Patents by Inventor Barry Griffith
Barry Griffith 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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Publication number: 20140150748Abstract: A seal alignment system includes an engine block, a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough, and a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The seal alignment system also includes an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough, and an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, David R. Staley
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Patent number: 8708344Abstract: A sealed assembly includes a first component having a first flange, and a second component having a second flange matable with the first flange. The sealed assembly also includes a sealant disposed between and along the first flange and the second flange such that the first component is sealingly mated to the second component. The sealed assembly further includes a wire disposed within the sealant, wherein the wire is configured for unsealing the second component from the first component. A method of unsealing the sealed assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Publication number: 20140091528Abstract: A sealed assembly includes a first component having a first flange, and a second component having a second flange matable with the first flange. The sealed assembly also includes a sealant disposed between and along the first flange and the second flange such that the first component is sealingly mated to the second component. The sealed assembly further includes a wire disposed within the sealant, wherein the wire is configured for unsealing the second component from the first component. A method of unsealing the sealed assembly is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Publication number: 20140069940Abstract: A reinforced oil pan assembly includes a reinforcement component and an overmold component that are combined via an injection molding process utilizing a standard oil pan mold. The reinforcement component adds structural stiffness to the oil pan assembly in order to alleviate NVH characteristics, such as powertrain bending. The reinforcement component is placed within the oil pan mold, and is embedded within the overmold component after the injection molding process. The reinforcement component has at least one rear wall and at least two side walls, each of which may include apertures and/or ribs to enhance the bond between the reinforcement component and the overmold component. The reinforcement component may be made of a layered-sheet composite overmolded with a base polymer, a metallic material, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, David R. Staley
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Publication number: 20140069356Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine cover having a pump cavity through which fluid is pumped. A liner is configured to line the pump cavity to protect the engine cover from erosion due to the pumped fluid. The engine cover can be a composite material. The liner may be a composite material as well, or, in some embodiments, can be steel or another suitable material. A method of assembling an engine includes securing a liner to an engine cover so that the liner lines a pump cavity of the engine cover to protect the engine cover from erosion at the pump cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, David R. Staley
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Publication number: 20130228979Abstract: An assembly includes a first component and a second component. A sealant is disposed between the first component and the second component. The second component has a recess on a second surface of the second component opposite the first surface of the second component. A composite fastener has a threaded portion and a head portion. The head portion has a retention clip on a side of the head portion that faces the second surface of the second component when the threaded portion is received in aligned openings of the first component and the second component so that the retention clip is received in the recess when the composite fastener is turned. A method of attaching a first component and a composite component is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Patent number: 8524344Abstract: A polymeric vessel includes a first shell formed from a thermoplastic polymer and including a weld stub, and a second shell formed from the thermoplastic polymer and including a weld anvil matable with the weld stub. The polymeric vessel also includes a friction weld joint joining the weld stub and the weld anvil, and a coupling element interconnecting the first shell and the second shell and spaced apart from the friction weld joint.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations PLLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, Michael A. Karram, Xin Ouyang
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Patent number: 8490595Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a compression limiting member having a dowel portion and a belleville washer portion. A first member defines a first hole, a second member defines a second hole, a third member defines a third hole, and the dowel portion defines a fourth hole. The second member is between the first and third members, and the dowel portion extends through the second hole. The dowel portion is substantially rigid to prevent excessive compression of the second member between the first and third members. The belleville washer portion is elastically compressed between the second and third members such that the washer portion biases the second member toward the first member.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Roxann M. Bittner, Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Publication number: 20130068778Abstract: A drainable container system for a vehicle includes a container having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity configured for storing a fluid, and a drain hole configured for draining the fluid from the cavity. The hole has a central longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the surface. The system includes a drain plug, wherein the plug is insertable into the hole along the axis into a locked position so that the fluid does not drain, and removable from the hole along the axis when disposed in an unlocked position so that the fluid drains. The system includes a locking element configured for preventing rotation of the plug within the hole about the axis when the plug is disposed in the locked position, wherein the element is formed from a metal that is substantially elastic at a temperature of from about ?40° C. to about 10° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, Roxann M. Bittner, David R. Staley
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Publication number: 20120247420Abstract: An assembly includes a first component connectable to a second component by a fastener extending through respective openings in the first component and in the second component. The assembly includes a compression load limiter housed in the opening of the first component and having a passage adapted to allow the fastener to extend therethrough. The compression load limiter is adjustable due to an adjustment feature configured to cause the load limiter to translate within the opening of the first component to span a gap between the first component and the second component. The load limiter bears at least a portion of a compression load of the fastener when the fastener is inserted in the respective openings of the first and the second components to secure the first component to the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, Roxann M. Bittner
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Publication number: 20110209681Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a compression limiting member having a dowel portion and a belleville washer portion. A first member defines a first hole, a second member defines a second hole, a third member defines a third hole, and the dowel portion defines a fourth hole. The second member is between the first and third members, and the dowel portion extends through the second hole. The dowel portion is substantially rigid to prevent excessive compression of the second member between the first and third members. The belleville washer portion is elastically compressed between the second and third members such that the washer portion biases the second member toward the first member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPEARTIONS, INC.Inventors: Roxann M. Bittner, Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Patent number: 7513246Abstract: A PCV device for recirculation of crankcase air has a structural member with a tubular, substantially linear internal flow passage characterized by a length and diameter with a ratio of length to diameter that attenuates noise and acts as a restrictive orifice to at least partially control flow volume therethrough. A PCV system for an engine includes a structural member as described above placed in fluid communication with a passage member to partially form a flow path between an interior portion of an engine crankcase and an air intake portion of the engine. The flow path has an absence of any flow restriction with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the structural member.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technoloy Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gary J. Hazelton, Leonard Barry Griffiths
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Publication number: 20040251703Abstract: A carrier for use with a plurality of plant holders has a platform having a top, a bottom and an inner region, the inner region of the platform includes a plurality of container engaging portions integral with the inner region of the platform, each container engaging portion defines an opening through the platform. A rim member is integral with the inner region of the platform and extends around the platform for providing rigidity to the platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Barry Griffith, James H. Sewell
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Patent number: D491802Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Tyson Foods, Inc.Inventors: Barry Griffith, James H. Sewell