Patents by Inventor Chris James Leck

Chris James Leck 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).

  • Patent number: 10100710
    Abstract: A detachable water pump reservoir to collect coolant leakage from a housing of an engine water pump to which the reservoir is attached in use is described herein. The reservoir includes a hollow body defining a chamber in which the coolant leakage is collected and having a mouth shaped to complement a surface of the housing, at least one attachment apparatus configured to enable the reservoir to be easily and quickly attached to and removed from the housing of the water pump, and a level indicator to indicate the level of the coolant collected in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Pates, Chris James Leck, Benjamin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10006410
    Abstract: An engine system for a vehicle is described in which a turbocharger adapted to compress intake air is thermally coupled to a charge air cooler device operatively interposing the turbocharger and the engine. The system further includes a reconfigurable cooling system operable in three modes based on the flow of coolant and temperatures detected therein. In particular, the approach may be used to enhance engine warm-up in cold ambient conditions without costly additional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck
  • Patent number: 9677437
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing wherein the housing comprises one or more coolant passages for receiving a coolant to cool the turbocharger and one or more lubricant passages for receiving a lubricant to lubricate the bearings. The lubricant may be the lubricant for both the turbocharger bearings and the internal combustion engine. The coolant passages and lubricant passages in the turbocharger may be arranged in the housing to transfer heat from the lubricant to the coolant such that the transfer of heat between the coolant passages and lubricant passages is sufficient to cool the lubricant to a temperature that is suitable for subsequent use in the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris James Leck, Anthony Bernard Demots, Paul Andrew Jones, John Moffat
  • Publication number: 20160102600
    Abstract: A detachable water pump reservoir to collect coolant leakage from a housing of an engine water pump to which the reservoir is attached in use is described herein. The reservoir includes a hollow body defining a chamber in which the coolant leakage is collected and having a mouth shaped to complement a surface of the housing, at least one attachment apparatus configured to enable the reservoir to be easily and quickly attached to and removed from the housing of the water pump, and a level indicator to indicate the level of the coolant collected in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Tom Pates, Chris James Leck, Benjamin MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20150176446
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing wherein the housing comprises one or more coolant passages for receiving a coolant to cool the turbocharger and one or more lubricant passages for receiving a lubricant to lubricate the bearings. The lubricant may be the lubricant for both the turbocharger bearings and the internal combustion engine. The coolant passages and lubricant passages in the turbocharger may be arranged in the housing to transfer heat from the lubricant to the coolant such that the transfer of heat between the coolant passages and lubricant passages is sufficient to cool the lubricant to a temperature that is suitable for subsequent use in the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Chris James Leck, Anthony Bernard Demots, Paul Andrew Jones, John Moffat
  • Publication number: 20130276765
    Abstract: An engine system for a vehicle is described in which a turbocharger adapted to compress intake air is thermally coupled to a charge air cooler device operatively interposing the turbocharger and the engine. The system further includes a reconfigurable cooling system operable in three modes based on the flow of coolant and temperatures detected therein. In particular, the approach may be used to enhance engine warm-up in cold ambient conditions without costly additional devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck
  • Patent number: 8408165
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. The method includes controlling a bypass valve and a heater valve to both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speed to inhibit coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck
  • Patent number: 8291870
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. A bypass valve and a heater valve both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speeds, thereby inhibiting coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck