Patents Assigned to Dana Corporation
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Patent number: 7287757Abstract: A gasket having a layer including at least one combustion opening and a wave area located on the layer is disclosed. The wave area includes a first wave and a second wave. The first wave is proximate the combustion opening. A flat portion near the second wave includes a first end and a second end. A full bead is located next to the second end of the flat portion whereby a lower surface of the flat portion is above the lower projecting surfaces of the wave area.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Colin C. Chen, Frank W. Popielas, Rohit Ramkumar, Thomas P. Plunkett, Jeffery A. Foster
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Patent number: 7287758Abstract: A gasket includes at least one gasket layer. The gasket layer has a push rod or cam timing chain opening formed therein. A clip is secured to the gasket layer and positioned within the push rod or timing chain opening. The clip selectively receives and positions an oil drain tube within the push rod or timing chain opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Greg Sandford
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Patent number: 7263975Abstract: An improved fuel rail for delivering fuel to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided that reduces the weight of the fuel injection system, greatly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating expensive manufacturing methods, such as brazing, high heat welding, post plating, blow molding, and extrusion, and enhances low-cost, low-energy methods for attachment of fuel system components to the fuel rail. The improved fuel rail includes an tubular body defining a fluid chamber and having an inlet through which fuel enters the fluid chamber and a fuel injector port in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The port is configured to receive the fuel injector. The tubular body is formed as a laminate having an inner metallic layer and an outer polymeric layer. The inner metallic layer may comprise aluminum and the outer polymeric layer may comprise nylon. Plastic or metal components can be attached to the laminated tubular body while providing a fluid tight, pressurized joint.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: David C. Stieler, Dale L. Sleep
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Patent number: 7265659Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of a valve in service in a tire pressure management system is disclosed. The method of verifying valve integrity of a valve interposed between a tire and conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to and/or from the tire in a tire maintenance system includes closing the valve for prohibiting fluid flow into the conduit assemblies in fluid communication with the valve and monitoring the pressure of fluid in the conduit assemblies in fluid communication with the valve for ascertaining a pressure increase therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Stephen P. Claussen, Daryl J. Stacer
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Patent number: 7258641Abstract: A drive axle assembly is provided that improves lubrication of the bearing surfaces of the inter-axle differential gears, the side gears meshed with the differential gears, and the input and output shafts. Lubricant splashed from the ring gear is collected and is then distributed by a bearing supporting the output side gear for rotation within the housing for the assembly. The bearing directs lubricant to the differential gears where seals and/or close tolerances retain the lubricant an allow it to flow to the surfaces of the input shaft and the helical side gear disposed about the input shaft. The output side gear disposed about the output shaft may also include a passage allowing lubricant to flow through the gear to the bearing surfaces of the output shaft and output side gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Michael Green, Gary Turner, Brad Cornell
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Patent number: 7258644Abstract: A differential carrier housing having both reduced weight and improved strength along the operational load path of the housing is provided. The housing includes a hollow rib that extends from a forward end rearward of an outer bearing for an input shaft to a rear end at a flange on the carrier housing that is connected to an axle housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: James F. Ziech, Glen Peterson, James Ridge
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Patent number: 7243949Abstract: A structural member for use in a vehicle body and frame assembly includes an internal air tank for supplying pressurized air to an auxiliary device, such as an active suspension for the vehicle. The internal air tank may be generally cup-shaped, including a closed end portion, a plurality of side portions, and an outwardly extending flange portion that extends about an open end portion. The flange portion is secured to a first portion of the closed channel structural member to define an air-tight chamber. The chamber is adapted to selectively receive and store a quantity of a pressurized fluid therein, and further to selectively discharge such pressurized fluid to an auxiliary device. An opening can be formed through the structural member to facilitate fluid communication with the chamber. Alternately, the internal air tank may include a flexible bladder defining an air-tight chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Juan F. Valdez, Paul A. Christofaro
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Patent number: 7241034Abstract: A structure and method for operating a directional control system for vehicle headlights that is capable of altering the directional aiming angles of the headlights to account for changes in the operating conditions of the vehicle. One or more operating condition sensors may be provided that generate signals that are representative of a condition of the vehicle, such as road speed, steering angle, pitch, suspension height, rate of change of road speed, rate of change of steering angle, rate of change of pitch, and rate of change of suspension height of the vehicle. A controller is responsive to the sensor signal for generating an output signal. An actuator is adapted to be connected to the headlight to effect movement thereof in accordance with the output signal. The controller can include a table that relates values of sensed operating condition to values of the output signal. The controller is responsive to the sensor signal for looking up the output signal in the table.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: James E. Smith, Anthony B. McDonald
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Patent number: 7232398Abstract: A method for converting a non-driven tag axle system to a driven axle system is disclosed where a forward driven axle system is converted to drive an interaxle drive shaft. The interaxle drive shaft is connected to a drive axle head mounted within the tag axle housing. Drive axles are connected to drive axle head. In another embodiment, a forward driven axle system is removed from a first position on the vehicle frame and the tag axle is removed from a second position on the vehicle frame. A differential is installed in the tag axle and it is located in the first position. The forward driven axle system is located in the second position and connected to the differential in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Francisco Garcia, Leo Wenstrup, Dale Lee Kwasniewski, Steve Slesinski
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Patent number: 7229098Abstract: The present invention provides a torsion attenuator for a vehicle frame having first and second longitudinal frame rails extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis. A torsion attenuator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes first and second brackets coupled to the first and second frame rails, respectively. The torsion attenuator further includes a cable coupled at a first end to the first bracket, and coupled at a second end to the second bracket. A torsion attenuator in accordance with the present invention provides that the torsional loads are distributed to the frame rail system, rather than to the individual rails. Such a torsion attenuator may be especially advantageous in suspension systems that employ air springs.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Sathya Prasad Mangalaramanan, James Christopher Ridge, Michael Lee Zebolsky
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Patent number: 7220786Abstract: Compositions and methods for coating surfaces of MLS gasket layers are disclosed. The process includes applying a coating precursor on at least one surface of one or more of the layers, and curing the coating precursor by exposure to radiation. Disclosed coating precursors include those containing an acrylated oligomer and a photoinitiator, which can polymerize in response to ultraviolet or electron beam radiation.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Brent R. Boldt
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Patent number: 7211017Abstract: An improved inter-axle differential locking clutch is provided that aligns the actuator and the clutch member thereby reducing space and material requirements in the axle assembly housing. The clutch also eliminates the need for a pushrod and shift fork thereby reducing tooling and production costs, as well as eliminating issues associated with misalignment of the piston and pushrod, relative rotation of the shift fork and clutch member, and tipping of the shift fork. The clutch includes one or more pistons disposed within either the axle housing or a carrier supporting the input shaft bearing. Fluid pressure actuates the pistons against a clutch member causing selective engagement between the clutch member and either a side gear driven by the inter-axle differential or a differential case housing the differential gears of the inter-axle differential.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Michael Green, Chris Pollack, Gary A. Turner, Leo Wenstrup, James F. Ziech
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Patent number: 7204112Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a lubricating material to an outer surface of a workpiece. Initially, a workpiece is provided that is preferably formed from a closed channel structural member having a circular or box-shaped cross sectional shape. Lubricating material is applied to an outer surface of the workpiece. In a second step of the method, the workpiece may be heat treated. The workpiece is then heated to elevate the temperature of the workpiece so as to cause the lubricating material to dry substantially immediately on the workpiece, thereby providing a coating of lubricating material having a substantially uniform thickness. In a fourth step of the method, a deforming process is performed on the workpiece during the period of time following the heat treatment process, and after applying the lubricating material, in which the workpiece retains the full or partial softening characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Robert D. Durand, Richard A. Marando, Eric M. Schrack
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Patent number: 7201398Abstract: A joint between two or more structural members in a vehicular body and frame assembly facilitates the application of a coating of a material thereto after assembly of the joint. The first and second structural members have respective outer surfaces provided thereon. A spacer is provided either as a portion of a reinforcement member disposed within the first structural member or integrally with the first structural member. The first structural member is connected to the second structural member with the spacer therebetween so as to define a joint defining a gap between the outer surfaces of the first and second structural members. Lastly, a coating of a material is applied to the outer surfaces of the first and second structural members.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Paul A. Christofaro, Steven C. Greenawalt
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Patent number: 7196120Abstract: Compositions and methods for coating surfaces of MLS gasket layers are disclosed. The process includes applying a coating precursor on at least one surface of one or more of the layers, and curing the coating precursor by exposure to radiation. Disclosed coating precursors include those containing an acrylated oligomer and a photoinitiator, which can polymerize in response to ultraviolet or electron beam radiation.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Brent R. Boldt
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Patent number: 7195260Abstract: A suspension for coupling a steer axle assembly to a vehicle frame is provided that provides lateral stability to the steer axle assembly without the use of a track rod or stabilizer bar. The suspension includes a body that is coupled to the axle beam of the steer axle assembly. An arm extends from the body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is coupled to the frame at one end. The arm is pivotable about an axis extending generally transversely to the frame rails of the vehicle frame. A male guide member is connected to the body and is received within a female guide member that is in turn disposed in an aperture defined by a bracket of the frame. The guide members are free to move within the bracket vertically or in the fore-aft direction, but are restricted from lateral movement.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Gregory Richardson
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Patent number: 7195579Abstract: An actuation enhancement for an automated vehicle inter-axle differential (IAD) locking system. The vehicle having an engine and a tandem drive axle. The IAD actuation enhancement locking system comprises a rotating sliding clutch and a rotating side helical gear, which are capable of an engagement mode and a disengagement mode, a microprocessor, and an electrical connection between the microprocessor and an engine electronic control unit. When the sliding clutch and the helical gear are placed in the engagement mode or are placed in the disengagement mode, the microprocessor momentarily communicates a data link message to the engine electronic control unit to break engine torque, to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the sliding clutch and the helical gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Stephen P. Claussen, Leo J. Wenstrup
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Patent number: 7188850Abstract: A steer axle and suspension assembly are provided that produce lateral stability in the vehicle without the use of a transverse rod and without generating undue loads on the steer axle beam. The assembly includes at least one suspension arm that is connected to the frame and to a component of the steer axle assembly such as the axle beam, kingpin, or steering knuckle. The suspension arm is connected to the steer axle assembly at a location outboard of the longitudinal frame rails of the vehicle and extends longitudinally at an angle to the frame rails. The suspension arm arrangement can be used with a variety of suspensions including leaf spring and multi-link suspensions.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: James F. Ziech, Michael L. Zebolsky
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Patent number: 7188841Abstract: A secondary seal is provided for an internal combustion engine having a piston, cylinder bore, ring seal, secondary seal, and leak path. Forces are applied from the combustion side of the piston through a cylinder gap and a leak path to the secondary seal. The secondary seal, seated on the piston and ring seal, transmits the forces generally axially to the piston and ring seal, thereby controllably limiting the radial force between the ring seal and cylinder bore.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Steven J. Sytsma, Jason Bieneman
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Patent number: D549731Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Caner Demirdogen, James Ridge, James F. Ziech