Patents by Inventor Kathleen B. Rhodes

Kathleen B. Rhodes 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).

  • Semi-solid link solenoid
    Patent number: 6552638
    Abstract: A semi-solid link solenoid 10 comprises windings 22 held within a housing 20, and a spring biased plunger 24 which is free to slide axially within the windings. The plunger 24 slideably engages a contact rod 26 having an end knob 58. The end knob 58 of the contact rod 26 is contained within a center chamber 46 of the plunger 24 between a shoulder 47 and an abutment pin 50. A contact disc 28 is fixed to an opposite end of the contact rod 26. When the windings are energized and the plunger is pulled completely into the windings, the contact disc 28 is forced into contact with the terminals 30a and 30b. After electric current is removed from the windings, the plunger returns to its non-energized position. When returning to this position, the shoulder 47 slams against the end knob 58 with a large amount of force to pull the contact rod 26 and contact disc 28 away from the terminals 30a and 30b. In this manner, the force to disengage the contact disc 28 from the terminals 30a and 30b is significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delco Remy America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kathleen B. Rhodes
  • Semi-solid link solenoid
    Publication number: 20020005771
    Abstract: A semi-solid link solenoid 10 comprises windings 22 held within a housing 20, and a spring biased plunger 24 which is free to slide axially within the windings. The plunger 24 slideably engages a contact rod 26 having an end knob 58. The end knob 58 of the contact rod 26 is contained within a center chamber 46 of the plunger 24 between a shoulder 47 and an abutment pin 50. A contact disc 28 is fixed to an opposite end of the contact rod 26. When the windings are energized and the plunger is pulled completely into the windings, the contact disc 28 is forced into contact with the terminals 30a and 30b. After electric current is removed from the windings, the plunger returns to its non-energized position. When returning to this position, the shoulder 47 slams against the end knob 58 with a large amount of force to pull the contact rod 26 and contact disc 28 away from the terminals 30a and 30b. In this manner, the force to disengage the contact disc 28 from the terminals 30a and 30b is significantly increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Delco Remy America
    Inventor: Kathleen B. Rhodes