James W Lowe

US Patent:

6606784, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804787

Inventors:

Brad Huff - West Bloomfield MI
Joseph L. La Pres - Brighton MI
James Wayne Lowe - Temperance MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B23P 2100

US Classification:

29709, 29703, 29707, 29784, 29787, 29824, 700217

Abstract:

A pallet system for use in a manufacturing process. The pallet system includes several pallets which are adapted to receive and support a portion of a product, such as a vehicle underbody The system uses simplified pallets having externally actuated clamping assemblies and A docking station receives the pallets and includes a pair of robots which detect the proper positioning of the underbody upon the pallet and externally activate the clamping assemblies and thereby securing the underbody to the pallet A controller is communicatively connected to the robots and activates a conveyor assembly which transports the pallet to manufacturing stations once the underbody is properly secured to the pallet.

US Patent:

6899377, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253839

Inventors:

Abid Ghuman - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
John E. Robertson - Troy MI, US
James Wayne Lowe - Temperance MI, US
Marsha J. Rosso - Royal Oak MI, US
Michael W. Pitt - Madison Hts. MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60D033/00

US Classification:

2961811, 29429, 29430

Abstract:

An automotive vehicle is provided having a body being assembled by a joining process line from a plurality of workpieces joined into a plurality of subassemblies according to the steps of providing templates arranged in a predetermined alignment to form a process line, with each template being generated from a defined set of standardized task stations which are operative to perform a joining process on a workpiece of the subassemblies, fixturing workpieces in a workpiece presenter provided in the task stations, at least one workpiece presenter including a tooling plate removably connected and precision located on a platform of a workpiece presenter, and sequentially joining the workpieces together to form the body.

US Patent:

7036874, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/711523

Inventors:

Dragan Stojkovic - Southgate MI, US
Larry Dupuis - Grosse Ile MI, US
James Lowe - Temperance MI, US
Stephen Bruford - West Bloomfield MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60J 5/04

US Classification:

29619309, 296198, 29620302, 296 30, 29614611, 296202

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention is an improved front-end to body-side joint () for an automotive vehicle. This joint () includes an integral front end structure () having a fender attachment portion () and one or more hinge-reinforcement portions (). The fender attachment portion () is coupled to a fender (). Moreover, the hinge-reinforcement portions () are attached to a pillar member () of a vehicle body () for supporting a door (). The integral front end structure () is a master-locating component for positioning the fender () and the door () in a predetermined configuration within the joint ().

US Patent:

7066533, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Jun 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/859687

Inventors:

Raj Sohmshetty - Canton MI, US
Larry Dupuis - Grosse Ile MI, US
James Lowe - Temperance MI, US
Musa Azzouz - Northville MI, US
Michael Azzouz - Livonia MI, US
Dragan Stojkovic - Southgate MI, US
Madhu Deme - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 26/08

US Classification:

29620302, 296205, 29618709, 29619309, 296192, 296 29

Abstract:

A front end assembly for a vehicle includes a U-shaped tubular structure, a body portion having a pair of laterally-spaced, longitudinally extending cowl sides, and, a pair of laterally-spaced A-pillar structures. The U-shaped tubular structure is secured to each A-pillar and each cowl side at longitudinally-spaced apart locations. The laterally-spaced connection points provide improved rigidity and reduce distortion.

US Patent:

7090273, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/905592

Inventors:

Dragan Stojkovic - Southgate MI, US
James W. Lowe - Temperance MI, US
Bruce Anderson - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 27/00

US Classification:

296 29, 29618702

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention is a seal apparatus () for an improved front-end to body-side joint () of a vehicle. The seal apparatus () includes a ring portion (), a gate portion (), and an intermediate portion () extending between the ring portion () and the gate portion (). The ring portion () is utilized for receiving an open-ended tubular front-end structure () of the improved front-end to body-side joint (). Additionally, the ring portion () is utilized for sealing an interface between the front-end structure () and a body-side structure (). Further, the gate portion () is sized for insertion into an interior cavity () of the front-end structure () and for blocking communication through the interior. Also, the ring portion () and/or the intermediate portion () have a self-locating construction for positioning the seal apparatus () in a predetermined location () on the front-end structure ().

US Patent:

7222912, May 29, 2007

Filed:

Nov 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/904697

Inventors:

Madhu R Deme - Novi MI, US
Lawrence J Dupuis - Grosse Ile MI, US
James W Lowe - Temperance MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/08
B62D 21/03

US Classification:

29620302, 29618709, 296192, 29619309, 296205

Abstract:

An automotive vehicle body includes a generally tubular, hydroformed cowl with integral mounting flanges which are welded to an engine compartment structural member and a cowlside member. The cowl may be hydroformed from several different preforms having both symmetrical and asymmetrical geometric characteristics.

US Patent:

7249481, Jul 31, 2007

Filed:

May 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/416299

Inventors:

James Lowe - Temperance MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B21D 26/02

US Classification:

72 62, 72 58, 72 61, 294211

Abstract:

A process for forming a hydroformed automotive component with an integrally formed attachment bracket or weld flange begins with a tubular blank manufactured through a roll-forming process to convert sheet metal into a tubular body portion having excess parent sheet metal material extending past the tube weld joint to define an integrated flange. This integrated flange tubular blank is then placed into a forming die and subjected to a conventional hydroforming manufacturing process to form the automotive component into the desired shape and configuration. One side of the forming die is formed with a slot defining a gap in which the integrated flange material is received to create the weld flange or attachment bracket when the die is closed against the integrated flange material while the hydroforming process is undertaken. Alternatively, the integrated flange material could be welded onto the tubular blank during the formation of the tubular blank.

US Patent:

7543882, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/429096

Inventors:

Frank Day - South Lyon MI, US
James Lowe - Temperance MI, US
John Reed - Hudson OH, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/04

US Classification:

29619306

Abstract:

A dual cell rear corner pillar for the operator's compartment of a pick-up truck is formed with longitudinally oriented front and rear tubular members. The dual cell tubular construction increases section strength for the rear corner pillar while maintaining packaging constraints for the rear pillar design. The front tubular member is nested against the rear tubular member to provide support therefor longitudinally and vertically. The forward tubular member is welded to the door opening panel seal flange, while the rearward tubular member is welded to the window flange and the back panel flange. The forward and rearward tubular members are also welded to one another to form a strong pillar structure. The dual cell configuration resists buckling and shares loading. The rear tubular member wraps around the front tubular member and transitions into the roof rail area, shortening the unsupported moment arm of the rear tubular member.