Patents by Inventor Bruce G. Christenson

Bruce G. Christenson 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: 9322453
    Abstract: Mating components that are mateable to another component to share the same axis of rotation, assemblies including the mating component mated to another component, and methods of mating them together are disclosed. The mating component includes a hub having an engaging portion defining an endless channel recessed therein. The endless channel has a surface that defines one or more trenches therein and an elastomeric band seated against that surface in an uncompressed state. The elastomeric band has an outermost dimension relative to the endless channel that is larger than the inner or outer dimension defined by the engaging portion of the hub and thereby defines an unchanneled portion of the elastomeric band, which has a volume that is equal to or less than the total volume of the one or more trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Doug Averill, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Patent number: 9121471
    Abstract: A Torsional Vibration Damper includes a hub, a ring, and a rubber member that is compression fitted between the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring. The cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring after the assembly of the TVD consists of two concave or convex arcs with their radii such that the cross-sectional profile's gap increases from the center to the sides. This variation of the cross-sectional profile's gap reduces the principal-strain buildup in the rubber, thereby improving the life of the Torsional Vibration Damper. This design also facilitates proper assembly as the components are self aligning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson, Doug Averill
  • Patent number: 8973463
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes an inertia mass and a rotating shaft or hub with an elastomeric ring between the inertia mass and the rotating shaft or hub. A large portion of said elastomeric member is located in a channel located either in the inertia mass or in the hub. This allows one to achieve high contact pressure without creating a significant fatigue on the elastomeric member. This can be used with either a crankshaft damper or an internal or external drive shaft damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20140315648
    Abstract: Mating components that are mateable to another component to share the same axis of rotation, assemblies including the mating component mated to another component, and methods of mating them together are disclosed. The mating component includes a hub having an engaging portion defining an endless channel recessed therein. The endless channel has a surface that defines one or more trenches therein and an elastomeric band seated against that surface in an uncompressed state. The elastomeric band has an outermost dimension relative to the endless channel that is larger than the inner or outer dimension defined by the engaging portion of the hub and thereby defines an unchanneled portion of the elastomeric band, which has a volume that is equal to or less than the total volume of the one or more trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Doug Averill, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20130291677
    Abstract: A Torsional Vibration Damper includes a hub, a ring, and a rubber member that is compression fitted between the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring. The cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring after the assembly of the TVD consists of two concave or convex arcs with their radii such that the cross-sectional profile's gap increases from the center to the sides. This variation of the cross-sectional profile's gap reduces the principal-strain buildup in the rubber, thereby improving the life of the Torsional Vibration Damper. This design also facilitates proper assembly as the components are self aligning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: METAVATION, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson, Doug Averill
  • Publication number: 20130068065
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes an inertia mass and a rotating shaft or hub with an elastomeric ring between the inertia mass and the rotating shaft or hub. A large portion of said elastomeric member is located in a channel located either in the inertia mass or in the hub. This allows one to achieve high contact pressure without creating a significant fatigue on the elastomeric member. This can be used with either a crankshaft damper or an internal or external drive shaft damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Patent number: 8397602
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes front and rear hub members with an inertia mass between the two hub members. Annular elastomeric rings are positioned between the front and rear hub members and the inertia mass holding the inertia mass. Fasteners extend through the front hub member, the inertia mass, and fixed to the rear hub member. A clearance between the fastener and the inertia mass allows relative motion to absorb torsional vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Metavation, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce G. Christenson, Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 8342058
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes an inertia mass and a rotating shaft or hub with an elastomeric ring between the inertia mass and the rotating shaft or hub. A large portion of said elastomeric member is located in a channel located either in the inertia mass or in the hub. This allows one to achieve high contact pressure without creating a significant fatigue on the elastomeric member. This can be used with either a crankshaft damper or an internal or external drive shaft damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hillsdale Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce G. Christenson, Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 8091450
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a one-piece integral hub and annular inertia mass assembly. Between the hub and the inertia mass are intermediate rings connected integrally with the mass and the hub connected integral spokes. Elastomeric members are compression fitted within spaces formed between the hub and the mass. With this design, the damper can be formed from a polymeric material with an embedded annular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Metavation, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Patent number: 7802492
    Abstract: A hub for a vibration damper is formed by shell casting. The hub includes an outer annular surface or rubber diameter. In the casting of the part, the part line is formed along the center of this outer annular surface. The casting gate is also formed on the outer annular surface. The part line divides the outer annular surface into two halves. The surface of these two halves slope slightly away from the part line. When assembled, the elastomeric strip is located between the outer annular surface and inertia ring with edges of the elastomeric member extending up to edges of said casting gate. This, in combination with the different draft angles, maintains the elastomeric member in position during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Metavation, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce G. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20090078079
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a one-piece integral hub and annular inertia mass assembly. Between the hub and the inertia mass are intermediate rings connected integrally with the mass and the hub connected integral spokes. Elastomeric members are compression fitted within spaces formed between the hub and the mass. With this design, the damper can be formed from a polymeric material with an embedded annular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HILLSDALE AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, Bruce G. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20090000422
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes an inertia mass and a rotating shaft or hub with an elastomeric ring between the inertia mass and the rotating shaft or hub. A large portion of said elastomeric member is located in a channel located either in the inertia mass or in the hub. This allows one to achieve high contact pressure without creating a significant fatigue on the elastomeric member. This can be used with either a crankshaft damper or an internal or external drive shaft damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HILLSDALE AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce G. Christenson, Suhale Manzoor
  • Publication number: 20090000421
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes front and rear hub members with an inertia mass between the two hub members. Annular elastomeric rings are positioned between the front and rear hub members and the inertia mass holding the inertia mass. Fasteners extend through the front hub member, the inertia mass, and fixed to the rear hub member. A clearance between the fastener and the inertia mass allows relative motion to absorb torsional vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HILLSDALE AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce G. Christenson, Suhale Manzoor
  • Publication number: 20080105080
    Abstract: A hub for a vibration damper is formed by shell casting. The hub includes an outer annular surface or rubber diameter. In the casting of the part, the part line is formed along the center of this outer annular surface. The casting gate is also formed on the outer annular surface. The part line divides the outer annular surface into two halves. The surface of these two halves slope slightly away from the part line. When assembled, the elastomeric strip is located between the outer annular surface and inertia ring with edges of the elastomeric member extending up to edges of said casting gate. This, in combination with the different draft angles, maintains the elastomeric member in position during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce G. Christenson