Patents by Inventor Chris D. Thomas

Chris D. Thomas 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: 11111827
    Abstract: An inlet check valve for controlling fluid from a supply into a variable cam timing phaser includes a double flapper check valve assembly with an open position and a closed position, which includes a housing having a body, at least one stopper, a flapper valve comprising at least two flexible flaps received within the housing and aligned with the stopper(s), and a valve seat received within the housing, the valve seat defining openings aligned with the at least two flexible flaps, axially opposite the two stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Chris D. Thomas, Augusto Fanzani, Maino Bruno
  • Patent number: 10648375
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled eccentric camshaft phaser (10) that adjusts phase between a camshaft and a crankshaft includes a sprocket (12), configured to connect to the crankshaft and rotate about a center axis (x), having a sprocket ring gear (14); a camshaft plate (20) configured to connect to the camshaft and rotate about the center axis (x), having a camshaft ring gear (22); an eccentric shaft (28) that includes a crankshaft eccentric section (52) and a camshaft eccentric section (54); a sprocket bearing (16) that is received by the crankshaft eccentric section (52); a camshaft bearing (64), having a different diameter than the sprocket bearing (16), that is received by the camshaft eccentric section (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Brown, Shawn Blackmur, Chris D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200011215
    Abstract: An inlet check valve for controlling fluid from a supply into a variable cam timing phaser includes a double flapper check valve assembly with an open position and a closed position, which includes a housing having a body, at least one stopper, a flapper valve comprising at least two flexible flaps received within the housing and aligned with the stopper(s), and a valve seat received within the housing, the valve seat defining openings aligned with the at least two flexible flaps, axially opposite the two stoppers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Chris D. Thomas, Augusto Fanzani, Maino Bruno
  • Publication number: 20190107015
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled eccentric camshaft phaser (10) that adjusts phase between a camshaft and a crankshaft includes a sprocket (12), configured to connect to the crankshaft and rotate about a center axis (x), having a sprocket ring gear (14); a camshaft plate (20) configured to connect to the camshaft and rotate about the center axis (x), having a camshaft ring gear (22); an eccentric shaft (28) that includes a crankshaft eccentric section (52) and a camshaft eccentric section (54); a sprocket bearing (16) that is received by the crankshaft eccentric section (52); a camshaft bearing (64), having a different diameter than the sprocket bearing (16), that is received by the camshaft eccentric section (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel BROWN, Shawn BLACKMUR, Chris D. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20130324336
    Abstract: A modular tensioner system for an engine including a modular tensioner and an application specific carrier (15). The modular tensioner includes an integral anti-rotation device (14, 24, 202), backlash adjustability, and damping element. The plunger (8, 58, 108, 158), sleeve (1, 70a, 70b, 101, 151, 270a, 270b), clip (9, 59, 109, 159), retainer (6, 106), spring (4, 54, 104, 154), and hydraulic vent device (7, 57, 107, 157, 307) may be packaged as a modular assembly with the ability to mate with various suitable carriers (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jason W. Chekansky, Chris D. Thomas, Jeffrey D. Irving, Philippe Alain Clayton, Alessandro Benedetti
  • Publication number: 20100222167
    Abstract: A modular tensioner system for an engine including a modular tensioner and an application specific carrier (15). The modular tensioner includes an integral anti-rotation device (14, 24, 202), backlash adjustability, and damping element. The plunger (8, 58, 108, 158), sleeve (1, 70a, 70b, 101, 151, 270a, 270b), clip (9, 59, 109, 159), retainer (6, 106), spring (4, 54, 104, 154), and hydraulic vent device (7, 57, 107, 157, 307) may be packaged as a modular assembly with the ability to mate with various suitable carriers (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Jason W. Chekansky, Chris D. Thomas, Jeffrey D. Irving, Philippe Alain Clayton, Alessandro Benedetti