Patents by Inventor James W. Zehnder, II

James W. Zehnder, II 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: 7530227
    Abstract: A brake apply master cylinder includes a body and a piston assembly. The body includes a bore. The bore has a longitudinal axis, a closed front end, a primary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a primary brake circuit, and a secondary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a secondary brake circuit. The piston assembly includes a single brake apply piston positioned in the bore. The piston assembly fluidly divides the bore into a primary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet and a secondary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the secondary fluid outlet. Another brake apply master cylinder includes a body, a piston assembly, and a return spring assembly. The return spring assembly is positioned in the bore of the body and extends from the closed front end of the bore to a return-spring seat of a single brake apply piston of the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Zehnder, II, Michael W. Hurtt, Chris C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6732517
    Abstract: An assembly for sensing travel by a piston in a master cylinder comprises a magnet and a retainer for retaining the magnet proximate the piston. An orientation screw engages an axial slot in the piston to inhibit rotation of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Zehnder, II, Alan H. Green
  • Patent number: 6619039
    Abstract: A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Zehnder, II, Alan H. Green, John C. Layman, Elaine A. Ruble, Schuyler S. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20020157394
    Abstract: A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: James W. Zehnder II, Alan H. Green, John C. Layman, Elaine A. Ruble, Schuyler S. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5620028
    Abstract: A brake module including an integrally formed manifold and accumulator provides a way of simplifying assembly, increasing packaging flexibility and reducing the total number of individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Johnston, James W. Zehnder, II, Richard E. Longhouse, William C. Kruckemeyer, Michael L. Oliver
  • Patent number: 5609401
    Abstract: A brake system with a direct connection between the master cylinder and wheel brake through an isolation valve and dual normally closed poppet style control valves provides efficient, proportional and independent wheel control suitable for use in achieving anti-lock braking and traction control braking intervention functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Johnston, James W. Zehnder, II, William C. Kruckemeyer, Michael L. Oliver, Richard E. Longhouse
  • Patent number: 5605384
    Abstract: A braking system is provided with the addition of a normally closed access valve that is held in the open position during assembly of the braking system providing a path for the evacuation and fluid filling process of the braking system. Through the additional access valve, all areas, including otherwise inaccessible areas of the hydraulic circuit of the braking system are filled from one access point such as at the master cylinder assembly. After completion of the evacuation and fill process, the valve is closed and remains closed during all braking operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Johnston, William C. Kruckemeyer, James W. Zehnder, II, Michael L. Oliver