Patents by Inventor David E. Fletcher

David E. Fletcher 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: 9534704
    Abstract: Check valve units having one or more sound attenuating members are disclosed. A check valve unit includes a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber in fluid communication therewith thereby defining a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber to the outlet port. The chamber includes first and second valve seats and has a sealing member disposed therein that is moveable from a position seated on the first valve seat to a position seated on the second valve seat. A sound attenuating member is disposed in the flow path downstream of the chamber, within the chamber, or both. In another embodiment, the check valve unit includes a Venturi portion in fluid communication with the chamber. The Venturi portion has a fluid junction with the flow path downstream of the chamber or forms the discharge section of the Venturi portion thereby defining the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Hampton, David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Rex Bravo, Matt Gilmer, Andrew Niedert
  • Publication number: 20160375548
    Abstract: Methods for post-mold processing a Venturi device for generating vacuum are disclosed that improve the evacuation time thereof. The methods include providing a molded Venturi device having a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive passageway and an inlet end of a diverging discharge passageway, where the outlet end defines a motive exit having flash extending radially inward and the inlet end defines a discharge inlet having flash extending radially inward. Then, the method includes positioning the molded Venturi device with an inlet end of the converging motive passageway facing a blasting nozzle or with an outlet end of a diverging discharge passageway facing a blasting nozzle, and propelling blasting media into the motive inlet or the discharge exit of the Venturi device to remove the flash in the motive exit and in the discharge inlet, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton, Andrew D. Niedert
  • Publication number: 20160356250
    Abstract: Check valves, Venturi devices and engines that include the check valves are disclosed. The check valves define an internal cavity having a first port and a second port, a first seat and a second seat, and a translatable seal disk. The first seat is proximate the first port and has a first annular seal bead, and a second annular seal bead radially inward from the first annular seal bead. The seal disk has a first sealing portion seatable against the first annular seal bead and a second sealing portion seatable against the second annular seal bead (both of a first thickness), an intermediate portion between the first and second sealing portions of a second thickness, and a lip portion defining the outer periphery of the seal disk of a third thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the third thickness is less than the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matthew C. Gilmer, Andrew D. Niedert, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160298656
    Abstract: Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect and systems, such as internal combustion engine systems, including the same are disclosed. The devices include a housing defining a suction chamber, a motive passageway converging toward the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, and a suction passageway in fluid communication with the suction chamber. Within the suction chamber, a motive exit of the motive passageway is generally aligned with and spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap, and the suction passageway enters the suction chamber at a position that generates about a 180 degree change in the direction of suction flow from the suction passageway to the discharge passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160265557
    Abstract: Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect are disclosed that have a housing defining a suction chamber, a motive passageway converging toward the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, and a suction passageway in fluid communication with the suction chamber. Within the suction chamber, a motive exit of the motive passageway is generally aligned with and spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap, and the suction passageway enters the suction chamber at a position that generates about a 180 degree change in the direction of suction flow from the suction passageway to the discharge passageway. Also or alternately, the motive passageway terminates in a spout protruding into the suction chamber disposed spaced apart from all one or more sidewalls of the suction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160201531
    Abstract: Noise attenuating members for use in noise attenuating units for engine systems are disclosed that include a core, having an interior surface defining a hollow inner cavity and a plurality of radial openings, and a porous material disposed about an exterior surface of the core. The porous material may be a strip which is engaged with the exterior of the core and wrapped around the core to form a plurality of layers of porous material. A noise attenuating unit is disclosed to include a housing, having an internal cavity, first port, and second port, and an attenuating member disposed within the internal cavity. A method of making a noise attenuating member is disclosed that includes providing a core having an hollow cavity and radial openings, providing a strip of porous material, and wrapping the strip of porous material about the core to form one or more layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Denis Vashuk, Rex Bravo
  • Publication number: 20160201552
    Abstract: A turbocharged engine air system is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum consuming device, a turbocharger having a compressor fluidly connected to an intake manifold of an engine, a first check valve located upstream of the compressor, a second check valve located downstream of the compressor and upstream of the intake manifold, and an evacuator. The evacuator includes a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. The diverging discharge section of the evacuator is fluidly connected to both the first check valve and the second check valve. The suction port is fluidly connected to the vacuum consuming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160195189
    Abstract: Check valves are disclosed that have a housing defining an internal cavity having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication therewith, and having a first seat defined by a first elastomeric V-ring seal and a second seat. and a check valve plate within the internal cavity that is translatable, in response to pressure differentials, between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat within the internal cavity of the housing. The first elastomeric V-ring seal includes a body having an interference fit to an annular channel defined by the housing and a lip extending from the body in a direction that defines a generally V-shaped void, viewed in cross-section, opening in a direction away from and generally perpendicular to the flow through the elastomeric V-ring seal into the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Keith Hampton, Matthew C. Gilmer, Andrew D. Niedert
  • Patent number: 9382826
    Abstract: Noise attenuating members for use in noise attenuating units for engine systems are disclosed that include a core, having an interior surface defining a hollow inner cavity and a plurality of radial openings, and a porous material disposed about an exterior surface of the core. The porous material may be a strip which is engaged with the exterior of the core and wrapped around the core to form a plurality of layers of porous material. A noise attenuating unit is disclosed to include a housing, having an internal cavity, first port, and second port, and an attenuating member disposed within the internal cavity. A method of making a noise attenuating member is disclosed that includes providing a core having an hollow cavity and radial openings, providing a strip of porous material, and wrapping the strip of porous material about the core to form one or more layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Denis Vashuk, Rex Bravo
  • Publication number: 20160146374
    Abstract: A variable flow valve assembly is disclosed, and includes a main body, a piston, a position sensor, a controller, a solenoid, and a cover. The main body defines a chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a wall located between the inlet port and the outlet port. The wall defines a metering orifice for selectively allowing a medium to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The chamber of the main body includes a pressurized chamber. The piston is moveable within the chamber of the main body in a plurality of partially open positions to vary the amount of medium flowing through the modulation orifice. The piston separates the pressurized chamber from the inlet port. The position sensor determines the position of the piston within the chamber of the main body, and the controller is in signal communication with the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Graichen, David E. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9291094
    Abstract: A variable flow valve assembly is disclosed, and includes a main body and a piston. The main body defines a chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a wall located between the inlet port and the outlet port. The wall defines a metering orifice for selectively allowing a medium to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The piston is moveable within the chamber of the main body in a plurality of partially open positions to vary the amount of medium flowing through the modulation orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Graichen, David E. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20160061160
    Abstract: An evacuator for supplying vacuum to a device in a boosted engine air system is disclosed. The evacuator defines a body comprising a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. A lineal distance is measured between the outlet end and the inlet end. The lineal distance is decreased in length if higher suction vacuum at a specific set of operating conditions is required and the lineal distances is increased in length if higher suction flow rate at the specific set of operating conditions is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Rex Bravo, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton, Andrew D. Niedert, Denis Vashuk
  • Publication number: 20160061164
    Abstract: A vacuum producer for supplying vacuum to a device in a boosted engine air system is disclosed. The boosted engine air system includes a throttle. The vacuum producer includes a first engine connection, a second engine connection, an aspirator, an aspirator check valve, an ejector, and an ejector check valve. The first engine connection is fluidly connected to atmospheric pressure and the second engine connection is fluidly connected to the engine air system at a location upstream of an intake manifold of an engine and downstream of the throttle. The aspirator provides vacuum to the device if pressure at the intake manifold is below atmospheric pressure. The ejector provides vacuum if pressure at the intake manifold is above atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160053727
    Abstract: An engine system including a first flowpath between a first component and a second component where a first aspirator forms a portion of the first flowpath, and a second flowpath between the first component and the second component, where a second aspirator forms a portion of the second flowpath. A shut-off valve forms a portion of the second flowpath. The first aspirator and the second aspirator each have a suction inlet, and the suction inlet of the first aspirator is in fluid communication with the suction inlet of the second aspirator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: James H. Miller, Keith Hampton, David E. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20160040688
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated vacuum pump is disclosed, and includes a body defining a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump also includes a first check valve fluidly connected to the Venturi gap and the suction port. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump further includes at least one second gap located in the diverging discharge section of the body downstream of the Venturi gap. A second check valve is fluidly connected to the second gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20160017792
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed, and includes an evacuator and a relief valve. The evacuator includes a suction port that selectively applies a vacuum. The relief valve has an open position and a closed position, and includes an inlet, an outlet, a piston that translates within a chamber, and a pressurized chamber. The piston includes a first end and a second end. The pressurized chamber is fluidly connected to the suction port of the evacuator, and is defined in part by the first end of the piston. The piston translates within the pressurized chamber towards the open position if vacuum is applied to the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton, Matthew C. Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20160010661
    Abstract: Venturi devices and systems incorporating the same are disclosed. The Venturi devices include a lower body defining a passageway having a motive section and a discharge section spaced a distance apart from one another to define a first Venturi gap and a second Venturi gap downstream of the first Venturi gap at a position that divides the discharge section into a first portion between the first and second Venturi gaps and a second portion leading away from the second Venturi gap, and include an upper body defining a suction passageway in fluid communication with both the first and second Venturi gaps. The motive section and the discharge section converge toward the first Venturi gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20150354600
    Abstract: Venturi devices and systems incorporating the Venturi devices are disclosed. The Venturi devices have a body defining a passageway that has a motive section and a discharge section spaced a distance apart from one another to define a Venturi gap. Both the motive section and the discharge section converge toward the Venturi gap. Also, the body defines a first suction port and a second suction port generally opposite one another that are each in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is generally wider proximate both the first suction port and the second suction port than at a generally central point therebetween. In a system, the Venturi device has its motive section fluidly connected to a source of motive pressure and one or both of the first and second suction ports in fluid communication with a device requiring vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Publication number: 20150354726
    Abstract: Venturi devices for producing vacuum are disclosed that include a housing defining a motive port, a suction port, a discharge port, a first flow passage between the motive port and the discharge port, and a second flow passage into and through the suction port and into fluid communication with the first flow passage, a first check valve incorporated into the housing and positioned to control fluid flow through the suction port, and a sound attenuating wrap about the outer surface of the housing. The Venturi devices may also include a sound attenuating member disposed in the first flow passage downstream of the intersection of the second flow passage and the first flow passage, in the portion of the second flow passage leading into the suction port, in the first check valve, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, James H. Miller, Rex Bravo, Andrew D. Niedert, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton, Nicole Bruder
  • Publication number: 20150345517
    Abstract: Ejector assemblies and engine systems including the same are disclosed herein. The ejector assemblies include a pressure regulator in fluid communication with an ejector. The pressure regulator receives boost pressure and selectively allows the boost pressure to pass through a valve opening therein under selected engine conditions and into the ejector as regulated boost pressure. Both the pressure regulator and the ejector each have a conduit defining a passageway that includes a Venturi gap separating the passageway into a converging section and a first diverging section that both narrow toward the Venturi gap. The pressure regulator has a piston operatively connected to a valve mechanism positioned for movement therewith to control the passage of the boost pressure through the valve opening, and the valve mechanism defines a passage therethrough that includes a gradually narrowing portion that is narrower than the valve opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Rex Bravo, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton, Andrew D. Niedert