Patents by Inventor J. Michael Joseph

J. Michael Joseph 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: 7744020
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate includes a member and an orifice penetrating the member. The member includes first and second generally parallel surfaces. The first surface generally confronts the valve seat, and the second surface faces opposite the first surface. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. The wall includes a first portion that extends from the first surface and a second portion extending between the first portion and the second surface. The first portion of the wall extends at a first oblique angle with respect to the first surface, and the first oblique angle varies so as to define an asymmetrical chamfer. The second portion of the wall defines a cylinder extending along an axis at a second oblique angle with respect to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7481383
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an orifice disc. The orifice disc includes a peripheral portion, a central portion, and an orifice. The peripheral portion is with respect to a longitudinal axis and extends parallel to a base plane. The peripheral portion bounds the central portion. The central portion includes a facet that extends parallel to a plane that is oblique with respect to the base plane. The orifice penetrates the facet and extends along an orifice axis that is oblique with resect to the plane. As such, the orientation of the orifice with respect to the longitudinal axis is defined by a combination of (1) a first relationship of the plane with respect to the base plane, and (2) a second relationship of the orifice axis with respect to the plane. A method of forming a multi-facetted dimple for the orifice disc is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7481093
    Abstract: A method and assembly for punching a hole in material provided. A magnetostrictive device 14 includes a coil 26, a magnetostrictive member 22, and a punch 28 operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member 22. The magnetostrictive member 22 is constructed and arranged to lengthen, when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil 26, thereby moving the punch 28. Material 12 to be punched is associated with the punch 28. The coil is energized to create a magnetic field and thus lengthen the magnetostrictive member 22 so that the punch 28 moves through the material 12, creating a hole in the material 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7444991
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate includes a member and an orifice penetrating the member. The member includes first and second generally parallel surfaces. The first surface generally confronts the valve seat, and the second surface faces opposite the first surface. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. The wall includes a first portion that extends from the first surface and a second portion extending between the first portion and the second surface. The first portion of the wall extends at a first oblique angle with respect to the first surface, and the first oblique angle varies so as to define an asymmetrical chamfer. The second portion of the wall defines a cylinder extending along an axis at a second oblique angle with respect to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7269989
    Abstract: A method of using a tool for punching orifice that has wall surfaces extending at an angle relative to a generally planar surface of a workpiece. The method includes sequentially forming two spaced apart impressions formed in the workpiece between first and second generally planar surfaces spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The two spaced apart impressions form a first orifice wall surface disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the generally planar surface facing the tool and a second orifice wall surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the generally planar surface, and coincidental with the punching process, a retention arrangement that secures the workpiece during the forming of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Joseph, Samuel A. Gruber
  • Patent number: 7255033
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for piercing a metering disc from a workpiece of a fuel injector. The metering disc includes first and second surfaces that extend substantially parallel to a base plane. The first and second surfaces are spaced along a longitudinal axis that extends orthogonal with respect to the base plane. The apparatus includes a piercing tool that extends along a tool axis, a planar coordinate positioning mechanism, and a spherical coordinate positioning mechanism. The piercing tool is adapted to penetrate the workpiece. The planar coordinate positioning mechanism displaces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piercing tool relative to the workpiece. And the spherical coordinate positioning mechanism pivots about the tool axis relative at least one of three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7201329
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an orifice disc. The orifice disc includes a peripheral portion, a central portion, and an orifice. The peripheral portion is with respect to a longitudinal axis and extends parallel to a base plane. The peripheral portion bounds the central portion. The central portion includes a facet that extends parallel to a plane that is oblique with respect to the base plane. The orifice penetrates the facet and extends along an orifice axis that is oblique with respect to the plane. As such, the orientation of the orifice with respect to the longitudinal axis is defined by a combination of (1) a first relationship of the plane with respect to the base plane, and (2) a second relationship of the orifice axis with respect to the plane. A method of forming a multi-facetted dimple for the orifice disc is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7162907
    Abstract: A punch tool for punching orifice that has wall surfaces extending at an angle relative to a generally planar surface of a workpiece. The punch tool of the preferred embodiments is provided with configurations that, at the very least, increase the life of the tool, reduce damages to the workpiece during punching in the formation of the angled orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Joseph, Sam Gruber
  • Patent number: 7163159
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a metering orifice disc. The metering orifice disc includes a peripheral portion, a central portion, and an orifice. The peripheral portion is with respect to a longitudinal axis and extends parallel to a base plane. The peripheral portion bounds the central portion. The central portion includes a facet that extends parallel to a plane that is oblique with respect to the base plane. The orifice penetrates the facet and extends along an orifice axis that is oblique with respect to the plane. As such, the orientation of the orifice with respect to the longitudinal axis is defined by a combination of (1) a first relationship of the plane with respect to the base plane, and (2) a second relationship of the orifice axis with respect to the plane. A method of forming a multi-facetted dimple for the metering orifice disc is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7159436
