Patents by Inventor Eric Kowal

Eric Kowal 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).

  • Method of attaching plastic to a metal section and part made thereby
    Patent number: 7449137
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-Form
    Inventors: James E. Staargaard, Jerry Klanges, Blair Longhouse, Eric Kowal, Larry D. Butterfield, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida
  • THERMALLY REGULATED HEATER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20080142494
    Abstract: A thermally regulating heater and a heated seat made using these heaters wherein the resulting heated seat provides enhanced temperature control without the need of any temperature control system. The heaters include the use of a polymeric positive temperature coefficient composition that operates at lower trip temperatures than previous polymeric positive temperature coefficient compositions. The polymeric positive temperature coefficient composition have a trip temperature below the heat deflection temperature of the composition such that the polymeric positive temperature coefficient composition heats the heated seat to a temperature closer to the comfort level of an individual using the heated seat. Since the polymeric positive temperature coefficient composition uses plastic materials, the polymeric positive temperature coefficient composition can be formed into different shapes as needed using a molding process, such as injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Barre Blake, Thomas M. Goral, Eric Kowal, Frans Mercx, Arthur Vermolen
  • Method of attaching plastic to a metal section and part made thereby
    Publication number: 20060121246
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicants: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-Form
    Inventors: James Staargaard, Jerry Klanges, Blair Longhouse, Eric Kowal, Larry Butterfield, Thomas Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith Panter, Terry Nardone, Dennis Gaida
  • Front end module
    Patent number: 6955393
    Abstract: A front end module including a plastic component connected to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate can be formed by hydroforming and shaped into a substantially unitary member. The plastic component is then molded about the metallic substrate and simultaneously forms connections thereto at discrete locations along the length of the metallic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-Form
    Inventors: James E. Staargaard, Eric Kowal, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Larry D. Butterfield, Blair Longhouse, Jerry Klanges, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida
  • Front end module
    Publication number: 20040160088
    Abstract: A front end module is described, wherein the module includes a plastic component connected to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate can be formed by hydroforming and shaped into a substantially unitary member. The plastic component is then molded about the metallic substrate and simultaneously forms connections thereto at discrete locations along the length of the metallic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Staargaard, Eric Kowal, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Larry D. Butterfield, Blair Longhouse, Jerry Klages, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida
  • Method of attaching plastic to a metal section and part made thereby
    Publication number: 20040072006
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicants: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-Form
    Inventors: James E. Staargaard, Jerry Klanges, Blair Longhouse, Eric Kowal, Larry D. Butterfield, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida