Patents by Inventor Benjamin S. Whybrew

Benjamin S. Whybrew 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).

  • Steering gear with tunable hydraulic bushings
    Patent number: 9522698
    Abstract: A tunable hydraulic bushing mounts a steering gear to a vehicle frame member. The bushing is filled with a fluid and includes an inertia track and a pressure valve separating first and second fluid chambers or cavities. The inertia track provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve is movable between an open position, which allows fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a closed position, which blocks fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve may be configured to be closed during loads induced by smooth road shake and open during loads greater than smooth road shake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Marco E. Rodriguez, Hugh R. Tye-Dias, Benjamin S. Whybrew
  • STEERING GEAR WITH TUNABLE HYDRAULIC BUSHINGS
    Publication number: 20160339955
    Abstract: A tunable hydraulic bushing mounts a steering gear to a vehicle frame member. The bushing is filled with a fluid and includes an inertia track and a pressure valve separating first and second fluid chambers or cavities. The inertia track provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve is movable between an open position, which allows fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a closed position, which blocks fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve may be configured to be closed during loads induced by smooth road shake and open during loads greater than smooth road shake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco E. Rodriguez, Hugh R. Tye-Dias, Benjamin S. Whybrew