Patents by Inventor Gary D. Cochran

Gary D. Cochran 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: 7673509
    Abstract: The internal movement of one embodiment of a sealed fuel level sender employs two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about a pivot. The actuator that is operated by in-tank fuel level has two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about the axis with one pole of each magnet of the actuator confronting an opposite pole of a respective magnet of the movement to provide the magnetic coupling for causing the movement to follow the fuel level while minimizing, and preferably substantially eliminating, cross thrust on the pivot. Pole pieces may be associated with the magnets in a further embodiment. Still another embodiment employs magnets to only one side of the pivot, but with pole pieces that reduce cross thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Rudolph Bergsma Trust
    Inventor: Gary D. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20070163753
    Abstract: A device such as a cooling fan drive for a motor vehicle engine has first and second members that are relatively moveable at a differential velocity. A liquid fills space separating relatively moving confronting surfaces of the respective members. The viscosity of the liquid enables the liquid to serve as a motion transmitting medium from one member to the other. Heat is generated within the liquid by shearing stress created by the relative movement of the members at a differential velocity with at least some of the generated heat being dissipated by conduction from at least one of the members through its surface. The viscous liquid comprises a nanoparticle-free base liquid to which have been added nanoparticles in an amount sufficient to measurably increase the thermal conductivity of the liquid filling the space over that of the base liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Gary D. Cochran
  • Patent number: 7079005
    Abstract: An electric device contains a medium interposed between first and second electric elements to provide electric continuity between the first element and a defined reference point of the second element throughout a defined range of sliding travel of one of the elements along the medium in a direction that is transverse to a favored direction of conduction through an electrically anisotropic conductive region of the medium that is composed of electric conductors that conduct in a favored direction and are electrically separated by solid dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Gary D. Cochran
  • Patent number: 6851315
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel level sender (26) for signaling the level of liquid fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is sealed against intrusion of fuel. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on an exterior of the enclosure in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the interior of the enclosure follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the interior of the enclosure is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal the liquid fuel level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Rudolph Bergsma Trust
    Inventors: Rudolph Bergsma, Gary D. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20030159507
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel level sender (26) for signaling the level of liquid fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is sealed against intrusion of fuel. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on an exterior of the enclosure in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the interior of the enclosure follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the interior of the enclosure is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal the liquid fuel level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Rudolph Bergsma, Gary D. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20030132143
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects includes providing a sorter having a conveying surface, a plurality of pusher shoes capable of traveling laterally of the conveying surface, a plurality of diverting rails extending diagonally under the conveying surface, and a plurality of diverters associated with the diverting rails. The pusher shoes including an article-contacting member extending at least partially above the conveying surface to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface and a transfer assembly having a magnetic member below the conveying surface. The transfer assembly engages ones of the diverting rails to laterally displace the corresponding one of the pusher shoes. Actuators are provided at the diverters. The actuators are selectively energized to attract at least one of the magnetic members towards the associated one of the diverting rails. Residual magnetic attraction between the actuators and the magnetic members is reduced when the actuators are not being energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Gary D. Cochran , Clyde M. Ko , David W. Zeitler , Frank W. Veit