Patents by Inventor Brian K Fuller
Brian K Fuller 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: 7351450Abstract: Disclosed is a method for repairing defects in kinetically sprayed surfaces. The typical defects comprise isolated or connected conical shaped holes in the kinetic spray coating. The repair involves thermally spraying a molten material into the defective area to fill in the cone followed by continued kinetic spraying to complete the coating.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian K Fuller, Alaa A. Elmoursi, Kenneth M Rahmoeller
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Patent number: 7108893Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for simultaneously applying a kinetic spray coating and a thermal spray coating onto a substrate using a single application nozzle to produce a combined coating. The system may include a higher heat capacity gas heater to permit both the thermal spray and the kinetic spray. The method involves providing two populations of particles to the nozzle simultaneously wherein one population is thermally softened in the nozzle under the spray parameters and the other is not. The system increases the versatility of the spray nozzle and addresses several problems inherent in kinetic spray applied coatings.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hubert Van Steenkiste, Brian K Fuller
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Patent number: 7081376Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Morelli, Alaa A. Elmoursi, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, Brian K. Fuller, Bryan A. Gillispie, Daniel W. Gorkiewicz
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Patent number: 7024946Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Thomas Hubert Van Steenkiste, John R. Smith, Brian K Fuller, Avoki M. Omekanda, Donald T. Morelli, Joseph V. Mantese
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Patent number: 6871553Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, the torque sensing apparatus having: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Malakondaiah Naidu, Joseph Pierre Heremans, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, John R. Smith, Brian K Fuller
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Patent number: 6808817Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Morelli, Alaa A. Elmoursi, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, Brian K. Fuller, Bryan A. Gillispie, Daniel W. Gorkiewicz
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Publication number: 20040187605Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, comprising: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Malakondaiah Naidu, Joseph Pierre Heremans, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, John R. Smith, Brian K. Fuller
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Publication number: 20040187606Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic flux in response to applying a torque to a shaft is disclosed. A magnetostrictive material is disposed on the surface of the shaft and is magnetically polarized. The apparatus includes a first flux collector and a second flux collector spaced from each other and extending annularly around the shaft. A first fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a first excitation coil wound about the first fluxgate. A second fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a second excitation coil wound about the second fluxgate. A feedback coil is positioned between the shaft and the flux collectors, the fluxgates, and the excitation coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Joseph Pierre Heremans, Brian K. Fuller, John R. Smith, Malakondaiah Naidu, Avoki M. Omekanda
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Patent number: 6743468Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for applying both a kinetic spray applied coating layer and a thermal spray applied layer onto a substrate using a single application nozzle. The system includes a higher heat capacity gas heater to permit oscillation between a kinetic spray mode wherein the particles being applied are not thermally softened and a thermal spray mode wherein the particles being applied are thermally softened prior to application. The system increases the versatility of the spray nozzle and addresses several problems inherent in kinetic spray applied coatings.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian K. Fuller, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste
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Publication number: 20040058065Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for simultaneously applying a kinetic spray coating and a thermal spray coating onto a substrate using a single application nozzle to produce a combined coating. The system may include a higher heat capacity gas heater to permit both the thermal spray and the kinetic spray. The method involves providing two populations of particles to the nozzle simultaneously wherein one population is thermally softened in the nozzle under the spray parameters and the other is not. The system increases the versatility of the spray nozzle and addresses several problems inherent in kinetic spray applied coatings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Thomas Hubert Van Steenkiste, Brian K. Fuller
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Publication number: 20040058064Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for applying both a kinetic spray applied coating layer and a thermal spray applied layer onto a substrate using a single application nozzle. The system includes a higher heat capacity gas heater to permit oscillation between a kinetic spray mode wherein the particles being applied are not thermally softened and a thermal spray mode wherein the particles being applied are thermally softened prior to application. The system increases the versatility of the spray nozzle and addresses several problems inherent in kinetic spray applied coatings.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian K. Fuller, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste
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Publication number: 20030175559Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Donald T. Morelli, Alaa A. Elmoursi, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, Brian K. Fuller, Bryan A. Gillispie, Daniel W. Gorkiewicz
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Patent number: 5535905Abstract: The invention generally includes a new technique for making cubic boron nitride films with low contamination from other forms of boron nitride such as hexagonal and amorphous boron nitride. Films including either hexagonal or amorphous boron nitride are etched in a gas atmosphere including a halogen and/or hydrocarbon radical, preferably a methyl radical (CH.sub.3 ). Such atmospheres may be a plasma etching atmosphere also including hydrogen and hydrogen atoms. The etching technique is successful in removing hexagonal or amorphous boron nitride and leaving cubic boron nitride, or in converting hexagonal or amorphous boron nitride into cubic boron nitride, thus increasing the concentration of cubic boron nitride in the film. Interestingly, little or no etching of hexagonal or amorphous boron nitride occurs using only hydrogen or hydrogen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Stephen J. Harris, Anita M. Weiner, Gary L. Doll, Brian K. Fuller
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Patent number: 5196821Abstract: A magnetic field sensor, such as a magnetoresistor, includes a strip of a layer of a high electron mobility semiconductor whose electrical characteristics vary when a magnetic field is applied thereto on the surface of a body (substrate) of an insulating layer. Conductive contacts are on the strip at the ends thereof and conductive shorting bars are on and spaced along the strip to divide the strip into active regions. The body is mounted on a permanent magnet assembly which includes a magnet and a layer of a ferromagnetic material with the ferromagnetic material extending over the strip. The ferromagnetic layer is in close proximity to only the strip and, more preferably, to only the active regions of the strip so as to confine the magnetic field to the strip.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1992Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Dale L. Partin, Jackson G. Gay, Brian K. Fuller, Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Frederick E. Pinkerton
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Patent number: 4990970Abstract: A light emitting semiconducting structure is formed over a light reflecting surface using epitaxial growth techniques. The light reflecting surface is provided by an appropriate metal layer intermediately disposed between two dielectric layers, this multi-layer structure is disposed intermediate between an underlying substrate and the overlaying light emitting semiconducting components. The light reflecting surface provides enhanced photon reflectance for the light emitting device. The active region of the light emitting device is formed using epitaxial growth techniques.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1990Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Brian K. Fuller
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Patent number: 4971928Abstract: A light emitting semiconducting structure is formed over a light reflecting surface using epitaxial growth techniques. The light reflecting surface is provided by an appropriate metal layer intermediately disposed between two dielectric layers, this multi-layer structure is disposed intermediate between an underlying substrate and the overlaying light emitting semiconducting components. The light reflecting surface provides enhanced photon reflectance for the light emitting device. The active region of the light emitting device is formed using epitaxial growth techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1990Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Brian K. Fuller