Patents Represented by Attorney Ronald W. Wangerow
  • Patent number: 7098270
    Abstract: A fluoroelastomer composition contains a peroxide-curable solid fluoroelastomer and a peroxide curative agent combined therewith, and, a bisphenol-curable liquid fluoroelastomer and a bisphenol curative agent combined therewith. The solid fluoroelastomer/peroxide curative when combined with the liquid fluoroelastomer/bisphenol curative results in a composition exhibiting improved polymeric properties including improved flowability at room temperature and improved fluid resistance and sealability at a wide range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Paul J. Hochgesang, James W. Jacks
  • Patent number: 6901902
    Abstract: A two piece valve stem seal assembly including first and second generally cylindrical shells, one of which is partially axially nested or inserted within the other. The valve stem seal assembly also includes an engagement portion on the one of the shells for grippingly engaging the outer shell in order to substantially prevent or at least minimize the possibility of axial separation of the shells during subsequent assembly into an engine or other valve-containing device. The assembly may also optionally include a discontinuity on the one of the shells for axially retaining or axially interlocking the shells in order to substantially prevent or at least minimize such possibility of axial separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Tigree Milam Butcher, Milton Loman Griswold
  • Patent number: 6896481
    Abstract: A water pump includes a first enclosure having a center portion that is moveable from a normal condition to a deflected condition and a second enclosure adjacent to the first to form an internal cavity. An impeller is disposed within the internal cavity. A tubular shaft portion extends from the impeller through a bore in the second enclosure. The tubular shaft portion is press fit to a motor shaft which rotates the impeller within the internal cavity. As the motor shaft is inserted into the tubular portion of the impeller, a tool is used to press on and axially deflect the center portion of the first enclosure. Thus, the center portion of the first enclosure contacts the impeller and provides an opposing force on the impeller while the motor shaft is inserted into the tubular portion of the impeller. When the motor shaft is press-fit sufficiently into the tubular portion, the tool is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: John C. Dahlheimer
  • Patent number: 6884537
    Abstract: A fuel cell gasket employed to seal around an individual cell of a fuel cell assembly. The gaskets include sealing beads that are compressed against separator plates. Adhesive layers located between the gaskets and separator plates hold the gaskets against the separator plates and maintain a desired pre-load on the sealing beads. These structural seals provide good seals along the surfaces of the separator plates, thus reducing or eliminating the need for bolts to maintain the pre-load on the sealing beads of the gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 6861171
    Abstract: A static gasket adapted to seal a joint between a first member and a second member, the joint having a clamp load applied to the first and second members. The gasket including a carrier member having a first side sand an opposite sides. An elastomeric member is on the carrier member. The elastomeric member has a tab portion and a sealing portion on the first side and an adhesive layer is on the opposite side. Thus, the carrier adheres to one of the first and second members to ease the assembly of one of the first member and second members to each other and the carrier member is conformable to improve the seal between the seal between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Daisuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6820908
    Abstract: An isolation mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount includes an elastomeric upper mount and lower mount and a threaded fastener drawing the two elastomeric mounts together. The upper mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The oblong shape increases the volume of elastomer that can be used to respond to lateral forces and reduces the stresses developed on the elastomer. The lateral response rate is stiffer than the fore and aft response rate and both are stiffer than the vertical response rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Freundenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Shahram Tousi, Ulrich Bressler, Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 6812294
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid nitrile compound. The compound includes a liquid nitrile rubber. The compound also includes a curing agent selected from sulfur and/or sulfur donors. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid nitrile compound. The compound includes a liquid nitrile rubber. The compound also includes a nonsulfur curing agent. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Paul J. Hochgesang
  • Patent number: 6806306
    Abstract: A fluorine containing thermoplastic vulcanizate composition includes a continuous phase of at least one melt formable thermoplastic resin and a discrete phase of a vulcanized perfluoroether elastomer. The perfluoroether elastomer comprises between 10 and 80 weight percent based on the total amount of the continuous phase and the disperse phase combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Freduenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Craig A. Chmielewski, Paul J. Hochgesang
  • Patent number: 6749186
    Abstract: A hydraulic bushing forms a mount between a first component and a second component by including a spring portion connected between a core and an inner structure. The spring portion includes a first spring portion for defining hydraulic fluid cavities and a fluid channel extending between the cavities, with the cavities located about a first portion of the core, and a second spring portion formed of microcellular polyurethane about a second portion of the perimeter. The first spring portion and the second spring portion are located in parallel to one another. In this way, vibrations of a load transferred through the hydraulic bushing between the core and the inner support structure can be damped at a predetermined low frequency by the rubber with hydraulic fluid cavities, while still allowing for isolating of higher frequencies by the microcellular polyurethane portion of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Rod G. Hadi, Bjoern Oppermann, Andrew James Kropp
  • Patent number: 6692007
    Abstract: Unitary radial lip seals are useful to provide permanent lubrication to rotary shaft and bearing assemblies. In addition, these seals also function as excluder seals to keep dirt, chemicals, and other contaminants from contacting the lubricated surfaces. However, previous radial lip seals have a tendency to wear or cut a groove into the associated rotary shaft, as the shaft is rotated during normal operation of the machine. The present disclosure describes a radial lip seal having a sleeve, a seal case, a faceplate and flexible member. This improved seal also has a second sleeve operably positioned between the shaft and the faceplate wiper ring that alleviates the tendency of the wiper ring to cut a groove into the shaft during normal operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Transcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 6685428
    Abstract: An integrated boot, seal and impeller system is adapted for being driven by a pump shaft. The system includes an impeller unit having a plurality of radially extending blades, a hub portion, a recess in the hub portion and a tubular portion extending from the hub portion. The tubular portion is engaged to the shaft and has an outer diameter with at least one flat in the outer diameter. A seal head is slidingly engaged to the tubular portion. The seal head also has an inner diameter with at least one flat on the inner diameter to engage the outer diameter of the tubular portion. A flexible boot extends from the elastomeric blades. The boot has a distal portion adjacent to the seal head. Additionally, a biasing member is disposed in the recess and urges the seal head into engagement with the seal washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Martin E. Freudenberg
  • Patent number: 6675759
    Abstract: A crankshaft damper includes a hub and a rim. The rim has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the hub. A plurality of spokes connects the rim to the hub. An axial inner surface is formed on the rim and projects forwardly of the spokes. A damper support includes a band and a collar. The band is retained to the axial inner surface of the rim and the collar projects radially outwardly beyond the outer diameter of the rim. An elastomeric member is mounted on the collar and faces the rim. A damper is mounted on the elastomeric member and faces the rim. The elastomeric member and damper are positioned radially beyond the rim to dampen torsional and axial vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: David H. Johnson, Edson Falcão Lopes
  • Patent number: 6624251
    Abstract: Disclosed are new fluid resistant, in particular resistant to chemically basic compounds, for example those compounds containing amines, and exceptional processing fluorine containing thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions comprising a continuous phase of at least one melt-formable thermoplastic fluorocarbon resin and a disperse phase consisting of a blend of at least two vulcanizable fluorine containing elastomers with at least one of the fluoroelastomers being a terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride/tetrafluoroethylene/propylene. The vinylidene fluoride/tetrafluoroethylene/propylene fluoroelastomer comprises between 5 and 95 weight percent of the total dispersed elastomer phase, which the total disperse elastomer phase comprises from between 40 and 90 weight percent based on the total amount of the continuous phase and the disperse phase combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Craig A. Chmielewski
  • Patent number: 4454933
    Abstract: A disc brake having an improved automatic adjustment mechanism is disclosed. The preferred brake includes a rotary actuating assembly for axially translating a push rod which abuttingly urges a pair of friction element assemblies into engagement with a rotatable disc. A nonrotatable element of the actuating assembly threadably engages the push rod, such that when the push rod is rotated, it is axially advanced to decrease the friction element clearance. A clutch mechanism circumscribes the push rod and communicates, by way of a lost motion connection, with a rotatable element of the actuating assembly to effect rotation of the push rod after a predetermined rotation of the rotatable element. Thus, clearance adjustments are made in response to predetermined wear of the friction elements, thereby maintaining brake clearance within predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Kelsey Hayes Company
    Inventors: Harry A. Hunnicutt, James A. Buckley
  • Patent number: 4412690
    Abstract: A leaf spring suspension system for supporting a vehicle is disclosed wherein one end of the spring is longitudinally moveable in load-transferring relationship with the vehicle at varying longitudinal positions along the vehicle frame. Thus, regardless of spring deflection, the axle remains equidistant between the longitudinal positions at which the vehicle's load is transferred to spring, thereby equalizing the load at each end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co.
    Inventors: B. Robert Prokop, Terry L. Trindle
  • Patent number: 4399894
    Abstract: A slack adjuster for axially moved push rods is provided. An axially extending rotating actuating shaft turns a helical, driving cam member that in turn axially displaces a non-rotating driven cam member. The driving and driven helical cam members are located in a housing with the actuating shaft extending out of one end thereof and a threaded push rod extending out of the other end of the housing. A helical return spring is positioned between the driven cam and the inner wall of the housing to bias the cam members together. The push rod is held against rotation internally of the housing by a flange whose periphery is frictionally engaged by the return spring. A nut is threaded onto the rod and engaged by the driven cam member to transmit axial force to the push rod; and relative extension of the push rod from the cam members is accomplished by a one way spring brake acting on the nut and a disc clutch drive between the driving cam and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Leonard T. Tribe
  • Patent number: 4354711
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly comprises a detachable wheel mounted on a radial wheel mounting flange using a single wheel fastener and a conical disc spring to secure the wheel to the wheel mounting flange.The conical disc spring is deflected to a preselected compressed state by the fastener to exert a predetermined axial clamping force uniformly along an annular region of contact between the wheel and the disc spring and to resiliently pre-load the wheel bearings. A lock prevents the single fastener from working loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co.
    Inventor: John A. Main
  • Patent number: 4352732
    Abstract: A continuous system for separating acceptable from unacceptable synthetic rubber seals and other parts according to their specific gravity comprising a tank having a flotation chamber and an exit or collection chamber. Fluid of a given specific gravity such that the acceptable parts will float therein enters the flotation chamber in such a manner as to produce a rolling or turbulent flow therein. The rolling flow agitates the parts to liberate entrapped air therefrom permitting the parts true buoyancy to float the acceptable parts or sink the unacceptable parts. The floating parts are then swept over an outlet weir into a collection basket by means of a two dimensional fluid flow over said weir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co.
    Inventor: Raymond C. Massicotte
  • Patent number: 4302913
    Abstract: An insulated vehicle body, such as a refrigerated truck or trailer, has load carrying reinforcement beams in the roof structure with bottom slots accessible through openings in the ceiling skin to receive removable hangers that may be used to suspend meat rails or other articles from the roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Freuhauf Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Schwartz, Frank J. Miller, Hem R. Vij
  • Patent number: D260015
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: David D. Sheill