Patents by Inventor Michael Hornby

Michael Hornby 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: 20240134186
    Abstract: A harsh environment sensor housing and cleaning system includes sensor enclosures with a rotationally symmetrical lens that can be cleaned in a lens washing space defined by the sensor enclosure. Each sensor enclosure includes a motor coupled to the lens to rotate the lens within the sensor enclosure, allowing a dirty portion of the lens move through the lens washing space for cleaning, and a clean portion of the lens to be placed in front of a sensor or camera within the sensor enclosure. A sensor enclosure and cleaning system incorporates a control unit, fluid control valves, a manifold, and fluid conduits to deliver wash fluid to each sensor housing. The fluid control valves have a reduced part count and can be used to control flow of liquids or gasses such as air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, Stephen Bugos
  • Publication number: 20240099966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to edible products and compositions for preparing edible products, particularly edible products suitable for use as confectionery and having therapeutic uses. In particular, it relates to products of the type referred to as gummies and jellies and to compositions and methods for the preparation thereof; and to their use as confectionery and in therapy, in particular in hydration therapies. We describe a gelling composition for preparing a gelled product. The gelling composition comprises or consists of Component A and Component B in a weight ratio of from 1:4 to 1.4:1. Component A comprises at least one rigid gel-forming agent and Component B comprises at least one flexibility modifier. In some examples, Component A and Component B are present in a weight ratio of from 1:4 to 1.5:1, or 1:3 to 1.5:1, or 3:4 to 4:3, or 4:5 to 5:4 or about 1:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Claudia ARNOLD, Nicholas Dorset HOOTON, Lewis Michael HORNBY, Dayna Paige JEFFERS, Michael FRETWELL
  • Patent number: 11873786
    Abstract: An axisymmetric injector hold-down load ring includes an annular body and an odd numbered plurality of resilient arms integrally extending from the annular body. Each resilient arm has a curvature concentric with the annular body and extends in a first circumferential direction along an outer periphery of the annular body an equal circumferential distance from a connection with the annular body to a free end. The free end of each resilient arm includes a contact surface facing axially opposite a first surface of the annular body, the contact surface of each resilient arm is axially offset from the first surface of the annular body an equal axial distance. This configuration positions the connections and contact surfaces in radial alignment so that force is transmitted along the resilient arms between the circumferentially spaced connections and contact surfaces when the load ring is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Stanadyne Operating Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, James Bennardi
  • Patent number: 11808232
    Abstract: A port fuel injection system includes a fuel pump configured to produce a flow of pressurized liquid fuel at a pressure between 10 and 50 bar. A fuel rail is connected to receive the flow of pressurized liquid fuel from the fuel pump, the fuel rail. A plurality of fuel injectors, including one fuel injector positioned in the intake port of each engine cylinder upstream of the intake valve for the engine cylinder are connected to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel rail. An engine control unit (ECU) receives signals from sensors on the internal combustion engine and is programmed to actuate the fuel injectors to deliver fuel to each engine cylinder over a full range of engine operating conditions. A port fuel injection system with high pressure and fast acting fuel injectors improves fuel delivery and performance over the full range of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Stanadyne LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, Stephen Bugos, Michael Kaput, Srinu Gunturu
  • Publication number: 20230243318
    Abstract: A port fuel injection system includes a fuel pump configured to produce a flow of pressurized liquid fuel at a pressure between 10 and 50 bar. A fuel rail is connected to receive the flow of pressurized liquid fuel from the fuel pump, the fuel rail. A plurality of fuel injectors, including one fuel injector positioned in the intake port of each engine cylinder upstream of the intake valve for the engine cylinder are connected to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel rail. An engine control unit (ECU) receives signals from sensors on the internal combustion engine and is programmed to actuate the fuel injectors to deliver fuel to each engine cylinder over a full range of engine operating conditions. A port fuel injection system with high pressure and fast acting fuel injectors improves fuel delivery and performance over the full range of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, Stephen Bugos, Michael Kaput, Srinu Gunturu
  • Patent number: 11655786
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve includes a coupling between an armature and the valve member that allows limited relative movement of the valve member and armature in both the opening and closing directions of the valve member. An injector body includes a non-magnetic section to focus magnetic flux and attractive force through the armature and pole. A modular power group reduces the cost of assembly and includes a plastic encapsulated coil that is protected from environmental moisture and corrosion. A valve seat incorporates a valve seal which improves fuel flow past the valve member when the fuel injection valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Stanadyne LLC
    Inventor: Michael Hornby
  • Publication number: 20230118234
    Abstract: An axisymmetric injector hold-down load ring includes an annular body and an odd numbered plurality of resilient arms integrally extending from the annular body. Each resilient arm has a curvature concentric with the annular body and extends in a first circumferential direction along an outer periphery of the annular body an equal circumferential distance from a connection with the annular body to a free end. The free end of each resilient arm includes a contact surface facing axially opposite a first surface of the annular body, the contact surface of each resilient arm is axially offset from the first surface of the annular body an equal axial distance. This configuration positions the connections and contact surfaces in radial alignment so that force is transmitted along the resilient arms between the circumferentially spaced connections and contact surfaces when the load ring is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, James Bennardi
  • Publication number: 20220381212
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve includes a coupling between an armature and the valve member that allows limited relative movement of the valve member and armature in both the opening and closing directions of the valve member. An injector body includes a non-magnetic section to focus magnetic flux and attractive force through the armature and pole. A modular power group reduces the cost of assembly and includes a plastic encapsulated coil that is protected from environmental moisture and corrosion. A valve seat incorporates a valve seal which improves fuel flow past the valve member when the fuel injection valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Hornby
  • Patent number: 9243596
    Abstract: A flow control valve (15) for a direct injection pump (10) has an inlet end (12), an inlet valve (26), a compression chamber (48), a pump piston (14), and an outlet (13). The valve (15) has a housing (16) and a non-electrically operated control plunger (22) movable within the housing. The control plunger engages with and disengages from the inlet valve to control opening and closing of the inlet valve. A spring (28) biases the control plunger away from the inlet valve. The pump and housing define port structure (38, 44) fluidly connecting the outlet with a volume (42) that communicates with the control plunger such that when fluid pressure at the outlet is greater than a certain value, the fluid pressure in the volume alone causes the control plunger to move against the spring and engage the inlet valve to hold the inlet valve in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, David Humblot
  • Publication number: 20140054394
    Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (RDU) delivers supplied reductant (aqueous urea solution) to the engine exhaust system. The delivered reductant is transformed into ammonia which then reacts with the exhaust oxides of nitrogen in a catalytic environment to produce nitrogen and H20. The reductant must be metered to coincide with the amount of NOx present in the exhaust, and also present sufficient spray quality of the delivered fluid to promote good mixing of the ammonia with the exhaust gas. The RDU is a liquid-cooled, making the RDU suitable for very high temperature environment applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Bugos, Michael Hornby, William Nicolaas Van Vuuren
  • Publication number: 20130061830
    Abstract: A flow control valve (15) for a direct injection pump (10) has an inlet end (12), an inlet valve (26), a compression chamber (48), a pump piston (14), and an outlet (13). The valve (15) has a housing (16) and a non-electrically operated control plunger (22) movable within the housing. The control plunger engages with and disengages from the inlet valve to control opening and closing of the inlet valve. A spring (28) biases the control plunger away from the inlet valve. The pump and housing define port structure (38, 44) fluidly connecting the outlet with a volume (42) that communicates with the control plunger such that when fluid pressure at the outlet is greater than a certain value, the fluid pressure in the volume alone causes the control plunger to move against the spring and engage the inlet valve to hold the inlet valve in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hornby, David Humblot
  • Patent number: 8024922
    Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (10) is provided for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (10) constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path (14) upstream of a SCR catalytic converter (17). The fluid injector has a fluid inlet (13) and a fluid outlet (15) with the fluid inlet being constructed and arranged to receive a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet being constructed and arranged to communicate directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. An interface (24) is constructed and arranged to couple the fluid injector to the gas flow path. The interface defines a thermal barrier constructed and arranged to decoupled a body of the injector from exposure to heat in the exhaust gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen Bugos, William Imoehl, Michael Hornby, Ray Wildeson, Olaf Graupner, David Cole
  • Publication number: 20080236147
    Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (10) is provided for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (10) constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path (14) upstream of a SCR catalytic converter (17). The fluid injector has a fluid inlet (13) and a fluid outlet (15) with the fluid inlet being constructed and arranged to receive a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet being constructed and arranged to communicate directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. An interface (24) is constructed and arranged to couple the fluid injector to the gas flow path. The interface defines a thermal barrier constructed and arranged to decoupled a body of the injector from exposure to heat in the exhaust gas flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Stephen Bugos, William Imoehl, Michael Hornby, Ray Wildeson, Olaf Graupner, David Cole
  • Publication number: 20080029199
    Abstract: Methods of forming a hermetic seal between fuel system components are provided. One of the methods can be achieved by passing a light beam through a wall of a polymeric member to an inner surface of the wall that surrounds an outer surface of a polymeric body and defines an internal passage for a flow of fuel; and welding the inner surface of the polymeric member to the outer surface of the polymeric body to provide a hermetic seal at the respective inner and outer surfaces against the flow of fuel. Another method can be achieved by disposing an adhesive on an inner surface of polymeric member that surrounds an outer surface of a polymeric body and defines an internal passage for a flow of fuel; and activating the adhesive to bond the polymeric member to the polymeric body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Hornby
  • Publication number: 20080022668
    Abstract: A dosing valve assembly is disclosed for administering a reducing agent into an exhaust stream from an internal combustion engine upstream of a catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. The dosing valve assembly includes a control valve coupled to a source of reducing agent, a delivery valve constructed and arranged for coupling to the exhaust stream to enable a quantity of reducing agent to be administered into the exhaust stream, and an elongated conduit connecting the control valve and delivery valve for fluidly communicating reducing agent from the control valve to the fuel delivery valve. The disclosed arrangement enables the control valve to be displaced from the delivery valve and thus away from the high temperature environment proximal to the exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Bugos, Michael Hornby
  • Publication number: 20070290447
    Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway, the pole piece having a through opening. The filter assembly has a portion disposed in the through opening of the pole piece. The coil assembly is disposed in the polymeric housing to surround the pole piece. The spring member is disposed partly in the pole piece and including a spring portion contiguous with the portion of the filter assembly. The armature assembly is disposed in the passageway in a first position having a first portion confronting the pole piece and in a second position having a closure member contiguous to an end face of the pole piece. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Hornby
  • Patent number: D950191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Jelly Drops Ltd.
    Inventors: Claudia Arnold, Nicholas Dorset Hooton, Lewis Michael Hornby
  • Patent number: D974183
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Claudia Arnold, Nicholas Dorset Hooton, Lewis Michael Hornby
  • Patent number: D1011204
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Jelly Drops Ltd.
    Inventors: Claudia Arnold, Lewis Michael Hornby, Nicholas Dorset Hooton
  • Patent number: D1022711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Jelly Drops Ltd.
    Inventors: Claudia Arnold, Lewis Michael Hornby, Nicholas Dorset Hooton