Malcolm J Burgess

US Patent:

20130088044, Apr 11, 2013

Filed:

Dec 6, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/707211

Inventors:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA, US
Malcolm Burgess - Mountain View CA, US
Vivek Attaluri - Union City CA, US
Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya - Irvine CA, US
Alan Paul Clarke - Redondo Beach CA, US
Peter Dore Rawlinson - Worcestershire, GB
Bruce Philip Edwards - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B62D 21/15

US Classification:

29618712

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. A battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure also help to 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. In this configuration the battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, the side sill assemblies. 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.

US Patent:

20130088045, Apr 11, 2013

Filed:

Dec 6, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/707348

Inventors:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA, US
Malcolm Burgess - Mountain View CA, US
Vivek Attaluri - Union City CA, US
Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya - Irvine CA, US
Alan Paul Clarke - Redondo Beach CA, US
Peter Dore Rawlinson - Worcestershire, GB

Assignee:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B62D 21/15

US Classification:

29618712

Abstract:

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill assembly along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. The collapsible side sill assembly includes a side sill insert, the insert divided into a collapsible portion designed to absorb impact energy and a reacting portion designed to distribute the impact energy to the vehicle cross-members.

US Patent:

20150298744, Oct 22, 2015

Filed:

Apr 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/255889

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Tom Spencer - San Francisco CA, US
Sachin Shrimant Sawant - Newark CA, US
Malcolm Burgess - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Tesla Motors, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B62D 27/02
B62D 29/00
B62D 25/08

Abstract:

A torque box for a vehicle includes: first and second clamshells joined to each other at respective top and bottom edges and configured to form at least first and second enclosures with an inner joint in between, the first and second enclosures configured to provide top and bottom shear planes at the top and bottom edges, respectively, and at least first and second shear planes at the inner joint.