Michael Howard Rowe

US Patent:

20120138873, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Dec 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/961815

Inventors:

Li Qin Zhou - Ann Arbor MI, US
Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01B 1/08

US Classification:

2525194

Abstract:

A process for densifying a composite material is provided. In some instances, the process can reduce stress in a sintered component such that improved densification and/or properties of the component is provided. The process includes providing a mixture of a first material particles and second material particles, pre-sintering the mixture at a first pressure and a first temperature in order to form a pre-sintered component, and then crushing, grinding, and sieving the pre-sintered component in order to form or obtain a generally uniform composite powder. The uniform composite powder is then sintered at a second pressure and a second temperature to form a sintered component, the second pressure being greater than the second pressure.

US Patent:

20230077854, Mar 16, 2023

Filed:

Mar 23, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/702208

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Xiaopeng Li - Ann Arbor MI, US
Ryohei Tsuruta - Ann Arbor MI, US
Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Danil V. Prokhorov - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

F04B 53/00
F04B 43/04
F04B 53/16

Abstract:

A device for canceling acoustic noise generated includes, in one example, an inlet channel configured to be fluidly connected to an inlet port of a pump and an outlet channel configured to be fluidly connected to an outlet port of the pump. The device also includes an inlet resonator and an outlet resonator, both having open ends and closed ends. The open ends of the inlet and outlet resonators are fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet channels, respectively. When in operation, the inlet and outlet resonators can cancel noise generated by the operation of the pump.

US Patent:

20200216121, Jul 9, 2020

Filed:

Jan 9, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/243562

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Danil V. Prokhorov - Canton MI, US
Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Ryohei Tsuruta - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 37/02
F15B 21/06
F15B 15/10

Abstract:

A dynamic interface between a vehicle windshield and a structure (e.g., an A-pillar) is provided. The dynamic interface can be actively managed to allow its configuration to be selectively changed based on real-time driving environment conditions. The interface can include one or more actuators that can be selectively activated or deactivated to change the aerodynamic characteristics of the interface. When a crosswind activation condition is detected, the actuator(s) can be activated. The actuator(s) can be soft-bodied structures. The actuator(s) can include a bladder defining a fluid chamber filled with a dielectric fluid. A first conductor and a second conductor can be operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. When electrical energy is supplied to the conductors, they can become oppositely charged. As a result, the conductors can be electrostatically attracted toward each other, displacing some of the dielectric fluid to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.

US Patent:

20200189374, Jun 18, 2020

Filed:

Dec 18, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/929070

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Danil V. Prokhorov - Canton MI, US
Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Ryohei Tsuruta - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

B60J 10/84
B60J 10/70
B60J 10/82
B60J 10/86

Abstract:

An interface between two vehicle structures can be selectively sealed using an active seal. The active seal can include an outer casing and an actuator located within the outer casing. The actuator can include a bladder. The bladder can define a fluid chamber, which can contain a dielectric fluid. The actuator can include a first conductor and a second conductor operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. The actuator can be activated and deactivated by selectively supplying electrical energy to the actuator. When electrical energy is supplied to the actuator, the actuator can have a reduced cross-sectional profile such that the interface is not sealed and movement of the second vehicle structure is not impeded by the seal. When electrical energy is not supplied to the actuator, the actuator can be in a non-activated condition in which the interface is substantially sealed.

US Patent:

20200189469, Jun 18, 2020

Filed:

Dec 18, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/929072

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Danil V. Prokhorov - Canton MI, US
Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Ryohei Tsuruta - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 1/072
G06F 3/01
B60R 1/04
B60R 1/12

Abstract:

A mirror assembly can include a mirror and one or more actuators operatively positioned to cause the position and/or the orientation of the mirror to be adjusted. The one or more actuators include a bladder. The bladder can include a flexible casing. The bladder can define a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber can contain a dielectric fluid. The one or more actuators can include a first conductor and a second conductor operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. The one or more actuators can be configured such that, when electrical energy is supplied to the first conductor and the second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor can become oppositely charged. As a result, the first conductor and the second conductor are electrostatically attracted toward each other to cause at least a portion of the dielectric fluid to be displaced to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.