Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Braun

Matthew A. Braun 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).

  • Publication number: 20200149316
    Abstract: A smart cable lock is provided that is configured to mechanically secure items and provide an automatic determination that securing is achieved. The smart cable may be integrated into a vehicle, or otherwise may communicate with a vehicle. The vehicle includes one or more ports configured to house the cable when not in use. In some embodiments, an accessory includes one or more ports configured to engage with the connector. In some embodiments, the cable is affixed to the vehicle at one end, using a retractor, for example, and can be unspooled, intertwined with equipment, and then secured to a port on the vehicle. The smart cable lock secures and releases a latch based on user indications and authorizations. For example, if the cable is destroyed or damaged, or an unauthorized indication is made, the cable lock system may sound an alarm, or otherwise alert the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Larry Parker, Matthew Braun, Christian Elder
  • Publication number: 20190293046
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of maintaining an engine speed below a first threshold, includes: (a) determining an engine speed; (b) comparing the engine speed to a second threshold that is less than the first threshold; (c) allowing an engine ignition event to occur during a subsequent engine cycle if the engine speed is less than the second threshold; and (d) skipping at least one subsequent engine ignition event if the engine speed is greater than the second threshold. In at least some implementations, the second threshold is less than the first threshold by a maximum acceleration of the engine after one ignition event so that an ignition event when the engine speed is less than the second threshold does not cause the engine speed to increase above the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Matthew A. Braun, Cyrus M. Healy, Shunya Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9989016
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fuel-air mixture to an engine is provided. The apparatus includes: a carburetor having one or more passages and one or more chambers, wherein at least some of the passages and chambers are in communication with one another; and a fluid pump communicated with the carburetor and pumping fluid into or out of the carburetor to influence an fuel-to-air ratio of a fuel and air mixture delivered from the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventor: Matthew A. Braun
  • Publication number: 20170370328
    Abstract: A carburetor with a body with a cavity in which an adjustable fuel valve is received. To inhibit access to and manual adjustment of the valve, a cover may overlay at least a portion of the adjustable valve. In some forms, a releasable lock plate may be received between the cover and the adjustable valve. Specialty tools may release the lock plate and adjust the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Eric L. King
  • Patent number: 9677506
    Abstract: A carburetor provides a supplemental fuel supply to an engine and includes a body, a fuel metering diaphragm and a fluid pump. The fuel metering diaphragm defines part of a fuel metering chamber and a reference chamber and has at least a portion that is movable relative to the body to increase and decrease the volume of the fuel metering chamber to control fuel flow in the fuel metering chamber. The fluid pump is carried by the carburetor or another component upstream of the carburetor and has an outlet in fluid communication with the metering reference chamber and an actuator arranged to discharge fluid through the outlet to increase the pressure within the metering reference chamber and thereby increase the fuel flow rate from the fuel metering chamber to the air-fuel passage to provide a supplemental fuel supply to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Bostian, Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20170104807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remote control of computers and computing devices, such as tablets and mobile phones, including control software run on a control device, and a client application running on one or more controlled devices in network communication with the control device. The control device can be used to selectably lock or otherwise control the controlled device from further usage. In some examples, the systems and methods include multiple controlled devices. In some further examples, the systems and methods include a third-party provider that stores user credential information and generates corresponding external IDs, and both the control software and client application query the third-party provider upon startup to validate that the controlling user is authorized to lock the controlled devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Braun, Maria Braun
  • Publication number: 20160040628
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fuel-air mixture to an engine is provided. The apparatus includes: a carburetor having one or more passages and one or more chambers, wherein at least some of the passages and chambers are in communication with one another, and a fluid pump communicated with the carburetor and pumping fluid into or out of the carburetor to influence an fuel-to-air ratio of a fuel and air mixture delivered from the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Braun
  • Publication number: 20150184616
    Abstract: A carburetor provides a supplemental fuel supply to an engine and includes a body, a fuel metering diaphragm and a fluid pump. The fuel metering diaphragm defines part of a fuel metering chamber and a reference chamber and has at least a portion that is movable relative to the body to increase and decrease the volume of the fuel metering chamber to control fuel flow in the fuel metering chamber. The fluid pump is carried by the carburetor or another component upstream of the carburetor and has an outlet in fluid communication with the metering reference chamber and an actuator arranged to discharge fluid through the outlet to increase the pressure within the metering reference chamber and thereby increase the fuel flow rate from the fuel metering chamber to the air-fuel passage to provide a supplemental fuel supply to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Scott D. Bostian, Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Patent number: 9027910
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor having a fuel metering system including a diaphragm assembly that moves in response to pressure changes in a metering chamber to actuate a metering valve may include a flexible diaphragm adapted to carried by a body of the carburetor at a periphery to define part of the metering chamber. The portion of the diaphragm that defines part of the metering chamber defines a chamber projected area of the diaphragm. A backing plate is attached to the flexible diaphragm and arranged to be located outside the metering chamber. The backing plate having an outer perimeter defining a plate projected area, wherein an area ratio of the plate projected area to the chamber projected area is greater than about 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20140261329
