Patents by Inventor James Potter

James Potter 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: 9316376
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing light signals in a vehicle. The same physical apparatus produces light signals of two different colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two different colors produce diverging light rays. These rays are captured by a transparent plate and conducted to an edge of the plate, which reflects and collimates the light into parallel beams. The parallel beams then reach an elongated lens running along another edge of the plate, which focuses, or de-focuses, the light and transmits it externally as a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John Steven Orisich, Brant James Potter, Matthew James Berry
  • Publication number: 20160084463
    Abstract: An automotive lightguide includes a main guide portion with a light entrance surface and a reflective rear edge surface; and an exit lens joined to the main guide portion, the exit lens having an exit surface with an arcuate exit profile. In use, light rays from a light source enter the main guide portion through an entrance surface, travel through the main guide portion and reflect off the rear edge surface to the exit lens which images the reflected light rays as a light beam pattern having a predetermined sharp horizontal cutoff and a predetermined horizontal spread, the arcuate profile of the rear edge surface determining the horizontal cutoff and vertical spread of the light beam pattern with respect to the horizontal optical axis H-H, and the exit profile of the exit lens determining the horizontal spread of the light beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Brant James Potter
  • Publication number: 20160040850
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing light signals in a vehicle. The same physical apparatus produces light signals of two different colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two different colors produce diverging light rays. These rays are captured by a transparent plate and conducted to an edge of the plate, which reflects and collimates the light into parallel beams. The parallel beams then reach an elongated lens running along another edge of the plate, which focuses, or de-focuses, the light and transmits it externally as a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: John Steven Orisich, Brant James Potter, Matthew James Berry
  • Patent number: 9108504
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Publication number: 20150104988
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a watercraft fin including a first side surface and a second side surface wherein at least one of the first side surface or the second side surface includes a plurality of dimples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Sideways Sports Limited
    Inventor: Courtney James Potter
  • Publication number: 20140274523
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Patent number: 8777789
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Patent number: 8597149
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. Thus, the split-axis transmission may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission, while also providing the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Publication number: 20130172140
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Publication number: 20120289374
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. Thus, the split-axis transmission may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission, while also providing the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Patent number: 8277062
    Abstract: A lamp assembly 10 has a housing 12 that preferably is non-rotationally symmetrical. In a particular embodiment the housing 12 can be rectangular; however, other non-rotationally symmetrical housings can also be employed. The housing 12 includes a base 14 and an upstanding wall 16 surrounding the base 14. The space between the cover 24 and the base 14 defines a light-conducting channel 34. A light-receiving aperture 36 is defined in the housing 12 and in one instance is formed to receive light from a light source 22. A first light-receiving conduit 38 is defined in the light-conducting channel 34 and is formed to receive light from the light source 22 that is fitted into the light-receiving aperture 36 and conduct light to a second light-receiving conduit 40 defined in the light-conducting channel 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventor: Brant James Potter
  • Publication number: 20120075849
    Abstract: A lamp assembly 10 has a housing 12 that preferably is non-rotationally symmetrical. In a particular embodiment the housing 12 can be rectangular; however, other non-rotationally symmetrical housings can also be employed. The housing 12 includes a base 14 and an upstanding wall 16 surrounding the base 14. The space between the cover 24 and the base 14 defines a light-conducting channel 34. A light-receiving aperture 36 is defined in the housing 12 and in one instance is formed to receive light from a light source 22. A first light-receiving conduit 38 is defined in the light-conducting channel 34 and is formed to receive light from the light source 22 that is fitted into the light-receiving aperture 36 and conduct light to a second light-receiving conduit 40 defined in the light-conducting channel 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Brant James Potter
  • Publication number: 20110163483
