Alan Clarke

Augmented Vehicle Seat Mount

Application

#8336658 Dec 25, 2012

Filed

Dec 16, 2011

Inventor

Peter Dore Rawlinson (Playa Del Rey, CA) · Alan Paul Clarke (Redondo Beach, CA)

Appl. No.

13/328615

Assignee

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA)

International Classification

H01M 2/38

U.S. 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.

Battery Swapping System And Techniques

Application

#2015030 Oct 29, 2015

Filed

Apr 23, 2015

Inventor

Alan Clarke (Signal Hill, CA) · Matthew Lee Brown (Redondo Beach, CA)

Appl. No.

14/694995

Assignee

Alan Clarke (Signal Hill, CA) · Matthew Lee Brown (Redondo Beach, CA)

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.

Integrated Tonneau Cover For A Vehicle

Application

#2021015 May 27, 2021

Filed

Nov 19, 2020

Inventor

Jared Migdal (San Francisco, CA) · Paul Venhovens (San Francisco, CA) · Greg Peer (San Francisco, CA) · Dhruv Kapoor (San Francisco, CA) · Alan Paul Clarke (San Francisco, CA)

Appl. No.

16/953091

Assignee

Jared Migdal (San Francisco, CA) · Paul Venhovens (San Francisco, CA) · Greg Peer (San Francisco, CA) · Dhruv Kapoor (San Francisco, CA) · Alan Paul Clarke (San Francisco, CA)

International Classification

B60J 7/08, B60R 16/033, B60J 10/88, E05F 15/603, H02J 7/35

Abstract

A truck bed cover integrated in a vehicle (e.g., a truck), configured to move through an opening formed between a cab and a truck bed, and along a set of channels on the truck bed. The vehicle includes a motor engaged with the truck bed cover and configured to enable an automated movement of the truck bed cover along the set of channels. The vehicle in one embodiment is an electric truck configured to run off a battery pack stored within the electric truck. The truck bed cover includes a plurality of movable portions, the plurality of movable portions linked together in a flexible format.

System For Absorbing And Distributing Side Impact Energy Utilizing An Integrated Battery Pack

Application

#2012016 Jun 28, 2012

Filed

Nov 30, 2011

Inventor

Peter Dore Rawlinson (Playa Del Rey, CA) · Alan Paul Clarke (Redondo Beach, CA) · Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya (Irvine, CA)

Appl. No.

13/308300

Assignee

TESLA MOTORS, INC. (Palo Alto, CA)

International Classification

B62D 25/20

U.S. 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.

Battery Pack Gas Exhaust System

Application

#8268469 Sep 18, 2012

Filed

Mar 30, 2011

Inventor

Weston Arthur Hermann (Palo Alto, CA) · Alan Paul Clarke (Long Beach, CA)

Appl. No.

13/076003

Assignee

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA)

International Classification

H01M 2/02, H01M 2/08, H01M 2/12, H01M 10/50, B65D 51/16, B60K 1/04

U.S. Classification

429 62, 429163, 429185, 429 82, 220373, 180 651

Abstract

A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a multi-sided, substantially airtight battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where at least one side of the battery pack enclosure includes at least one cavity. An inner wall of the enclosure includes a plurality of perforations configured to pass gas from within the enclosure to the cavity within the at least one side member. The system is further comprised of at least one gas exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the enclosure and configured to pass gas from within the cavity of the enclosure side member to the ambient environment when one or more batteries contained within the battery pack undergo thermal runaway.

System For Absorbing And Distributing Side Impact Energy Utilizing An Integrated Battery Pack

Application

#2015023 Aug 27, 2015

Filed

May 4, 2015

Inventor

Alan Clarke (Signal Hill, CA) · Hitendra L. Gadhiya (Irvine, CA) · Bruce P. Edwards (Menlo Park, CA)

Appl. No.

14/703646

Assignee

Alan Clarke (Signal Hill, CA) · Hitendra L. Gadhiya (Irvine, CA) · Bruce P. Edwards (Menlo Park, CA)

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.