Patents Represented by Law Firm Lyon & Artz
-
Patent number: 6178956Abstract: An automotive fluid control system with pressure balanced solenoid valve [24] and fluid mixing housing [22] is disclosed. The solenoid valve [24] is preferably used in an EGR (exhaust gas circulation) fluid control system, although the valve may be used in other vehicle fluid control systems, such as an engine block cooling liquid control system. A poppet member [84] of an EGR valve is pressured balanced such that only a light spring [170] and armature [88] are needed to control the positioning of the poppet member [84]. Magnetic and inductance sensors [184, 282] are used to accurately determine the position of the poppet member. The fluid mixing housing [22] homogeneously mixes first and second fluids. A portion of a main first fluid flow is funneled off and mixed in the housing [22] with a second fluid prior to being returned to the main fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Christian Steinmann, Michael J. Covey, Thomas D. Herrington, Michael T. Clark, John W. Dillon, Steven J. Roskowski, Keith D. Marsh
-
Patent number: 6117396Abstract: Provided is a liquid dispensing device for delivering defined volumes comprising (a) a reagent fill channel, (b) one or more metering capillaries connected to the reagent fill channel and having an exit, and (c) one or more sources of gas connected to the reagent fill channel, wherein after filing the one or more metering capillaries the reagent fill channel can be drained of liquid while liquid is retained in the one or more metering capillaries, and the source of gas can be operated to eject the liquid in the metering capillaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Orchid Biocomputer, Inc.Inventor: Robert Richard Demers
-
Patent number: 5980114Abstract: An improved thrust bearing has a shaft with a runner coupled to the end of the shaft. The runner has a first sealing face that extends radially from the shaft. A bearing has a fluid passage for supplying fluid to a fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir may be in the runner or in the bearing. The bearing has a second sealing face opposite the first sealing face of the runner. The first sealing face has a recess that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. Fluid from the fluid reservoir flows into the recess during rotation of the runner. As the shaft and the runner rotates, fluid from the recess deposits between the first sealing face and the second sealing face to lubricate the surface. The recess preferably has a pocket portion and a wedge portion. The wedge portion is in fluid communication with the pocket portion. As the shaft rotates in a predetermined direction, the pocket portion is on the leading edge of rotation of the recess. The pocket is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5971122Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch assembly with wide biasing springs. The assembly has an inner race with a plurality of notches, an outer race with a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of pawl members positioned in the pockets for engagement with the notches. Spring members which extend the axial width of the pawl members provide tilting forces on the pawl members toward engagement.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Daniel P. Costin, James R. Papania, Duane A. Bacon
-
Patent number: 5966581Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal by a cold worked powdered metal forging process is disclosed. A certain amount of a powdered metal is measured out and then compacted into a briquette or other compact. The briquette is then sintered to form a preform. After sintering, the preform is then cold worked to increase its strength. After cold working, the preform is forged to form the desired part. The resultant part has improved fatigue life, surface finish, and metallurgical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1996Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Jack E. Pederson, Hayward P. Summers
-
Patent number: 5954608Abstract: A drive speed control system having an input shaft and an output shaft in communication with a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism is in communication with a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member which is positioned radially inward relative to the first rotatable drum member. A first annular inflatable member is positioned radially outwardly of the first rotatable drum member and a second annular inflatable member is positioned radially between the first and second rotatable drum members. The first and second annular inflatable members are in communication with a control system to cause the inflation of the first annular inflatable member to inhibit rotation of the first rotatable drum member and to cause inflation of the second annular inflatable member, when the first annular inflatable member is uninflated, to cause the first rotatable drum member to rotate in unison with the second rotatable drum.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Malcolm E. Kirkwood, Graham M. Annear
-
Patent number: 5954174Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch assembly is disclosed. The assembly has an inner race with a plurality of notches, an outer race with a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of pawl members positioned in the pockets for engagement with the notches. The pawl members have a pivot ridge which mates with a peak or recess in the pockets in the outer race to precisely position the pawl in the pocket. The pawl center of the mass is selectively positioned such that the pawl can have a tendency to become engaged or disengaged with the notches in the inner race. In an alternate embodiment, a spring member is utilized to provide a tilting force on the pawl members toward engagement. Garter springs, coil springs, ribbon springs, or the like can be used for this purpose. Axial retainment members, such as washers, can also be used with the present invention. One or more of the retainment (retainer) members further can have axially extending flanges for improved radial bearing capability.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Daniel P. Costin
-
Patent number: 5943911Abstract: A friction clutch assembly in an automotive vehicle transmission is located between an engine-driven input shaft and a torque input shaft for a multiple ratio transmission. A clutch spring normally applies a clutch engaging force to the clutch assembly, thus establishing a torque flow path between the input shaft and the multiple ratio gearing. An electromechanically actuated ball ramp mechanism applies a friction clutch release force to the friction clutch assembly, thereby interrupting the torque flow path between the transmission input shaft and the multiple ratio gearing. An electromagnetic clutch actuator for the ball ramp mechanism, when it is energized, actuates the ball ramp mechanism to disengage the friction clutch. One element of the ball ramp mechanism is grounded to a transmission housing when the electromagnetic actuator is energized.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Joseph W. Beckerman
-
Patent number: 5895669Abstract: A mold bushing for injecting plastic material into a mold cavity. The bushing member has a one-piece body member with a central passageway for a shut-off gate pin member and a separate and distinct passageway for the molten plastic material. A tip member is positioned on the end of the body member and has a material discharge chamber. A gate or orifice opened and closed by the pin member is positioned either in the tip member or the mold. A wear bushing member is positioned in the discharge chamber or the end of the body member and acts to support the end of the pin member and prevent the flow of plastic material into the central passageway. The body member is heated by an annular cast heater member or the like. The wear bushing member can be indexed for proper positioning relative to the body member and the plastic flow passageway. The wear bushing member preferably has a body portion which partially fills the discharge chamber in the tip member.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Incoe CorporationInventors: Eric J. Seres, Jr., David Reitan, Scott R. Greb
-
Patent number: 5874004Abstract: An apparatus and method for phase separation of two materials is disclosed. The two materials to be separated are positioned in an extraction cartridge and passed through a filter device, the filter device includes a filter disk member positioned adjacent at least one and preferably two frit members. A drying cartridge may be used to dry the separated liquid material after it leaves the extraction cartridge. The invention can be used for reaction workup, quenching, product isolation and purification.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Sheila H. DeWittInventor: Sheila H. DeWitt
-
Patent number: 5857388Abstract: A balance shaft for rotating machinery such as a vehicle engine which minimizes the mass or weight of the balance shaft by optimizing the material usage in accordance with the standards and parameters established for the balance shaft. For rotating couple-type shafts, the two balance weights each have surfaces substantially forming hyperbolic curves. In addition, the connector portion between the balance weights has a cross-section with recessed sides in order to reduce the mass or weight of the balance shaft. For single unbalance-type shafts, the connector portion also has a cross-section with recessed sides.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Simpson Industries, Inc.Inventors: David L. Killion, Michael D. Hendrian, Robert J. Crist