    Abstract: A fuel and air supply device for an engine includes a carburetor having a fuel metering assembly with a fuel metering diaphragm defining at least part of a reference chamber, a scavenging air assembly including an air passage and an air valve moveable within the passage to alter air flow through the air passage, and a reference passage. The reference passage communicates at one end with the air passage upstream of the air valve and at its other end with the reference chamber to provide a reference air signal through the reference passage to the reference chamber. The reference air signal, in at least some implementations, is taken from a location downstream of an air filter and any other components so it is representative of the air flow at the air valve and accounts for restrictions to air flow caused upstream of the air valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Patent number: 8757121
    Abstract: Supply of supplementary fuel is controlled through a supplementary fuel supply passage in a carburetor to an engine according to a variety of methods and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns, Gerald J. LeMarr, Jr., Brent N. Schermerhorn, Mikio Sato, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130234345
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor having a fuel metering system including a diaphragm assembly that moves in response to pressure changes in a metering chamber to actuate a metering valve may include a flexible diaphragm adapted to carried by a body of the carburetor at a periphery to define part of the metering chamber. The portion of the diaphragm that defines part of the metering chamber defines a chamber projected area of the diaphragm. A backing plate is attached to the flexible diaphragm and arranged to be located outside the metering chamber. The backing plate having an outer perimeter defining a plate projected area, wherein an area ratio of the plate projected area to the chamber projected area is greater than about 0.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Patent number: 7467785
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a fuel and air mixing passage with a throttle valve therein, and a bore with a valve therein defining in part a valve actuation chamber and a separate fuel and air mixing chamber in communication with the fuel and air mixing passage at a location downstream of the throttle valve. A fuel passage and an air passage are in communication with the fuel and air mixing chamber. A purge apparatus is in communication with the valve actuation chamber and is operable to move the valve to an open position to open the fuel and air passages to the fuel and air mixing chamber such that a fuel and air mixture may flow from the fuel and air mixing chamber to the fuel and air mixing passage downstream of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Braun
  • Publication number: 20080061454
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a fuel and air mixing passage with a throttle valve therein, and a bore with a valve therein defining in part a valve actuation chamber and a separate fuel and air mixing chamber in communication with the fuel and air mixing passage at a location downstream of the throttle valve. A fuel passage and an air passage are in communication with the fuel and air mixing chamber. A purge apparatus is in communication with the valve actuation chamber and is operable to move the valve to an open position to open the fuel and air passages to the fuel and air mixing chamber such that a fuel and air mixture may flow from the fuel and air mixing chamber to the fuel and air mixing passage downstream of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew A. Braun
  • Publication number: 20070060618
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to isotopically labeled alkyne derivative compounds, particularly 11C, 13C, 14C, 18F, 15O, 13N, 35S, 2H, and 3H labeled compounds. In particular, the present invention is directed to 11C, 13C, 14C, 18F, 15O, 13N, 35S, 2H, and 3H labeled heterocyclic alkynes and methods of their preparation. The present invention further includes a method of use of the 11C, 18F, 15O, or 13N labeled heterocyclic alkyne compounds as tracers in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, particularly in the study of metabolic conditions in mammals, specifically conditions modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors subtype 5 (mGluR5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas David Cosford, Steven Govck, Terence Hamill, Theodore Kamenecka, Thomas Seiders, Jeffrey Roppe, Celine Bonnefous, Donald Burns, Matthew Braun, Dennis Dean, Joseph Simeone
  • Patent number: 7097165
    Abstract: A carburetor fuel valve adjustment and limiter assembly for a combustion engine limits the maximum and minimum fuel amounts delivered through the valve of the carburetor. A needle valve of the adjustment and limiter assembly cooperates with a collar and pin generally located axially inward of an enlarged valve head. The collar of the limiter assembly is arranged telescopically with a valve shaft and yieldably biased to lock to the head when moved in an axially outward direction. When locked, and upon rotation of the valve, first and second stops carried by the collar are arranged to bear on a stationary pin carried by a carburetor body. During manufacture, the collar can be pushed axially inward against the bias of a spring to disengage the collar from the head to permit rotation of the needle valve while the collar remains stationary for unlimited adjustment of the needle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Braun
  • Patent number: 6715738
    Abstract: A fuel-air mixture control apparatus for adjusting the mixture of fuel and air that a carburetor provides to an internal combustion engine. A mixing passage provides a fuel-air mixture to one or more combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. A main fuel supply passage provides fluid communication between a fuel source and the mixing passage through a main fuel nozzle. An idle fuel supply passage provides fluid communication between a fuel source and the mixing passage through an idle fuel nozzle. An idle fuel ratio control valve adjusts the proportion of fuel drawn into the mixing passage through the idle fuel supply passage to the flow rate of air drawn into the mixing passage. The idle fuel supply passage is in fluid communication with the main fuel nozzle. Vacuum pressure induced by flow rates across the main fuel nozzle, which exceed a predetermined flow rate, precludes idle fuel flow into the mixing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Masatoshi Endo, David L. Speirs
  • Publication number: 20040056369
    Abstract: A fuel-air mixture control apparatus for adjusting the mixture of fuel and air that a carburetor provides to an internal combustion engine. A mixing passage provides a fuel-air mixture to one or more combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. A main fuel supply passage provides fluid communication between a fuel source and the mixing passage through a main fuel nozzle. An idle fuel supply passage provides fluid communication between a fuel source and the mixing passage through an idle fuel nozzle. An idle fuel ratio control valve adjusts the proportion of fuel drawn into the mixing passage through the idle fuel supply passage to the flow rate of air drawn into the mixing passage. The idle fuel supply passage is in fluid communication with the main fuel nozzle. Vacuum pressure induced by flow rates across the main fuel nozzle, which exceed a predetermined flow rate, precludes idle fuel flow into the mixing passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Masatoshi Endo, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: D880177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Braun, Stephen Goodrich
  • Patent number: D881090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Braun