Patents by Inventor Gerald J. Hamers
Gerald J. Hamers 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: 9927000Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, comprising a hub defining an axis, a pulley, a one way clutch and an isolation spring that act in series, a damping member that frictionally engages a friction surface the pulley or the hub, and a biasing member that urges the damping member into the friction surface. The biasing member has a mounting portion having an axially extending first mounting surface that is fixedly engaged with a second axially extending mounting surface on the other of the pulley and hub and an engagement portion resiliently connected to the mounting portion by a transition portion having at least one bend that urges the engagement portion into engagement with the damping member with a selected force. The at least one bend resiliently permits axial movement of the damping member engagement portion independent of the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Warren J. Williams, Ron Lapos, Gerald J. Hamers
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Patent number: 9464697Abstract: In the one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and that is capable of precognitively anticipating when is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren J. Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Publication number: 20160223050Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, comprising a hub defining an axis, a pulley, a one way clutch and an isolation spring that act in series, a damping member that frictionally engages a friction surface the pulley or the hub, and a biasing member that urges the damping member into the friction surface. The biasing member has a mounting portion having an axially extending first mounting surface that is fixedly engaged with a second axially extending mounting surface on the other of the pulley and hub and an engagement portion resiliently connected to the mounting portion by a transition portion having at least one bend that urges the engagement portion into engagement with the damping member with a selected force. The at least one bend resiliently permits axial movement of the damping member engagement portion independent of the mounting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Warren J. Williams, Ron Lapos, Gerald J. Hamers
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Patent number: 9377090Abstract: A tensioner assembly that includes a base, an arm, an opening spring (i.e., a torsion spring that opens or radially expands with increasing torque applied thereto), a spring reaction member, and a pivot bushing. The tensioner assembly is configured to orient various loads in predetermined directions. For example, a spring load can be oriented to counteract a hub load to reduce a bushing load that acts on the pivot bushing. As another example, a spring reaction force exerted by the spring reaction member can be employed by a damping mechanism to generate a grounding force that is parallel to the spring reaction force and is directed to intersect an axis about which the arm pivots relative to the base. A tensioner assembly having improved assembly characteristics is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Wei Ma, Gerald J. Hamers
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Patent number: 9151366Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Publication number: 20150247558Abstract: A tensioner (24) for tensioning an endless drive member (14) on an accessory drive system or a cam shaft drive system is provided with a vent structure (99) that opens into a cavity (68) of the tensioner (24) to permit reduction of any pressure in the cavity (68) and the ambient environment of the tensioner (24), while inhibiting ingress of contaminants into the cavity (68). In some embodiments the vent structure (99) includes one or more of a mechanical one-way valve (152), a semi-permeable membrane (311) or a passageway with a circuitous path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Gerald J. Hamers, Gary J. Spicer, Wei Ma, Robert I. Boersema, Lucas E. Wilson
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Publication number: 20140309882Abstract: In one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren J. Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Publication number: 20140287860Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided, comprising a base, a tensioner arm, a tensioner spring, a wheel, and a damping structure. The base is mountable to an engine. The tensioner arm is pivotally connected to the base for movement about a tensioner arm axis. The tensioner spring is connected between the base and the tensioner arm and is positioned to urge the tensioner arm towards a free arm position. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm and is engageable with an endless drive member. A friction surface is provided on one of the base and the tensioner arm. The damping structure is provided on the other of the base and the tensioner arm and engages the friction surface to generate friction during rotation of the tensioner arm. The damping structure includes a sleeve that contains at least one aperture and a damping element that contains at least one lug that engages the at least one aperture with no circumferential clearance therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Wei Ma, Gerald J. Hamers
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Publication number: 20130172137Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Publication number: 20120115657Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald J. Hamers, Feng Liu
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Patent number: 8142314Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald J. Hamers, Feng Liu
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Publication number: 20120004059Abstract: A tensioner assembly that includes a base, an arm, an opening spring (i.e., a torsion spring that opens or radially expands with increasing torque applied thereto), a spring reaction member, and a pivot bushing. The tensioner assembly is configured to orient various loads in predetermined directions. For example, a spring load can be oriented to counteract a hub load to reduce a bushing load that acts on the pivot bushing. As another example, a spring reaction force exerted by the spring reaction member can be employed by a damping mechanism to generate a grounding force that is parallel to the spring reaction force and is directed to intersect an axis about which the arm pivots relative to the base. A tensioner assembly having improved assembly characteristics is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Wei Ma, Gerald J. Hamers
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Publication number: 20100234155Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald J. Hamers, Feng Liu
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Publication number: 20090191999Abstract: A dust shield to inhibit the ingress of foreign materials into a pulley bearing is disclosed as is a pulley including such a dust shield. The dust shield is press fit to one side of the bearing such that it is captive during assembly and/or installation of the pulley. A second dust shield can be provided on the opposite side of the bearing to further inhibit the ingress of foreign materials. Preferably, at least one of the dust shields includes a bolt retention feature which holds an installation bolt captive to the pulley prior to installation. The dust shields can be fabricated from selected materials with desired thermal characteristics to insulate the bearing from sources of undesired heat and/or to assist the removal of waste heat from the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventors: Kacy Joseph, John R. Antchak, Gerald J. Hamers, Gary J. Spicer
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Patent number: 7011191Abstract: A locking strut including a housing with a piston rod extending therethrough. A baffle mounts on the piston rod to divide the housing into two chambers. An orifice through the baffle allows fluid to pass between the chambers to damp reciprocating movement. An electromagnetic driver within the housing is selectively energized to move a ferromagnetic plate between an open position, wherein fluid flows freely between the chambers, and a closed position, wherein the ferromagnetic plate blocks the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the chambers and lock the locking strut in position. A plurality of orifices may be spaced about the baffle, with the number and size of the orifices determining the damping capability of the locking strut. A plurality of drivers may be disposed within the housing to overcome fluid forces during movement of the locking strut between an extended and a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventors: Gary Spicer, Gerald J. Hamers, Terry Cleland, John W. Miller, Zbyslaw Staniewicz
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Publication number: 20040124662Abstract: A power-operated system for actuating the rear doors or liftgates of motor vehicles is disclosed. The system includes an articulating strut mounted between a vehicle frame and the rear door. A motor assembly is operatively coupled between the articulating strut and the vehicle frame for changing the angular orientation and, in turn, mechanical advantage provided by the articulating strut. The articulating strut is moved into angular orientations of greater mechanical advantage in order to effect opening of the rear door and lesser mechanical advantage to effect closing of the rear door.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Terry P. Cleland, Gerald J. Hamers, Gary Spicer, John W. Miller, Zbyslaw Staniewicz
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Publication number: 20040112694Abstract: A locking strut including a housing with a piston rod extending therethrough. A baffle mounts on the piston rod to divide the housing into two chambers. An orifice through the baffle allows fluid to pass between the chambers to damp reciprocating movement. An electromagnetic driver within the housing is selectively energized to move a ferromagnetic plate between an open position, wherein fluid flows freely between the chambers, and a closed position, wherein the ferromagnetic plate blocks the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the chambers and lock the locking strut in position. A plurality of orifices may be spaced about the baffle, with the number and size of the orifices determining the damping capability of the locking strut. A plurality of drivers may be disposed within the housing to overcome fluid forces during movement of the locking strut between an extended and a retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Gary Spicer, Gerald J. Hamers, Terry Cleland, John W. Miller, Zbyslaw Staniewicz