Donald E Christian

US Patent:

20120316711, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155820

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA, US
Ali Maleki - Canton MI, US
Dan Schum - Lake Balboa CA, US

Assignee:

Coda Automotive, Inc. - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B60K 11/00
F28F 27/00

US Classification:

701 22, 165200

Abstract:

A cooling system is provided for cooling electronics and/or other heat sources using a liquid coolant. The cooling system may be provided with a detection arrangement to detect cooling anomalies, including gas bubbles or pockets and/or contaminants in the coolant, that could potentially reduce the cooling efficiency of the system. The cooling system includes a pump for moving or circulating a liquid coolant through the system. The detection arrangement may be arranged to monitor the speed of the pump and identify overspeed and/or underspeed events when the pump speed exceeds or is below a predetermined threshold speed or setpoint. The duration and/or number of detected events may be indicative of the presence of an anomaly with the system. The system may include one or more indicators that provide an indication of the operating condition of the cooling system based on the magnitude of the detected events.

US Patent:

20130105241, May 2, 2013

Filed:

Oct 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/282045

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA, US
Richard Hoyle - Clarkston MI, US
David Brian TenHouten - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Coda Automotive, Inc. - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B60K 17/00

US Classification:

180337

Abstract:

An electric vehicle is provided which includes a frame, a powertrain, and a powertrain suspension system mounting the powertrain to the frame. The powertrain suspension system includes a first and second mount, each mount pivotally coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the first and second mounts are constructed to be weight bearing mounts such that the powertrain hangs from the first and second mounts. The powertrain system further includes a third mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the third mount is constructed and arranged to be a non-weight bearing mount. The powertrain suspension system may include a fourth mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, and the first, second, third and fourth mounts may be arranged in a substantially tetrahedral shape.

US Patent:

53072790, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Sep 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/763042

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
Steven W. Rogers - Maumelle AR

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

364463

Abstract:

The invention provides a wheel balancer that is able to determine if its measurements are accurate. The invention takes a set of measurements and determines if the measurements are sufficiently consistent. If they are sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention rejects at least one data point and collects more measurements until either the invention yields sufficiently close data points or the machine is stopped. A display is provided for diagnostic messages.

US Patent:

51801221, Jan 19, 1993

Filed:

May 10, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/698033

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
Graham D. Robertson - Orlando FL
James M. Tucci - Campbell CA
Michael J. Westcott - San Jose CA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64D 1522

US Classification:

244134F

Abstract:

The invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of ice on a surface. The invention uses cameras to allow ice detection over a large area instead of a single point. The detecting apparatus provides an improved deicing apparatus.

US Patent:

53140710, May 24, 1994

Filed:

Dec 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/988556

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
Chin-Hu Feng - Fremont CA
Jerry L. McComas - Sunnyvale CA
Andrew K. Chang - Los Altos Hills CA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B03B 100
B07C 5342

US Classification:

209 4

Abstract:

The invention provides a method and apparatus for purification and color sortation of waste glass, a glass beneficiation process and apparatus. The invention crushes the glass into pieces less than 3 inches in size, delables the glass, and then sorts the glass according to the light transmissive properties of the glass utilizing an array of lamps electrically connected to a control module.

US Patent:

52203999, Jun 15, 1993

Filed:

Dec 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/811504

Inventors:

Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
James L. Dale - Conway AR
Steven W. Rogers - Conway AR

International Classification:

G01B 1126

US Classification:

356152

Abstract:

A wheel alignment system is disclosed which measures the angles between the planes of the wheels on the same side, at the front and diagonally opposite on a four wheel vehicle. The measurements are processed to provide wheel toe, relative wheel plane orientation, front wheel offset and front and rear wheel setback relative to the vehicle frame to assist in damage assessment.

US Patent:

52436659, Sep 7, 1993

Filed:

Jan 22, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/826197

Inventors:

George A. Maney - Sunnyvale CA
Elizabeth A. Downing - Sunnyvale CA
Christian Fortunel - San Mateo CA
Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
Melvin H. Lill - San Jose CA

Assignee:

FMC Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382 8

Abstract:

A system is disclosed which operates to collect high resolution three-dimensional surface mesh data from mechanical components which are used for component evaluation. The system includes a multidimensionally movable fixture mount for holding the mechanical components. A structured light pattern emitting projector is provided together with an image sensing camera for detecting impingement of the light pattern on the mechanical component and for generating the surface data. A set of software tools analyzes the data to provide numerical or quantitative component analysis and further presents the data in display form to allow intuitive or qualitative analysis for product and process improvement.

US Patent:

59692464, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Nov 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/965032

Inventors:

David A. Jackson - Los Gatos CA
Donald J. Christian - Fremont CA
Hoshang Shroff - Cupertino CA
Bernie F. Jackson - Glenbrook NV

Assignee:

Snap-On Technologies, Inc. - Lincolnshire IL

International Classification:

G01B 11275

US Classification:

73459

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for determining axial stability compares measured wheel runout and axial instability parameters with prescribed tolerances to determine if the wheel suffers from excessive wheel play. Axial stability and runout is determined and displayed on a monitor screen such that an alignment technician can quickly assess both the degree of present wheel misalignment and the feasibility of attempting to perform a realignment operation without first repairing worn or damaged suspension parts. The attitude and location of a wheel are measured with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to the wheel. The wheel is rolled back a number of degrees to a second position and the attitude and location thereof are measured to determine a second vector also having the predetermined relation to the wheel. Rearward axis parameters including a rearward rotational axis vector and a rearward runout vector are determined based on the first and second vectors. The wheel is rolled forward to a third position which is substantially equal to the first position and the attitude and location of the wheel are measured to determine a third vector also having the predetermined relation to the wheel.