor and a lean-to-rich response duration of the exhaust gas sensor being greater than a delay threshold, and indicating the degradation condition of the exhaust gas sensor in response to a ratio of the rich-to-lean response duration to the lean-to-rich response duration being greater than an asymmetry threshold that is relative to an axis of symmetry of the rich-to-lean response duration versus the lean-to-rich response duration.09-30-2010
20110132342FUEL ALCOHOL CONTENT DETECTION VIA AN EXHAUST GAS SENSOR - Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during selected engine fueling conditions, alternating between applying different voltages to the sensor; and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the different voltages.06-09-2011

Todd Clark, Dearborn, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100179731SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING VEHICLE SIDE IMPACT SENSING WITH UNIT AREA IMPULSE TECHNIQUE - A system for detecting impact events for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a pressure sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor is positioned in a first impact zone of the vehicle and is configured to generate a pressure signal corresponding to a measured pressure reading within the first impact zone. The controller is positioned within the vehicle and is configured to integrate the pressure signal over time to determine the occurrence of a vehicle impact event at the first impact zone.07-15-2010
20100228424CRASH SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE - A crash sensor system and method used for determining when a vehicle is involved in a frontal impact crash. The crash sensor system including at least one pressure sensor coupled to a vehicle frame member. The vehicle frame member having a cavity and the at least one pressure sensor being configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure change within the cavity. The crash sensor system further including a controller configured to compare the received pressure signal against a predetermined pressure threshold. The controller also being configured to determine that a frontal impact crash has occurred when the pressure signal exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold.09-09-2010
20110006890SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE - A system and method for activating a safety system when a vehicle may be involved in a spin, roll, and/or a spin-to-roll condition. The system and method include determining a side slip angle of the vehicle using the arctangent of the ratio of a lateral and longitudinal velocity. The system and method also include receiving a roll rate signal and determining a roll angle using the roll rate signal. The system and method also include determining a roll warning threshold that is a function of a relationship between the roll rate signal and the roll angle. Lastly, the system and method include activating the safety system when a side slip angle threshold and/or the roll warning threshold are exceeded.01-13-2011
20110137528Side Impact Safety System with Blind-Spot Detection Radar Data Fusion - A motor vehicle blind-spot detection system has a remote sensor covering a rear-quadrant blind spot sensing zone and a forward-quadrant side impact sensing zone. A control module receives signals from a side impact sensor and the blind-spot detection sensor, calculates an approach vector of an object in the side impact sensing zone and/or the blind spot sensing zone, determines that the object will impact the vehicle, initializes a side impact algorithm controlling activation of an occupant safety device, detects an impact on the side of the vehicle and determines a magnitude of the impact, compares the magnitude of the impact with a threshold value established at least in part based upon the magnitude of the approach vector, and activates the occupant safety device if the magnitude of the impact exceeds the threshold value.06-09-2011
20110202241Method and System for Restraint Deployment Using Lateral Kinetic Energy - A safety system for a motor vehicle has a yaw rate sensor for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle and impact sensors for detecting a side impact. A control module calculates a lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle if the yaw rate exceeds a threshold value, and an occupant restraint is activated based upon the lateral kinetic energy and signals from the side impact sensors. The disclosed system and method provide for improved restraint deployment decisions when a vehicle has a lateral velocity associated with a high yaw rate, as may be the case during a spin or a skid.08-18-2011

Patent applications by Todd Clark, Dearborn, MI US

Todd Clark, Dearborn/wayne, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100121525METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A THREE DIMENSIONAL FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM - A three dimensional vehicle fuel cut-off system and method of accomplishing the same.05-13-2010

Todd N. Clark, Dearborn, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080249687Vehicle side impact crash detection for deployment of curtain and side airbags - A restraint control system (10-09-2008
20080269990Electro-mechanical protector for vehicle latches during crash conditions and method for operating the same - The present invention relates to an electronic mechanical protector system for vehicle door latches during crash conditions, vehicle door equipped with such a system, and methods for operating the system.10-30-2008
20110163866Sun Protection System for Automotive Vehicle - A sun protection system for a transportation vehicle has plurality of LCD zones laminated into one or more glazings of the vehicle. An occupant sensor detects an expanse of at least one occupant in the vehicle. A navigation system determines a vehicle location, a date and time value, and a heading. External and internal temperature sensors sense outside and inside temperatures. A controller generates respective drive signals for the respective LCD zones in a manual mode and in an automatic mode. The controller compares a temperature difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature to a temperature threshold. The respective drive signals provide substantially zero attenuation if the temperature difference is less than the temperature threshold while in the automatic mode.07-07-2011
20120104777Pressure-Based Crash Detection System Incorporated in Side Rail - A vehicular crash sensing system is provided wherein a bumper cap contacts a bumper. A chamber is at least partially fit into a side rail attached to the bumper, wherein the chamber is sealed by the bumper cap. The bumper cap and chamber together enclose a space containing a volume of air. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.05-03-2012

Patent applications by Todd N. Clark, Dearborn, MI US