Patents by Inventor John Whitton
John Whitton 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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Publication number: 20250319627Abstract: An automated wall frame assembly system for use in assembling a wall frame includes an advancer assembly including a conveyor system configured to transport first frame members along an assembly axis to an output of the conveyor system. A frame unit is disposed generally at the output of the conveyor system and is configured to receive the first frame members from the conveyor system and attach a second frame member to the first frame members. A gantry assembly is disposed above the advancer assembly. The gantry assembly includes a gantry frame and at least one gantry tool movably attached to the gantry frame. The gantry tool is operable to deliver the second frame member to the advancer assembly from a location above the advancer assembly for being attached to the first frame members.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2025Publication date: October 16, 2025Inventors: Manish Kanjee, Cameron Wake, Ganesh Patgar, David Schroder, John Whitton
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Patent number: 12365110Abstract: An automated wall frame assembly system for use in assembling a wall frame includes an advancer assembly including a conveyor system configured to transport first frame members along an assembly axis to an output of the conveyor system. A frame unit is disposed generally at the output of the conveyor system and is configured to receive the first frame members from the conveyor system and attach a second frame member to the first frame members. A gantry assembly is disposed above the advancer assembly. The gantry assembly includes a gantry frame and at least one gantry tool movably attached to the gantry frame. The gantry tool is operable to deliver the second frame member to the advancer assembly from a location above the advancer assembly for being attached to the first frame members.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2023Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: MITEK HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Manish Kanjee, Cameron Wake, Ganesh Patgar, David Schroder, John Whitton
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Publication number: 20240091982Abstract: An automated wall frame assembly system for use in assembling a wall frame includes an advancer assembly including a conveyor system configured to transport first frame members along an assembly axis to an output of the conveyor system. A frame unit is disposed generally at the output of the conveyor system and is configured to receive the first frame members from the conveyor system and attach a second frame member to the first frame members. A gantry assembly is disposed above the advancer assembly. The gantry assembly includes a gantry frame and at least one gantry tool movably attached to the gantry frame. The gantry tool is operable to deliver the second frame member to the advancer assembly from a location above the advancer assembly for being attached to the first frame members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Manish Kanjee, Cameron Wake, Ganesh Patgar, David Schroder, John Whitton
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Patent number: 10428697Abstract: A fluid diverter including a cylindrical body and an extension arm is provided. The cylindrical body defines a first fluid passage extending from a first axial end of the cylindrical body and a second fluid passage circumferentially offset from the first fluid passage and extending from a second axial end of the cylindrical body. A seepage orifice is defined in the cylindrical body providing a fluid communication path between the first axial end and the second axial end. The extension arm extends from the cylindrical body and includes a locating receptacle dimensioned to receive a fixing element to rotationally and axially fix the fluid diverter.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Debora Manther, John Whitton, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das
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Patent number: 10221729Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a carrier housing defining a hydraulic circuit, a supply assembly, a plurality of rocker shafts, a plurality of separators, and a plurality of rocker arm assemblies is provided. Each one of the plurality of separators divides the rocker shafts into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The plurality of separators each include an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. Locking assemblies of the rocker arm assemblies are selectively actuated based on the supply assembly. The separators ensure that hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid is de-aerated and that the second chambers remain primed with hydraulic fluid for faster actuation of the locking assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Debora Manther, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Sumukha Nagaraj
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Patent number: 9945270Abstract: A hollow rocker shaft including a central opening defined by a radially inner surface and a separator secured in the central opening of the rocker shaft is provided. A radially outer surface of the separator engages the radially inner surface of the rocker shaft via a press-fit. The separator divides the central opening of the rocker shaft into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The separator includes an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Debora Manther, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Sumukha Nagaraj
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Patent number: 9945269Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a rocker shaft is provided. The rocker shaft includes a first chamber extending between a first axial end and a second axial end of the rocker shaft and a second chamber extending between the first axial end and the second axial end of the rocker shaft. A seepage orifice is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber and provides a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber includes a first actuator port in fluid connection with a first intake port for a hydraulic lash adjuster. The second chamber includes a second actuator port in fluid connection with a second intake port for a locking assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Debora Manther, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Sumukha Nagaraj
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Patent number: 9926816Abstract: A switchable rocker arm for valve deactivation is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a cam lever assembly, a valve lever assembly, and a hydraulically actuated coupling assembly that is radially arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies. The coupling assembly includes a shuttle pin, a locking pin with a round or flat locking interface, and optional shuttle pin and locking pin sleeves. In a first, locked position, the rotational motion of a camshaft is translated to linear motion of an engine valve. In a second, unlocked position, the cam lever assembly rotates about the valve lever assembly, facilitating valve deactivation. A pivot joint arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies facilitates an arcuate lost motion of the cam lever assembly. An integrated arrangement for one or more lost motion springs offers packaging and functional advantages.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Kate Higdon
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Publication number: 20180080349Abstract: A fluid diverter including a cylindrical body and an extension arm is provided. The cylindrical body defines a first fluid passage extending from a first axial end of the cylindrical body and a second fluid passage circumferentially offset from the first fluid passage and extending from a second axial end of the cylindrical body. A seepage orifice is defined in the cylindrical body providing a fluid communication path between the first axial end and the second axial end. The extension arm extends from the cylindrical body and includes a locating receptacle dimensioned to receive a fixing element to rotationally and axially fix the fluid diverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Debora MANTHER, John WHITTON, Pradeep Mohan MOHAN DAS
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Publication number: 20170350280Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a rocker shaft is provided. The rocker shaft includes a first chamber extending between a first axial end and a second axial end of the rocker shaft and a second chamber extending between the first axial end and the second axial end of the rocker shaft. A seepage orifice is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber and provides a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber includes a first actuator port in fluid connection with a first intake port for a hydraulic lash adjuster. The second chamber includes a second actuator port in fluid connection with a second intake port for a locking assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Faheem AHMED, Colin FOSTER, David CHANDLER, John WHITTON, Debora MANTHER, Pradeep Mohan MOHAN DAS, Sumukha NAGARAJ
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Publication number: 20170284236Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a carrier housing defining a hydraulic circuit, a supply assembly, a plurality of rocker shafts, a plurality of separators, and a plurality of rocker arm assemblies is provided. Each one of the plurality of separators divides the rocker shafts into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The plurality of separators each include an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. Locking assemblies of the rocker arm assemblies are selectively actuated based on the supply assembly. The separators ensure that hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid is de-aerated and that the second chambers remain primed with hydraulic fluid for faster actuation of the locking assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem AHMED, Colin FOSTER, David CHANDLER, John WHITTON, Debora MANTHER, Pradeep Mohan MOHAN DAS, Sumukha NAGARAJ
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Publication number: 20170022848Abstract: A hollow rocker shaft including a central opening defined by a radially inner surface and a separator secured in the central opening of the rocker shaft is provided. A radially outer surface of the separator engages the radially inner surface of the rocker shaft via a press-fit. The separator divides the central opening of the rocker shaft into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The separator includes an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem AHMED, Colin FOSTER, David CHANDLER, John WHITTON, Debora MANTHER, Pradeep Mohan MOHAN DAS, Sumukha NAGARAJ
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Publication number: 20170009610Abstract: A switchable rocker arm for valve deactivation is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a cam lever assembly, a valve lever assembly, and a hydraulically actuated coupling assembly that is radially arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies. The coupling assembly includes a shuttle pin, a locking pin with a round or flat locking interface, and optional shuttle pin and locking pin sleeves. In a first, locked position, the rotational motion of a camshaft is translated to linear motion of an engine valve. In a second, unlocked position, the cam lever assembly rotates about the valve lever assembly, facilitating valve deactivation. A pivot joint arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies facilitates an arcuate lost motion of the cam lever assembly. An integrated arrangement for one or more lost motions springs offers packaging and functional advantages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Kate Higdon