Patents by Inventor NEIL A. WALKOWSKI

NEIL A. WALKOWSKI 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: 10551099
    Abstract: An evaporator may be provided comprising a manifold, a plurality of micro-channel passageways, a distributor, and a separator. The manifold may comprise a shell defining a cavity. The plurality of micro-channel passageways may extend outwardly from the shell of the manifold, wherein the cavity may be in fluid communication with the plurality of micro-channel passageways. The distributor may comprise an inlet, an elongated body extending into the cavity of the manifold and defining a lumen, and a plurality of openings arranged on an outer surface of the elongated body and spaced along a length of the elongated body, wherein the openings may be configured to allow fluid communication between the lumen and the cavity of the manifold. The separator may be positioned between the plurality of openings within the cavity of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Donald R Pautler, Douglas C Wintersteen, Neil A Walkowski, Longhu Li, Wayne O Forrest, Shrikant M Joshi
  • Patent number: 10465996
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly having a manifold, a partition member inserted into the interior cavity of the manifold through an open end such that the partition member cooperates with the interior surface of the manifold to partition the interior cavity into a manifold chamber and a distributor/collector chamber. The partition member and distributor/collector chamber function together as a distributor/collector tube within the manifold. The partition member includes a plurality of orifices along a length of the partition member, two opposite facing flange portions along the length of the partition member, a bulkhead panel extending from an end of the partition member adjacent the open end of the manifold, and a spring locator tab panel extending from an end of the partition member opposite of the bulk head panel, wherein the spring locator tab panel is biased against the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Douglas C. Wintersteen, Donald R. Pautler, Bruce W. Dittly, Neil A. Walkowski, Longhu Li, Silas G. Goma
  • Patent number: 10126065
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly having a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, and a plurality of refrigerant tubes in hydraulic communication with the first manifold and the second manifold. The second manifold includes a first end, a second end opposite from the first end, and a refrigerant inlet adjacent the first end. The plurality of refrigerant tubes includes tube ports. A portion of the tube ports are selectively obstructed such that a refrigerant entering into the second manifold through the refrigerant inlet flows substantially uniformly across the plurality of refrigerant tubes from the second manifold to the first manifold. At least one of the obstructed tube ports includes an inserted sliver of braze amendable material, pinched closed, or formed by inserting a pin of reduced diameter into the selected ports and then squeezing the port from the outside to size it and then removing the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Donald R. Pautler, Douglas C. Wintersteen, Neil A. Walkowski, Longhu Li, Wayne O. Forrest, Shrikant M. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20170227264
    Abstract: An evaporator may be provided comprising a manifold, a plurality of micro-channel passageways, a distributor, and a separator. The manifold may comprise a shell defining a cavity. The plurality of micro-channel passageways may extend outwardly from the shell of the manifold, wherein the cavity may be in fluid communication with the plurality of micro-channel passageways. The distributor may comprise an inlet, an elongated body extending into the cavity of the manifold and defining a lumen, and a plurality of openings arranged on an outer surface of the elongated body and spaced along a length of the elongated body, wherein the openings may be configured to allow fluid communication between the lumen and the cavity of the manifold. The separator may be positioned between the plurality of openings within the cavity of the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Pautler, Douglas C. Wintersteen, Neil A. Walkowski, Longhu Li, Wayne O. Forrest, Shrikant M. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20160370119
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly having a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, and a plurality of refrigerant tubes in hydraulic communication with the first manifold and the second manifold. The second manifold includes a first end, a second end opposite from the first end, and a refrigerant inlet adjacent the first end. The plurality of refrigerant tubes includes tube ports. A portion of the tube ports are selectively obstructed such that a refrigerant entering into the second manifold through the refrigerant inlet flows substantially uniformly across the plurality of refrigerant tubes from the second manifold to the first manifold. At least one of the obstructed tube ports includes an inserted sliver of braze amendable material, pinched closed, or formed by inserting a pin of reduced diameter into the selected ports and then squeezing the port from the outside to size it and then removing the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: DONALD R. PAUTLER, DOUGLAS C. WINTERSTEEN, NEIL A. WALKOWSKI, LONGHU LI, WAYNE O. FORREST, SHRIKANT M. JOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160363392
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly having a manifold, a partition member inserted into the interior cavity of the manifold through an open end such that the partition member cooperates with the interior surface of the manifold to partition the interior cavity into a manifold chamber and a distributor/collector chamber. The partition member and distributor/collector chamber functions together as a distributor/collector tube within the manifold. The partition member includes a plurality of orifices along a length of the partition member, two opposite facing flange portions along the length of the partition member, a bulkhead panel extending from an end of the partition member adjacent the open end of the manifold, and a spring locator tab panel extending from an end of the partition member opposite of the bulk head panel, wherein the spring locator tab panel is biased against the closed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: DOUGLAS C. WINTERSTTEN, DONALD R. PAUTLER, BRUCE W. DITTLY, NEIL A. WALKOWSKI, LONGHU LI, SILAS G. GOMA