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:
Apr. 03, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 22, 2005
Joseph B. Dierker, Jr., Troy, MI (US);
Robert H. Thompson, Redford, MI (US);
Lauren M. Newton, Brookfield, WI (US);
Richard D. Cupka, Jr., Saline, MI (US);
James A. Anderson, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Todd N. Clark, Dearborn, MI (US);
Joseph B. Dierker, Jr., Troy, MI (US);
Robert H. Thompson, Redford, MI (US);
Lauren M. Newton, Brookfield, WI (US);
Richard D. Cupka, Jr., Saline, MI (US);
James A. Anderson, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Todd N. Clark, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but also track subsequent motion of the vehicle, as well as the time which has elapsed since an impact, so as to decide if and when the fire suppressant agent should be dispersed. Alternatively, the fire suppressant agent may be dispersed following activation of a manual switch.