Patents by Inventor Christopher Donald Wicks

Christopher Donald Wicks 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: 20190331009
    Abstract: An engine component includes stratified layers that form an integral cylinder head and an internally cooled valve guide located in a cylinder head guide boss. The integral cylinder head further includes a coolant passage within a body of the valve guide that is in fluid communication with a cylinder head cooling jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ellen Cheng-chi LEE, Joy Hines FORSMARK, Mark Michael MADIN, Christopher Donald WICKS, John CORNELL
  • Publication number: 20190323411
    Abstract: An engine cylinder block includes a control valve and stratified layers defining a network internal to the cylinder block. The network includes a main feed line in fluid communication with the control valve, and branched and winding arterial channels extending from the main feed line with diameters that taper to define nozzles configured to spray coolant on sides of pistons carried within the cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10450942
    Abstract: An engine system includes a layered cylinder head with a plurality of intake ports and a stratified tubular member integrated into the cylinder head, configured as a condensate port, surrounding each of the plurality of intake ports and forming a plurality of nozzles located on at least one side of the tubular member. Each of the nozzles arranged to have a plurality of openings extending into a cavity of each intake port such that there is no seal between the tubular member and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 10364740
    Abstract: An engine additive fluid port includes a series of material layers arranged as a first oblong hollow member configured to seamlessly surround at least a portion of an intake port of an integrated cylinder head. The member penetrates into a cavity of the intake port via a plurality of nozzles featuring apertures capable of spraying a first fluid into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190219005
    Abstract: An engine system includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust flow having a valve configured to release exhaust gas, and stratified layers defining an integrated intake manifold and an exhaust gas recirculator including a tubular inlet on an exterior of the intake manifold. The inlet defines at least one branch extending into an interior of the intake manifold without a seal between the exhaust gas recirculator and manifold. The at least one branch extends into at least one wing to form a duct containing a plurality of nozzles protruding from the duct into the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190219012
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls forming channels radiating from a common gas inlet extending into a gooseneck conduit having an incorporated positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) apparatus. The gooseneck conduit transitions into the channels and runners such that there is no seal between the gooseneck, plenum, and runners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190219011
    Abstract: An engine component includes a tubular member, of stratified layers, curved on both ends and comprising outwardly protruded nozzles located on one side. Each of the nozzles comprising an elongated body and a tip defining apertures. The tubular member forms a nitrous oxide delivery apparatus configured to increase an internal combustion engine's power output and is located in a cavity of an intake manifold such that there is no seal between the member and the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Robert Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20190218965
    Abstract: An engine additive fluid port includes a series of material layers arranged as a first oblong hollow member configured to seamlessly surround at least a portion of an intake port of an integrated cylinder head. The member penetrates into a cavity of the intake port via a plurality of nozzles featuring apertures capable of spraying a first fluid into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190219008
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls that form channels radiating from a common gas inlet and transitioning into the runners such that there is no seal between the plenum and runners. The partial walls form endoskeletal structure configured to support the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190219009
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls forming channels radiating from a common gas inlet extending into a gooseneck conduit having an incorporated throttle body. The gooseneck conduit transitions into the channels and runners such that there is no seal between the gooseneck, plenum, and runners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190218960
    Abstract: An engine system includes a layered cylinder head with a plurality of intake ports and a stratified tubular member integrated into the cylinder head, configured as a condensate port, surrounding each of the plurality of intake ports and forming a plurality of nozzles located on at least one side of the tubular member. Each of the nozzles arranged to have a plurality of openings extending into a cavity of each intake port such that there is no seal between the tubular member and the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 10337469
    Abstract: An engine system includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust flow having a valve configured to release exhaust gas, and stratified layers defining an integrated intake manifold and an exhaust gas recirculator including a tubular inlet on an exterior of the intake manifold. The inlet defines at least one branch extending into an interior of the intake manifold without a seal between the exhaust gas recirculator and manifold. The at least one branch extends into at least one wing to form a duct containing a plurality of nozzles protruding from the duct into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10300637
    Abstract: Systems for defining an internally threaded bore in a composite material component include one or more thread forming tools each defining a thread forming portion and a locating fixture configured to hold the one or more thread forming tools in a predetermined configuration defining a pattern of internally threaded bores to be provided in the composite material component. The thread forming portions include a plurality of thread forming surfaces each defining a pitch, a crest fillet radius, and a root fillet radius, and define internally threaded bores having an interior helical thread defining a plurality of full crest radii and a plurality of full root radii. A component forming fixture is provided for abutting the locating fixture whereby the one or more thread forming tools are held in an interior of the forming fixture. Methods for forming composite material components having internally threaded bores using the described systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20190120122
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively re-cooling intake air downstream of a charge air cooler. In one example, a system may include a cylinder head defining a plurality of cylinders, the cylinder head including a plurality of inlet ports each fluidically coupled to a respective cylinder, a refrigerant supply, and a refrigerant passage surrounding each inlet port and fluidically coupled to the refrigerant supply, the refrigerant passage shaped to correspond to an outer profile of each inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10247089
    Abstract: A power train system includes a heat exchanger reservoir to collect condensate, a layered intake manifold, and integral tubing leading from the reservoir to an interior of the intake manifold via an intake manifold wall such that there is no seal between the condensate port and the manifold. The tubing splits into at least two branches transitioning into a set of wings containing a plurality of nozzles protruding into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Publication number: 20190072013
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a cylinder head defining a lubrication gallery intersecting a valve guide bore wall, and a valve guide. The valve guide has inner and outer walls intersecting valve-side and port-side ends. The inner wall defines a channel extending from an intermediate region of the guide to the valve-side end. The guide defines a passage extending outwardly from the channel at the intermediate region to the outer wall, with the passage fluidly connected to the gallery. Pressurized lubricant is provided to a lubrication gallery intersecting a valve guide bore wall of the cylinder head. Lubricant is directed from the gallery into a passage extending through an intermediate region of a valve guide. A moving valve stem positioned within the guide is lubricated by flowing lubricant from the passage into a channel intersecting the inner wall of the guide and to a valve end of the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Donald WICKS
  • Patent number: 10208715
    Abstract: A power train system includes an exhaust manifold having an exhaust flow and a control valve for releasing exhaust gas, and layered material defining an integrated engine cylinder head and an exhaust gas recirculator, connected to the exhaust flow and the valve, including a tubular inlet defining a plurality of branches around the cylinder head and having a plurality of nozzles extending into cavities of intake ports of the cylinder head. Each of the branches surrounding an exterior surface of one of the intake ports such that there is no seal between the recirculator and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, James Henry Malo
  • Patent number: 10202888
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively re-cooling intake air downstream of a charge air cooler. In one example, a system may include a cylinder head defining a plurality of cylinders, the cylinder head including a plurality of inlet ports each fluidically coupled to a respective cylinder, a refrigerant supply, and a refrigerant passage surrounding each inlet port and fluidically coupled to the refrigerant supply, the refrigerant passage shaped to correspond to an outer profile of each inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10161354
    Abstract: A combustion engine is provided that includes an engine block with a fiber material in a resin. The engine block defines a piston bore and a bore liner positioned within the piston bore and includes a substrate and a coating positioned on an interior surface of the substrate. An exterior surface of the substrate defines a retention feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20180334991
    Abstract: An engine cylinder head includes an internal metal structure forming an upper portion of a combustion chamber. The internal metal structure includes a semi-compliant coating configured to absorb thermal expansion of the internal metal structure. The engine cylinder head also includes a polymer composite forming an external structure at least partially surrounding the internal metal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER DONALD WICKS