Patents by Inventor Duane Zedric Collins
Duane Zedric Collins 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: 20090050466Abstract: A non-contact pressure switch assembly for sensing pressure in, e.g., a vehicle. A piston with integrated magnet in a housing is moved under fluid pressure to change a magnetic field in which a Hall sensor is disposed inside the housing. The field changes polarity at the Hall sensor at a predetermined piston position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Michael Andrew Kozan, Duane Zedric Collins, Samuel Roland Palfenier
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Patent number: 6851306Abstract: A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a sensor body with a sensor tip at one end. A sensor housing having a cavity for receiving the sensor component is disposed in a substrate and is aligned with an object to be sensed. The housing further includes a snap-fit interface with the sensor component that is configured to admit and secure the sensor tip during assembly thereof. A bracket is mechanically fixable to the substrate at a first end and is in operable communication with the sensor tip at a second end. The bracket is configured to bias the sensor tip towards the object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between the sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark Anthony Shost, Duane Zedric Collins, Samuel Roland Palfenier
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Patent number: 6817226Abstract: A sensing assembly identifies detonations in a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block. The sensing assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the engine block of the internal combustion engine. The sensing assembly also includes a sleeve that is fixedly secured to the base and extends outwardly therefrom. A sensor element extends around a portion of the sleeve. The sensor element receives vibrations generated by the detonations of the internal combustion engine and converts those vibrations into an electrical current. The sensing assembly includes a first terminal abutting the sensor element. The first terminal includes a first terminal pad directed in a first direction. The sensing assembly also includes a second terminal abutting the sensor element.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Luis F Barron, Efren Solis, Duane Zedric Collins
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Publication number: 20040182135Abstract: A sensing assembly identifies detonations in a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block. The sensing assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the engine block of the internal combustion engine. The sensing assembly also includes a sleeve that is fixedly secured to the base and extends outwardly therefrom. A sensor element extends around a portion of the sleeve. The sensor element receives vibrations generated by the detonations of the internal combustion engine and converts those vibrations into an electrical current. The sensing assembly includes a first terminal abutting the sensor element. The first terminal includes a first terminal pad directed in a first direction. The sensing assembly also includes a second terminal abutting the sensor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Luis F. Barron, Efren Solis, Duane Zedric Collins
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Patent number: 6788054Abstract: A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a holder assembly with the sensor component disposed at one end and sensor terminals in electrical communication with the sensor component extending from an opposite end. A harness assembly having a harness head configured with harness terminals extending therefrom for electrical connection with corresponding sensor terminals. The holder assembly and harness head are configured with a means for snap-fit assembly that provides space to mechanically connect corresponding sensor terminals and harness terminals with each other forming a resultant subassembly for insertion into a sensor housing. The housing further includes a heat-staked interface with the harness head that secures the subassembly relative to the sensor housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Duane Zedric Collins, Samuel Roland Palfenier, Mark Anthony Shost, Stephen G Paddock, David W Lehrschall
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Publication number: 20040080317Abstract: A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a holder assembly with the sensor component disposed at one end and sensor terminals in electrical communication with the sensor component extending from an opposite end. A harness assembly having a harness head configured with harness terminals extending therefrom for electrical connection with corresponding sensor terminals. The holder assembly and harness head are configured with a means for snap-fit assembly that provides space to mechanically connect corresponding sensor terminals and harness terminals with each other forming a resultant subassembly for insertion into a sensor housing. The housing further includes a heat-staked interface with the harness head that secures the subassembly relative to the sensor housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Duane Zedric Collins, Samuel Roland Palfenier, Mark Anthony Shost, Stephen G Paddock, David W Lehrschall
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Publication number: 20040042845Abstract: A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a sensor body with a sensor tip at one end. A sensor housing having a cavity for receiving the sensor component is disposed in a substrate and is aligned with an object to be sensed. The housing further includes a snap-fit interface with the sensor component that is configured to admit and secure the sensor tip during assembly thereof. A bracket is mechanically fixable to the substrate at a first end and is in operable communication with the sensor tip at a second end. The bracket is configured to bias the sensor tip towards the object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between the sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Mark Anthony Shost, Duane Zedric Collins, Samuel Roland Palfenier
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Patent number: 6671641Abstract: A method for calibrating hydraulic actuators includes installing an actuator in a test stand and performing an electrical signal sweep to obtain a series of pressure values. Based on desired pressure values, signals yielding unwanted pressure values are removed and the remaining signal values and pressure values are stored in a central database as a look-up table for the actuator. Multiple actuators are then assembled to form a module assembly. The customized look-up tables for the actuators forming the module assembly are retrieved from the database. Based on those tables, signals are applied to the actuators to determine if the pressure values fall within specified tolerance windows. If the pressure values fall within the specified tolerance windows, the customized look-up tables are stored in the memory of a vehicle electronics package. If not, the signals are adjusted so that the pressure values fall within the specified windows, and the adjusted customized look-up tables are then stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Duane Zedric Collins, Gaspar Galindo
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Patent number: 6517718Abstract: A fluid filter for a vehicle solenoid valve includes a male end piece, a female end piece, and a medial end piece therebetween. A first screen connects the male end piece to the central support piece and a second screen connects the female end piece to the central support piece. The female end piece is formed with a hole. A post extends from the male end piece. When the filter is wrapped around a solenoid valve, the hole engages the post and is heat staked to hold the filter snugly around the valve with the screens covering the valve ports.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gutierrez, Samuel S Newcomer, Duane Zedric Collins
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Patent number: 6515244Abstract: An actuator housing isolator plate is used in an actuator array having two or more actuator assemblies connected to each other by a flexible circuit. The isolator plate prevents the actuator housings, in which the actuator assemblies are disposed, from contacting the flexible circuit. Thus, the likelihood of the actuator housings shorting out the flexible circuit is eliminated. The isolator plate further includes isolator posts that prevent the flexible circuit from contacting itself when it is folded over on top of the actuator housings.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brooks H Danley, Steven Douglas Thomson, Duane Zedric Collins, Paul Alfred Behrendsen
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Publication number: 20030006182Abstract: A fluid filter for a vehicle solenoid valve includes a male end piece, a female end piece, and a medial end piece therebetween. A first screen connects the male end piece to the central support piece and a second screen connects the female end piece to the central support piece. The female end piece is formed with a hole. A post extends from the male end piece. When the filter is wrapped around a solenoid valve, the hole engages the post and is heat staked to hold the filter snugly around the valve with the screens covering the valve ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Roberto Gutierrez, Samuel S. Newcomer, Duane Zedric Collins
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Publication number: 20020190825Abstract: A spoolless coil assembly includes a heat conductive actuator tube that has a first end cap and a second end cap on its ends. A winding area around the actuator tube is established between the end caps, and a wire is wound around the actuator tube within the winding area to form a coil. Since the coil is wound directly to the actuator tube, heat generated by the coil is dissipated by the metal actuator tube. Thus, the efficiency of the coil is promoted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Brooks H. Danley, Duane Zedric Collins
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Patent number: 6308725Abstract: A smart actuator (10), includes a mounting base (12), a solenoid element (14), and a pressure sensor element (16). The solenoid element (14) and the pressure sensor element (16) are in electrical communication with a remote control element (17) through a wire harness (18). The remote control element (17) sends a signal to the solenoid element (14) to adjust hydraulic fluid pressure. The pressure sensor (16) reports back to the remote control element (17) the value of hydraulic fluid pressure such that a closed-loop system in formed where correct hydraulic fluid pressure is rapidly and accurately attained.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Alan Lawlyes, Duane Zedric Collins
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Patent number: 6019203Abstract: A transmission and control has a torque converter and clutch which is controlled between torque converter operation and torque converter clutch operation. The switch between these operations is controlled by a solenoid valve and a TCC apply valve. The solenoid valve is a normally open valve and includes a plunger that is spring loaded against a poppet valve to control the static pressure in the torque converter, during non-operating conditions of a vehicle, at or above a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Sanjay Manilal Patel, Duane Zedric Collins