Patents by Inventor Jim Zwick

Jim Zwick 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: 10119614
    Abstract: A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lesnau, IV, Jim Zwick, Marcin Fracz
  • Patent number: 9127621
    Abstract: A multi-layer cylinder head gasket providing improved sealing performance, stability, and a more rigid joint between two components is provided. The gasket includes a plurality of functional layers each including a full bead located between an inner edge and outer edge and surrounding a combustion chamber opening. A stopper is disposed between the functional layers and is located radially between the combustion chamber opening and the full bead. A coating material is applied to at least one surface of at least one functional layer and extends along a majority of the length of the functional layer. To achieve the improved performance, a region along the surface located between the inner edge and the full bead remains uncoated, or includes a reduced amount of the coating material. Alternatively, the stopper can be located between the combustion chamber opening and the inner edges of the functional layers to provide the uncoated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Jake Hu, Takshi Okano, Dan Vialard, Jim Zwick
  • Publication number: 20150240947
    Abstract: A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD LESNA, IV, JIM ZWICK, MARCIN FRACZ
  • Patent number: 9027935
    Abstract: A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Marcin Fracz, Jim Zwick, Edward Lesnau, IV
  • Publication number: 20150069719
    Abstract: A multi-layer cylinder head gasket providing improved sealing performance, stability, and a more rigid joint between two components is provided. The gasket includes a plurality of functional layers each including a full bead located between an inner edge and outer edge and surrounding a combustion chamber opening. A stopper is disposed between the functional layers and is located radially between the combustion chamber opening and the full bead. A coating material is applied to at least one surface of at least one functional layer and extends along a majority of the length of the functional layer. To achieve the improved performance, a region along the surface located between the inner edge and the full bead remains uncoated, or includes a reduced amount of the coating material. Alternatively, the stopper can be located between the combustion chamber opening and the inner edges of the functional layers to provide the uncoated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jake Hu, Takshi Okano, Dan Vialard, Jim Zwick
  • Publication number: 20130193651
    Abstract: A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Marcin Fracz, Jim Zwick, Edward Lesnau, IV
  • Patent number: 7827950
    Abstract: A valve cover assembly for sealed engagement with a cylinder block includes a cover portion, a rail and a molded-in-place elastomeric bridge molded to the cover portion and the rail maintaining the cover portion and the rail in spaced relation to one another. The rail has an outwardly extending mounting flange providing a hard mounting bottom surface that is coplanar with the rail sealing surface. A seal depends from the sealing surface of the rail when in an uninstalled, uncompressed state for compression against the cylinder block upon the sealing surface and the hard mounting bottom surface being brought into engagement with the cylinder block, thereby establishing fluid-tight seal between the valve cover assembly and the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Jake Hu, Daniele DeFranceschi, Tom Swasey, Jim Zwick
  • Publication number: 20090044773
    Abstract: A valve cover assembly for sealed engagement with a cylinder block includes a cover portion, a rail and a molded-in-place elastomeric bridge molded to the cover portion and the rail maintaining the cover portion and the rail in spaced relation to one another. The rail has an outwardly extending mounting flange providing a hard mounting bottom surface that is coplanar with the rail sealing surface. A seal depends from the sealing surface of the rail when in an uninstalled, uncompressed state for compression against the cylinder block upon the sealing surface and the hard mounting bottom surface being brought into engagement with the cylinder block, thereby establishing fluid-tight seal between the valve cover assembly and the cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Jake Hu, Daniele DeFranceschi, Tom Swasey, Jim Zwick