Patents by Inventor John M. Beardmore

John M. Beardmore 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: 7827967
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure defining a combustion chamber, a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, a fuel supply and a fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump assembly may include a housing, a reciprocating member, and a solenoid valve assembly. The housing may define an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel supply, an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel injector, and a bypass passage. The reciprocating member may be located within the housing to define a compression chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet, and the bypass passage. The solenoid valve assembly may include a valve member located within the bypass passage and displaceable between open and closed positions to selectively provide fluid communication between the compression chamber and the fuel supply during a compression stroke of the reciprocating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Publication number: 20100101538
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure defining a combustion chamber, a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, a fuel supply and a fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump assembly may include a housing, a reciprocating member, and a solenoid valve assembly. The housing may define an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel supply, an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel injector, and a bypass passage. The reciprocating member may be located within the housing to define a compression chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet, and the bypass passage. The solenoid valve assembly may include a valve member located within the bypass passage and displaceable between open and closed positions to selectively provide fluid communication between the compression chamber and the fuel supply during a compression stroke of the reciprocating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7677872
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly includes a pump bushing defining a dual-chambered pumping cavity, a fluid channel for shuttling fuel between the chambers, a plunger, and a plurality of fluid control valves. A first check valve is a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump bushing and with either an inlet of a second check valve or an inlet of the pump bushing. Another check valve or a control orifice may be used in parallel with the second check valve, with the third check valve or control orifice being positioned at least partially external to the fuel pump assembly. A vehicle includes a transmission, engine, a returnless high-pressure fuel pump assembly, and a low-pressure fuel line in fluid communication with an inlet side of an inlet control valve. The high-pressure fuel pump assembly inhibits a pressure pulsation from propagating through the low-pressure fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7610902
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly has a bushing defining a pumping chamber, a plunger, a cam follower piece, and a compliance device for absorbing noise by increasing either or both of a hydraulic and/or a mechanical compliance of the fuel pump assembly. The compliance device may includes a spring washer or a press-fit spring. The pump bushing and/or plunger may include a cavity as the compliance device for increasing dead volume, the cavity being in fluid communication with the pumping chamber via an orifice. A deflectable or movable mechanism is positioned within a cavity for increasing dead volume, and a solenoid varies a diameter of the orifice. The moveable mechanism includes a poppet valve having a switching pressure related to engine speed. A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, fuel rail, and a fuel pump assembly configured with at least one compliance device for absorbing a hydraulic noise component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Thomas V. Timmons
  • Patent number: 7591246
    Abstract: An isolated fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel rail with a clamping method operable to retain an isolating member with respect to the fuel rail. The isolating member operates to isolate the vibratory motion of the fuel delivery system form the attachment point or points. The attachment point is typically a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. Additionally, an isolating ring assembly is provided having a first and second stiffening member with an isolating ring member disposed therebetween. The isolating ring assembly is disposed between a fuel injector of the isolated fuel delivery system and the cylinder head. The isolating ring member operates to isolate the vibratory motion of the fuel injector from the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Matthew Timothy Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20090065292
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly has a bushing defining a pumping chamber, a plunger, a cam follower piece, and a compliance device for absorbing noise by increasing either or both of a hydraulic and/or a mechanical compliance of the fuel pump assembly. The compliance device may includes a spring washer or a press-fit spring. The pump bushing and/or plunger may include a cavity as the compliance device for increasing dead volume, the cavity being in fluid communication with the pumping chamber via an orifice. A deflectable or movable mechanism is positioned within a cavity for increasing dead volume, and a solenoid varies a diameter of the orifice. The moveable mechanism includes a poppet valve having a switching pressure related to engine speed. A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, fuel rail, and a fuel pump assembly configured with at least one compliance device for absorbing a hydraulic noise component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Thomas V. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20090068041
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly includes a pump bushing defining a dual-chambered pumping cavity, a fluid channel for shuttling fuel between the chambers, a plunger, and a plurality of fluid control valves. A first check valve is a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump bushing and with either an inlet of a second check valve or an inlet of the pump bushing. Another check valve or a control orifice may be used in parallel with the second check valve, with the third check valve or control orifice being positioned at least partially external to the fuel pump assembly. A vehicle includes a transmission, engine, a returnless high-pressure fuel pump assembly, and a low-pressure fuel line in fluid communication with an inlet side of an inlet control valve. The high-pressure fuel pump assembly inhibits a pressure pulsation from propagating through the low-pressure fuel line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7484499
    Abstract: A combustion seal for a fuel injector assembly mountable within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is provided. The combustion seal is energized by combustion gases within a combustion chamber to effect sealing of an injector tip portion of the fuel injector assembly with respect to the cylinder head, thereby preventing the leakage or escape of combustion gases from the combustion chamber. A cylinder head assembly including the combustion seal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Publication number: 20080245340
