Patents by Inventor Katherine Jane Brewer

Katherine Jane Brewer 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: 11209032
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fastening assembly. In one example, the fastening assembly includes a vibration dampening element, a two-piece insert, a lower portion, and a fastener configured to engage with the two-piece insert and the lower portion of the assembly. The fastening assembly may be at least partially assembled during manufacture of components to be coupled via the fastening assembly, allowing the components to be readily coupled during final installation of the fastening assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Katherine Jane Brewer, Sandra Osip, Ramon Michael Lee, Joshua D. Simon, Christopher Newman, Erzabeth Holcombe
  • Publication number: 20200325921
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fastening assembly. In one example, the fastening assembly includes a vibration dampening element, a two-piece insert, a lower portion, and a fastener configured to engage with the two-piece insert and the lower portion of the assembly. The fastening assembly may be at least partially assembled during manufacture of components to be coupled via the fastening assembly, allowing the components to be readily coupled during final installation of the fastening assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Katherine Jane Brewer, Sandra Osip, Ramon Michael Lee, Joshua D. Simon, Christopher Newman, Erzabeth Holcombe
  • Patent number: 10704477
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Patent number: 10161365
    Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent A. Hall, Christopher William Newman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Publication number: 20180334974
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Patent number: 10113520
    Abstract: A positioning bracket or a retention bracket to position an actuating arm connected to and at least partially external of an intake manifold, where the positioning bracket includes a body portion to receive there-through a fastener, and an ear portion extending from the body portion and defining an ear aperture to receive there-though a pin of the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Hamzeh, Christopher William Newman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Patent number: 10100757
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Patent number: 10036290
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve for an engine is provided with a valve body defining apertures fluidly coupling a crankcase and an intake manifold of the engine, with each aperture sized to prevent an entrained oil droplet from flowing therethrough. The valve has a valve element supported by the body to selectively cover at least one of the apertures in response to a pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase to provide variable air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold. A method includes, in response to an increasing absolute pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase, passively moving a valve element to selectively cover apertures fluidly coupling the crankcase and the manifold to control an air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold to a predetermined variable flow profile, and separating oil droplets from the air flow via the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rishi Dwivedi, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Publication number: 20180010497
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve for an engine is provided with a valve body defining apertures fluidly coupling a crankcase and an intake manifold of the engine, with each aperture sized to prevent an entrained oil droplet from flowing therethrough. The valve has a valve element supported by the body to selectively cover at least one of the apertures in response to a pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase to provide variable air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold. A method includes, in response to an increasing absolute pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase, passively moving a valve element to selectively cover apertures fluidly coupling the crankcase and the manifold to control an air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold to a predetermined variable flow profile, and separating oil droplets from the air flow via the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Rishi DWIVEDI, Katherine Jane BREWER
  • Patent number: 9719470
    Abstract: An inlet manifold includes a plenum having a plenum floor and a plenum cover positioned next to the plenum floor, and at least one straw supported on and extending from the plenum floor toward the plenum cover to transport water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Publication number: 20170096976
    Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Brent A. Hall, Christopher William Newman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Publication number: 20170067421
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a positioning bracket or a retention bracket to position an actuating arm connected to and at least partially external of an intake manifold, where the positioning bracket includes a body portion to receive there-through a fastener, and an ear portion extending from the body portion and defining an ear aperture to receive there-though a pin of the actuating arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: MIKE HAMZEH, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM NEWMAN, KATHERINE JANE BREWER
  • Publication number: 20170009679
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Publication number: 20160326995
    Abstract: An inlet manifold includes a plenum including a plenum floor and a plenum cover positioned next to the plenum floor, and at least one straw supported on and extending from the plenum floor toward the plenum cover to transport water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: KATHERINE JANE BREWER
  • Patent number: 9359923
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for ventilating a crankcase in an engine. In one example, when the engine is operating boosted under cruising conditions, fuel vapors from the crankcase may flow to each of a compressor inlet and an intake manifold of the engine. In this way, the crankcase may be effectively purged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Katherine Jane Brewer, Mark Steadman
  • Publication number: 20150308310
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for ventilating a crankcase in an engine. In one example, when the engine is operating boosted under cruising conditions, fuel vapors from the crankcase may flow to each of a compressor inlet and an intake manifold of the engine. In this way, the crankcase may be effectively purged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Katherine Jane Brewer, Mark Steadman