Patents by Inventor Brian W. Bowling

Brian W. Bowling 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: 9927035
    Abstract: A valve manifold includes a housing defining an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. Each of the plurality of outlet ports defines a sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of poppets, wherein each of the plurality of poppets is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports and is configured for translating towards and away from the sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of actuators each configured for translating a respective one of the plurality of poppets towards and away from the sealing face, wherein each of the plurality of actuators is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal. A washer system, a device, and a method of simultaneously controlling fluid flow to a first component and a second component of the device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, James Holbrook Brown, Tyler P. Ownby, Brian W. Bowling
  • Publication number: 20160207075
    Abstract: A valve manifold includes a housing defining an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. Each of the plurality of outlet ports defines a sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of poppets, wherein each of the plurality of poppets is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports and is configured for translating towards and away from the sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of actuators each configured for translating a respective one of the plurality of poppets towards and away from the sealing face, wherein each of the plurality of actuators is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal. A washer system, a device, and a method of simultaneously controlling fluid flow to a first component and a second component of the device are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, DYNALLOY, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, James Holbrook Brown, Tyler P. Ownby, Brian W. Bowling
  • Patent number: 8864392
    Abstract: A camera system includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera attached to the body within the cavity and including a lens. The camera system also includes a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal, and a wiper configured for wiping debris from the lens. The wiper is attached to the camera and is actuatable by the shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy transitions between the first state and the second state to actuate the wiper so that the wiper contacts and translates across the lens and thereby wipes debris from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, James Holbrook Brown, James Ryan Yates, Brian W. Bowling, James Q. La, Aragorn Zolno
  • Patent number: 8801053
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Joseph P. Fannon, Bobbi E. Alton, James Holbrook Brown, Brian W. Bowling, Alan L. Browne
  • Publication number: 20120126551
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: DYNALLOY, INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Joseph P. Fannon, Bobbi E. Alton, James Holbrook Brown, Brian W. Bowling, Alan L. Browne