Patents by Inventor Brian D. Howe
Brian D. Howe 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: 10955051Abstract: In at least some implementations, a gear shift actuator assembly to cause gear changes in a vehicle transmission includes a drivetrain having a plurality of gears, a body that defines an output of the assembly, and a rotation sensor element coupled to the body. The body is driven by the drivetrain for rotation about an axis. The output has a coupling feature adapted to be connected to a transmission shift mechanism so that rotation of the output causes a transmission gear shift, and the coupling feature is located at an axial end of the body. The rotation sensor element is coupled to the body for rotation with the body, and the rotation sensor element is coupled to the body axially spaced from the coupling feature. In at least some implementations, the rotation sensor element includes a magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: DURA Operating, LLCInventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe
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Patent number: 10234028Abstract: A gear shift control system may include an output mechanism, first and second drive members and a drivetrain. The first drive member may be coupled to the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism and cause a transmission shift. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the drive member during a first mode of operation and an output coupled to both the first input and the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism as commanded by the drive member. During a second mode of operation a second input is coupled to the output and a second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output mechanism through the second input and the output to cause a transmission gear shift. The second drive member may be laterally offset from the drivetrain and axially positioned within an axial height of the drivetrain.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Dura Operating, LLCInventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe, Yang Soo Cho
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Publication number: 20190024790Abstract: In at least some implementations, a gear shift actuator assembly to cause gear changes in a vehicle transmission includes a drivetrain having a plurality of gears, a body that defines an output of the assembly, and a rotation sensor element coupled to the body. The body is driven by the drivetrain for rotation about an axis. The output has a coupling feature adapted to be connected to a transmission shift mechanism so that rotation of the output causes a transmission gear shift, and the coupling feature is located at an axial end of the body. The rotation sensor element is coupled to the body for rotation with the body, and the rotation sensor element is coupled to the body axially spaced from the coupling feature. In at least some implementations, the rotation sensor element includes a magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe
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Publication number: 20190024786Abstract: In at least some implementations, a gear shift actuator assembly used to cause gear changes in a vehicle transmission includes an electrically operated drive member, a drivetrain driven by the drive member, an output driven by the drivetrain for rotation to cause a gear change in the vehicle transmission and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has a drive member locating portion having at least two separate surfaces that engage an exterior of the drive member, and a drivetrain supporting portion on which the drivetrain is supported in fixed relationship relative to the drive member. The mounting frame may also include an electronics supporting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe
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Patent number: 10107388Abstract: A shift lever assembly may include a shift lever movable about a pivot axis to permit changing a transmission mode, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever when the shift lever is moved to cause a transmission mode change. The sensor element is movable relative to the shift lever during at least a portion of the movement of the shift lever. This may permit the sensor element to remain at a relatively consistent distance from the sensor, where that distance is measured perpendicular to the sensor, over the path of movement of the sensor element.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Dura Operating, LLCInventors: Dale A. Beattie, Brian D. Howe, Alberto P. Morales
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Patent number: 9970543Abstract: At least some implementations of a gear shift control system include first and second drive members, a drivetrain selectively driven by the first and second drive members and a retainer. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the first drive member, a second input and an output coupled to and selectively driven by both the first input and the second input. The second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output through the second input during a second mode of operation to cause a transmission gear shift. The retainer is selectively coupled to the second input and movable between first and second positions to permit movement of the second input during the second mode of operation and prevent such movement during a first mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Dura Operating, LLCInventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe
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Publication number: 20170361867Abstract: A steer-by-wire assembly for a steering system in a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a first shaft rotatable in response to a steering input, a second shaft adapted to rotate in response to rotation of the first shaft, a first gear (with a sensed element) that rotates in response to rotation of the first shaft, a second gear (with a sensed element) that rotates in response to rotation of the second shaft, a first sensing element adapted to sense the element carried by the first gear and provide an output associated with an angular position of the first gear, and a second sensing element adapted to sense the element carried by the second gear and provide an output associated with an angular position of the second gear. When the second shaft rotates relative to the first shaft, the outputs provide position and torque data associated with the steering input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Joseph W. Lewis, Yuchen Chen, Steven P. Levesque, Brian D. Howe
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Publication number: 20170175888Abstract: At least some implementations of a gear shift control system include first and second drive members, a drivetrain selectively driven by the first and second drive members and a retainer. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the first drive member, a second input and an output coupled to and selectively driven by both the first input and the second input. The second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output through the second input during a second mode of operation to cause a transmission gear shift. The retainer is selectively coupled to the second input and movable between first and second positions to permit movement of the second input during the second mode of operation and prevent such movement during a first mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe
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Publication number: 20170175885Abstract: A gear shift control system may include an output mechanism, first and second drive members and a drivetrain. The first drive member may be coupled to the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism and cause a transmission shift. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the drive member during a first mode of operation and an output coupled to both the first input and the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism as commanded by the drive member. During a second mode of operation a second input is coupled to the output and a second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output mechanism through the second input and the output to cause a transmission gear shift. The second drive member may be laterally offset from the drivetrain and axially positioned within an axial height of the drivetrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Jinseok Jeon, Brian D. Howe, Yang Soo Cho
