Patents by Inventor James Bourn

James Bourn 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: 12311391
    Abstract: The hand washing assembly includes a hood defining a cavity within the hood, a valve structure located at least partially within the cavity, and a lever handle. The lever handle is operatively coupled to the valve structure and configured to move the valve structure between a first position in which the valve structure prevents a flow of fluid through the valve structure and a second position in which the valve structure permits the flow of fluid through the valve structure. The lever handle includes a contact surface positioned within the cavity and configured to move toward a top wall of the hood as the valve structure moves into the second position and configured to move away from the top wall as the valve structure moves into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: James Bourne, Robert Caldwell, Thomas Philip Perry, Adam Luke May
  • Patent number: 12224627
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a shaft defining a lubricant inlet channel for receiving a lubricant and a lamination stack. The lamination stack is rotatably coupled to the shaft, extends between first and second lamination stack ends, and defines a lubricant cooling channel in fluid communication with the lubricant inlet channel. The rotor assembly also includes a first end cap adjacent to the first lamination stack end and a second end cap adjacent to the second lamination stack end. One of the first end cap and the second end cap defines an end cap inlet at a first radial distance from the shaft, a lubricant outlet channel defined to extend at least partially radially inward toward the shaft, and an end cap outlet at a second radial distance from the shaft which is less than the first radial distance for expelling the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Calahan B. Campton, Eric Bourniche, James Bourn
  • Patent number: 12163319
    Abstract: A plumbing system is provided with a digital mixer valve providing a principal stream having a controlled temperature and flow rate. A fluid delivery device is also provided downstream of the digital mixer valve, the fluid delivery device having two or more sets of outlets, each of the two or more sets of outlets comprising at least two outlets, and having an outlet operating valve being disposed upstream of each set of outlets and being operable to control fluid flow to the set of outlets downstream thereof. A communication link is also provided between the digital mixer valve and the outlet operating valves. The digital mixer valve is configured, in use, to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the principal stream in dependence upon which set of outlets or combination of sets of outlets is in operation at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Banham, Charlie Parker, James Bourne, Robin Whitfield, Craig Fitton
  • Publication number: 20240142004
    Abstract: A diverter valve assembly is provided, including a diverter valve chamber, an inlet to the diverter valve chamber, a first outlet, a second outlet, a first fluid flow path from the inlet to the first outlet, a second fluid flow path from the inlet to the second outlet, a diverter valve member, and a motor coupled to the diverter valve member. The motor drives movement of the diverter valve member within the valve chamber between a first end point and a second end point located further from the motor than the first end point. When the diverter valve member is at the first end point the second fluid flow path is open and the first fluid flow path is closed. When the diverter valve member is at the second end point the second fluid flow path is closed and the first fluid flow path is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: James Scott, James Bourne
  • Publication number: 20240030765
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a shaft defining a lubricant inlet channel for receiving a lubricant and a lamination stack. The lamination stack is rotatably coupled to the shaft, extends between first and second lamination stack ends, and defines a lubricant cooling channel in fluid communication with the lubricant inlet channel. The rotor assembly also includes a first end cap adjacent to the first lamination stack end and a second end cap adjacent to the second lamination stack end. One of the first end cap and the second end cap defines an end cap inlet at a first radial distance from the shaft, a lubricant outlet channel defined to extend at least partially radially inward toward the shaft, and an end cap outlet at a second radial distance from the shaft which is less than the first radial distance for expelling the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Calahan B. Campton, Eric Bourniche, James Bourn
  • Publication number: 20230364627
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to a showerhead for use in a shower environment. The showerhead includes a plurality of replaceable covering panels, at least one integrated light, and at least one integrated speaker that is configured to emit music. The showerhead also includes a central showerhead and a separate structure external to the central showerhead. The central showerhead and the separate structure are configured to emit water in a plurality of spray patterns. The showerhead is also configured to emit the light, music, and water simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka, James Bourne
  • Publication number: 20230294120
    Abstract: A plumbing system is provided with at least one fluid delivery device having a plurality of spray modes. A controller is also provided to control operation of the fluid delivery device(s) in response to a user input. The controller allows a user to select between one or more scripted user experiences stored on a memory. Each scripted user experience lasts for a predetermined overall length of time, includes one or more switches between spray modes, and comprises a series of two or more program blocks. Each program block comprises instructions for two or more fluid delivery device operating characteristics including water flow rate and temperature. Each program block lasts for a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Stuart Banham, Charlie Parker, James Bourne
  • Publication number: 20230295907
    Abstract: A plumbing system is provided with a digital mixer valve providing a principal stream having a controlled temperature and flow rate. A fluid delivery device is also provided downstream of the digital mixer valve, the fluid delivery device having two or more sets of outlets, each of the two or more sets of outlets comprising at least two outlets, and having an outlet operating valve being disposed upstream of each set of outlets and being operable to control fluid flow to the set of outlets downstream thereof. A communication link is also provided between the digital mixer valve and the outlet operating valves. The digital mixer valve is configured, in use, to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the principal stream in dependence upon which set of outlets or combination of sets of outlets is in operation at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Stuart Banham, Charlie Parker, James Bourne, Robin Whitfield, Craig Fitton
