Patents by Inventor Donald Michael Kennedy
Donald Michael Kennedy 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).
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Publication number: 20240134350Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the operation of data processing systems are disclosed. A data processing system may include a computing device that may provide computer implemented services. To provide the computer implemented services, hardware components of the data processing system may need to operate in predetermined manners. To manage the operation of the hardware components, the data processing system may heat them when their temperatures fall outside of thermal operating ranges. The data processing system may implement a distributed management framework for managing the operation of a thermal management subsystem tasked with maintaining the temperatures of the hardware components through heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: DONALD W. GERHART, ALARIC JOAQUIM NARCISSIUS SILVEIRA, ERIC MICHAEL TUNKS, BALAMURUGAN GNANASAMBANDAM, CURTIS RAY GENZ, RANDY ALTON FRAZIER, JEFFREY LEIGHTON KENNEDY
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Publication number: 20230175414Abstract: A variable turbine geometry assembly includes an adjustment ring extending along and rotatable about an axis, at least one vane lever coupled to the adjustment ring, and at least one vane coupled to the at least one vane lever. The variable turbine geometry assembly also includes a biasing member coupled to the adjustment ring at a first circumferential location on the adjustment ring and coupled to the adjustment ring at a second circumferential location on the adjustment ring. The biasing member extends from the first circumferential location to the second circumferential location. The biasing member is operably in contact with the at least one vane lever between the first circumferential location and the second circumferential location to bias the at least one vane lever toward the adjustment ring and to reduce vibration between the adjustment ring and the at least one vane lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Augustine Cavagnaro, Elias Morgan, Greg Williams, Donald Michael Kennedy, Sean Hastings, David George Grabowska, Matthew King
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Patent number: 11655721Abstract: A turbocharger includes a shaft extending between first and second shaft ends. A turbine wheel is coupled to the first shaft end, and a bearing housing defines a bearing housing interior and is disposed about the shaft. A turbine housing defines a turbine housing interior and is disposed about the turbine wheel. A sealing assembly includes a case disposed about the shaft and extending between a first case end proximate to the turbine wheel and a second case end distal from the turbine wheel. The sealing assembly also includes a ring disposed between the shaft and the case such that the ring is unobstructed by the case radially between the shaft and the ring. The sealing assembly further includes a deformable component coupled to the second case end and to the ring, and is moveable with the ring to seal the bearing housing interior and the turbine housing interior.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Augustine Cavagnaro, Donald Michael Kennedy, Erwin Perry Ellwood, III
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Patent number: 11326473Abstract: A turbocharger includes a shaft, a compressor wheel, a turbine wheel, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes an inner race coupled to the shaft, and first and second outer races spaced radially from the inner race. The bearing assembly also includes a first rolling element disposed between the first outer race and the inner race, and a second rolling element disposed between the second outer race and the inner race. The bearing assembly further includes a first biasing member coupled to the first outer race and configured to bias the first outer race toward the second outer race and against the first rolling element to preload the first rolling element, and a second biasing member coupled to the second outer race and configured to bias the second outer race toward the first outer race and against the second rolling element to preload the second rolling element.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Erwin Perry Ellwood, III, Samuel Whitney Weldon, Donald Michael Kennedy
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Publication number: 20220136399Abstract: A turbocharger includes a shaft extending between first and second shaft ends. A turbine wheel is coupled to the first shaft end, and a bearing housing defines a bearing housing interior and is disposed about the shaft. A turbine housing defines a turbine housing interior and is disposed about the turbine wheel. A sealing assembly includes a case disposed about the shaft and extending between a first case end proximate to the turbine wheel and a second case end distal from the turbine wheel. The sealing assembly also includes a ring disposed between the shaft and the case such that the ring is unobstructed by the case radially between the shaft and the ring. The sealing assembly further includes a deformable component coupled to the second case end and to the ring, and is moveable with the ring to seal the bearing housing interior and the turbine housing interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Augustine Cavagnaro, Donald Michael Kennedy, Erwin Perry Ellwood, III
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Publication number: 20210189907Abstract: A turbocharger includes a shaft, a compressor wheel, a turbine wheel, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes an inner race coupled to the shaft, and first and second outer races spaced radially from the inner race. The bearing assembly also includes a first rolling element disposed between the first outer race and the inner race, and a second rolling element disposed between the second outer race and the inner race. The bearing assembly further includes a first biasing member coupled to the first outer race and configured to bias the first outer race toward the second outer race and against the first rolling element to preload the first rolling element, and a second biasing member coupled to the second outer race and configured to bias the second outer race toward the first outer race and against the second rolling element to preload the second rolling element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Erwin Perry Ellwood, III, Samuel Whitney Weldon, Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: 10385722Abstract: A variable turbine geometry turbocharger (100) with an adjustment ring assembly (45) having an adjustment ring (50) and a series of pivotable guide vanes (30) that are operably connected to the adjustment ring (50). A spring-biased retention clip (60) is between adjacent vane levers (36) and is attached to the adjustment ring (50). The retention clip (60) applies a force against the adjacent vane levers (36) and dampens and reduces movement of corresponding components.