Patents by Inventor Keith N. Hitchcock

Keith N. Hitchcock 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: 5242758
    Abstract: A gear having good fatigue strength and corrosion resistance has a body with gear teeth formed of a hot isostatically pressed alloy powder. The alloy is cobalt based and consists of 10 to 35 wt % Cr, 0-22 wt % Ni, 0-20 wt % W, 0-20 wt % Fe, 0-10 wt % V, 0-10 wt % Mo, 0-6 wt % Nb, 0-3 wt % Si, 0-3 wt % C, 0-3 wt % B and 0-1 wt % Mn, the balance, apart from impurities, being cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Lucas Industries PLC
    Inventors: Keith N. Hitchcock, Geoffrey R. Armstrong, Bernard A. Rickinson
  • Patent number: 4520660
    Abstract: An engine timing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer 8 which directs a pulsed ultrasonic beam into a cylinder and converts the reflected ultrasonic signals into electrical signals. A sample/hold circuit 67 samples this signal at a time after each pulse when signal reflected by a piston ring passing through the beam are expected. A microcomputer 65 detects changes in the level of the sampled signal caused by the piston rings as the crankshaft rotates, and receives signals from a transducer 71 indicating the crankshaft position to allow top dead center position to be found. The microcomputer receives signals from a microphone 51 directed at a fuel injector indicative of the onset of ignition and calculates the timing angle of the engine. The apparatus also calculates engine speed and detects piston slap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Froude Consine Limited
    Inventor: Keith N. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 4444049
    Abstract: An engine timing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer 8 which directs a pulsed ultrasonic beam into a cylinder and converts the reflected ultrasonic signals into electrical signals. A sample/hold circuit 67 samples this signal at a time after each pulse when signal reflected by a piston ring passing through the beam are expected. A microcomputer 65 detects changes in the level of the sampled signal caused by the piston rings as the crankshaft rotates, and receives signals from a transducer 71 indicating the crankshaft position to allow top dead center position to be found. The microcomputer receives signals from a microphone 51 directed at a fuel injector indicative of the onset of ignition and calculates the timing angle of the engine. The apparatus also calculates engine speed and detects piston slap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Froude Consine Limited
    Inventor: Keith N. Hitchcock