Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Thorn

Christopher D. Thorn 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: 10393001
    Abstract: An exhaust system provides an oxygen sensor within a balance tube for use with a marine engine. The balance tube is configured to protect the oxygen sensor from water that infiltrates the exhaust system. The exhaust system further provides a mounting system configured to attach to an engine such that an axial load placed on the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thorn, Tyler J. Sierakowski, Brian M. H. Sheridan, Sean A. Rusch, Pritam Ramchandra Kudawe
  • Publication number: 20190048778
    Abstract: An exhaust system provides an oxygen sensor within a balance tube for use with a marine engine. The balance tube is configured to protect the oxygen sensor from water that infiltrates the exhaust system. The exhaust system further provides a mounting system configured to attach to an engine such that an axial load placed on the exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thorn, Tyler J. Sierakowski, Brian M.H. Sheridan, Sean A. Rusch, Pritam Ramchandra Kudawe
  • Patent number: 10060309
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes an oil baffle in the oil sump. The internal combustion engine may include a crankcase comprising an oil sump containing an oil reservoir, a crankshaft, and an oil baffle positioned within the oil sump. The crankshaft may be a vertical crankshaft and a first balance shaft may extend upward from the oil baffle. The crankshaft may be positioned within the oil baffle and a drivetrain may, also optionally, be positioned in the oil baffle. The internal combustion engine may be configured such that the oil reservoir has a first oil level when the internal combustion engine is off and a second oil level when the internal combustion engine is running at normal operating conditions. The first oil level is above a floor of the oil baffle. The second oil level may, also, be above the floor of the oil baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: Michael E. Smies, Christopher D. Thorn, Brian Philipps, Louis G. Verhagen, Nick Bille, Advait S. Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20180087416
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes an oil baffle in the oil sump. The internal combustion engine may include a crankcase comprising an oil sump containing an oil reservoir, a crankshaft, and an oil baffle positioned within the oil sump. The crankshaft may be a vertical crankshaft and a first balance shaft may extend upward from the oil baffle. The crankshaft may be positioned within the oil baffle and a drivetrain may, also optionally, be positioned in the oil baffle. The internal combustion engine may be configured such that the oil reservoir has a first oil level when the internal combustion engine is off and a second oil level when the internal combustion engine is running at normal operating conditions. The first oil level is above a floor of the oil baffle. The second oil level may, also, be above the floor of the oil baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Michael E. Smies, Christopher D. Thorn, Brian Philipps, Louis G. Verhagen, Nick Bille, Advait S. Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20160017955
    Abstract: A balance system for a single cylinder engine is described. The single cylinder engine generates forces, that if left unbalanced, cause significant vibrations or movement to the single cylinder engine and devices driven by the single cylinder engine. The balance shaft includes a primary balance shaft for a first type of forces and at least one secondary balance shaft for a second type of forces. The secondary balance shaft is driven directly by the primary balance shaft. In one example, only one secondary balance shaft may be used, which may leave some forces unbalanced but is more space and cost effective. In another example, two or more secondary balance shafts may be included in a drive chain such that one secondary balance shaft drive the next secondary balance shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Scott C. Sajdowitz, Christopher D. Thorn, Jonathan T. Bykowski, Tyler W. LeRoy, Roger W. Albert
  • Patent number: 8973905
    Abstract: A venturi insert for a carburetor, and a carburetor, system and apparatus incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a carburetor for an internal combustion engine comprising: a carburetor body comprising a plurality of throttle bores extending through the carburetor body, and for each of the throttle bores a fuel delivery passage terminating at a sidewall of the throttle bore; an insert comprising a plurality of venturi tubes and a linking member connecting the venturi tubes together, each of the venturi tubes comprising a venturi passage and a fuel port for introducing fuel into the venturi passage; and the insert secured to the carburetor body so that the venturi tubes extend into the throttle bores and the fuel ports are in fluid communication with the fuel delivery passages, and the linking member is in contact with the carburetor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Bonde, Christopher D. Thorn
  • Publication number: 20140084494
    Abstract: A venturi insert for a carburetor, and a carburetor, system and apparatus incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a carburetor for an internal combustion engine comprising: a carburetor body comprising a plurality of throttle bores extending through the carburetor body, and for each of the throttle bores a fuel delivery passage terminating at a sidewall of the throttle bore; an insert comprising a plurality of venturi tubes and a linking member connecting the venturi tubes together, each of the venturi tubes comprising a venturi passage and a fuel port for introducing fuel into the venturi passage; and the insert secured to the carburetor body so that the venturi tubes extend into the throttle bores and the fuel ports are in fluid communication with the fuel delivery passages, and the linking member is in contact with the carburetor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin G. Bonde, Christopher D. Thorn
  • Patent number: D735762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D735763
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D735767
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D735768
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D742923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D742924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Travis J. Andren, Christopher D. Thorn, Anthony P. Freund, Nicholas D. Conger, Daniel J. Luhman, Christopher M. Rector, Michael E. Smies
  • Patent number: D784413
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thorn, Ted Wehrman, Nicholas D. Conger, Eric Hudak, Shawn Bozarth, Michelle Aiello, Michael E. Smies, Ken Hanna
  • Patent number: D787558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thorn, Ted Wehrman, Nicholas D. Conger, Eric Hudak, Shawn Bozarth, Michelle Aiello, Michael E. Smies, Ken Hanna
  • Patent number: D913468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Tyler J. Sierakowski, Christopher D. Thorn, Pritam Ramchandra Kudawe
  • Patent number: D939582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tyler J. Sierakowski, Christopher D. Thorn, Nicholas D. Conger, Pritam Ramchandra Kudawe, Kenneth S. Hanna