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: 10329948Abstract: A pivot shaft assembly for a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) is provided. The pivot shaft assembly may include a pivot shaft, a pivot fork extending from the pivot shaft, a VTG lever disposed on the pivot shaft, and a retention collar axially coupled to the pivot shaft such that the VTG lever is axially aligned with the retention collar and the pivot shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Ryan Howell, Eli Morgan, Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: 10077802Abstract: A tilting pad (80, 180) (TP) journal bearing (30, 32, 132) is used to support a rotating assembly of a turbocharger (10). The TP journal bearing (30, 32, 132) includes a cylindrical outer ring (60, 160) and tilting pads (80, 180) disposed within the outer ring (60, 160). The tilting pads (80, 180) are formed separately from the outer ring (60, 160) and secured thereto during assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: 9945287Abstract: A turbocharger (10) includes a housing (12, 14, 16) and an actuating mechanism (46) for actuating a device (40) within the housing (12, 14, 16). A pivot shaft (42) has an inside end (48) inside the housing (12, 14, 16) and an outside end (82) outside the housing (12, 14, 16). The pivot shaft (42) is rotatably mounted in a bore (64) in the housing (12, 14, 16) for transmitting an actuating movement from outside the housing (12, 14, 16) to the actuating mechanism (46). A bushing (62) is disposed in the bore (64). The bushing (62) includes an asymmetric portion (68) that extends inside the housing (12, 14, 16) to support the inside end (48) of the pivot shaft (42).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Publication number: 20170226888Abstract: A pivot shaft assembly for a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) is provided. The pivot shaft assembly may include a pivot shaft, a pivot fork extending from the pivot shaft, a VTG lever disposed on the pivot shaft, and a retention collar axially coupled to the pivot shaft such that the VTG lever is axially aligned with the retention collar and the pivot shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Ryan Howell, Eli Morgan, Donald Michael Kennedy
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Publication number: 20160305274Abstract: A variable turbine geometry turbocharger (100) with an adjustment ring assembly (45) having an adjustment ring (50) and a series of pivotable guide vanes (30) that are operably connected to the adjustment ring (50). A spring-biased retention clip (60) is between adjacent vane levers (36) and is attached to the adjustment ring (50). The retention clip (60) applies a force against the adjacent vane levers (36) and dampens and reduces movement of corresponding components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventor: Donald Michael KENNEDY
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Patent number: 9353645Abstract: A product for a turbocharger assembly is disclosed. A turbine wheel assembly may be adapted to rotate when exposed to a flow of gas. A vane ring may be disposed in the turbine wheel assembly. A plurality of vanes may be mounted to the vane ring. The flow of gas may meet the plurality of vanes at an angle of incidence. The plurality of vanes may be adjustable to selectively change the angle of incidence. The vane ring may have at least one slot adapted to direct a thermal deformation of the vane ring in a selected direction when exposed to the flow of gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Publication number: 20160115992Abstract: A flexure pivot tilting pad (80, 180) (FPTP) journal bearing (30, 32, 132) is used to support a rotating assembly of a turbocharger (10). The FPTP journal bearing (30, 32, 132) includes a cylindrical outer ring (60, 160) and flexure pivot tilting pads (80, 180) disposed within the outer ring (60, 160). The flexure pivot tilting pads (80, 180) are formed separately from the outer ring (60, 160) and secured thereto during assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventor: Donald Michael KENNEDY
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Patent number: 9181804Abstract: A method of balancing a core assembly of a turbocharger. The core assembly may include a rotor assembly having a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel connected for common rotation by a shaft. A first bending critical speed of the rotor assembly may be determined. The core assembly may be mounted in a balancing machine. A drive source may be engaged with the core assembly to impart rotation. The rotor assembly may be rotated at an initial phase speed that is between approximately 5500 revolutions per minute and the first bending critical speed. A state of imbalance of the rotor assembly may be determined at the initial phase speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Publication number: 20150315964Abstract: A turbocharger (10) includes a housing (12, 14, 16) and an actuating mechanism (46) for actuating a device (40) within the housing (12, 14, 16). A pivot shaft (42) has an inside end (48) inside the housing (12, 14, 16) and an outside end (82) outside the housing (12, 14, 16). The pivot shaft (42) is rotatably mounted in a bore (64) in the housing (12, 14, 16) for transmitting an actuating movement from outside the housing (12, 14, 16) to the actuating mechanism (46). A bushing (62) is disposed in the bore (64). The bushing (62) includes an asymmetric portion (68) that extends inside the housing (12, 14, 16) to support the inside end (48) of the pivot shaft (42).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael KENNEDY
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Patent number: 9097264Abstract: A product is disclosed for use with a turbocharging system. The product may include a bearing housing configured to house a bearing and having a flange. A shaft may extend through the bearing and a turbine wheel may be connected to one end of the shaft. A turbine housing may be disposed around the turbine wheel and may include an annular wall adapted to mate with the flange of the bearing housing. A cooling plate may comprise a washer shaped body and may be disposed around, and spaced apart from, the bearing housing. The cooling plate may be connected to the turbine housing to transfer heat from the turbine housing and away from the bearing housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: 7604020Abstract: A breather for a driveline component such as an axle, for example, includes a rigid body portion attached to an axle housing, an extension portion attached to the rigid body portion and extending into a housing cavity, and a conical spring supported by the extension portion. The rigid body portion has an internal bore that extends from a first body end to a second body end with the first body end extending outwardly from the axle housing and the second body end being fixed to the axle housing. The extension portion has a non-uniform cross-sectional area, and includes an extension bore with a large internal diameter. The conical spring is received within the extension bore and cooperates with the extension to prevent lubricating fluid from exiting the breather while still allowing air to vent through the breather as needed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
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Patent number: H2289Abstract: A variable turbine geometry turbocharger with an actuator pivot shaft with a rolling-element bearing having a rolling element between an inner race and outer race. Replacing a standard actuator shaft bushing with a rolling-element bearing may reduce friction and adverse movement in certain applications. Various seals may be feasible, such as a face seal attached to the inner or outer bearing race that could seal against the opposing race.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy