Patents by Inventor Andy Bennett
Andy Bennett 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).
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Patent number: 11242852Abstract: An automobile vehicle variable displacement pump includes a pump body having a pump shaft extending through the pump body. A rotor is connected to the pump shaft and co-rotates with the pump shaft. The rotor has multiple radially outwardly directed slots. A vane support ring supports multiple vanes, the vanes individually slidably received in one of the slots of the rotor. A slide is rotatably connected to the pump body having the rotor and the vane support ring positioned within an inner wall of the slide. A bow spring plate defining a biasing member directly contacts the slide to bias the slide to rotate about an arc of curvature.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, Sr., Sean McGowan
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Publication number: 20200309120Abstract: An automobile vehicle variable displacement pump includes a pump body having a pump shaft extending through the pump body. A rotor is connected to the pump shaft and co-rotates with the pump shaft. The rotor has multiple radially outwardly directed slots. A vane support ring supports multiple vanes, the vanes individually slidably received in one of the slots of the rotor. A slide is rotatably connected to the pump body having the rotor and the vane support ring positioned within an inner wall of the slide. A bow spring plate defining a biasing member directly contacts the slide to bias the slide to rotate about an arc of curvature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Andy Bennett, SR., Sean McGowan
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Publication number: 20200080555Abstract: A variable displacement pump is provided which better distributes stress across the rotor structure thereby reducing the risk of the rotor cracking and/or failing. The variable displacement pump includes a housing, a vane control ring, a rotor, a plurality of vanes, a slider ring, a biasing means, and a regulator valve. The housing defines an inlet port and a discharge port. The rotor may be rotationally driven by a drive shaft and coaxially aligned with the drive shaft. The rotor may define a plurality of primary ribs and a plurality of corresponding secondary ribs with an aperture defined between each primary rib and secondary rib. Each primary rib defines a primary rib thickness and each secondary rib defines a secondary rib thickness which is less than the primary rib thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Andy Bennett, SR., Sean M. McGowan, Mark R. Claywell
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Patent number: 10570788Abstract: The oil pan assembly includes an oil pan and a slideable cover. The oil pan includes a base and a sidewall which surrounds the base wherein the base and the sidewall are configured to retain a pool of oil. The oil pan further includes a peripheral flange operatively configured to be coupled to an engine block. The slideable cover is affixed to the oil pan and is configured to maintain the pool of oil proximate to the base of the oil pan.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, Sean M McGowan
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Publication number: 20200032791Abstract: Variable displacement pumps and biasing assemblies for the same are disclosed. Example pumps may include a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a rotor fixed for rotation with a shaft, with the shaft rotatably mounted within the housing. The pump may further include a plurality of radially extending vanes slidably disposed in the rotor, and a pivotable ring member defining a control chamber about the rotor, with the ring member being pivotable within the housing to vary an eccentricity of the ring member with respect to the rotor. The pump may further include a biasing assembly applying a biasing force to the ring member in a first direction about the shaft, with the biasing assembly including at least one resilient element extending longitudinally along a stand, and a sliding support slidably disposed on the stand and laterally supporting the resilient element with respect to the stand.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Andy Bennett, SR., Anthony Anzalone, Bryan K. Pryor
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Publication number: 20200025198Abstract: A sprocket gerotor pump includes an outer gerotor gear configured to rotate about a first axis. The outer gerotor gear includes an outer gear body including a plurality of internal gear teeth extending from the outer gear body toward the first axis. The sprocket gerotor pump includes an inner gerotor gear configured to rotate about a second axis. The inner gerotor gear includes an inner gear body and a plurality of external gear teeth extending from the inner gerotor gear away from the second axis. The external gear teeth mesh with the internal gear teeth. Rotating the outer gerotor gear causes rotation of the inner gerotor gear. The sprocket gerotor pump further includes a sprocket integrally coupled with the outer gerotor gear such that the sprocket and the outer gerotor gear collectively form a one-piece structure. The sprocket is driven by a chain.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, SR., Sean M. McGowan
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Publication number: 20190338771Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump includes a housing, an expandable vane control ring, a rotor, a plurality of vanes, slider ring, and biasing means. The expandable vane control ring defines a gap. The plurality of vanes may be slidably disposed in the rotor. The slider ring is pivotally affixed to the housing via a pivot. The slider ring may form a plurality of pumping chambers with the expandable vane control ring, the rotor and the vanes. The distal end of each vane in the plurality of vanes is configured to abut and slide along an inner surface of the slider ring while the rotor rotates and the expandable vane control ring is configured to temporarily contract when intermittent friction is experienced between the inner surface and any vane in the plurality of vanes—so that the plurality of vanes continuously slide along an inner surface of the slider ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Andy Bennett, SR., Sean M. McGowan, Bryan K. Pryor, David R. Staley
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Publication number: 20190128155Abstract: The oil pan assembly includes an oil pan and a slideable cover. The oil pan includes a base and a sidewall which surrounds the base wherein the base and the sidewall are configured to retain a pool of oil. The oil pan further includes a peripheral flange operatively configured to be coupled to an engine block. The slideable cover is affixed to the oil pan and is configured to maintain the pool of oil proximate to the base of the oil pan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Andy Bennett, Sean M. McGowan
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Patent number: 10247295Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a housing including a flange extending from a perimeter of the housing, a cover including an edge tab extending from a perimeter of the cover, a gear set positioned between the housing and the cover, an alignment member positioned between the flange and the edge tab, the alignment member adjacent to an exterior surface of the gear set, and a ring at least partially encircling the housing, the ring including an anti-rotation member and a securing tab. The edge tab and the alignment member are enclosed by the anti-rotation member to maintain a radial position of the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventor: Andy Bennett, Sr.
