JOHN M MILLER
Pilots in Saline, MI

6548931, Apr 15, 2003

Nov 26, 2001

09/995024

Feng Liang - Canton MI
John Michael Miller - Saline MI
Xingyi Xu - Canton MI

Ballard Power Systems Corporation - Dearborn MI

H02K 2112

31015607, 310181

A rotor for use in an electrical machine having permanent magnets included therein, each permanent magnet between an adjacent pair of poles wherein each adjacent pole has an opposite polarity. Each permanent magnet has a magnetization polarity on its radially-outward surface and each adjacent permanent magnet has the opposite polarity on its radially-outward surface In addition, each pair of permanent magnets have the same magnetic polarity on their adjacently facing surfaces. This arrangement of permanent magnets may be used on electrical machines having either a Lundell-type rotor or salient pole rotor The arrangement of permanent magnets increases the output power and efficiency of the electrical machine while decreasing magnetic noise.

6795291, Sep 21, 2004

Jan 23, 2002

10/053152

John Michael Miller - Saline MI

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

H01H 4700

361154, 123 9011

An electromechanical valve assembly ( ) for an internal combustion engine ( ) is provided. The valve assembly ( ) includes a rotor ( ) centered about a first axis ( ) having a bore ( ) extending generally axially therethrough. The valve assembly ( ) further includes a stator ( ) operatively disposed about the rotor ( ) for producing a torque to cause rotation of the rotor ( ) about the axis ( ). Finally, the valve assembly ( ) includes a valve ( ) having a valve stem ( ) and a valve head ( ). The valve stem ( ) extends generally axially through the bore ( ) of the rotor ( ). The valve stem ( ) is also configured to move generally axially responsive to the rotation of the rotor ( ) to selectively engage and disengage the valve head ( ) with a valve seat ( ) of the engine ( ).

6490914, Dec 10, 2002

Mar 25, 1998

09/048171

Larry Raymond Brandenburg - Plymouth MI
John Michael Miller - Saline MI

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

G01M 1500

731173

A method of sensing crankshaft position for use with an engine ( ) having a combined starter/alternator assembly ( ). The crankshaft position sensor assembly includes a tone ring ( ) with a sensor ( ), mounted near the rotor ( ) of the combined starter/alternator assembly ( ), that produces an initial crankshaft position signal. A bandpass filter ( ) receives this initial signal and a cylinder identification input from a camshaft sensor ( ) and filters the initial signal. Then, a gain limiter ( ) performs an additional filtering process to produce a crankshaft rotational position signal. The filtered crankshaft position signal can then be input into a vehicle system controller ( ) and an inner loop controller ( ).

5296785, Mar 22, 1994

Aug 25, 1993

8/112044

John M. Miller - Saline MI

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

H02P 540

318254

The oscillatory spring movements of each wheel of a motor vehicle suspension system are damped by a switched reluctance machine which is actively controlled during standard suspension operation to define damping characteristics of the suspension or passively controlled to define a fail-safe damping rate in the event of failure within the system. The switched reluctance machines of a suspension system are selectively connected to standard control circuitry or fault control circuitry by relay contacts. Upon failure within the system, phases of the switched reluctance machines are charged via monopulsers which are controlled in response to rotational positions of the machines such that the machines operate as generators and withdraw energy from the suspension system and pass it to a parallel connected resistor and capacitor. Power for charging the phases of the switched reluctance machines is provided either from the capacitor or a power supply which is separately fused from the supply for the standard control circuitry. To ensure recognition of a failure and correction by an operator of a motor vehicle, preferably not all phases of a switched reluctance machine are operated in the fail-safe mode.

5642021, Jun 24, 1997

Dec 4, 1995

8/566749

Feng Liang - Canton MI
John Michael Miller - Saline MI
Xingyi Xu - Canton MI

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

H02P 520

318146

A method and system for maximizing the output of an alternator in an automotive vehicle. An alternator is provided having a first rectifier connectable to a first output of the alternator to form a first winding configuration and a second rectifier connectable to a second output of the alternator to form a second winding configuration. Based on the speed of the alternator, a controller operatively couples one of the first and second rectifiers to the first and second outputs, respectively, so as to maximize output current of the alternator. If the speed of the alternator is below a predetermined speed range, the controller couples the first output of the alternator to the first rectifier. Alternatively, if the speed of the alternator is above the predetermined speed range, the controller couples the second output of the alternator to the second rectifier.

5754026, May 19, 1998

Apr 4, 1997

8/825986

Richard Joseph Hampo - Livonia MI
Md Abul Masrur - West Bloomfield MI
John Michael Miller - Saline MI

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

H02B 534

318802

The present invention provides a method for controlling an induction motor. The method comprises determining an input impedance of the motor at an operating point; determining an input electrical power to the motor at the operating point; and estimating a slip or shaft speed of the motor at the operating point from the input impedance and input electrical power.

2003017, Sep 18, 2003

Mar 13, 2002

10/063032

Craig Stephan - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Miller - Saline MI, US
Lloyd Davis - Plymouth MI, US
Richard Anderson - Northville MI, US

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

B60L009/00, B60L001/00

191/010000, 104/288000

A guideway system for conveying vehicles includes a first guideway lane and a plurality of control cells. Each cell includes a particular portion of the first guideway lane and a cell controller for monitoring and controlling traffic flow on the first guideway lane portion within the respective cell. Furthermore, the cell controllers are in communication with each other so as to share information with each other.

5287518, Feb 15, 1994

Jun 12, 1992

7/897636

John M. Miller - Saline MI
Roy E. Diehl - Northville MI

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

H02J 700

320 61

Method and apparatus are provided, for use in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) and a battery (38), for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy for charging the battery, the apparatus being disposed within the engine crankcase (22). The apparatus includes a stator (14), disposed within the engine crankcase (22), having a plurality of teeth (34). Each tooth on the stator has a coil (36) wound thereabout electrically connected to the battery (38). The apparatus also includes a crankshaft (12) disposed within the engine crankcase (22) for rotation relative to the stator (14). The crankshaft (12) includes a plurality of lobes (30. sub. 1-4), which periodically move into close proximity with the stator teeth (34) upon rotation of the crankshaft, thereby inducing a current in the coils (36) for charging the battery (38).

5264781, Nov 23, 1993

Mar 5, 1992

7/846139

John M. Miller - Saline MI
Harold G. Spring - Weidman MI

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

G05F 140

323282

An analog circuit provides selectable current control and power limiting for a connected load. A current control loop is combined with a voltage/power control loop to generate a current level signal via an output transistor to control current flow through a load. Current through a load is monitored with the current control loop maintaining current flow through the load at a selected value. If a selected power level is exceeded, the current is reduced by the voltage/power control loop. Voltage monitoring and feedback is used to control the operating power for a power level control operational amplifier and thereby maintain a selected power level. By providing multiple, voltage dependent gains in the voltage feedback loop, a piecewise linear approximation of a desired power curve can be obtained.

5350983, Sep 27, 1994

Dec 21, 1992

7/993561

John M. Miller - Saline MI
Venkateswara A. Sankaran - Dearborn MI

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

B60G 17015

318254

An electrically powered active suspension system is disclosed having a suspension unit wherein the system controller and the power electronics module are integrated into a single housing with the motor mechanism of the suspension unit.