Patents by Inventor Brent R. Behrman

Brent R. Behrman 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).

  • Patent number: 5232341
    Abstract: A pump impeller assembly comprises a pump journal, an impeller fixed to one end of the pump journal, and a pulley fixed to the other end of the pump journal. The pump impeller assembly further comprises a pump bearing including an outer race surrounding the pump journal with the pump journal being adapted to rotate with respect to the outer race. The pump impeller assembly includes a support plate fixed to the outer race and lying in a radial plane with respect to the pump journal. The support plate has a plurality of locking tabs adjoining its peripheral edge. The locking tabs are circumferentially spaced apart from one another with respect to the pump journal. The locking tabs are adapted to interlock with locking lugs formed on the inner surface of a pump housing wherein the locking lugs are adjacent to a pulley opening in the pump housing through which the pulley extends and are circumferentially spaced apart from one another with respect to the pulley opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Shier, Robert J. White, Brent R. Behrman, Craig A. Diem, Cynthia A. Stuvel
  • Patent number: 5226786
    Abstract: A drip collector installed to a vehicle coolant pump of the type that has a protruding cylindrical bearing race with vent holes includes a feature to prevent collected coolant from splashing out, but not preventing it from collecting in the first instance. The collector includes at least one axially extending cylindrical sleeve that overlays the vent hole, with a small radial gap from the outside of the bearing race. Leaking coolant can run slowly through the gap, but cannot splash out quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Dorski, Steven F. Baker, Brent R. Behrman
  • Patent number: 5154576
    Abstract: A channel type vehicle water pump drip collector provides improved efficiency and capacity and a simple installation. The internal volume enclosed by a retainer that is snap fitted onto the housing is filled with an absorbent material. Leaking coolant is soaked up, rather than puddling at the bottom of the channel. Therefore, a leak proof, welded connection is not needed. In the embodiment disclosed, a retainer for the ring is attached by flexible teeth, and the spaces between the teeth provide air vents through which absorbed coolant may gradually evaporate to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Dorski, Steven F. Baker, John L. Turner, Brent R. Behrman, Joseph L. Tengowski
  • Patent number: 4992023
    Abstract: A slinger ring for a vehicle water pump shaft is given a scalloped outer lip, which causes the lip to undulate back and forth past vent holes in the bearing race as the pump shaft rotates. This provides a continual vent hole cleaning and scraping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven F. Baker, Joseph L. Tengowski, Brent R. Behrman