The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 10, 2026
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2021
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Rashaun Phinisee, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Venkatesh Krishnan, Canton, MI (US);
Laron Michelle Brown, Detroit, MI (US);
Segundo Baldovino, Novi, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A sensor system includes a sensor and a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor. A duct is positioned to direct air towards the sensor. A heating element is disposed in the duct. First and second valves are disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct. The first and second valves are selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct. A computer is communicatively coupled to the heating element and the first and second valves. The computer is programmed to, upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position. The computer is further programmed to actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference.