Patents by Inventor Harold D. Bratton

Harold D. Bratton 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: 5742137
    Abstract: In a starter control system for an engine equipped with a starter motor, starter relay, ignition switch, and electronic control unit (ECU), a circuit and method whereby the ECU will deactivate the starter relay if the operator of a vehicle attempts to re-start the vehicle when the current engine speed is greater than the minimum engine running speed, under both initial starting and engine running conditions. The deactivation of the starter relay will prevent engagement of the pinion gear to the ring gear of the starter motor, potentially reducing wear on the starter motor, grinding of the pinion gear to the ring gear when engaging the gears at a high RPM, and noise to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Harold D. Bratton, Frank O. Klegon, David C. Baker, Gary F. Kajdasz, David M. Patasky, Walter Wolfe, James Lewandowski, Robert E. Hojna