Patents by Inventor Brian T. Ignaczak
Brian T. Ignaczak 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: 11566733Abstract: A v-clamp provides an enhanced axial load to tubular body end flanges in order to establish a fluid-tight joint therebetween. The v-clamp, according to an example, has a v-angle that varies in value over a section or more of a band of the v-clamp. The varying v-angle has been shown to effect an axial load that is more evenly and uniformly applied around a circumference of the v-clamp and to the underlying tubular body end flanges. Furthermore, in an example, the tubular body end flanges have a partially spherical shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventor: Brian T. Ignaczak
-
Patent number: 11512737Abstract: A v-clamp is used to join tubular bodies having end flanges in order to form a joint therebetween. Such tubular bodies are employed in heavy-duty and moderate and light-duty applications including, but not limited to, industrial, oil and gas, sewage, agriculture, and automotive applications. The v-clamp can include a band, a closure mechanism, and a set of bearings. The v-clamp may furnish a more evenly and uniformly distributed clamping force around a circumference of the v-clamp and to the tubular body end flanges than previously demonstrated.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, David Peterson
-
Patent number: 11306857Abstract: A fluid line connector provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that can be automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector, in an embodiment, includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and an actuator member. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator and has a circuit with a break in the circuit. A portion or more, such as a surface, of the actuator member is composed of an electrically-conductive material. The electrically-conductive portion bridges the break when the actuator member is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Manuel Baudoin, Brian T. Ignaczak, Mateusz Jarosz, René Schindler, Bruno Jacksteit
-
Patent number: 11199282Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, one or more actuator members, and one or more switches. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator. The actuator member(s) changes the state of the switch(es) when the actuator member(s) actuates. The switch(es) is electrically coupled with the RFID tag.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, René Schindler, Thomas A. Puvogel
-
Publication number: 20210231254Abstract: A fluid line connector provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that can be automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector, in an embodiment, includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and an actuator member. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator and has a circuit with a break in the circuit. A portion or more, such as a surface, of the actuator member is composed of an electrically-conductive material. The electrically-conductive portion bridges the break when the actuator member is actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Manuel Baudoin, Brian T. Ignaczak, Mateusz Jarosz, René Schindler, Bruno Jacksteit
-
Patent number: 11048994Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector, in an embodiment, includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a retainer, an actuator member, and a switch. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough and has an opening. The retainer can move through the body's opening. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator. The switch is electrically coupled with the RFID tag.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Thomas A. Puvogel, Brian T. Ignaczak, René Schindler
-
Patent number: 10975993Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a switch. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID chip has an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The switch interacts with the antenna to enable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals, and to alternatively disable the antenna from transmitting and receiving RF signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, Dave Peterson, Viktor Stoll, René Schindler
-
Patent number: 10935172Abstract: A pipe clamp is used to connect pipe ends together and thereby establish a pipe joint. The pipe clamp and pipe joint are designed and constructed to accommodate a sensor bung and/or a sensor equipped at one of the connected pipe ends. The pipe clamp and pipe joint can be of an automotive exhaust application.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, Brian T. Geese, Manuel Baudoin, Belal Akremi, Mateusz Jarosz, Tatjana Rumbauskiene
-
Publication number: 20210033227Abstract: A v-clamp provides an enhanced axial load to tubular body end flanges in order to establish a fluid-tight joint therebetween. The v-clamp, according to an example, has a v-angle that varies in value over a section or more of a band of the v-clamp. The varying v-angle has been shown to effect an axial load that is more evenly and uniformly applied around a circumference of the v-clamp and to the underlying tubular body end flanges. Furthermore, in an example, the tubular body end flanges have a partially spherical shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventor: Brian T. Ignaczak
-
Publication number: 20200277986Abstract: A v-clamp is used to join tubular bodies having end flanges in order to form a joint therebetween. Such tubular bodies are employed in heavy-duty and moderate and light-duty applications including, but not limited to, industrial, oil and gas, sewage, agriculture, and automotive applications. The v-clamp can include a band, a closure mechanism, and a set of bearings. The v-clamp may furnish a more evenly and uniformly distributed clamping force around a circumference of the v-clamp and to the tubular body end flanges than previously demonstrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, David Peterson
-
Patent number: 10591099Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes first and second connectors. The first connector includes a ramp having an inner core and an outer skin surrounding at least a part of the inner core. The inner core extends through the ramp at a location adjacent a radially extending retaining surface for at least a portion of the radial extent of the retaining surface. The second connector has a hook wherein, when the first and second connectors are brought together and secured to each other, the hook inhibits separation of the first and second connectors by bearing again the retaining surface. The first connector is made by coinjection molding a connector body having the outer skin and inner core with the inner core extending through the ramp to a sacrificial portion, and then severing the sacrificial portion from the ramp leaving the inner core exposed at an apex of the ramp.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, David Charles Peterson, Jason Earl Dendel
