Patents by Inventor Don A. Kees

Don A. Kees 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).

  • Locking mechanism for the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7410445
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Method and system for controlling shutdown and restart of an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20040133333
    Abstract: After shutting down an internal combustion engine, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid can therefore be reduced. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the internal combustion engine at an optimal crank angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Thin panel lit cluster
    Patent number: 6520654
    Abstract: A thin panel lit cluster including a graphics appliqué with a first and second side and at least one opaque section and one translucent section. A light-carrying panel with a first and second side is positioned such that the first side is adjacent to the second side of the graphics appliqué. The light-carrying panel has at least one opening defined in it and at least one light source is positioned to align with the opening. Opposite the light source, the light-carrying panel has a first light-redirecting area nearest its first side. In another position on the light-carrying panel, there is a second light-redirecting area nearest the second side of the light-carrying panel and opposite a translucent section of the graphics appliqué.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Thin panel lit cluster
    Publication number: 20020085366
    Abstract: A thin panel lit cluster including a graphics appliquéwith a first and second side and at least one opaque section and one translucent section. A light-carrying panel with a first and second side is positioned such that the first side is adjacent to the second side of the graphics appliqué. The light-carrying panel has at least one opening defined in it and at least one light source is positioned to align with the opening. Opposite the light source, the light-carrying panel has a first light-redirecting area nearest its first side. In another position on the light-carrying panel, there is a second light-redirecting area nearest the second side of the light-carrying panel and opposite a translucent section of the graphics appliqué.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen