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).
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Patent number: 10119614Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: Edward Lesnau, IV, Jim Zwick, Marcin Fracz
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Patent number: 9127621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Federal-Mogul CorporationInventors: Jake Hu, Takshi Okano, Dan Vialard, Jim Zwick
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Publication number: 20150240947Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: EDWARD LESNA, IV, JIM ZWICK, MARCIN FRACZ
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Patent number: 9027935Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Federal-Mogul CorporationInventors: Marcin Fracz, Jim Zwick, Edward Lesnau, IV
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Publication number: 20150069719Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Jake Hu, Takshi Okano, Dan Vialard, Jim Zwick
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Publication number: 20130193651Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: Marcin Fracz, Jim Zwick, Edward Lesnau, IV
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Patent number: 7827950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Federal-Mogul CorporationInventors: Jake Hu, Daniele DeFranceschi, Tom Swasey, Jim Zwick
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Publication number: 20090044773Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Jake Hu, Daniele DeFranceschi, Tom Swasey, Jim Zwick