Patents by Inventor Darryl J. Muir

Darryl J. Muir 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: 5584267
    Abstract: An improved mounting for a latchable rocker arm assembly. A pivot bar is received transversely through a first rocker arm and is engageable with the output member of a hydraulic lash adjuster or other pivot member. The pivot bar has a convex arcuate upper surface engageable with a concave bearing surface formed on the second arm and a spherical socket formed in its bottom surface, the spherical socket being engageable with a spherical end formed on the pivot member. In accordance with other aspects of the invention the pivot bar serves as an anchor point for ends of a torsion spring biasing the rocker arm assembly in a latched position and has a hole formed therein which in combination with a hole formed in the second rocker arm and an oil port formed in the pivot member provides a conduit directing lubricating oil to an area of the second rocker arm which receives a roller bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Darryl J. Muir
  • Patent number: 5524580
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a valve control system of the type which includes a first rocker arm engageable with a poppet valve, a second rocker arm mounted for pivotal movement relative to the first rocker arm and engageable with a cam lobe, means for selectively interconnecting the rocker arms, and means biasing the first rocker arm into engagement with the valve and the second rocker arm into engagement with the cam lobe, wherein the adjusting mechanism limits the extent of relative pivoted movement between the rocker arms. In a preferred embodiment the biasing means is a compression spring acting between the first and second rocker arms and the adjusting mechanism includes a threaded member coaxial with the spring and acting on the arms to control the spacing of the arms along the axis of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Darryl J. Muir
  • Patent number: 5172661
    Abstract: A phase change device of the type wherein a phase change is effected between an input member and an output member in response to the axial movement of an advancing element interconnecting the input member and the output member, and wherein such axial movement is effected by retarding the rotation of a drum member engaged with the advancing element. A grooved thread is formed in the drum member, and a plurality of balls carried in slots formed in the output member are received in the thread and in helical grooves formed in the input member to effect the relative rotation between the input and output members as the balls advance axially along the thread in response to retardation of the drum member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Darryl J. Muir, James K. Day
  • Patent number: 5097804
    Abstract: A phase change device mounted on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The phase change device is mounted on an outwardly extending portion of the camshaft outside of the engine block and receives lubricating engine oil from the oil supply of the engine. A simplified sealing arrangement is provided, requiring only a lip seal acting between the engine block and the input member of the phase change device and a cap over the end of the camshaft. Also provided is a bearing supporting the input member on the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Darryl J. Muir
  • Patent number: 5031585
    Abstract: An actuator for a phase change device of the type wherein a phase change is effected between an input member and output member in response to the axial movement of an advancing member interconnecting the input member and the output member, and wherein such axial movement is effected by retarding the rotation of a drum member engaged with the advancing member. The retarding force is provided by an electromagnetic wet brake mounted in juxtaposition with a brake disk surface formed on the drum in a fixed angular position but capable of limited axial movement relative to the brake disk surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl J. Muir, John E. Brune, Brian K. Van Deusen, James K. Day