-
Publication number: 20200074260Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector, in an embodiment, includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a retainer, an actuator member, and a switch. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough and has an opening. The retainer can move through the body's opening. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator. The switch is electrically coupled with the RFID tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Thomas A. Puvogel, Brian T. Ignaczak, René Schindler
-
Publication number: 20190257456Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, one or more actuator members, and one or more switches. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator. The actuator member(s) changes the state of the switch(es) when the actuator member(s) actuates. The switch(es) is electrically coupled with the RFID tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, René Schindler, Thomas A. Puvogel
-
Publication number: 20190109355Abstract: A battery thermal management manifold segment is used amid the circulation of thermal management fluid to help regulate temperatures in a battery of an electric vehicle (EV). The battery thermal management manifold segment has one or more tubes—a feed tube, a return tube, or both—that have an inlet, an outlet, and a passage spanning therebetween. The tube(s) has one or more branch tubes extending therefrom. The branch tube(s) has a branch passage spanning from the passage of the tube(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Carl Jones, Doug Fansler, Brian T. Ignaczak, Nicholas Ward, Dave Peterson, Michael R. Bucher
-
Publication number: 20190049049Abstract: A fluid line connector and assembly provides remote securement detection and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that are automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a switch. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID chip has an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The switch interacts with the antenna to enable the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals, and to alternatively disable the antenna from transmitting and receiving RF signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, Dave Peterson, Viktor Stoll
-
Publication number: 20180259103Abstract: A pipe clamp is used to connect pipe ends together and thereby establish a pipe joint. The pipe clamp and pipe joint are designed and constructed to accommodate a sensor bung and/or a sensor equipped at one of the connected pipe ends. The pipe clamp and pipe joint can be of an automotive exhaust application.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, Brian T. Geese, Manuel Baudoin, Belal Akremi, Mateusz Jarosz, Tatjana Rumbauskiene
-
Publication number: 20180087698Abstract: A band clamp is employed to secure an overlapping pipe end configuration involving a female pipe end and a male pipe end. The band clamp includes a band and a tightening mechanism. The band has a pair of flanges, each made up of inboard and outboard layers with a closed loop spanning at distal ends therebetween. The tightening mechanism includes a single bolt and a single nut. Stiffness is imparted to one or both of the flanges via a washer, one or more ribs, and/or one or more embossments.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Andrew Lenn, Brian T. Geese, Brian T. Ignaczak, Shuokai Chang
-
Publication number: 20170190084Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes first and second connectors. The first connector includes a ramp having an inner core and an outer skin surrounding at least a part of the inner core. The inner core extends through the ramp at a location adjacent a radially extending retaining surface for at least a portion of the radial extent of the retaining surface. The second connector has a hook wherein, when the first and second connectors are brought together and secured to each other, the hook inhibits separation of the first and second connectors by bearing again the retaining surface. The first connector is made by coinjection molding a connector body having the outer skin and inner core with the inner core extending through the ramp to a sacrificial portion, and then severing the sacrificial portion from the ramp leaving the inner core exposed at an apex of the ramp.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Brian T. IGNACZAK, David Charles PETERSON, Jason Earl DENDEL
-
Patent number: 9651180Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes first and second connectors. The first connector includes a ramp having an inner core and an outer skin surrounding at least a part of the inner core. The inner core extends through the ramp at a location adjacent a radially extending retaining surface for at least a portion of the radial extent of the retaining surface. The second connector has a hook wherein, when the first and second connectors are brought together and secured to each other, the hook inhibits separation of the first and second connectors by bearing again the retaining surface. The first connector is made by coinjection molding a connector body having the outer skin and inner core with the inner core extending through the ramp to a sacrificial portion, and then severing the sacrificial portion from the ramp leaving the inner core exposed at an apex of the ramp.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, David Charles Peterson, Jason Earl Dendel
-
Patent number: 9534717Abstract: A hose clamp includes a band and a worm drive mechanism. The band has a set of slots located between a first and second circumferential end of the band. The worm drive mechanism is connected to the band and causes radial contraction of the band to tighten the band. The worm drive mechanism includes a screw that engages the set of slots for radial contraction of the band. A clamping-pressure-restoring construction is provided in order to maintain a seal between the hose clamp and an underlying hose during use of the hose clamp and when the underlying hose experiences size expansion and contraction due to, for example, temperature fluctuations.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLCInventors: David Wyatt, Brian T. Ignaczak