Patents Represented by Attorney Russel C. Wells

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  • Modified armature for low noise injector
    Patent number: 5328100
    Abstract: Audible noise emission from a solenoid-operated fuel injector is reduced by providing a groove around the armature spaced from the end of the armature that impacts the end to the pole piece/fuel inlet tube so as to leave a radial flange at the end of the armature. In one form of the invention, the groove extends around the outside diameter of the armature. In another form, the groove extends around the inside diameter of the armature. The groove is located and sized to optimize energy absorption during impact of the armature against the pole fuel inlet tube piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: John S. Bergstrom, Russell J. Wakeman
  • High efficiency, low axial profile, low noise, axial flow fan
    Patent number: 5326225
    Abstract: The fan blades have a particular geometry that combines high efficiency, low axial profile, and low noise in an axial flow fan. The fan also comprises a circular outer band that coacts with a surrounding shroud structure to form a labyrinth air seal. The shroud structure comprises two parts that cooperatively define a radially inwardly open groove within which a flange of the fan band is received to form the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventors: William P. Gallivan, Haran K. Periyathamby, Alex S. Joseph
  • Remote mounting of a fuel pressure regulator for an engine
    Patent number: 5320078
    Abstract: The fuel pressure regulator is disposed in an off-engine mounting that is fastened to a wall of the engine compartment. The mounting is a body of synthetic material having a socket within which the fuel pressure regulator is disposed. Nipples for fluid-connecting flexible fuel conduits to the body are integral formations of the body. Protective walls that are also integral formations of the body circumferentially surround the nipples. Levers are pivotally connected with the protective walls, and when operated to force-applying positions, they pinch the sides of the conduits against the nipples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Jack R. Lorraine
  • Filament magnetic flux circuit
    Patent number: 5315278
    Abstract: A length of wire is toroidally wound, and then the toroid is encapsulated and cut in two along a plane that is perpendicular to the toroidal axis. The resulting portions are used as stator and/or armature of a solenoid, and in the solenoid the cut face of each forms one side of the solenoid's working gap so that the faces move toward and away from each other as the solenoid operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: Sims B. Demere, Benjamin F. Brinn, Jr., John S. Bright, Kenric J. Johnson
  • Press metering apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5311662
    Abstract: A press metering device enables internal flow measurements to be made while press fitting components together. The press metering device comprises a press means for press fitting the components and a manifold for controlling flow path dimensions during the press fitting. The manifold has a first upper port and a second upper port for apportioning flow into a differential air flow gauge and metering the flow. A bottom port holds the components to be press fitted and may be sealed to the manifold by one or more o-rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Gerald L. Losser
  • Using the stator to prevent valve seat turning
    Patent number: 5308038
    Abstract: Keys on legs of a U-shaped stator are in keyed engagement with keyways on diametrically opposite sides of the O.D. of the sidewall of a valve seat member to axially and circumferentially locate the seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Robert A. McArthur
  • Fuel injector swirl passages
    Patent number: 5307997
    Abstract: Each swirl passages of the needle guide and fuel swirl member of a fuel injector has a longer and wider entrance portion and a shorter and narrower exit portion to allow only the latter portion, not the former portion, to perform a metering function. Production of swirl passages is facilitated and more consistent metering results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Russell J. Wakeman
  • Fuel injector attachment clip
    Patent number: 5301647
    Abstract: An attachment clip for connecting a top-feed fuel injector to a socket on a fuel rail has a cylindrical wall that is coaxial with the fuel inlet tube of the injector and contains a pattern of circumferentially spaced apertures. At each aperture there is at least one catch that extends from the margin of a circumferentially extending edge of the aperture radially inwardly and axially toward the fuel injector body to terminate at a distal end that is axially within the axial span of the aperture. The circumferential span of each catch is less than that of the aperture. As the fuel inlet tube is pushed into the socket, the catches are resiliently flexed by engagement with the socket rim until the distal ends of the catches clear a lip extending around the outside of the rim at which point they relax to lodge behind the lip thereby attaching the fuel injector to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Jack R. Lorraine
  • Seal member mounted in housing pocket by resilient retaining member
    Patent number: 5299811
    Abstract: An inexpensive, efficient seal member having a tubular housing member that can be integral to or attached to a frame of a motor to form a ring seal around the shaft of the motor prior to mating the shaft with a pump or other driven device. The flexible elastomer washer member is located in a pocket at the end of the housing. The inner diameter of the flexible elastomer washer member is smaller than the shaft diameter. The thickness of the flexible elastomer washer member is larger than the depth of the pocket and is held in the pocket by a resilient retaining member having a plurality of tangs forming an interference fit with the walls of the housing. Next, the shaft is slidably extended through the flexible elastomer washer member forming the ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Peter A. Kershaw
  • Fuel injector upper needle guide burnishing and alignment tool
    Patent number: 5299346
    Abstract: An apparatus is used to align, burnish, and secure an upper needle guide for a fuel injector valve body. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a fixture containing a spring-loaded plunger and a spring-loaded centering pin, and an upper portion having a burnishing tool, a spring-loaded stripper, and a crimping ram. The fixture aligns the needle guide and the valve body, and as the two portions are operated closed, the inside diameter of the upper needle guide is first burnished, and then the valve body is crimped onto the needle guide. The stripper holds the crimped parts against the lower portion of the apparatus while the upper and lower portions are operated open to withdraw the burnishing tool from the inside diameter of the needle guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: David C. Kilgore, Thomas F. Gosnell, Sr.
  • Impact dampened armature and needle valve assembly
    Patent number: 5299776
    Abstract: A small axial lost motion connection between an armature disk and a needle valve allows armature disk to snub rebound of needle valve upon impacting a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Brinn, Jr., Gyula A. Huszar
  • Positive pressure canister purge system integrity confirmation
    Patent number: 5297529
    Abstract: The tank/canister volume's integrity against unacceptable leakage is either confirmed or denied by a diagnostic test performed by an on-board diagnostic system which includes an electrically operated air pump and tank-mounted analog pressure transducer. At the beginning of a test, the engine management computer closes the canister purge solenoid valve and operates the pump to begin pressurization of the tank/canister volume. The pumped air is introduced via the canister's atmospheric vent port so that the pressurizing air is entrained with fuel vapors previously collected in, but not yet purged from, the canister. Failure to build to a predetermined pressure within a predetermined time indicates a gross leak. Upon attainment of the predetermined pressure, the pump is shut off. If the pressure drops by more than a certain amount during the test, integrity is denied. If not, integrity is confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Murray F. Busato
  • Fuel injector having a composite silicon valve
    Patent number: 5286002
    Abstract: Nozzle structures for fuel injectors are fabricated from silicon wafers assembled together to accurately control valve lift so that a separate step of setting valve lift is unnecessary. Sealing surfaces are P+ silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: John Bergstrom
  • Pressure regulator with plastic vacuum fitting
    Patent number: 5275203
    Abstract: The vacuum control port at the control chamber of a fuel pressure regulator is an injection molded plastic member that can be formed with an angle. A flange is provided as a seating surface for an annular seal ring. The member extends into a tube formed in the regulator control chamber and is secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Barry S. Robinson
  • Pressure sensor mounting for canister purge system
    Patent number: 5267470
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an automotive vehicle comprises an integrated roll-over valve and vapor pressure sensor assembly mounted by means of a grommet in the top wall of the vehicle's fuel tank. The vapor pressure sensor forms part of an on-board diagnostic system for testing the integrity of the tank and vapor collection canister against leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventor: John E. Cook
  • Self-aligning lead-in chamfer for a valve seat
    Patent number: 5267723
    Abstract: Lead-in of a valve seat member being pressed into a valve body bore has larger angle initial lead-in portion followed by smaller angle transition lead-in portion leading to press-fit outside diameter. This prevents a maximally misaligned valve seat member from shaving a silver as the lead-in passes across the shoulder of a counterbore at the entrance of the press-fit inside diameter of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Shea, Scott W. Quigley
  • Integral EVT/cylinder head assembly with self-purging fluid flow
    Patent number: 5255639
    Abstract: A structure for mounting electronic valve timing control system components wherein any bubbles or other air carrying obstructions are purged from the system. The inlet and outlet passageways (14, 18) to and from the actuator (16) are displaced either a predetermined vertical distance ("H") or are in-line and inclined along the same passageway axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Shirey, Martin A. Holland
  • Sealing a direct injection fuel injector to a combustion chamber
    Patent number: 5247918
    Abstract: A combustion seal for sealing the nozzle end of a direct injection fuel injector to the combustion chamber. The seal is an imperforate metal ring, much like an eyelet, fitted onto the nozzle end. In radial cross section the ring has a semi-circular shape that is compressed between respective shoulders on the nozzle end and a through-hole in a cylinder head in which the fuel injector is mounted. The ring is a ferrous metal that is plated with a softer metal, such as zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: Russell J. Wakeman
  • High efficiency, low noise, axial flow fan
    Patent number: 5244347
    Abstract: The fan has an outer circular band that is spaced axially rearwardly of the hub. Forwardly skewed blades extend between the band and hub. Each blade has a radially intermediate portion that has reverse curvatures, namely a radially inner section curving about a location that is axially rearwardly of the blade and a radially outer section curving about a location that is axially forwardly of the blade. The fan is disposed within an aperture of a shroud having a central mount for an electric motor that drives the fan. The shroud has radial members that extend from the edge of the shroud aperture to the hub and that contain an axial offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventors: William P. Gallivan, Haran K. Periyathamby
  • Accelerator control apparatus
    Patent number: RE34574
    Abstract: An accelerator control apparatus for mounting in a motor vehicle for a "drive-by-wire" system. The apparatus provides a bias spring means to generate the "feel" of an accelerator pedal to the vehicle operator, a compression spring means provides frictional forces preventing extraneous pedal actuation and pedal sensor switch means for indicating the rotation position of the accelerator pedal from a first or normal position to any second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: William J. Imoehl