Patents by Inventor Patrick Durham
Patrick Durham 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).
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Patent number: 11996576Abstract: A high strength frame of a sealable containment system is provided for containing and protecting energy cells or batteries. The protection provided by the high strength frame provides impalement resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, and fluid penetration prevention. The frame includes a shock structure/energy absorber to protect the battery from forces during potential impacts with other vehicles or objects. The frame of a battery containment system is further designed to resist impalements in order to protect the batteries. Furthermore, because vehicle batteries are prone to extreme fire in the event of an impact or impalement, the containment system provides a sealed battery environment to keep fluid and moisture out during normal operation and to limit oxygen in the event of a battery fire.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Patrick Durham, Masatomo Teshima
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Patent number: 11865905Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a roof support structure removably attachable to a vehicle, the roof support structure including a plurality of vertically oriented supports and at least one horizontally oriented support. The at least one removable panel configured to engage with the roof support structure. The vehicle removable roof system formed of a light weight sandwich composite structure that affords a high gloss surface without resort to additional processing after production with improved moisture resistance and edges suitable for sealing the removable roof assembly to other vehicle components.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Durham, Yuhei Konagai, Yagi Yutaka, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Hugh Foran
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Publication number: 20230137099Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a fixed vehicle structure, one or more removable panels configured to engage with the fixed vehicle structure, and a water management system positioned between the one or more removable panels and the fixed vehicle structure. The removable panels may be formed of a composite sandwich panel assembly, which may include an open area core defining pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second side of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The removable panels are configured for installation to and removal from the fixed vehicle structure by a single user and without the use of tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Durham, Hugh Foran
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Patent number: 11628650Abstract: A composite sandwich panel assembly including an open area core, a high gloss surface sheet, and a structural skin. The open are core defines a plurality of pores and has a first face and an opposing second face. The high gloss surface sheet is adhered to the first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer. The high gloss surface sheet has a high gloss surface. The structural skin is adhered to the second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. A process for forming the composite sandwich panel assembly includes positioning the high gloss surface sheet, joining the first face of the open area core to the high gloss surface sheet with a first adhesive layer intermediate therebetween, and joining the structural skin to the second face of the open area core with a second adhesive layer intermediate therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Durham, Yuhei Konagai, Yutaka Yagi, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Hugh Foran
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Publication number: 20220242086Abstract: A vehicle component construct including a panel formed of a composite sandwich material. The composite sandwich material including an open area core defining a plurality of pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The exterior surface of the panel being defined by the high gloss surface sheet of the composite sandwich panel material and the oppositely opposed interior surface of the panel being defined by the structural skin of the composite sandwich material. The vehicle component construct being suitable for use as a body section of a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2020Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Patrick Durham
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Publication number: 20220234427Abstract: A vehicle component construct and process of making the same including a frame formed of a composite sandwich panel material and a window formed of a transparent resin within the frame. The composite sandwich panel material of the frame including an open area core defining a plurality of pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The frame defining a through opening that extends from an exterior surface of the frame to an oppositely opposed interior surface of the frame. The window being formed within the through opening of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Patrick Durham
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Publication number: 20220223947Abstract: A puncture resistant shield is provided for use with a battery containment system that is light weight and resistant to corrosion, while improving the safety performance of the battery containment system by providing greater impact and impalement protection as compared to conventional vehicle components. The puncture resistant shield also has utility in that it may be used with existing battery containment systems as an aftermarket installation to increase protection of the batteries contained therein or may be designed for use with new manufactured battery containment systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Continental Structure Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Patrick Durham, Masatomo Teshima
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Publication number: 20220063384Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a roof support structure removably attachable to a vehicle, the roof support structure including a plurality of vertically oriented supports and at least one horizontally oriented support. The at least one removable panel configured to engage with the roof support structure. The vehicle removable roof system formed of a light weight sandwich composite structure that affords a high gloss surface without resort to additional processing after production with improved moisture resistance and edges suitable for sealing the removable roof assembly to other vehicle components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Continental Structural Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Durham, Yuhei Konagai, Yagi Yutaka, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Hugh Foran
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Publication number: 20220024183Abstract: A composite sandwich panel assembly including an open area core, a high gloss surface sheet, and a structural skin. The open are core defines a plurality of pores and has a first face and an opposing second face. The high gloss surface sheet is adhered to the first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer. The high gloss surface sheet has a high gloss surface. The structural skin is adhered to the second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. A process for forming the composite sandwich panel assembly includes positioning the high gloss surface sheet, joining the first face of the open area core to the high gloss surface sheet with a first adhesive layer intermediate therebetween, and joining the structural skin to the second face of the open area core with a second adhesive layer intermediate therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: CONTINENTAL STRUCTURAL PLASTICS, INC.Inventors: Patrick Durham, Yuhei Konagai, Yutaka Yagi, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Hugh Foran
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Publication number: 20220006151Abstract: A high strength frame of a sealable containment system is provided for containing and protecting energy cells or batteries. The protection provided by the high strength frame provides impalement resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, and fluid penetration prevention. The frame includes a shock structure/energy absorber to protect the battery from forces during potential impacts with other vehicles or objects. The frame of a battery containment system is further designed to resist impalements in order to protect the batteries. Furthermore, because vehicle batteries are prone to extreme fire in the event of an impact or impalement, the containment system provides a sealed battery environment to keep fluid and moisture out during normal operation and to limit oxygen in the event of a battery fire.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Continental Structure Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Patrick Durham, Masatomo Teshima
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Publication number: 20220006150Abstract: A battery containment system is provided that includes a unitary battery tray having a bottom and walls that from the bottom of said tray and defining a cavity within the tray. A cover is includes having a cover body portion and a first flange extending from the cover body portion, the cover body portion configured to overlie the cavity within the tray and the walls of the tray, the first flange of said cover configured to extend beyond the walls of the tray. A shield having a shield body portion and a second flange extending from the shield body portion, the shield body portion is configured to underlie the bottom of the tray, the second flange of the shield is configured to extend beyond the bottom of the tray and configured to engage the first flange of the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Continental Structure Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Patrick Durham, Masatomo Teshima
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Patent number: 10502299Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis and made of metallic material, and a plurality of turbine blades. The turbine shell member has an axially inner peripheral surface and an axially outer peripheral surface axially opposite to the axially inner peripheral surface. The turbine blades extend from the axially inner peripheral surface of the turbine shell member. The turbine blades are made of polymeric material as a single-piece component and are directly non-moveably secured to the turbine shell member.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Valeo Kapec Co., Ltd.Inventor: Patrick Durham
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Publication number: 20190301579Abstract: An impeller assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The impeller assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular impeller wheel coaxial with the rotational axis, and an annular impeller hub made of metallic material and non-rotatably coupled to the impeller wheel. The impeller wheel is made of polymeric material as a single-piece component including an annular impeller shell member and a plurality of turbine blade members axially inwardly extending from the impeller shell member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Xuexian YIN, Alexandre DEPRAETE, Patrick DURHAM
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Publication number: 20190301580Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis and made of metallic material, and a plurality of turbine blades. The turbine shell member has an axially inner peripheral surface and an axially outer peripheral surface axially opposite to the axially inner peripheral surface. The turbine blades extend from the axially inner peripheral surface of the turbine shell member. The turbine blades are made of polymeric material as a single-piece component and are directly non-moveably secured to the turbine shell member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventor: Patrick DURHAM
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Patent number: 10288144Abstract: A torque transmitting device comprising a torque input element (17a, 17b) and a torque output element (8) able to pivot about an axis (X) with respect to one another, at least one elastic leaf (22), rotationally coupled to the torque output element (8) or to the torque input element (17a, 17b) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to be elastically and radially held torest on a supporting member (18) carried by the torque input element (17a, 17b) or the torque output element (8) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to bend upon rotation of the torque input element (17a, 17b) with respect to the torque input element (8).Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Valeo EmbrayagesInventors: Patrick Durham, Daniel Fenioux
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Publication number: 20190072165Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of a hydrokinetic torque-coupling device. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member including a first side plate and a supporting member mounted to the first side plate, and a radially elastic member elastically coupled to the input member. The radially elastic member includes a central part and an elastic blade formed separately from the central part. The central part has a mounting portion. The elastic blade has a connection portion, a free distal end and a curved raceway portion disposed between the connection portion and the distal end. The connection portion of the elastic blade is non-rotatably connected to the mounting portion of the central part. The curved raceway portion of the elastic blade is configured to elastically engage the supporting member and to elastically bend in the radial direction upon rotation of the input member with respect to the radially elastic member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Xuexian YIN, Antoine CANTENOT, Patrick DURHAM
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Patent number: 10180182Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter including a secondary piston for purposes of enhancing operation of the lock-up feature, and the method of operating such a converter. The secondary piston moves axially behind the turbine-piston to urge respective lock-up clutch friction surfaces into phased engagement. In an initial phase of engagement, friction surfaces between the secondary piston and turbine-piston engage to begin the reduction of relative rotary motion between the converter impeller and turbine-piston. This initial phase of slowing relative movement between the impeller and turbine-piston reduces pressure within the torus and the associated fluid forces separating the friction surfaces of the lock-up clutch. The secondary piston also slows and eliminates fluid flow from within the torus past the lock-up clutch and further reduces engagement resistance of the lock-up clutch owing to the lessening fluid pressure and flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: VALEO EMBRAYAGESInventors: Patrick Durham, Xuexian Yin, Gyubong Jeon, Alexandre Depraete, Neil Godin
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Publication number: 20180363727Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a torque input member including a radially oriented first side plate and at least one supporting member mounted thereto, and a unitary radially resilient output member elastically coupled to the torque input member. The resilient output member includes at least one elastic blade configured to elastically and radially engage the at least one supporting member. The elastic blade has a raceway is configured to bear the at least one supporting member. The at least one elastic blade and a blade insert non-moveably secured to the main body. The blade insert radially engages the at least one supporting member. The raceway is defined by a radially outer surface of the blade insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventor: Patrick DURHAM
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Patent number: 10113624Abstract: A torque-coupling device for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque-coupling device comprises a casing having a locking surface, a torque converter, a locking piston having an engagement surface axially movable to and from the locking surface of the casing and a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a torque input member and a unitary radially elastic output member elastically coupled to the torque input member. The torque input member includes a radially oriented first retainer plate and at least one supporting member mounted thereto. The output member includes an output hub and an elastic leaf configured to elastically engage the supporting member upon rotation of the first retainer plate with respect to the output member. The output hub is configured for directly and non-rotatably engaging a driven shaft. The locking piston is non-rotatably connected to the torque input member of the torsional vibration damper.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Valeo EmbrayagesInventors: Xuexian Yin, Alexandre Depraete, Patrick Durham
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Patent number: 10100909Abstract: A torque transmission device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprises a torque input element (15, 17) and a torque output element (8) configured to pivot about an axis (X) with respect to one another, at least one elastic leaf (22), rotationally coupled to the torque output element (8) or to the torque input element (15, 17) respectively. The at least one elastic leaf (22) is configured to elastically and radially engage a supporting member (18) carried by the torque input element (15, 17) or the torque output element (8) respectively. The at least one elastic leaf (22) is configured to bend upon rotation of the torque input element (15, 17) with respect to the torque input element (8).Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Valeo EmbrayagesInventor: Patrick Durham