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Publication number: 20170175880Abstract: A shift lever assembly may include a shift lever movable about a pivot axis to permit changing a transmission mode, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever when the shift lever is moved to cause a transmission mode change. The sensor element is movable relative to the shift lever during at least a portion of the movement of the shift lever. This may permit the sensor element to remain at a relatively consistent distance from the sensor, where that distance is measured perpendicular to the sensor, over the path of movement of the sensor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Dale A. Beattie, Brian D. Howe, Alberto P. Morales
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Publication number: 20160017983Abstract: In at least one embodiment a rotary shifter for a vehicle transmission includes a selector, a motor, a controller and a brake. The selector is adapted to be communicated with a vehicle transmission and rotated to multiple positions corresponding to different transmission gears. The motor is coupled to the selector to selectively alter the force required to rotate the selector among the multiple positions of the selector, and the controller is coupled to the motor and responsive to rotation of the selector to control actuation of the motor at least in part as a function of the rotary orientation of the selector. The brake is coupled to at least one of the selector or the motor to selectively inhibit or selectively prevent rotation of the selector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Steven P. Levesque, Brian D. Howe
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Patent number: 8936524Abstract: At least one implementation of a gear shift control system includes an output mechanism coupled to a vehicle transmission, a first drive member coupled to the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism to shift between gears of the transmission and a drivetrain. The drivetrain may include a first input driven by the drive member during a first mode of operation of the gear shift control system and an output coupled to both the first input and the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism as commanded by the drive member. During a second mode of operation of the gear shift control system a second input is coupled to the output. A second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output mechanism through the second input and the output during the second mode of operation to cause a transmission gear shift.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Dura Operating, LLCInventors: Brian D. Howe, Yang Soo Cho, Jeremy J. Gill
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Patent number: 8763492Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a multiple piece shifter cable system. The cable pieces may each have a core section with a connector and a conduit section with a connector. The core connectors may be coupled together to connect the core sections of the cable pieces and the conduit connectors may be coupled together to connect the conduit sections of the cable pieces. When the conduit connectors are mated together the core connectors may automatically be mated together, and the core connectors may automatically be locked together as well. In at least some implementations, the conduit connectors may permit adjustment of the total length of the conduit during assembly, and a clamp may be provided to maintain the conduit connectors in a desired assembled position.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Dura Operating LLCInventors: Brian D. Howe, Steven P. Levesque
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Patent number: 8707624Abstract: A heated sliding window assembly for a vehicle that includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the at least one fixed window. The fixed window may include an electrical contact. A sliding window is moveable along the rail and is moveable between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A drive mechanism is attached to the sliding window for moving the sliding window between the open and closed positions. An electrical circuit is included for carrying current to the heater grid. A switch is disposed within the electrical circuit that cuts off current to the heater grid when the sliding window is moved.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Dura Operating LLCInventors: Ron G. Gipson, Charles Flynn, Brian D. Howe, Ken Keck
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Publication number: 20140090511Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a multiple piece shifter cable system. The cable pieces may each have a core section with a connector and a conduit section with a connector. The core connectors may be coupled together to connect the core sections of the cable pieces and the conduit connectors may be coupled together to connect the conduit sections of the cable pieces. When the conduit connectors are mated together the core connectors may automatically be mated together, and the core connectors may automatically be locked together as well. In at least some implementations, the conduit connectors may permit adjustment of the total length of the conduit during assembly, and a clamp may be provided to maintain the conduit connectors in a desired assembled position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: DURA OPERATING LLCInventors: Brian D. Howe, Steven P. Levesque
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Publication number: 20130305865Abstract: At least one implementation of a gear shift control system includes an output mechanism coupled to a vehicle transmission, a first drive member coupled to the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism to shift between gears of the transmission and a drivetrain. The drivetrain may include a first input driven by the drive member during a first mode of operation of the gear shift control system and an output coupled to both the first input and the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism as commanded by the drive member. During a second mode of operation of the gear shift control system a second input is coupled to the output. A second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output mechanism through the second input and the output during the second mode of operation to cause a transmission gear shift.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian D. Howe, Yang Soo Cho, Jeremy J. Gill
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Patent number: 7971501Abstract: A shift lock assembly including a shifter base and a shift lever having a pivot member that is associated with the shifter base. A detent member having an upper portion including engaging features is coupled to the pivot member. A lock lever having opposing sides and a first end pivotally attached to the shifter base and a second end adapted to contact the engaging features of the detent member is also included. At least one solenoid is connected to the lock lever for pivotally moving the lock lever relative to the detent member wherein the at least one solenoid moves the lock lever between low, middle and high positions in response to control parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian D. Howe, Steve Wieczerza
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Publication number: 20100146859Abstract: A heated sliding window assembly for a vehicle that includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the at least one fixed window. The fixed window may include an electrical contact. A sliding window is moveable along the rail and is moveable between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A drive mechanism is attached to the sliding window for moving the sliding window between the open and closed positions. An electrical circuit is included for carrying current to the heater grid. A switch is disposed within the electrical circuit that cuts off current to the heater grid when the sliding window is moved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronnie G. Gipson, Charles Flynn, Brian D. Howe, Ken Keck
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Patent number: 6748884Abstract: A fertilizer system that employs an independent hydraulic motor and variable speed pump to deliver the selected application rate from the convenience of the operator's cab. The application rate can be changed while planting without changing seed population and the application rate can be controlled sectionally as well. The system may additionally be used in combination with more sophisticated multi-functional control systems that read maps and use GPS technology to control the entire preparation and planting operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Case, LLCInventors: Leonard A. Bettin, Marvin L. Nelson, Brian D. Howe