Patents by Inventor Kathleen D. Murphy

Kathleen D. Murphy 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: 6890222
    Abstract: An electrical connection is achieved via crimping a conventional terminal about a solid conductor. The terminal has first and second wings projecting laterally outward and in opposite directions from a base portion. An inner surface of the base portion is in electrical contact with the conductor side opposite the groove, and the outreaching wings are curled about the conductor and extend into the groove. An outer surface, opposite the inner surface, of the first and second wings engage each other within the groove to prevent spring-back of the wings out of the groove thereby assuring structural mechanical integrity of the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Serbin, Michael M. Fiorino, Kathleen D. Murphy, Bruce S. Gump
  • Patent number: 6758687
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6607393
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Richard M. Fetcenko, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy, Max F. Viney, Jr., Christopher E. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030148661
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20030143892
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20020132534
    Abstract: An electrical connection is achieved via crimping a conventional terminal about a solid conductor. The terminal has first and second wings projecting laterally outward and in opposite directions from a base portion. An inner surface of the base portion is in electrical contact with the conductor side opposite the groove, and the outreaching wings are curled about the conductor and extend into the groove. An outer surface, opposite the inner surface, of the first and second wings engage each other within the groove to prevent spring-back of the wings out of the groove thereby assuring structural mechanical integrity of the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce J. Serbin, Michael M. Fiorino, Kathleen D. Murphy, Bruce S. Gump
  • Publication number: 20020063025
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Richard M. Fetcenko, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy, Max F. Viney, Christopher E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6379162
    Abstract: A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kent Raypole, Richard M. Fetcenko, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Kathleen D. Murphy, Max F. Viney, Jr., Christopher E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6036500
    Abstract: An electrical connection system for interfacing with an end portion of a strut rod, wherein the electrical connection therebetween is sealed against environmental degradation and is unaffected by vehicular vibration, and wherein the electrical connection system is easily installed and easily serviced. A connector includes a connector shell having an upper end and an opposite lower end; an insert which carries a ground terminal and a power terminal within the connector shell; a lock ring which interfaces connectably with the connector shell to provide anchorage with the end portion of the strut rod; and seals at the upper and lower ends of the connector shell. The ground terminal connects with a ground cable and resiliently clips onto a smooth section of the end portion of the strut rod, wherein the strut rod serves as the ground conduit. The power terminal is connected with a power cable and abuts a pin axially resident in the strut rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Eugene Francis, Kathleen D. Murphy, Christopher Adrian Margrave, Gregory Larry Bensing, William Gilbert Strang
  • Patent number: 6007345
    Abstract: A damper and electrical connector system wherein the damper includes a ring mounting element having a base portion attached to a housing of the damper and a hole extending through the base portion and communicating with an interior chamber of the housing. A slot is formed through a side of the ring mounting element and communicates with the hole in the base. The electrical connector includes an end inserted through the slot and a power terminal extends through the hole formed in the base and makes electrical connection with an element requiring electrical power that is carried in the housing. Preferably the electrical connector also includes a ground terminal which makes electrical contact with the ring mounting element. A vehicle mounting rod is inserted through the ring mount to hold the connector in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Francis, Kathleen D. Murphy, John David Fehring, Tad Vincent Machrowicz, Frank M. Robinson, Steven Kent Raypole
  • Patent number: 5848814
    Abstract: A single piece seal that functions both as a seal and a spring. The single piece seal includes a central bore for receiving a communication line such as a wire or a fiber optic cable. The single piece seal also includes a first and second radial sealing ring, and at least a first axial compression portion between the first and second rings. Preferably the seal includes a second and third compression portions each extending from an outer edge of the first and second rings respectively. Each of the rings may have and radial thickness which is 25% or more greater than the radial thickness of the first axial compression portion, and each of the rings may have an axial length which is 50% or more of the axial length of the first axial compression portion. Preferably the second and third compression portions have an axial length which is at least twice that of either of the rings. Each end of the seal have tapered counter bores communicating with the central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Nadasky, Kathleen D. Murphy