Patents by Inventor Edward W. Hekman

Edward W. Hekman 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).

  • Patent number: 7578051
    Abstract: A press machine for press fit assembly of a torsion bar to a pinion gear of a power steering system includes a controller and a support structure. A first holder supports a pinion gear, and a second holder supports a torsion bar of a spool-valve assembly of a power steering system. The press machine also includes a sensor adapted to determine a position of a torsion bar in the second holder relative to a pinion gear in the first holder. At least one powered actuator is connected to the support structure and the first or second holders. The powered actuator provides controlled translational and rotational motion to press fit a pinion gear to a torsion bar. The controller causes the powered actuator to rotate one of the holders relative to the other of the holders based, at least in part, upon the position of the torsion bar relative to the pinion gear to thereby provide proper alignment of the torsion bar and pinion gear upon completion of the press fit operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Hekman, John E. Swistak, David J. Ruthven, David P. Deyoung
  • Patent number: 5452997
    Abstract: A rotary device in which a seal is formed between the rotor and the stator end members by a sealing material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than that of the material of the end member in which said sealing material is located. When exposed to normal service temperatures, the sealing material bulges out of the parent material to fill in the gap between the end member and the rotor. The sealing material is wearable such that as it expands into engagement with the rotor, it will eventually wear until it no longer contacts the mating surface and a small gap or "minimal clearance" exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick A. Hekman, Edward W. Hekman
  • Patent number: 5181843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internally constrained vane rotary compressor employing a floating carrier ring, containing a plurality of non-continuous cam surfaces to guide a corresponding plurality of vanes about the interior of a stator, resulting in improved compressor performance. The invention features a triple roller assembly operating in conjunction with the carrier ring to both guide and constrain each vane. In addition, the invention describes a method for increasing the operating efficiency in rotary vane compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Hekman, Frederick A. Hekman
  • Patent number: 5169298
    Abstract: A constrained rotary vane compressor having a rotor-vane assembly within a stator often exhibits unwanted noise and vibration effects. The present invention offers a design and method to decrease noise and vibration effects of such compressors by the incorporation of an oil skive formed in the interior wall of the stator. The oil skive rids the vane tips of any excess liquid which may have collected on the rotating vanes, which otherwise may impact certain interior regions of the stator resulting in unwanted noise and vibration of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Hekman, Frederick A. Hekman
  • Patent number: 5161924
    Abstract: A chamfering tool and method for use in the precision backchamfering of a rotating part. The chamfering tool has a cutting head portion selected to match the size of the surface to be chamfered. Behind the cutting head is a shank portion of reduced diameter which connects the cutting head portion to an enlarged portion which supports the chamfering tool in a fixed tool holder. If the part centerline is not aligned with the rotating collet centerline, the part center traces a circular orbit. The shank portion of reduced diameter enables the tool to flex so that the cutting head can follow the part centerline being guided by the part's inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Autocam Corporation
    Inventor: Edward W. Hekman