Patents by Inventor Derrick J. Lepak

Derrick J. Lepak 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).

  • Composite metal-polymer bushing and crankshaft assembly
    Patent number: 8613555
    Abstract: An assembly includes a composite metal-polymer bushing having an outer metal layer with an inner surface, metal particles sintered to the inner surface, a polymer material between the metal particles, a finished interior surface collectively defined by the polymer material and exposed portions of the metal particles, a plurality of interstices formed between the metal particles and the polymer material, and a plurality of ridges defined by the polymer material that protrude above the metal particles. The ridges occupy at least about 8% of the area of a cylindrical reference surface nominally coinciding with the finished interior surface. The assembly also includes a crankshaft having a journal at least partially received within the bushing and supported by the finished interior surface. The journal is polished to a surface finish of about 0.1 microns or less to reduce a wear rate of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Benco, William E. Lapp, Derrick J. Lepak, Arther L. Butterworth, David Janda, Dennis R. Dorman
  • COMPOSITE METAL-POLYMER BUSHING AND CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20120288392
    Abstract: An assembly includes a composite metal-polymer bushing having an outer metal layer with an inner surface, metal particles sintered to the inner surface, a polymer material between the metal particles, a finished interior surface collectively defined by the polymer material and exposed portions of the metal particles, a plurality of interstices formed between the metal particles and the polymer material, and a plurality of ridges defined by the polymer material that protrude above the metal particles. The ridges occupy at least about 8% of the area of a cylindrical reference surface nominally coinciding with the finished interior surface. The assembly also includes a crankshaft having a journal at least partially received within the bushing and supported by the finished interior surface. The journal is polished to a surface finish of about 0.1 microns or less to reduce a wear rate of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Benco, William E. Lapp, Derrick J. Lepak, Arther L. Butterworth, David Janda, Dennis R. Dorman