Patents by Inventor Fred Butler

Fred Butler 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: 7971910
    Abstract: A leak detection mechanism for use with a pressurized system that relates generally to an assembly for connecting a conduit to a component. The mechanism utilizes a fluid passageway for detecting a leak or absence of a seal after connecting a conduit to a component such as an expansion valve of a pressurized fluid system. The fluid passageway forms a predetermined leak path enabling fluid flow into or out of the system when an o-ring or other seal means is missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Matthew Holt, Lisa A. S. Holt, legal representative, Fred Butler, John W. Wilds, Sr., Steven Lenhart
  • Publication number: 20080129043
    Abstract: The present invention is a leak detection mechanism for use with a pressurized system and relates generally to an assembly for connecting a conduit to a component. The mechanism utilizes a fluid passageway for detecting a leak or absence of a seal after connecting a conduit to a component such as an expansion valve of a pressurized fluid system. The fluid passageway forms a predetermined leak path enabling fluid flow into or out of the system when an o-ring or other seal means is missing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Holt, Lisa A. S. Holt, Fred Butler, John W. Wilds, Steven Lenhart
  • Patent number: 6224480
    Abstract: An assembly 10 for controlling the temperature of air flowing into the passenger compartment of a vehicle has a frame 20, an arcuate door 40, and an actuation assembly 50. The frame 20 defines an opening 21 through which air flows into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The frame 20 also includes opposite arcuate tracks 25, 26. The arcuate door 40 moves to control airflow through the opening 21 and has side edges 41, 42 which are slidably received in the opposite arcuate tracks 25, 26. The arcuate door 40 and the opposite arcuate tracks 25, 26 maintain the same center of curvature during the sliding of the arcuate door 40 in the opposite arcuate tracks 25, 26. The actuation assembly 50 moves the arcuate door 40 along the opposite arcuate tracks 25, 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: TRW Inc., Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Vu Le, Bipin Parekh, Fred Butler