Patents by Inventor Jan P. Thimmesch

Jan P. Thimmesch 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: 7472695
    Abstract: An air intake heater system includes an air heater adapted to be positioned in communication with an intake passageway of an engine and a controller. The controller is operable to repeatedly supply current and discontinue the supply of current to provide a desired energy output of the air heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Prust, Jan P. Thimmesch, Chadwick P. Anderson, Alan P. Gill
  • Patent number: 7406957
    Abstract: A heating device for use in an internal combustion engine having an intake defining a passage is disclosed. The intake includes an opening in communication with the passage. The heating device includes a one-piece housing having a mounting flange portion and a first leg portion positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a second leg portion. The mounting flange is adapted to mount to the intake and cover the opening. The heating element is coupled to the one-piece housing and positioned between the first and second leg portions. The heating element is positioned in a heat transfer relation with the passage to thereby heat air flowing through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Betcher, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6651632
    Abstract: An air intake assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an intake member having a passage for communicating air and a heater. The heater includes a first holder, a second holder, a heating element positioned between the first holder and the second holder, biasing means for urging one of the first holder and the second holder away from the other of the first holder and the second holder, and a retention mechanism coupling the first holder and the second holder to the intake member within the passage. The retention mechanism includes first and second tabs coupled to the first holder and second holders which biasedly engage the intake member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan P. Thimmesch, Chadwick P. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20020096155
    Abstract: An air intake assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an intake member having a passage for communicating air and a heater. The heater includes a first holder, a second holder, a heating element positioned between the first holder and the second holder, biasing means for urging one of the first holder and the second holder away from the other of the first holder and the second holder, and a retention mechanism coupling the first holder and the second holder to the intake member within the passage. The retention mechanism includes first and second tabs coupled to the first holder and second holders which biasedly engage the intake member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jan P. Thimmesch, Chadwick P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6119665
    Abstract: A modular intake heater for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first holder, a second holder, a heating element positioned between the first and second holders, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first holder to the second holder to retain the heating element therebetween. In alternative embodiments of the invention the retainer mechanism includes a clip mechanism and a grommet lockingly engaging a bolt disposed within passages defined by the first and second holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Philips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick P. Anderson, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6073615
    Abstract: A modular intake heater is provided for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first heater subassembly, a second heater subassembly, an access panel coupled to an intake, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly to the access panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick P. Anderson, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6040557
    Abstract: An air intake for an internal combustion and a heater for use in the air intake includes a mounting flange, a frame coupled to the mounting flange and having a pair of opposed upright walls each defining an upstream face and a downstream face relative to a direction of airflow, a heating element assembly, and coupling means located on or between the upstream and downstream faces for connecting the heating element assembly to the frame and limiting movement of the heating element assembly relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Prust, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 6031204
    Abstract: A heater for an internal combustion engine includes a first holder, a second holder and a heating element positioned between the first and second holders. The heater further includes a frame defining a channel. The frame includes a plurality of prongs extending inwardly toward the channel that retain the holders in a first direction relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Prust, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 5992399
    Abstract: A modular intake heater is provided for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first heater subassembly, a second heater subassembly, an access panel coupled to an intake, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly to the access panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick P. Anderson, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 5988146
    Abstract: A modular intake heater for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first holder, a second holder, a heating element coupled to the first holder, biasing means for urging one of said first holder and said second holder away from the other of said first holder and said second holder, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first holder to the second holder against the urging of the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick P. Anderson, Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 5887575
    Abstract: A heating device for use in an internal combustion engine for heating the air entering the cylinder head from the intake manifold. The heating device includes a frame having a body defining an air intake opening and a hanger extending from the body. The heating device further includes a first resistance ribbon and a terminal assembly coupled to the frame, electrically connected to the first resistance ribbon and electrically connectable with a power source. Finally, the heating device includes securing means for coupling the first resistance ribbon to the hanger in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan P. Thimmesch, Bradley A. Hemish
  • Patent number: 5743242
    Abstract: A heating device for use in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine for heating the air/fuel mixture entering the cylinder head from the intake manifold. The heating device includes a frame or mounting member supporting an electric heating element having a plurality of resistance ribbons coupled to the mounting member by a plurality of mounting posts preferably formed by a plurality of threaded bolts. A power source may be electrically connected to one end of the heating element thereby providing an electric current which passes through the resistance ribbons. A securing arrangement, including a plurality of nuts threaded to cooperate with the threaded bolts and a plurality of conducting and insulating spacers disposable on the bolts, are provided to separate and rigidly couple the resistance ribbons to the mounting posts as a result of the compressive forces generated by the tightening of the bolts relative to the threaded nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 5595164
    Abstract: A heating device for use in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine for heating the airflow entering the cylinder head from the intake manifold. The improved heating device includes an electric heating element coupled to a frame which includes a perimeter mounting member and a recessed body portion. An aperture is formed in the recessed body portion to accommodate a terminal assembly that is adapted to pass through said aperture and a bore formed in the cylinder head. A power source may be electrically connected to the portion of the terminal assembly that extends beyond the cylinder head. The improved heating device allows the heating element to be recessed into the cylinder head thereby permitting the cylinder intake airflow to be heated without significantly increasing the distance between engine parts located above and below the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jan P. Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 4971576
    Abstract: A modular electrical power cord system that finds particular utility for use in truck engines having at least two engine block heaters. A primary cord is used with one of a plurality of different jumper cords whose length most closely matches the distance between the heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: Jan P. Thimmesch