Patents by Inventor Joseph T. Betterton

Joseph T. Betterton 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: 4807478
    Abstract: A fluid pressure transducer with an efficient mechanism to transform linear movements of a diaphragm mid portion, for example, into rotative movements of an electrical contact assembly which is slidably interactive with a resistive circuit board means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Thomas S. McKee
  • Patent number: 4805460
    Abstract: A pressure transducer to measure and indicate fluid pressure levels including a housing in which a diaphragm and piston assembly is movable in response to pressure changes, the piston having a portion extending therefrom to engage a switch contact thereby disengaging the switch when the fluid pressure falls below a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Ranald L. Griffin, Anthony J. Kerstiens
  • Patent number: 4793639
    Abstract: A coupling device for tubing for use in pressurized fluid systems and having a locking and unlocking actuator lever supported by an annulus in a flexible manner producing a mild bending movement of the annulus corresponding to pivotal movements of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Joseph T. Betterton, Daniel F. Lawless, Anthony M. Michalovic
  • Patent number: 4778956
    Abstract: A switching device with a normally open electrical condition which engages contacts in response to a rise in fluid pressure for the purpose of activating an associated electric powered device such as a fuel pump in an automobile when pressures are much greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Ranald L. Griffin, Anthony J. Kerstiens
  • Patent number: 4767897
    Abstract: A switching device operated in response to changes in fluid pressure, including a housing supporting a switch conductor and including a movable terminal support which is insertably attached to the housing, the terminal having a contact surface thereon in sliding engagement with an exposed surface of the conductor to maintain electrical continuity even while there is relative insertive movement between the housing and support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Ranald L. Griffin, Anthony J. Kerstiens
  • Patent number: 4753561
    Abstract: A molded one-piece elastomeric anchor member for securing and apertured workpiece to a mating edge of a normally extending panel by means of a fastener. The anchor member has an elongated body comprising a pair of opposed arcuate wall portions defining a central bore for receiving a threaded shank of the fastener. The arcuate wall portions are interrupted by a pair of diametrically opposed living hinge gaps bridged by an arcuate web portion and a wedge-shaped portion, respectively. A cut-out, formed in the panel mating edge, is adapted to receive the anchor member therein. A flange section extends from each juncture of the web portion with the body so as to contact one side of the panel. The wedge-shaped portion defines a pair of cam shoulders adapted to snap outwardly and lock the anchor member in the cut-out after being manually compressed about its living hinges during insertion in the cut-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4742477
    Abstract: The computer terminal controller makes it possible to operate a relatively large number of input-output terminals with a single mainframe computer. The controller has a basic configuration enabling it to control up to sixteen terminals. However, the user easily can increase its capacity by adding one or more expansion modules, each module consisting of a cable connector panel and a printed circuit card. Precise locating pins and support structure and hand-operable fasteners are used to mount the panel so that no tools or special skills are needed. Each circuit card preferably contains sufficient circuitry to handle a specific number of additional input/output terminals, and the panel has the same number of cable connectors. The card and the panel are connected to one another by simply plugging them together. The card is guided accurately into engagement with the panel by card guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin E. Phillips, Robert M. DuRoss, Walter J. Conroy, Joseph T. Betterton, Jr., Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4728920
    Abstract: A fluid pressure transducer having a hollow enclosure with an elongated tubular guide supported therein around which a tubular piston moves in response to fluid pressure forces acting on one piston end. A spirally-wound wire resistance coil on the guide is contacted by one end of a conductor carried by the movable piston to effectively charge resistance through the conductor and parts of the coil. The conductor is connected to one end of a metal spring which opposes piston movement due to pressure forces. An opposite end of the metal spring is connected to a terminal to transmit the resistance changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William D. McKee, John L. Evans, Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Thomas S. McKee
  • Patent number: 4706707
    Abstract: A combination fuel delivery, pick-up and fuel level sensor of the type including conduits at least one of which is formed in a helix configuration so as to locate and bias the inlet closely adjacent the fuel tank bottom irrespective of differences in the depth dimension of associated fuel tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alan W. Dykoski, Alfred H. Glover, Daniel F. Lawless, William D. McKee, Troy T. Watson
  • Patent number: 4686952
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation control for an internal combustion engine having a selectively operated bypass to a conventional pressure responsive flow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thornton W. Zeigler, Jr., Chris S. Romanczuk, Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4685332
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing device utilizing a conductive hollow sphere buoyed by the liquid and guided vertically within a metal tube. An elongated resistance card is mounted in the tube adjacent the sphere to permit the sphere to slide along its surface as the liquid level changes thereby electrically connecting a portion of the resistance card to the metal housing through the conductive sphere. The resistance card is mounted so as to be flexed from its normal flat configuration with the flexed configuration producing a light force on the sphere to maintain good electrical contact therewith and between the sphere and the housing but insufficient to deter the sphere from following liquid level changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4678362
    Abstract: A shaft retainer or support means adapted to encircle a midportion of a shaft without need of axial travel over the shaft end portions includes a body portion having a circular channel means of more than about 180 degrees circumference so that the shaft can be inserted laterally into the channel means by slight flexing which is of sufficiently flexible material to allow this. The body portion also includes a second channel extending parallel to the circular channel and interconnected therewith for receiving a locking key member which axially moves along the shaft in the second channel means thereby completing a 360 degree engagement with the circumference of the midportion of the shaft. The preferred embodiment also includes axially locking means for the slideable key member to maintain it in a desired axial position within the second channel of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4643026
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, it is usual to monitor the oil pressure of the engine's lubrication system to prevent damage to the engine in the event the oil pressure decreases to an unacceptable level. In this regard, a gauge or a warning light on the vehicle dashboard indicates when the oil pressure is low in response to a signal from an oil pressure transducer connected to the engine lubrication system. Herein is described an improved oil pressure transducer with a relatively easily crushable thin metal base housing member. The base housing portion is generally hollow and includes a threaded male support portion adapted to be received in a threaded aperture of the engine and fluidly communicated with the lubrication system. The base includes a molded wrenching portion of elastomeric material formed about the housing for contact by an installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4630480
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, it is usual to monitor the oil pressure level of the engine's lubrication system to prevent damage to the engine in the event the oil pressure decreases to an unacceptable level. In this regard, a gauge or a warning light on the vehicle dashboard indicates when the oil pressure is low in response to a signal from an oil pressure level transducer which is fluidly connected to the engine lubrication system. Herein is an improved oil pressure transducer with interfitting housing portions connected together by means of a unique V-shaped fastening device of the snap-in type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover