Patents by Inventor Dean Mason

Dean Mason 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: 12584700
    Abstract: A thermal control valve includes a plug, a valve seat apparatus, and a valve member positionable within a cooler line block with offset channels for an outflow line between a transmission and a transmission fluid cooler. The plug and valve seat apparatus are kept at a fixed positioned relative to each other by a first spring. A second spring is positionable within a connecting passage between the outflow line and an inflow line. The valve member is positioned between the second spring and the valve seat apparatus to move between a closed configuration to cool fluid, and a cooler bypass position to bypass the transmission fluid cooler when outflow line pressure becomes too high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Mason, Victor Castano
  • Publication number: 20260049655
    Abstract: A dampener assembly includes a capsule housing an internal piston and spring, the spring positioned within and between both the piston and capsule. The capsule is generally cylindrical with an opening at a first end to accept the piston into an inner cylindrical channel of the capsule. A vent is positioned along a second end of the capsule to release pressure as the piston moves back and forth along the inner channel in response to fluid pressure in a transmission and counteracting force from the spring. The capsule is installed in either a reamed or unreamed bore and acts as a new bore. The dampener assembly is sealed to the bore by one or more elastomeric rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventor: Dean MASON
  • Publication number: 20260049656
    Abstract: Three operational defects in the 8L series transmission, individually or in combination, produce a shudder complaint and potentially damage the torque converter. An incorrectly ported torque converter control valve is corrected by increasing length of an undersized third land to prevent mixing of three adjacent flow channels and a loss of lockup apply pressure. Start time of a torque converter enable valve regulation cycle is rescheduled to avoid causing excessive rear side pressure drop and significantly shortening time required to pressure up apply side of a converter clutch. A lockup solenoid is replaced with an anti-ballooning assembly to better control pressure and avoid complete transmission failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventor: Dean MASON
  • Publication number: 20260016244
    Abstract: A thermal control valve includes a plug, a valve seat apparatus, and a valve member positionable within a cooler line block with offset channels for an outflow line between a transmission and a transmission fluid cooler. The plug and valve seat apparatus are kept at a fixed positioned relative to each other by a first spring. A second spring is positionable within a connecting passage between the outflow line and an inflow line. The valve member is positioned between the second spring and the valve seat apparatus to move between a closed configuration to cool fluid, and a cooler bypass position to bypass the transmission fluid cooler when outflow line pressure becomes too high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Dean Mason, Victor CASTANO
  • Patent number: 12486913
    Abstract: A thermal control valve includes a plug, a valve seat apparatus, and a valve member positionable within a cooler line block with offset channels for an outflow line between a transmission and a transmission fluid cooler. The plug and valve seat apparatus are kept at a fixed positioned relative to each other by a first spring. A second spring is positionable within a connecting passage between the outflow line and an inflow line. The valve member is positioned between the second spring and the valve seat apparatus to move between a closed configuration to cool fluid, and a cooler bypass position to bypass the transmission fluid cooler when outflow line pressure becomes too high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Mason, Robert T. White
  • Patent number: 12404924
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Mason, Victor Castano
  • Publication number: 20250257959
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventor: DEAN MASON
  • Patent number: 12292243
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Publication number: 20240255063
    Abstract: A thermal control valve includes a plug, a valve seat apparatus, and a valve member positionable within a cooler line block with offset channels for an outflow line between a transmission and a transmission fluid cooler. The plug and valve seat apparatus are kept at a fixed positioned relative to each other by a first spring. A second spring is positionable within a connecting passage between the outflow line and an inflow line. The valve member is positioned between the second spring and the valve seat apparatus to move between a closed configuration to cool fluid, and a cooler bypass position to bypass the transmission fluid cooler when outflow line pressure becomes too high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: DEAN MASON, ROBERT T. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20230349460
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dean MASON, Victor CASTANO
  • Publication number: 20230332849
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: DEAN MASON
  • Patent number: 11725891
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Patent number: 11448313
    Abstract: The present invention solves bore wear due to inefficient design of OEM pressure regulator valve through an improved pressure regulator valve with lands having narrower diameters and longer lengths, the lands additionally having a grooved design, and a second land having a beveled edge to stabilize fluid regulation. Narrower lands allow for better ATF lubrication in a bore. Longer lands allow for the valve to be dropped into a bore to interact with non-damaged lengths of the bore without further machining. The beveled edge regulates pressure, further reducing bore wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION PARTS, INC.
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Patent number: 11445699
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: BIG BOX DAIRY LLC
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Patent number: 11408503
    Abstract: A system and method for an automotive transmission includes one or more restrictor devices that are installed within a valve body of the automotive transmission to improve performance by establishing a flow limit along the compensator circuit. The complex fluid circuits of certain automotive transmissions having eight to ten speeds allow line pressure supply to bleed out during certain critical functions, such as low rotations per minute hot engagements, which can severely damage the transmission. By limiting flow, the line pressure supply can be preserved to prevent the compensator circuit from bleeding out in these critical functions. The instant invention limits flow by replacing the standard compensator valve with a compensator valve that has a larger spool diameter. Flow is further reduce by another restriction device placed along the compensator circuit between the compensator valve and the clutch drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Superior Transmission Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Patent number: 11234409
    Abstract: Agricultural structures for housing livestock and/or agricultural commodity, the structure having a floor that is inclined between first and second walls and a roof that is substantially parallel to the floor. In some aspects, the floor is configured such that a bottom of the first wall is vertically higher than a bottom of the second wall with the bottoms of the first and second walls being level with the underlying ground. In some aspects, a first portion of the floor adjacent to the first wall is at a first elevation, a second portion of the floor adjacent to the second wall is at a second elevation that is vertically lower than the first elevation, and a bottom of the first wall is at a third elevation that is equal to or lower than the first elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Big Box Dairy LLC
    Inventor: Dean Mason
  • Publication number: 20210404545
    Abstract: Methods and valves for providing a continuous flow of cooler fluid in a fluid circuit of a thermal control system between a cooler and automotive transmission such that free flow of cooler fluid between the cooler and transmission exists at vehicle start-up. Fluid flow to and from the cooler is bypassed in case of pressure increases in cooler lines or pressure differentials, for example cause by a blockage in the cooler, such that the cooler fluid flow bypasses the cooler and continues in the fluid circuit through a thermal element of the thermal control system and back to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: DEAN MASON
  • Publication number: 20210204508
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventor: Dean MASON
  • Publication number: 20200378493
    Abstract: A system and method for an automotive transmission includes one or more restrictor devices that are installed within a valve body of the automotive transmission to improve performance by establishing a flow limit along the compensator circuit. The complex fluid circuits of certain automotive transmissions having eight to ten speeds allow line pressure supply to bleed out during certain critical functions, such as low rotations per minute hot engagements, which can severely damage the transmission. By limiting flow, the line pressure supply can be preserved to prevent the compensator circuit from bleeding out in these critical functions. The instant invention limits flow by replacing the standard compensator valve with a compensator valve that has a larger spool diameter. Flow is further reduce by another restriction device placed along the compensator circuit between the compensator valve and the clutch drums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Dean MASON
  • Patent number: 10743516
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Big Box Dairy LLC
    Inventor: Dean Mason