Daniel C Schaffer

US Patent:

20200317074, Oct 8, 2020

Filed:

May 25, 2016

Appl. No.:

16/303443

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Daniel Mark SCHAFFER - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

B60L 53/36
G06Q 50/30
G06Q 10/06
B60L 53/66
G01C 21/36
G05D 1/00
H02J 7/00

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles are disclosed. An example method includes determining, via a processor, a remaining trip distance for an electric vehicle. The example method further includes determining, via the processor, a remaining expected range of the electric vehicle. The example method also includes transmitting a request for a mobile charging unit to meet the electric vehicle at a location when a ratio of the remaining trip distance to a remaining expected range exceeds a first threshold.

US Patent:

20170330456, Nov 16, 2017

Filed:

May 16, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/155157

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Daniel Mark Schaffer - Brighton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G08G 1/095
G08G 1/082
G08G 1/01
G08G 1/09
G08G 1/01

Abstract:

Data is received from each of a plurality of vehicles proximate to an intersection indicating a kinetic energy and a time to the intersection. An optimized timing of a traffic light is determined based on an aggregation of the kinetic energies and times to intersection. A timing of the traffic is modified according to the optimized timing.

US Patent:

20170137074, May 18, 2017

Filed:

Jan 27, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/417926

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Daniel Mark Schaffer - Brighton MI, US
Christopher James Hocking - Dearborn MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 35/00
B62D 35/02
G05D 3/10

Abstract:

A front air dam assembly for a vehicle includes a translatable front air deflecting panel for altering an airflow beneath the vehicle, a deploying mechanism for translating the front air deflecting panel between a raised position and one or more deployed positions, and a rapid raising mechanism for rapidly raising the front air deflecting panel from the one or more deployed positions. A controller in operative communication with the deploying mechanism and the rapid raising mechanism controls the operation thereof. At least one sensor is included for sending a signal indicative of a road or vehicle condition to the controller. A locking mechanism under the control of the controller is provided for locking the front air deflector panel in the raised or the one or more deployed position.

US Patent:

20160368366, Dec 22, 2016

Filed:

Jun 17, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/742335

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Douglas Raymond Martin - Canton MI, US
William Paul Perkins - Dearborn MI, US
Daniel Mark Schaffer - Brighton MI, US
John Curtis Hickey - Belleville MI, US

International Classification:

B60K 11/08
F01P 7/12

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and a difference in aerodynamic drag between the grille shutter positions. In one example, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to a first smaller opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is large. In other examples, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to the second larger opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is small thus maintaining the engine at lower temperatures.