    Abstract: An asymmetrical tool is provided to form an asymmetric orifice for an orifice disc. The asymmetric orifice is initially formed with a wall portion extending generally perpendicular to first and second generally parallel surfaces of the orifice disc. The wall of the orifice is deformed by the tool into an inlet portion contiguous to the first surface and a transition portion spaced from the first surface. The transition portion of the wall extends substantially perpendicular to the first and second generally planar surfaces. The inlet portion of the wall extends at a first oblique angle with respect to the first surface, and the first oblique angle varying with respect to the longitudinal axis. A method of forming the orifice with the tool is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7086615
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The orifice disc includes a member having first and second generally parallel surfaces, and an orifice extending through the member between first and second generally planar surfaces of the member. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. The wall includes first and second wall portions. The first wall portion is spaced from the first surface and extends substantially perpendicular to the first and second generally planar surfaces and about the longitudinal axis to define a transition perimeter. The second wall portion couples the first wall portion to the first surface to define a inlet perimeter on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 6948665
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The metering orifice disc includes a member having first and second generally parallel surfaces, and an orifice penetrating the member. The first surface generally faces the seat and represents the fuel entry side. The second surface faces opposite the first surface and represents the fuel exit side. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. And the wall includes first and second portions. The first portion is spaced from the first surface and extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis. The second portion couples the first portion to the first surface and extends at a first oblique angle that varies with respect to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Publication number: 20040262430
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The metering orifice disc includes a member having first and second generally parallel surfaces, and an orifice penetrating the member. The first surface generally faces the seat and represents the fuel entry side. The second surface faces opposite the first surface and represents the fuel exit side. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. And the wall includes first and second portions. The first portion is spaced from the first surface and extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis. The second portion couples the first portion to the first surface and extends at a first oblique angle that varies with respect to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 6513724
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining a spray pattern to reduce the variation in the metering, targeting, distribution, and atomization of the fuel output of a fuel injector. The fuel injector contains a closure member extending along the longitudinal axis of the injector. The closure member can be positioned contiguous to a seat to occlude fuel flow. A sealing radius is defined when the closure member is in this position. The closure member can also be positioned such that it is not contiguous to the seat, thereby permitting fuel flow. A plate is disposed proximate to the seat with a first and second face, the first face facing the seat. An inlet is located on the first face of the plate, and at least one chamber is disposed on the second face of the plate. The inlet and the at least one chamber are in fluid communication. An orifice disc is disposed in a confronting arrangement with the second face of the plate such that each chamber is located proximal to each orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Joseph, Dennis Rooker
  • Patent number: 4958430
    Abstract: A thin edge orifice disk is defined as a disk having a thickness to main dimension or diameter ratio of at least 1:80. The manufacturing of an accurately sized orifice in the disk is accomplished by means of a progressive die. One of the stations of the die provides a coining operation on the orifice. Such coining operation is adjustable by means of a micrometer adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Grieb, J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 4934653
    Abstract: A dual stream thin edge orifice disk is defined as a disk having a pair of orifices positioned to direct the flow of fluid from the interior portion of a valve into two different streams. The dual streams may be parallel or typically diverge at an angle for directing the stream to two adjacent engine valves in the situation wherein the valve is an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. To have the dual stream flow in a direction that is not parallel, the area of the disk surrounding the dual orifices is embossed and the orifices are positioned along the sides of the embossment between the base and the apex thereof. The manufacturing of the accurately sized orifices in the disk is accomplished by means of a progressive die. One of the stations of the die provides a coining operation on the orifice. Such coining operation is adjustable by means of a micrometer adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Grieb, J. Michael Joseph, Richard D. Weaver, George T. Bata
  • Patent number: 4923169
    Abstract: A dual stream thin edge orifice disk is defined as a disk having a pair of orifices positioned to direct the flow of fluid from the interior portion of a valve into two different streams. The dual streams may be parallel or typically diverge at an angle for directing the stream to two adjacent engine valves in the situation wherein the valve is an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. To have the dual streams flow in a direction that is not parallel, the area of the disk surrounding the dual orifices is embossed and the orifices are positioned along the sides of the embossment between the base and the apex thereof. The manufacturing of the accurately sized orifices in the disk is accomplished by means of a progressive die. One of the stations of the die provides a coining operation on the orifice. Such coining operation is adjustable by means of a micrometer adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Grieb, J. Michael Joseph, Richard D. Weaver, George T. Bata