Alan B Clarke

US Patent:

8336658, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/328615

Inventors:

Peter Dore Rawlinson - Playa Del Rey CA, US
Alan Paul Clarke - Redondo Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01M 2/38

US Classification:

180 685, 180 651, 429 96, 429 99

Abstract:

A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle.

US Patent:

20120161472, Jun 28, 2012

Filed:

Nov 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/308300

Inventors:

Peter Dore Rawlinson - Playa Del Rey CA, US
Alan Paul Clarke - Redondo Beach CA, US
Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

TESLA MOTORS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B62D 25/20

US Classification:

29618708

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups.

US Patent:

20180334022, Nov 22, 2018

Filed:

Jul 13, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/034738

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Alan Clarke - Signal Hill CA, US
Hitendra L Gadhiya - Palo Alto CA, US
Bruce P. Edwards - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B60K 1/04
B62D 25/02
B60L 11/18
B60R 16/04
B62D 25/20
B62D 21/15

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel, a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and at least one mechanical connection securing the cross-members to the vehicle floor panel.

US Patent:

20170259675, Sep 14, 2017

Filed:

May 30, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/607745

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Alan Clarke - Signal Hill CA, US
Matthew Lee Brown - Redondo Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B60L 11/18
B60S 5/06

Abstract:

A system for exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) of an electric vehicle includes. An EESS station is configured to position an electric vehicle in x and y directions. A vehicle lift raises the electric vehicle to a predetermined height. An EESS lift supports and lowers the EESS and replaces the EESS with a differing EESS. The vehicle lift may be an inboard lift and the EESS lift may be an outboard lift. The system may also include one or more rollers configured to guide the electric vehicle. The system may include a horizontal door having at least one tube positioned thereon for guiding the electric vehicle and/or at least one vehicle chock for positioning the electric vehicle in at least one of the x and y directions. The vehicle lift may include lifting arms to engage jack pads of the electric vehicle.

US Patent:

20150307068, Oct 29, 2015

Filed:

Apr 23, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/694995

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Alan Clarke - Signal Hill CA, US
Matthew Lee Brown - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

B60S 5/06
B60L 11/18

Abstract:

A method of exchanging an electrical energy storage system (EESS) in an electric vehicle includes: positioning an electric vehicle in x and y directions on an EESS exchange station; after positioning, raising the electric vehicle to a predetermined height using a first lift; after raising the electric vehicle, raising an EESS lift toward the electric vehicle until the EESS lift is correctly positioned relative to a first EESS; after raising the EESS lift, removing fasteners that secure a first EESS to the electric vehicle; placing an EESS conveyor underneath the EESS lift; after placing the EESS conveyor, lowering the first EESS onto the EESS conveyor using the EESS lift; after lowering the first EESS, removing the first EESS and instead placing a second EESS underneath the electric vehicle; after placing the second EESS underneath the electric vehicle, raising the second EESS toward the electric vehicle using the EESS lift until the second EESS is correctly positioned relative to the electric vehicle; after raising the second EESS, fastening the second EESS onto the electric vehicle; and after fastening the second EESS, lowering the electric vehicle using the vehicle lift.

US Patent:

20150239331, Aug 27, 2015

Filed:

May 4, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/703646

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Alan Clarke - Signal Hill CA, US
Hitendra L. Gadhiya - Irvine CA, US
Bruce P. Edwards - Menlo Park CA, US

International Classification:

B60K 1/04
B62D 25/02
B62D 25/20
B62D 21/15

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes: first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel; a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and one or more bolts each extending though a respective opening in one of the cross-members and extending to an opposite side of the vehicle floor panel from the cross-member.

US Patent:

20140182958, Jul 3, 2014

Filed:

Jan 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/168351

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Alan Paul CLARKE - Redondo Beach CA, US
Hitendra Laxmidas GADHIYA - Irvine CA, US
Robert David SUMPF - San Francisco CA, US
Bruce Philip EDWARDS - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B60K 1/04

US Classification:

180 685

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups.