Patents by Inventor Robert M. Melby

Robert M. Melby 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: 8985198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a charge air cooler for transferring heat between a coolant and charge air including a charge air inlet tank, a charge air outlet tank spaced from the inlet tank, a housing connecting the inlet and outlet tanks to define a charge air flow path from the inlet tank to the outlet tank, and a plurality of plate pairs extending into the charge air flow path from, and substantially perpendicular to, a first wall of the housing. Each of the plate pairs can define a multi-pass path for the coolant. Elongated spacers can be positioned between adjacent plate pairs to define the first wall of the housing. The housing can include a second wall opposite the first wall, and the plate pairs can be spaced away from the second wall in order to accommodate differences in thermal expansion between the plate pairs and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jason J. Braun, Kevin G. Clabots, Be A. Ware, Joey D. Brown, David E. Janke, Robert M. Melby
  • Patent number: 7992628
    Abstract: A liquid cooled charge air cooler includes a plurality of pairs of adjacent separator plates supported in parallel spaced relation. The pairs alternatingly define a first set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a charge air inlet and a charge air outlet, and a second set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. Fins extend between adjacent plates of the first set of adjacent pairs to define a charge air flow path between the charge air inlet and the charge air outlet. A plurality of dams extend between adjacent plates of the second set of adjacent pairs in a select offset configuration to define a multi-pass coolant flow path between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet. Each dam includes an associated bypass port allowing a portion of coolant to bypass at least a portion of the coolant flow path through the dams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Melby, Jason J. Braun, Thomas J. Reiss, David E. Janke
  • Publication number: 20100096101
    Abstract: The present invention provides a charge air cooler for transferring heat between a coolant and charge air including a charge air inlet tank, a charge air outlet tank spaced from the inlet tank, a housing connecting the inlet and outlet tanks to define a charge air flow path from the inlet tank to the outlet tank, and a plurality of plate pairs extending into the charge air flow path from, and substantially perpendicular to, a first wall of the housing. Each of the plate pairs can define a multi-pass path for the coolant. Elongated spacers can be positioned between adjacent plate pairs to define the first wall of the housing. The housing can include a second wall opposite the first wall, and the plate pairs can be spaced away from the second wall in order to accommodate differences in thermal expansion between the plate pairs and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jason J. Braun, Kevin G. Clabots, Be A. Ware, Joey D. Brown, David E. Janke, Robert M. Melby
  • Publication number: 20080041556
    Abstract: The present invention provides a charge air cooler for transferring heat between a coolant and charge air including a charge air inlet tank, a charge air outlet tank spaced from the inlet tank, and a heat exchange core positioned between the inlet and outlet tanks and including a stack of plate pairs. Each of the plate pairs can define a multi-pass path for the coolant. Elongated spacers can be positioned between adjacent plate pairs and extend between the inlet tank and the outlet tank on opposite sides of the heat exchange core to define flow paths for the charge air through the heat exchange core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MODINE MANUFACUTRING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason J. Braun, David E. Janke, Robert M. Melby