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow parison includes forming a parison having a wall of multiple layers of polymer including a barrier layer, and open ends, each end having an end surface extending around the periphery of the respective end. A mold is formed having a first section and a second section facing the first section, the mold forming a cavity between the two mold sections when the mold is closed, and defining surfaces to which the parison conforms when the mold is closed. The mold sections are closed on the parison such that in the mold at each end of the parison a first portion of each end surface is compressed against a second portion of the respective end surface. The mold sections are further closed on the parison such the barrier layer of the first portion and second portion of the end surface at each parison end are joined and welded mutually along a seal line. Then the mold is opened and a hollow, formed tank is removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Harris, Mark W. Plansinis, Michael J. Boehk, James Potter, Joseph DeMaria, Richard Kahler, Richard Knaggs
  • Publication number: 20110000828
    Abstract: A screen panel assembly is used with a screening machine. The screen panel assembly includes first and second generally planar screen panels and a coupling between the first and second screen panels that includes latching mechanisms to temporarily secure the screen panels together. An overlap region between the first and second screen panels permits lifting of the second screen panel by a lifting force exerted upon the first screen panel while inhibiting the passage of material being screened between the two adjacent screen panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: ROTEX GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Richard Dressler, E. Stephens Paxton, Jeffrey D. Pielage, Brady P. Ballman, James Potter
  • Patent number: 7829819
    Abstract: A method for securing a component to a tank includes forming the tank having a wall of multiple layers of polymer material with an opening in the wall, outer layers of polymer, and an inner layer of polymer having an inner surface whose color is dark relative to a natural color of the outer layers. The component is formed with a mounting surface of polymer. The tube wall opening is used to install the component in the tank such that the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. Energy is transmitted onto an area of a surface of the tank wall where the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. The transmitted energy is use to produce a weld between the mounting surface and the tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph DeMaria, Stanley Lank, James Potter, Mark W. Plansinis, Mark A. Harris, Michael J. Boehk
  • Publication number: 20100108579
    Abstract: A screen frame assembly is provided for use with a screening machine. The screen frame assembly includes first and second generally planar screen frames and a coupling between the first and second screen frames that includes a tab in the first screen frame and a receiving slot in the second screen frame. The receiving slot is configured to receive the tab and includes a centering feature for laterally aligning the first and second screen frames relative to one another. The centering feature may include a pair of opposed inwardly angled edges of the receiving slot. The coupling may include an overlap region between the first and second screen frames that is engageable to thereby permit lifting of the second screen frame by a lifting force exerted upon the first screen frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Rotex Global. LLC
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Gerald Barth, Brian Blazer, Anthony Boberschmidt, James Potter, Douglas Steinriede
  • Publication number: 20080190943
    Abstract: A method for securing a component to a tank includes forming the tank having a wall of multiple layers of polymer material with an opening in the wall, outer layers of polymer, and an inner layer of polymer having an inner surface whose color is dark relative to a natural color of the outer layers. The component is formed with a mounting surface of polymer. The tube wall opening is used to install the component in the tank such that the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. Energy is transmitted onto an area of a surface of the tank wall where the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. The transmitted energy is use to produce a weld between the mounting surface and the tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph DeMaria, Stanley Lank, James Potter, Mark W. Plansinis, Mark A. Harris, Michael J. Boehk
  • Publication number: 20080191393
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow parison includes forming a parison having a wail of multiple layers of polymer including a barrier layer, and open ends, each end having an end surface extending around the periphery of the respective end. A mold is formed having a first section and a second section facing the first section, the mold forming a cavity between the two mold sections when the mold is closed, and defining surfaces to which the parison conforms when the mold is closed. The mold sections are closed on the parison such that in the mold at each end of the parison a first portion of each end surface is compressed against a second portion of the respective end surface. The mold sections are further closed on the parison such the barrier layer of the first portion and second portion of the end surface at each parison end are joined and welded mutually along a seal line. Then the mold is opened and a hollow, formed tank is removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Mark A. Harris, Mark W. Plansinis, Michael J. Boehk, James Potter, Richard Kahler, Joseph DeMaria, Richard Knaggs
  • Patent number: D702304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Courtney James Potter
  • Patent number: D702305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Courtney James Potter