Patents by Inventor Charles J. Barker

Charles J. Barker 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: 5022431
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine having a base with an exhaust gas chamber formed therein, a cover closing the chamber, a valve member mounted within the exhaust gas chamber for metering exhaust gas passage through the chamber, an actuator energizable to operate the valve within the exhaust gas chamber and a heat deflector assembly placed between the cover and the base to reduce heat transfer from the exhaust gas chamber to the actuator. The heat deflector assembly is constructed of a first gasket member which is configured to form a seal between the cover and the base and the second heat deflector member mounted to the lower surface of the gasket member, facing the exhaust gas chamber and separating the gasket member from direct impingement of exhaust gases thereon. As a result, durability of the insulative gasket member is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Grey, Raymond E. Kirton, George A. English, Michael D. Liggett, Karen M. Meyer, Charles J. Barker
  • Patent number: 4998707
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine has an electrically operated valve member that meters flow of exhaust gas through an exhaust gas chamber. A valve member has a valve stem extending to an actuator which is isolated from the base housing the exhaust gas, and the valve is surrounded by a pair of spring-biased seals that seal openings around the valve stem into the actuator and the exhaust gas chamber. The seal closing the actuator opening has an inverted, cup-shaped configuration which encloses the valve stem between the actuator and the base thereby preventing impingement thereon of contaminants which could be carried into the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Karen M. Meyer, Michael D. Liggett, Robert J. Conklin, Charles J. Barker