Patents by Inventor Benjamin MacNally
Benjamin MacNally 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: 11988290Abstract: A multi-level rotor for a coolant flow control valve assembly, which accommodates an increased number of inlet ports, outlet ports, and flow channels using a single rotor located in a housing, enabling a larger number of flow configurations. The housing includes nine ports which may function as an inlet or an outlet, which facilitates different flow configurations. For a thermal management system, reduced cost and less space utilization is achieved by a reduced number of valves, where the multi-level rotor is able to fluidically connect multiple inlets/outlets. This enables different flow configurations, depending on the degree of rotation. The channels at different levels are sealed from each other within the housing. The flow channels are manufactured into a single entity, therefore always having the same positional accuracy relative to each other when the rotor is repositioned.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Inventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Alexander Dragojlov, Benjamin MacNally, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt
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Publication number: 20230279954Abstract: A seal assembly for a multi-port valve assembly, the seal assembly including a plurality of beads integrally formed as part of a rotor, at least one seal element in sliding contact with one or more of the beads, and at least one lip seal integrally formed as part of the seal element. One or more of the beads applies force to the seal element, such that the force is transferred to the lip seal. The beads include at least one circumferential bead which circumscribes the rotor, and the circumferential bead continuously applies force to the seal element when the rotor is in each of a plurality of orientations. The beads also include at least one tangential bead extending along an outer surface of the rotor, and the tangential bead applies force to the seal element when the rotor is in one of a plurality of orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Alexander Dragojlov, Jörg Eissler, Ravinder Singh Gill, Benjamin MacNally, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt
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Patent number: 11719350Abstract: A coolant flow control module, having a first outer housing, a first rotor located in the first outer housing, a second outer housing adjacent the first outer housing, and a second rotor disposed in the second outer housing. The second rotor is engaged with the first rotor such that the first rotor and second rotor rotate in unison. An actuator is connected to the first rotor, a first plurality of ports is integrally formed as part of the first outer housing, and a second plurality of ports is integrally formed as part of the second outer housing. The actuator rotates the first rotor and second rotor to at least one of a plurality of orientations such that fluid is able to flow through the first plurality of ports and the first rotor, and fluid is able to flow through the second plurality of ports and the second rotor.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES USA, LLCInventors: Alexander Dragojlov, Benjamin MacNally, Russell M Modien, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt, Kris Leo Barboza, Qingqing Xie, David Rene Forgeron, Jürgen Luft
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Patent number: 11703135Abstract: A multi-port valve assembly, which includes a housing, a plurality of ports formed as part of the housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, and is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of ports. Also included is a plurality of channels integrally formed as part of the rotor, a central plane extending through the rotor, a first level on one side of the central plane where a portion of the channels is located on the first level, and a second level on the opposite side of the central plane in relation to the first level, where a portion of the channels are located on the second level. At least two flow paths are formed by the orientation of the rotor relative to the housing and the ports, and the rotor is placed in one of a plurality of configurations to achieve the at least two flow paths.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES USA, LLCInventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Alexander Dragojlov, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt, Benjamin MacNally
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Publication number: 20230175599Abstract: A multi-port valve assembly, which includes a housing, a plurality of ports formed as part of the housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, and is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of ports. Also included is a plurality of channels integrally formed as part of the rotor, a central plane extending through the rotor, a first level on one side of the central plane where a portion of the channels is located on the first level, and a second level on the opposite side of the central plane in relation to the first level, where a portion of the channels are located on the second level. At least two flow paths are formed by the orientation of the rotor relative to the housing and the ports, and the rotor is placed in one of a plurality of configurations to achieve the at least two flow paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Alexander Dragojlov, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt, Benjamin MacNally
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Publication number: 20230139552Abstract: A multi-level rotor for a coolant flow control valve assembly, which accommodates an increased number of inlet ports, outlet ports, and flow channels using a single rotor located in a housing, enabling a larger number of flow configurations. The housing includes nine ports which may function as an inlet or an outlet, which facilitates different flow configurations. For a thermal management system, reduced cost and less space utilization is achieved by a reduced number of valves, where the multi-level rotor is able to fluidically connect multiple inlets/outlets. This enables different flow configurations, depending on the degree of rotation. The channels at different levels are sealed from each other within the housing. The flow channels are manufactured into a single entity, therefore always having the same positional accuracy relative to each other when the rotor is repositioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Alexander Dragojlov, Benjamin MacNally, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt
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Publication number: 20230078460Abstract: A coolant flow control valve (CFCV) which includes an actuator having a microcontroller which drives an electric motor, such as a brushless DC motor. The motor drives a gear train, and the gear train drives a valve. The motor and gear train are used to rotate the valve to one or more positions, and thus direct coolant (passing through the valve) between ports. The valve is rotated to different positions to create various flow paths, such that coolant is directed between the different flow paths. The valve is a rotor having three different channels. The CFCV may also include a compound valve, where two valves are connected to and driven by one actuator. The valves may be of different shapes to accommodate inlet and outlet ports of various configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Benjamin MacNally, Alexander Dragojlov, Mitchell Koupal
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Publication number: 20200393053Abstract: A coolant flow control module, having a first outer housing, a first rotor located in the first outer housing, a second outer housing adjacent the first outer housing, and a second rotor disposed in the second outer housing. The second rotor is engaged with the first rotor such that the first rotor and second rotor rotate in unison. An actuator is connected to the first rotor, a first plurality of ports is integrally formed as part of the first outer housing, and a second plurality of ports is integrally formed as part of the second outer housing. The actuator rotates the first rotor and second rotor to at least one of a plurality of configurations such that fluid is able to flow through the first plurality of ports and the first rotor, and fluid is able to flow through the second plurality of ports and the second rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Alexander Dragojlov, Benjamin MacNally, Russell M Modien, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt, Kris Leo Barboza, Qingqing Xie, David Rene Forgeron, Jürgen Luft