Patents by Inventor Thomas Edward Smith

Thomas Edward Smith 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: 8800518
    Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to slide over the tabs squeezing the tabs together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 8794203
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover, and a gasket are disclosed for sealing a cylinder head and isolating cylinder head vibrations from a cylinder head cover body. An example cylinder head cover may include a gasket having an elongate first gasket part and a flexible second gasket part sealingly coupled with the first gasket part along a length of the first gasket part. A bottom carrier may be configured to hold the first gasket part against a cylinder head for sealing engagement with the cylinder head. In addition a cover body may be configured to provide a covering surface sealingly coupled with the second gasket part at a spaced apart distance from the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20140048053
    Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow in a conduit external to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary David Liimatta, Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 8607768
    Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Acierno Valencia, Thomas Edward Smith, Roy Ford
  • Patent number: 8567375
    Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow in a conduit external to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary David Liimatta, Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Publication number: 20120291745
    Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 8256395
    Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 8141531
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover, a system, and a method are disclosed for sealing a cylinder head and isolating cylinder head vibrations from a cylinder head cover body. An example cylinder head cover may include a bottom carrier having a first end configured to be disposed in sealing engagement with a cylinder head. The bottom carrier may also have a second end. A cover body may be configured to provide a covering surface, and may have a side wall extending toward the cylinder head. A resilient joining element may connect the bottom carrier second end to an edge of the cover body side wall in sealing engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Abdelkrim Zouani
  • Publication number: 20120048249
    Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow in a conduit external to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary David Liimatta, Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Publication number: 20120048248
    Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Acierno Valencia, Thomas Edward Smith, Roy Ford
  • Publication number: 20120024256
    Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to slide over the tabs squeezing the tabs together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 8065983
    Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine which has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil is disclosed. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to be slid over the tabs by them squeezing together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Publication number: 20110000455
    Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine which has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil is disclosed. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to be slid over the tabs by them squeezing together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Publication number: 20110000456
    Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Publication number: 20100109258
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover, and a gasket are disclosed for sealing a cylinder head and isolating cylinder head vibrations from a cylinder head cover body. An example cylinder head cover may include a gasket having an elongate first gasket part and a flexible second gasket part sealingly coupled with the first gasket part along a length of the first gasket part. A bottom carrier may be configured to hold the first gasket part against a cylinder head for sealing engagement with the cylinder head. In addition a cover body may be configured to provide a covering surface sealingly coupled with the second gasket part at a spaced apart distance from the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20100037848
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover, a system, and a method are disclosed for sealing a cylinder head and isolating cylinder head vibrations from a cylinder head cover body. An example cylinder head cover may include a bottom carrier having a first end configured to be disposed in sealing engagement with a cylinder head. The bottom carrier may also have a second end. A cover body may be configured to provide a covering surface, and may have a side wall extending toward the cylinder head. A resilient joining element may connect the bottom carrier second end to an edge of the cover body side wall in sealing engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Abdelkrim Zouani
  • Patent number: 6476534
    Abstract: A motor has a rotor for controlling a parameter of an instrumentality, such as a blade or a blade flap. The rotor is positioned about the drive shaft of the instrumentality and rotates at the same average angular velocity of the drive shaft. The instrumentality is controlled by applying to the instrumentality a physical displacement signal that is generated by the phase relationship of the rotor of the motor with respect to the angular position of the drive shaft. A plurality of permanent magnets proximate the periphery of the rotor cooperate with a plurality of stator polepieces and electromagnetic coils. The current flowing through the coils is reversed each time that the rotor advances by the angular space of one permanent magnetic pole. The strength and polarity of the current flowing through the coils controls the direction and displacement of the rotor with respect to a neutral phasing of the rotor with respect to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Edward Vanderbeck, Gregory Weston Terpay, Ka-Shu Lee, George Gustave Zipfel, Victor G. Mishkevich, Thomas Edward Smith, Jr.