Patents by Inventor Craig W. Lewitzke

Craig W. Lewitzke 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: 10919384
    Abstract: A system and method using a mount assembly for attaching a powertrain to a structural member of a vehicle. The mount assembly includes a first compliant member, a second compliant member, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a third fluid chamber, a pressure compliant membrane, and a valve. A fluid conduit interconnects the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to allow a fluid to pass from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The third fluid chamber has an opening in communication with the second fluid chamber and a vent port. The pressure compliant membrane seals the opening between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. The valve selectively seals the vent port in the third fluid chamber. A first stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to open the vent port. A second stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to close the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sam M. Jomaa, Wojciech E. Suchta, Craig W. Lewitzke, Daniel G. Gannon
  • Publication number: 20200023732
    Abstract: A system and method using a mount assembly for attaching a powertrain to a structural member of a vehicle. The mount assembly includes a first compliant member, a second compliant member, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a third fluid chamber, a pressure compliant membrane, and a valve. A fluid conduit interconnects the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to allow a fluid to pass from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The third fluid chamber has an opening in communication with the second fluid chamber and a vent port. The pressure compliant membrane seals the opening between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. The valve selectively seals the vent port in the third fluid chamber. A first stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to open the vent port. A second stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to close the vent port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sam M. Jomaa, Wojciech E. Suchta, Craig W. Lewitzke, Daniel G. Gannon
  • Patent number: 10167923
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain mount includes a housing and first and second compliant members coupled to and cooperating with the housing. An inertia track assembly cooperates with the first compliant member to form a first fluid chamber and second fluid chamber with the second compliant member. The inertia track assembly includes at least first and second channels for conducting fluid between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. An air chamber in the inertia track assembly cooperates with a decoupler disposed therein. A switching apparatus is operatively connected to the housing and selectively positionable relative to the inertia track assembly. The switching apparatus includes an actuator with a plunger having a first portion positionable relative to the second channel and a second portion synchronously positionable relative to the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wojciech E. Suchta, Sam M. Jomaa, Daniel G. Gannon, Craig W. Lewitzke
  • Publication number: 20180017130
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain mount includes a housing and first and second compliant members coupled to and cooperating with the housing. An inertia track assembly cooperates with the first compliant member to form a first fluid chamber and second fluid chamber with the second compliant member. The inertia track assembly includes at least first and second channels for conducting fluid between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. An air chamber in the inertia track assembly cooperates with a decoupler disposed therein. A switching apparatus is operatively connected to the housing and selectively positionable relative to the inertia track assembly. The switching apparatus includes an actuator with a plunger having a first portion positionable relative to the second channel and a second portion synchronously positionable relative to the air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wojciech E. Suchta, Sam M. Jomaa, Daniel G. Gannon, Craig W. Lewitzke
  • Patent number: 8016275
    Abstract: A dual-rate resilient isolator having a plurality of raised, generally conical bumps formed on an engagement surface thereof. The bumps in combination with a main body of the resilient isolator provide a dual-rate for isolating CRFM noise vibration and or other vibrations (via the relatively softer resiliency of the bumps) and isolating road vibration and shock (via the relatively harder resiliency of the main body) even though the bumps and the main body are composed of the same resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kent Ting, Craig W. Lewitzke, Patrick E. Fix, III, Dwayne R. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090243172
    Abstract: A dual-rate resilient isolator having a plurality of raised, generally conical bumps formed on an engagement surface thereof. The bumps in combination with a main body of the resilient isolator provide a dual-rate for isolating CRFM noise vibration and or other vibrations (via the relatively softer resiliency of the bumps) and isolating road vibration and shock (via the relatively harder resiliency of the main body) even though the bumps and the main body are composed of the same resilient material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Ting, Craig W. Lewitzke, Patrick E. Fix III, Dwayne R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4462620
    Abstract: An automotive type fuel tank-filler pipe connector consists of a one-piece flexible grommet having relatively rigid inserts embedded in the wall of the grommet and extending axially, the inserts comprising a number of flexible finger-like elements circumferentially separated but joined at one end by a chamfered nose portion, insertion of the grommet into a fuel tank opening being accomplished by the deformation of the nose portions being permitted by the radial inward collapsing of the fingers, passage of the nose portion past the tank opening returning the fingers outwardly; the insertion of the fill pipe camming the fingers further outwardly to clamp against the pipe, a further screw type hose clamp further clamping the grommet to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Bambenek, Craig W. Lewitzke