    Abstract: A combustion seal for a fuel injector assembly mountable within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is provided. The combustion seal is energized by combustion gases within a combustion chamber to effect sealing of an injector tip portion of the fuel injector assembly with respect to the cylinder head, thereby preventing the leakage or escape of combustion gases from the combustion chamber. A cylinder head assembly including the combustion seal is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7383818
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly sufficiently configured to be mountable within an injector bore defined by a cylinder head assembly is provided. The fuel injector assembly includes an injector body having an injector tip portion and a generally annular combustion seal mounted with respect to the injector tip portion. A secondary combustion seal is mounted with respect to the injector tip portion and is substantially adjacent to the generally annular combustion seal. A cylinder head assembly incorporating the disclosed fuel injector assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Publication number: 20080053409
    Abstract: A fuel injector isolation system in a high pressure fuel injection system comprises an isolated fuel rail assembly. At least one cylinder has a cylinder head. A fuel injector is coupled to and in fluid communication with the fuel rail assembly, extends axially through an opening in the cylinder head, and is moveable within the opening in relation to the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7334571
    Abstract: A fuel injector isolation system in a high pressure fuel injection system comprises an isolated fuel rail assembly. At least one cylinder has a cylinder head. A fuel injector is coupled to and in fluid communication with the fuel rail assembly, extends axially through an opening in the cylinder head, and is moveable within the opening in relation to the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 7293550
    Abstract: An isolation seat assembly for a fuel injector that is at least partially disposed within a stepped bore defined by a cylinder head, the stepped bore includes a land. The isolation seat assembly includes a cupped spring washer and an elastomeric ring member disposed between the cupped spring washer and the land. The isolation seat assembly operates to bias the fuel injector away from the land to substantially isolate the fuel injector from the head. The cupped spring washer and elastomeric ring member may be bonded to one another. Additionally, the isolation seat assembly may include a washer member between the elastomeric ring member and the land. The washer member operates to distribute axial forces from the fuel injector to the land. At least a portion of the washer member may be crimped into engagement with the cupped spring washer, thereby capturing the elastomeric ring member therein between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 6907848
    Abstract: A connecting rod includes a connecting rod body having a crank arm bore formed in a first end and a pin bore formed in a second end. A tube is connected to the body for carrying lubricant from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 6866011
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle includes an engine block having a piston moveable within a cylinder bore. The piston has a piston skirt and a dome. A connecting rod operatively connects the piston to a crankshaft. A squirter is connected to the engine block and has a nozzle aimed to spray lubricant against a wall of the cylinder bore slightly below the piston skirt when the piston is at top dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 5617820
    Abstract: According to the present invention a connecting rod is defined by a longitudinally extending beam having, at a first end, a piston pin bearing boss and, at a second end, a crankpin bearing boss. The longitudinally extending beam includes an opening extending from a location near the piston pin bearing boss to a location near the crankpin bearing boss to define opposing webs or legs. Under loads imposed on the connecting rod during the combustion event, the opposing legs exhibit a resiliency which allows inward movement, towards the beam axis. The inward movement of the opposing legs absorbs a portion of the applied load, thereby reducing the amplitude of the force transferred to the crankpin. As the force of the combustion event diminishes through downward movement of the piston in the engine cylinder, the opposing legs move outwardly, away from the beam axis, returning to their original relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Bruce A. Tucker, David N. Leland
  • Patent number: 4852527
    Abstract: A low noise valve train for actuating poppet valves in an internal combustion engines includes a camshaft cam profile including a preopening bluff ramp to compress the valve train prior to opening each valve with its opening ramp and a post closing bluff ramp to quickly release compression of the valve train after closing of each valve with its closing ramp together with opening and closing ramps yielding low velocity opening and closing of the valves. The result is a combination of valve train pre and post compression to obtain low opening and closing velocities for the valves while avoiding extended operation with the valve train compressed by the action of the associated bluff ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, John A. Cafeo
  • Patent number: 4590964
    Abstract: An electric motor driven fuel pump is mounted in a fuel tank with noise isolators to decouple the fuel pump and the fuel lines from the fuel tank and the vehicle body structure. The fuel discharge line is isolated from the pump discharge passage by an elastomeric connector, and both the fuel discharge and fuel return lines are isolated from the fuel tank by resilient elastomeric grommets. A reaction mass is connected to the discharge line and the return line and isolated from the fuel tank. The reaction mass provides a significant change in the mechanical impedance of the system and thereby absorbs a majority of the fuel pump vibratory energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 4571159
    Abstract: A motor driven fuel pump assembly has an integral accumulator. The fuel pump is a two-stage pump with the secondary stage being a positive displacement unit such as a roller vane pump. The fluid output of the secondary pump is connected with a space surrounding the drive motor for the pump. The space is defined partially by a resilient membrane which is operable to expand with pressure increases and thereby absorb and damp the pressure and flow fluctuations from the secondary stage pump. The membrane member effectively provides a moving wall of an accumulator which serves to provide the damping effect on the flow and pressure variations within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore
  • Patent number: 4457269
    Abstract: An engine camshaft is driven from the crankshaft through a timing chain such that the chain has a taut side and a slack side. A second chain is drive connected between the crankshaft and a sprocket member which is maintained on the camshaft by a one-way device. The second chain has a taut side and a slack side opposite the corresponding sides of the primary timing chain. During the engine operating cycle, a torque reversal occurs at the camshaft. The second chain prevents the torque reversal from loosening or overrunning the taut side of the primary timing chain. The one-way device permits adjustment of the primary timing chain due to wear while maintaining the taut side of the second chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Beardmore