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Patent number: 10240681Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve housing having an inlet end with an inlet opening having a valve seat surface surrounding the inlet opening. The valve housing defines an outlet end with a plurality of outlet holes and a valve chamber disposed between the valve seat and the outlet end. One of the plurality of outlet holes has a smaller cross section than the other outlet holes. The valve chamber includes a plurality of radially protruding grooves extending radially beyond a base diameter. One of the plurality of radially protruding grooves has a groove cross section that is smaller than a groove cross section of the remaining grooves, which along with the smaller outlet hole cause a lateral pressure imbalance on the valve member so that the valve member tends to remain in contact with a side of the valve seat while permitting relief flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, Sr., Joel H. Pike
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Publication number: 20190072196Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve housing having an inlet end with an inlet opening having a valve seat surface surrounding the inlet opening. The valve housing defines an outlet end with a plurality of outlet holes and a valve chamber disposed between the valve seat and the outlet end. One of the plurality of outlet holes has a smaller cross section than the other outlet holes. The valve chamber includes a plurality of radially protruding grooves extending radially beyond a base diameter. One of the plurality of radially protruding grooves has a groove cross section that is smaller than a groove cross section of the remaining grooves, which along with the smaller outlet hole cause a lateral pressure imbalance on the valve member so that the valve member tends to remain in contact with a side of the valve seat while permitting relief flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Andy BENNETT, SR., Joel H. PIKE
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Patent number: 10156293Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a pressure relief valve for a fluid pump has a valve head that has a recessed outlet-side surface that confronts a support end of a spring such that the valve head extends past the support end of the spring toward a pump outlet. The spring is biased to urge the valve head against a valve seat to a seated position. The spring is also configured to be compressed when fluid pressure at an inlet to the relief valve exceeds fluid pressure at the outlet by at least a predetermined amount such that the valve head is pushed away from the valve seat to an unseated position. A pressure relief valve may have multiple outlets at least some of which have unequal flow areas such that fluid pressure distribution across the flow area of the pressure relief valve cavity is nonsymmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, Joel H. Pike
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Patent number: 9581158Abstract: A submersible electric pump includes a housing adapted to be submerged within a fluid to be pumped having apertures extending therethrough. An electric motor stator is positioned within the housing in communication with the apertures and is adapted to be in contact with the fluid. Inner and outer pump rotors are positioned within the housing in meshed engagement with one another to pump fluid when rotated. A plurality of permanent magnets are fixed for rotation with the outer rotor.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett
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Publication number: 20140119963Abstract: A submersible electric pump includes a housing adapted to be submerged within a fluid to be pumped having apertures extending therethrough. An electric motor stator is positioned within the housing in communication with the apertures and is adapted to be in contact with the fluid. Inner and outer pump rotors are positioned within the housing in meshed engagement with one another to pump fluid when rotated. A plurality of permanent magnets are fixed for rotation with the outer rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett
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Patent number: 8696326Abstract: An externally mounted electric fluid pump for pumping fluid within a power transmission device is disclosed. The pump includes a housing adapted to be mounted to an external surface of the power transmission device. The pump is positioned within the housing and includes an input member. An electric motor is positioned within the housing and drives the input member. A controller is positioned within the housing to control the electric motor and vary the output of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett, Liping Wang
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Patent number: 8632321Abstract: A submersible electric pump includes a housing adapted to be submerged within a fluid to be pumped having apertures extending therethrough. An electric motor stator is positioned within the housing in communication with the apertures and is adapted to be in contact with the fluid. Inner and outer pump rotors are positioned within the housing in meshed engagement with one another to pump fluid when rotated. A plurality of permanent magnets are fixed for rotation with the outer rotor.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett
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Publication number: 20100290934Abstract: An externally mounted electric fluid pump for pumping fluid within a power transmission device is disclosed. The pump includes a housing adapted to be mounted to an external surface of the power transmission device. The pump is positioned within the housing and includes an input member. An electric motor is positioned within the housing and drives the input member. A controller is positioned within the housing to control the electric motor and vary the output of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett, Liping Wang
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Publication number: 20100129239Abstract: A submersible electric pump includes a housing adapted to be submerged within a fluid to be pumped having apertures extending therethrough. An electric motor stator is positioned within the housing in communication with the apertures and is adapted to be in contact with the fluid. Inner and outer pump rotors are positioned within the housing in meshed engagement with one another to pump fluid when rotated. A plurality of permanent magnets are fixed for rotation with the outer rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Gil Hadar, Andy Bennett
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Publication number: 20080304961Abstract: A novel and useful improvement to vane pumps, both variable displacement vane pumps and fixed displacement vane pumps, provides a supply of pressurized fluid to the region within the diameter of the pump rotor which would otherwise be a region of reduced pressure wherein air could be ingested by the pump. By reducing or preventing the ingestion of air, operating noise and damage to the pump can be reduced and wear in an engine or other system supplied from the pump can be reduced. The supply of pressurized working fluid also can be used to lubricate auxiliary components and/or accessories as well. Further, a portion of the supply of pressurized working fluid to this region can act to supercharge the pump, reducing the occurrence of cavitation at higher operating speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Gurvinder Bhogal, David Seto, Andy Bennett