Patents by Inventor John A. Pietraszewski

John A. Pietraszewski 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: 6330929
    Abstract: A fluid power assisted rack and pinion steering apparatus (10) includes a rack (24) connectable with steerable wheels of the vehicle. The rack (24) is movable in opposite directions to turn the steerable wheels in opposite directions. A housing (20) partially encloses the rack (24) and defines a fluid chamber (40). The housing (20) has an inner surface (30). A bushing (60) encircles the rack (24) and supports the rack for sliding movement relative to the housing (20). The bushing (60) has a recess (70) on its outer periphery. A portion (79) of the housing (20) is deformed radially inward into the recess (70) to secure the bushing (60) to the housing (20). An annular first seal member (90) encircles the rack (24) and extends between the rack and the bushing (60). An annular second seal member (100) encircles the bushing (60) and extends between the bushing and the inner surface (30) of the housing (20). A bellows member (120) encircles the rack (24) and has an end portion (126) secured to the bushing (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Gierc, John A. Pietraszewski, Robert E. Feindel
  • Patent number: 6155375
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) comprises a rack (24) connectable with steerable vehicle wheels and a housing (20) partially enclosing the rack and defining a fluid chamber (50). The housing (20) includes an inner surface (30) and a radially extending end surface (36). An annular seal member (72) seals the fluid chamber (50). The seal member (72) encircles the rack (24) and extends between the rack and the inner surface (30). A bushing (70) encircles the rack (24) and is attachable to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a first portion (80) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The first portion (80) supports the seal member (72) and supports the rack (24) for sliding movement relative to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a second portion (82) having a first section (130) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The second portion (82) has a second section (132) extending beyond the end surface (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Gierc, John A. Pietraszewski