Patents by Inventor Douglas G. Hunter
Douglas G. Hunter 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).
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Patent number: 11635076Abstract: An arrangement of a variable capacity vane pump for an automobile is provided that includes a pump housing having an outlet and inlet. A pump control ring is provided having a cavity. The control ring is positioned within the housing to move about a pivot. A vane pump rotor is positioned within the cavity of the pump control ring. A position of the pump control ring determines an offset between a center of the pump control ring cavity and an axis of rotation of the vane pump rotor. Vanes are provided that are driven by the rotor and which engage an interior surface of the pump control ring. The vanes and the engaged surface defining working fluid chambers. A first control chamber is provided. The first control chamber is exposed to a first side of the pivot between the pump housing and the outer surface of the pump control ring. The first control chamber is operable to receive pressurized fluid to create a force to move the pump control ring to reduce a volumetric capacity of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventors: Dennis N. Koenig, Douglas G. Hunter, Fuzheng Hu, Matthew J. Jannausch
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Publication number: 20220235764Abstract: An arrangement of a variable capacity vane pump for an automobile is provided that includes a pump housing having an outlet and inlet. A pump control ring is provided having a cavity. The control ring is positioned within the housing to move about a pivot. A vane pump rotor is positioned within the cavity of the pump control ring. A position of the pump control ring determines an offset between a center of the pump control ring cavity and an axis of rotation of the vane pump rotor. Vanes are provided that are driven by the rotor and which engage an interior surface of the pump control ring. The vanes and the engaged surface defining working fluid chambers. A first control chamber is provided. The first control chamber is exposed to a first side of the pivot between the pump housing and the outer surface of the pump control ring. The first control chamber is operable to receive pressurized fluid to create a force to move the pump control ring to reduce a volumetric capacity of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Dennis N. KOENIG, Douglas G. HUNTER, Fuzheng HU, Matthew J. JANNAUSCH
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Patent number: 8961148Abstract: A unified variable displacement pump having a housing which includes a fluid pump and a vacuum pump. A portion of the housing is part of the fluid pump, and a portion of the housing is part of the vacuum pump. A shaft extends through the fluid pump and the vacuum pump. A vacuum pump rotor is formed as part of the shaft, and a vane pump rotor is mounted to the shaft such that when the shaft rotates, the vacuum pump rotor and the vane pump rotor rotate, causing the fluid pump to pump fluid and the vacuum pump to generate a vacuum. The vacuum pump and fluid pump are combined into a single component driven by a single shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Dennis N. Koenig
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Patent number: 8672658Abstract: A fluid vane pump having a housing with a generally cylindrically walled control volume with an inlet and outlet. A rotor is provided having a rotatable axis within the cylindrical wall control volume. The rotor has a plurality of radially movable vanes operating with the cylindrical wall. A single vane ring is provided which operates with the rotor having an outer radial surface contacting the inner radial edges of the vanes.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventor: Douglas G. Hunter
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Patent number: 8512006Abstract: The present invention is a variable displacement pump system for delivering precisely controlled oil flow and pressure, including a variable displacement pump having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a first chamber and a second chamber for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement pump. The present invention also includes a fluid control device for receiving fluid from the outlet passage, and selectively delivering fluid to the second chamber. Fluid is delivered from the inlet passage to the outlet passage from the variable displacement pump, and fluid is also delivered from the outlet passage to the first chamber and the fluid control device. When fluid pressure is greater in the first chamber relative to the second chamber, the displacement of the variable displacement pump will decrease, and when fluid pressure is greater in the second chamber relative to the first chamber, the displacement of the variable displacement pump will increase.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Douglas G. Hunter
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Patent number: 8430645Abstract: A pump having a housing with an actuator member positioned inside for controlling the flow generated by the pump. A first decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area in operable contact with the actuator member. A second decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area that is operable contact with the actuator member. A valve is connected to the second decrease port for controlling the flow of fluid to the second decrease port. A suction passage is connected to the housing and drawings fluid to the housing using the actuator member. A discharge passage is connected to the housing so that fluid providing an exit for fluid that has been pressurized by the actuator member.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Jannausch, Douglas G. Hunter
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Publication number: 20130022485Abstract: A unified variable displacement pump having a housing which includes a fluid pump and a vacuum pump. A portion of the housing is part of the fluid pump, and a portion of the housing is part of the vacuum pump. A shaft extends through the fluid pump and the vacuum pump. A vacuum pump rotor is formed as part of the shaft, and a vane pump rotor is mounted to the shaft such that when the shaft rotates, the vacuum pump rotor and the vane pump rotor rotate, causing the fluid pump to pump fluid and the vacuum pump to generate a vacuum. The vacuum pump and fluid pump are combined into a single component driven by a single shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Dennis N. Koenig
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Publication number: 20120034125Abstract: A fluid vane pump is provided which includes a housing providing a generally cylindrically walled control volume wherein the control volume has an inlet and outlet. A rotor is provided having a rotatable axis within a cylindrical wall control volume. The rotor has a plurality of radially movable vanes operatively associated with the cylindrical wall. A single vane ring is provided which is operatively associated with the rotor having an outer radial surface contacting the inner radial edges of the vanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: SLW AUTOMOTIVE INC.Inventor: Douglas G. Hunter
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Publication number: 20110039250Abstract: A module 7 for an internal combustion engine is provided. The module 7 includes a housing 10 for connection to an internal combustion engine 16, the housing 10 has a coolant inlet 40 and outlet 52 and a lubrication inlet 26 and outlet 38. The housing 10 has a lubricant heat exchanging chamber 36. A coolant pump 42 is mounted with the housing 10. A lubricant pump 30 is within the housing. A heat exchanging boundary 68 separates the lubricant heat exchanging chamber 36 into lubricant and coolant portions 64, 66.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Dennis Koenig, Pei-lung Sun
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Publication number: 20100139611Abstract: The present invention is a variable displacement pump system for delivering precisely controlled oil flow and pressure, including a variable displacement pump having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a first chamber and a second chamber for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement pump. The present invention also includes a fluid control device for receiving fluid from the outlet passage, and selectively delivering fluid to the second chamber. Fluid is delivered from the inlet passage to the outlet passage from the variable displacement pump, and fluid is also delivered from the outlet passage to the first chamber and the fluid control device. When fluid pressure is greater in the first chamber relative to the second chamber, the displacement of the variable displacement pump will decrease, and when fluid pressure is greater in the second chamber relative to the first chamber, the displacement of the variable displacement pump will increase.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Douglas G. Hunter
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Patent number: 7726948Abstract: A pump system including a control system for controlling a variable flow pump for controlling oil flow and oil pressure in a hydraulic circuit in an engine. The system includes a pump member, an actuating member capable of controlling the flow generated by the pump member, and a solenoid valve system including a solenoid valve portion and a pressure regulator valve portion. The solenoid valve system is operably associated with the pump and the pressure regulator valve portion is operably associated with the actuating member for selectively controlling the flow generated by the pump member. An electronic control unit is operably associated with the solenoid valve portion, wherein the electronic control unit is selectively operable to provide an input control signal to the solenoid valve portion for controlling oil flow and oil pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: SLW Automotive Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Matthew J. Jannausch
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Publication number: 20100080724Abstract: A pump having a housing with an actuator member positioned inside for controlling the flow generated by the pump. A first decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area in operable contact with the actuator member. A second decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area that is operable contact with the actuator member. A valve is connected to the second decrease port for controlling the flow of fluid to the second decrease port. A suction passage is connected to the housing and drawings fluid to the housing using the actuator member. A discharge passage is connected to the housing so that fluid providing an exit for fluid that has been pressurized by the actuator member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2007Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: Matthew J. Jannausch, Douglas G. Hunter
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Patent number: 7674095Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, to prevent inlet flow restriction or cavitation, a valve may be provided to permit some of the pump outlet or discharge flow to bleed into the pump inlet to provide needed velocity energy to the fluid flow into the pump inlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Thomas Haase
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Patent number: 7396214Abstract: A control system for a variable displacement pump. The control system is operably associated with an engine control unit for passively or actively controlling the output of the pump in response to signals from the engine control unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Dennis Koenig
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Patent number: 6896489Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The variable displacement vane pump of the invention may utilize both hydrostatic and mechanical assistance in radially positioning its vanes to ensure efficient and quiet operation of the pump and to facilitate priming of the pump. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Albin J. Niemiec
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Patent number: 6790013Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, to prevent inlet flow restriction or cavitation, a valve may be provided to permit some of the pump outlet or discharge flow to bleed into the pump inlet to provide needed velocity energy to the fluid flow into the pump inlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Albin J. Niemiec
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Publication number: 20030031567Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, to prevent inlet flow restriction or cavitation, a valve may be provided to permit some of the pump outlet or discharge flow to bleed into the pump inlet to provide needed velocity energy to the fluid flow into the pump inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Albin J. Niemiec
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Publication number: 20020114708Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The variable displacement vane pump of the invention may utilize both hydrostatic and mechanical assistance in radially positioning its vanes to ensure efficient and quiet operation of the pump and to facilitate priming of the pump. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Douglas G. Hunter, Albin J. Niemiec
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Patent number: 6186750Abstract: A valve spool (70) for an oil pump assembly (10) that includes a pilot pressure relief valve (80) to provide pilot pressure relief that increases the stability of the pump assembly (10) and eliminates the delay between the change in the discharge pressure and the associated response to the pilot pressure. The valve spool (70) operates in response to the pilot pressure to increase or decrease the pump discharge pressure during vehicle operation. A chamber (72) within the valve spool (70) is in fluid communication with the discharge flow and pressure at one end and the pilot pressure at the other end. When the pilot pressure exceeds the discharge pressure, the relief valve (80) opens, allowing the discharge pressure and the pilot pressure to equalize.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventor: Douglas G. Hunter