Patents by Inventor Charles M. Freitas

Charles M. Freitas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030221951
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for surface treatment of a throttle body structure with a first and a second electrode located in a housing electrically connected to a transformer. A rotating fixture base is also provided in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolu Chen, Charles M. Freitas, Wade Coots, Zili Wu
  • Patent number: 5622148
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a cranking system for a motor vehicle engine includes a starter motor assembly having a cranking motor and a starter solenoid. An electronic controller independently controls actuation of the starter solenoid and a contactor which provides current to the cranking motor. In this embodiment of the invention, the starter solenoid has a single electrical coil. Further, the contactor is relocated from its typical location within the starter solenoid to within the electronic controller, located remotely from the starter motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Xiaolin B. Xue, Charles M. Freitas, Mark A. Brantmeyer, Xingyi Xu, John G. Bulick
  • Patent number: 5563563
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a starter motor solenoid includes two fixed contacts and a movable contact. The movable contact and one fixed contact are made of copper. The other fixed contact is made of steel. Over a relatively few cycles of the starter motor solenoid, a coating of copper is deposited from the movable contact to the steel fixed contact. Thus, despite the use of relatively inexpensive steel as fixed contact material, a highly-conductive and reliable junction is provided between the movable contact and the steel fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Freitas, Mark R. Massicotte, Xiaolin B. Xue