  • Publication number: 20230133646
    Abstract: The hand washing assembly includes a hood defining a cavity within the hood, a valve structure located at least partially within the cavity, and a lever handle. The lever handle is operatively coupled to the valve structure and configured to move the valve structure between a first position in which the valve structure prevents a flow of fluid through the valve structure and a second position in which the valve structure permits the flow of fluid through the valve structure. The lever handle includes a contact surface positioned within the cavity and configured to move toward a top wall of the hood as the valve structure moves into the second position and configured to move away from the top wall as the valve structure moves into the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: James Bourne, Robert Caldwell, Thomas Philip Perry, Adam Luke May
  • Patent number: 11578815
    Abstract: A handwashing valve structure includes a mounting structure, a dispensing structure, and a control structure. The mounting structure is configured to attach to a liquid vessel. The dispensing structure is configured to dispense a liquid from the liquid vessel and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The control structure is configured to move the dispensing structure between the closed position and the open position. The control structure is configured to be moved by pressure from a portion of a user's body to move the dispensing structure from the closed position to the open position. The dispensing structure is configured to automatically move from the open position to the closed position in the absence of any pressure from the portion of the user's body onto the control structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: James Bourne, Robert Caldwell, Thomas Philip Perry, Adam Luke May
  • Publication number: 20210180719
    Abstract: A handwashing valve structure includes a mounting structure, a dispensing structure, and a control structure. The mounting structure is configured to attach to a liquid vessel. The dispensing structure is configured to dispense a liquid from the liquid vessel and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The control structure is configured to move the dispensing structure between the closed position and the open position. The control structure is configured to be moved by pressure from a portion of a user's body to move the dispensing structure from the closed position to the open position. The dispensing structure is configured to automatically move from the open position to the closed position in the absence of any pressure from the portion of the user's body onto the control structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: James Bourne, Robert Caldwell, Thomas Philip Perry, Adam Luke May
  • Patent number: 10962139
    Abstract: A handwashing valve structure includes a mounting structure, a dispensing structure, and a control structure. The mounting structure is configured to attach to a liquid vessel. The dispensing structure is configured to dispense a liquid from the liquid vessel and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The control structure is configured to move the dispensing structure between the closed position and the open position. The control structure is configured to be moved by pressure from a portion of a user's body to move the dispensing structure from the closed position to the open position. The dispensing structure is configured to automatically move from the open position to the closed position in the absence of any pressure from the portion of the user's body onto the control structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: James Bourne, Robert Caldwell, Thomas Philip Perry, Adam Luke May
  • Patent number: 10883555
    Abstract: A one-way ratchet overrunning clutch includes first and second concentric races, the first race having pockets configured to contain pawls, each pocket including a boss having an exterior convex surface defining an arc of about 180°. Each pawl is supported on one boss, and is adapted to ratchet about the boss to selectively lock the races together. Each pawl has a J-shaped body including a pair of legs joined by a hook portion that with one of the legs defines a concave surface. The concave surface is configured to partially engage a complementary exterior convex surface of a corresponding boss, and the concave surface defines an arc ranging from 90° to at least 150° adapted to circumscribe an identical range of the convex surface of the corresponding boss. The interactive convex and concave surfaces of respective pawl and boss elements provide an effective pawl retention system under centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Calahan Campton, Brett Peglowski, James Bourn
  • Publication number: 20190293131
    Abstract: A one-way ratchet overrunning clutch includes first and second concentric races, the first race having pockets configured to contain pawls, each pocket including a boss having an exterior convex surface defining an arc of about 180°. Each pawl is supported on one boss, and is adapted to ratchet about the boss to selectively lock the races together. Each pawl has a J-shaped body including a pair of legs joined by a hook portion that with one of the legs defines a concave surface. The concave surface is configured to partially engage a complementary exterior convex surface of a corresponding boss, and the concave surface defines an arc ranging from 90° to at least 150° adapted to circumscribe an identical range of the convex surface of the corresponding boss. The interactive convex and concave surfaces of respective pawl and boss elements provide an effective pawl retention system under centrifugal forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Calahan Campton, Brett Peglowski, James Bourn
  • Publication number: 20100107753
    Abstract: A method of detecting a lateral boundary of a compacting or expanding region in a subsurface formation, which method comprises determining non-vertical deformation of the earth' s surface above the subsurface formation over a period of time; identifying at least on contraction area and at least one adjacent dilatation area of the earth' s surface from the non-vertical deformation over the period of time; and using the contraction area and the adjacent dilatation area as an indication of a lateral boundary of the compacting or expanding region; and a method for producing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen James Bourne, Paul James Hatchell
  • Publication number: 20100042326
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a subsurface formation underneath a sea bed, the method comprising determining non-vertical deformation of the sea floor over a period of time and inferring a parameter related to a volume change in the subsurface formation from the non-vertical deformation of the sea. Determining the non-vertical deformation of the sea floor comprises selecting a plurality of locations on the sea floor and determining a change in distance between at least one pair of the locations over the period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen James Bourne, Paul James Hatchell