Patents by Inventor Frank Popielas

Frank Popielas 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: 8985638
    Abstract: Slip joint having a stacked washer seal, a male part and a female part. The female part has a small and a large inner diameter. The male part has substantially constant inner and outer diameters and a ring on the outer diameter. A gap is located between the male and female part. At least two washers and a flat shim are located in the gap. Each washer and flat shim has a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. The first side of a first washer abuts an end of the male part. A second side of the washer contacts a first side of a flat shim. The second side of the shim contacts the first side of a second washer. The second side of the second washer contacts a first side of a second flat shim or an end of the female part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ernest Oxenknecht, Tom Plunkett, Frank Popielas, Kevin Shaver
  • Publication number: 20130093181
    Abstract: Slip joint having a stacked washer seal, a male part and a female part. The female part has a small and a large inner diameter. The male part has substantially constant inner and outer diameters and a ring on the outer diameter. A gap is located between the male and female part. At least two washers and a flat shim are located in the gap. Each washer and flat shim has a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. The first side of a first washer abuts an end of the male part. A second side of the washer contacts a first side of a flat shim. The second side of the shim contacts the first side of a second washer. The second side of the second washer contacts a first side of a second flat shim or an end of the female part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ernest Oxenknecht, Tom Plunkett, Frank Popielas, Kevin Shaver
  • Patent number: 8336888
    Abstract: A gasket has a first active layer with a bead. A first spacer layer is located below the first active layer. An intermediate layer is provided with a wave portion. The intermediate layer is located below the first spacer layer. A bottom spacer layer is located beneath the intermediate layer. The bottom spacer may have a bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Fatora, Rohit Ramkumar, Frank Popielas, David Schweiger
  • Publication number: 20110095489
    Abstract: A gasket has a first active layer with a bead. A first spacer layer is located below the first active layer. An intermediate layer is provided with a wave portion. The intermediate layer is located below the first spacer layer. A bottom spacer layer is located beneath the intermediate layer. The bottom spacer may have a bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Fatora, Rohit Ramkumar, Frank Popielas, David Schweiger
  • Publication number: 20080237998
    Abstract: A gasket for an engine is disclosed. The gasket may include a plate with at least one aperture formed therein, a half-bead or ramp portion formed in the plate adjacent an edge of the plate, and a wave portion or plurality of ridges formed adjacent the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Chingo-Ho Chen, Marsha Minkov, Frank Popielas, Rohit Ramkumar
  • Publication number: 20080067756
    Abstract: A composition and method for coating a MLS gasket is disclosed. The coating may include a polymer with bronze particulate. The particulate improves the sealability of a coating on the gasket during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis Person, Rohit Ramkumar, Frank Acquah, Frank Popielas, Thomas Plunkett
  • Publication number: 20070029738
    Abstract: A composition and method for coating a MLS gasket is disclosed. The coating may include a polymer with bronze particulate. The particulate improves the sealability of a coating on the gasket during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Dennis Person, Rohit Ramkumar, Frank Grant-Acquah, Frank Popielas, Thomas Plunkett
  • Publication number: 20060290072
    Abstract: A gasket having a layer including at least one combustion opening and a wave area located on the layer is disclosed. The wave area includes a first wave and a second wave. The first wave is proximate the combustion opening. A flat portion near the second wave includes a first end and a second end. A full bead is located next to the second end of the flat portion whereby a lower surface of the flat portion is above the lower projecting surfaces of the wave area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Chen, Frank Popielas, Rohit Ramkumar, Thomas Plunkett, Jeffery Foster
  • Publication number: 20060192347
    Abstract: A multi-layer steel gasket is produced by cold rolling and nitriding an active layer. The cold rolling provides a desired hardness of the layer, and the nitriding provides a desired strength of the layer to resist cracking and wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Popielas
  • Publication number: 20060191603
    Abstract: An improved material for use in a gasket includes a tensile strength in a range of about 1000 MPA to about 1150 MPA and a yield strength of at least about 90% of the tensile strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Popielas
  • Publication number: 20060012131
    Abstract: A gasket includes first and second metal layers having at least one opening formed therein. A half sealing bead surrounds the periphery of said opening. A support bead is formed adjacent to said half sealing bead to prevent crushing of the half sealing bead during engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Popielas, Edward Raden, Rohit Ramkumar, Colin Chen
  • Publication number: 20050126262
    Abstract: Sensor apparatus for a multiple layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gasket measures combustion pressures for detecting engine conditions. A membrane is positioned at one end of an elongated metal tube, and the membrane end of the tube engages a cylinder bore boundary. A fiber optical sensor apparatus is fixed within the tube, and communicates with cyclic combustion events via the membrane. In one disclosed embodiment, optical wires from sensor apparatus situated at each engine bore are bundled into a common groove machined into an extended spacer layer radially outwardly of the conventional boundary of the gasket. The tube protects the sensor apparatus from damage of sealing stress on the gasket, and particularly at the bore perimeter. Each tube lies in a separate groove in the spacer layer that terminates at the bore boundary. A converter changes optical signals received from the apparatus into electrical signals for transmittal to a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Popielas, Howard Robins, Jeffery Foster, James Pietraski, Lawrence Peck, James Mikos
  • Publication number: 20050115311
    Abstract: A multi-layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gasket containing fully integrated pressure sensors includes first and second metal layers with inner facing surfaces, and a spacer layer interposed between the facing surfaces. Outer (non-facing) surfaces of the first and second metal layers each include an elastomeric seal coating; the inner surfaces of the layers each include a friction reducing coating. Combustion apertures extend fully between the outer surfaces of the gasket, and are adapted to circumscribe cylinder bores of an engine. The spacer layer includes protective slots positioned adjacent each of the combustion apertures. Each slot wall contains a pressure sensor in form of a strain gauge to measure deflection of the wall resulting from pressure changes within engine combustion chambers. The measured deflections are correlated to actual pressures within the chambers. In the protective slots, the strain gauges are not exposed to combustion gases that could otherwise foul the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Kestly, Frank Popielas, Jeffery Foster, James Pietraski, Lawrence Peck, James Mikos
  • Publication number: 20050026025
    Abstract: Methods and materials for sealing and insulating a fuel cell plate are disclosed. The disclosed process includes applying a coating precursor on at least one surface of the fuel cell plate, and curing the coating precursor by exposure to radiation. Disclosed coating precursors include those containing an acrylated oligomer and a photoinitiator, which can polymerize in response to ultraviolet or electron beam radiation. Other disclosed coating precursors are those that can polymerize in response to exposure to infrared radiation or heating, and include epoxy nitrite resins and organopolysiloxane resins. The disclosed processes and coating precursors provide certain advantages over conventional methods and designs for insulating and sealing fuel cell plates since the disclosed coating precursors can be quickly and precisely applied to fuel cell plates by, for example, screening printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Kanu Shah, Frank Popielas, Brent Boldt, Dennis Person
  • Patent number: 6797402
    Abstract: An improved heat shield offers thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds. The structure has three layers: an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the shield has at least one edge portion defined by outwardly flared undulations or waves. The waved edge minimizes impact of plastic deformation of the metal edges during manufacture of the shield, which tends to produce wrinkling at the edges, and creates undesirable stiffness. Finally, the edge boundary of the outer metal heat shield layer is folded over the edges of the insulation and inner metal layers to avoid any sharp edges, thus preventing injury to installers and reinforcing the heat shield structure to enhance useful life under vibration and heat conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Ching-Ho Chen, Frank Popielas, Calin Matias
  • Patent number: 6779801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved primer coating for a multilayer gasket. The coating includes an elastomer, an epoxy resin and a particulate lubricant. The coating may also employ other components such as cure accelerators and reactive diluents. Also disclosed is a method of making the primer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Grant-Acquah, Mike Kestly, Frank Popielas
  • Publication number: 20040075219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved primer coating for a multilayer gasket. The coating includes an elastomer, an epoxy resin and a particulate lubricant. The coating may also employ other components such as cure accelerators and reactive diluents. Also disclosed is a method of making the primer coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Grant-Acquah, Mike Kestly, Frank Popielas
  • Patent number: 6315303
    Abstract: A gasket is provided that is suitable for use in connection with a cylinder head. The gasket includes a first outer plate including a compensating portion, a second outer plate including a compensating portion, and a compensating plate positioned between said first and second outer plates. Preferably, at least one of said first and second outer plates includes a bead positioned outside of, and in close proximity to, said compensation portion of said plate. The compensating plate includes a compensating element and an edge portion. In a preferred embodiment, the area between the compensating portions of said first and second outer plates defines a compensating area and said compensating element is positioned within said compensating area. If desired, the gasket may also include a spacer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfred Erb, Ralf Göttel, Franz Hieble, Kurt Höhe, Hans Katzmaier, Alexander Kögel, Thierry Lebailly, Josef Ludwig, Bernhard Obermeier, Edwin Puscher, Dominique Tasch, Günther Unseld, Hans-Dieter Waltenberg, Alfred Weiss, Frank Popielas