Patents by Inventor Dean W. Mielke

Dean W. Mielke 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).

  • Method of forming mounting features of electric steering housing
    Patent number: 6609588
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly (10) comprises a steering member (14) having a rack portion (36) for engagement with a pinion (30) and a screw portion (38). A ball nut (90) cooperates with the screw portion (38) to move the steering member (14) axially upon rotation of the ball nut (90). An electric motor (50) is drivingly connected to the ball nut (90). The member (38) has an additional portion (142) projecting from the ball nut (90) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly (10) includes a cold-formed metal housing (60) having a generally cylindrical main body portion (120) enclosing and supporting the electric motor (50) and the ball nut (90) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion (140) enclosing the additional portion (142) of the member (38). The housing (60) has structure associated with the outboard portion (140) for mounting the assembly (10) to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Mielke, Joseph D. Miller
  • Method of forming mounting features of electric steering housing
    Publication number: 20020144854
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly (10) comprises a steering member (14) having a rack portion (36) for engagement with a pinion (30) and a screw portion (38). A ball nut (90) cooperates with the screw portion (38) to move the steering member (14) axially upon rotation of the ball nut (90). An electric motor (50) is drivingly connected to the ball nut (90). The member (38) has an additional portion (142) projecting from the ball nut (90) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly (10) includes a cold-formed metal housing (60) having a generally cylindrical main body portion (120) enclosing and supporting the electric motor (50) and the ball nut (90) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion (140) enclosing the additional portion (142) of the member (38). The housing (60) has structure associated with the outboard portion (140) for mounting the assembly (10) to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Mielke, Joseph D. Miller