Thomas G Reichenbach

US Patent:

20120133160, May 31, 2012

Filed:

Nov 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/955981

Inventors:

Thomas George Reichenbach - Carlsbad CA, US
Orlando Genava Sherman - Oceanside CA, US
Kurt Henry Danielson - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

APTERA MOTORS, INC. - Oceanside CA

International Classification:

B60R 19/03
B23P 11/00
B62D 29/04

US Classification:

293120, 296191, 29428

Abstract:

An automotive vehicular bumper apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a bumper beam is attached to a composite body panel of an automotive vehicle. A further aspect provides a bumper beam including a first pair of generally V-shaped structural members and a second pair of generally V-shaped structural members joined together adjacent apexes thereof. In another aspect, a centralized bumper beam and a small width bumper are employed.

US Patent:

20130096781, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Oct 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/273548

Inventors:

Thomas George Reichenbach - Carlsbad CA, US
Paul Beringer Wilbur - West Bloomfield MI, US
Marques McCammon - San Marcos CA, US

Assignee:

Aptera Motors, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

B62D 25/18
G06F 7/00
B60Q 1/00
G05G 1/04

US Classification:

701 49, 280849, 74469, 362487

Abstract:

An automotive vehicle wheel apparatus includes a turnable cover or door for a wheelhouse opening in a fender. In another aspect, a sheath or liner is provided close to at least half of a circumference of a wheel. A further aspect blocks and/or removes circumferential air moving with a wheel.

US Patent:

48091790, Feb 28, 1989

Filed:

Jan 20, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/005174

Inventors:

Gary M. Klinger - Canton MI
Thomas G. Reichenbach - Livonia MI
Shunso F. Watanabe - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60G 1700

US Classification:

36442405

Abstract:

An operating system for an adjustable suspension unit having adjustable damping capability includes a suspension control unit which modulates the force imposed upon the body of the motor vehicle by adjusting the force developed by the suspension unit according to the particular stroke of the cycle in which the suspension unit is operating so that the suspension unit will exert a net force upon the body in a desired direction.

US Patent:

55931766, Jan 14, 1997

Filed:

Dec 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/357673

Inventors:

Douglas C. Campbell - Dearborn MI
Gary J. Gloceri - West Bloomfield MI
Daniel M. McCoy - Shelby Township MI
Thomas G. Reichenbach - Livonia MI
Lenard J. Duchnowski - Saline MI
Jerome C. Ivan - Troy MI
Joseph M. Raad - Southgate MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60G 1126

US Classification:

280707

Abstract:

In vehicles having drive wheel selections, accessed for example through a transfer case, drive wheel settings are used to determine a desired vehicle ride height at which the vehicle is maintained by a vehicle suspension control system. Preferably, both vehicle speed and transfer case setting are combined to determine the desired vehicle ride height. With two wheel drive selected, the desired vehicle ride height is set to a low ride height which provides the most aerodynamic airflow for the vehicle. However, if four wheel drive is selected, the speed is checked to determine the desired vehicle ride height. If four wheel drive (automatic four wheel drive) is selected, low ride height is still selected for speeds in excess of a first defined speed. For speeds at or below the first defined speed, a high ride height approximately 1 inch above the low ride height is set for the desired ride height. If four wheel drive low is selected, typically in contemplation of off-road operation, a higher still ride height or off-road ride height approximately 1 inch above high ride height is set for the desired ride height.

US Patent:

54023416, Mar 28, 1995

Filed:

Apr 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/866771

Inventors:

Michael K. Liubakka - Livonia MI
Lenard J. Duchnowski - Saline MI
Thomas G. Reichenbach - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 504

US Classification:

36442405

Abstract:

A method and system is provided for improving vehicle handling during vehicle operation in the nonlinear region of the front tires for use with a vehicle (10) having manually operable front steerable wheels (12) and electronically controlled rear steerable wheels (14). The method includes the step of calculating a desired rear steer angle based on vehicle parameters, such as vehicle speed and front wheel angle. Preferably, the method also includes the steps of determining if the vehicle is operating in the nonlinear region of the front tires, calculating a handling term if the vehicle is operating in the nonlinear region of the front tires and modifying the desired rear steer angle based on the handling term. The rear steerable wheels are then steered toward the modified desired rear steer angle.

US Patent:

46418563, Feb 10, 1987

Filed:

Jul 24, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/758613

Inventors:

Thomas G. Reichenbach - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 902

US Classification:

280772

Abstract:

A suspension system for a vehicle includes a suspension component pivoted to the chassis of the vehicle, a torsion bar attached at its first end to the suspension component and rotatably mounted at its second end to the chassis of the vehicle, and means for selectively restraining the rotation of the second end of the torsion bar relative to the chassis so as to urge the vehicle to maintain a level attitude.