Patents by Inventor Kenneth C. Tesner

Kenneth C. Tesner 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: 10948068
    Abstract: A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, including a vent tube configured to engage a transmission such that a first opening of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an upper portion of a transmission cavity, a second end defining a second opening configured to be in fluid communication with an external atmosphere, and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end. The bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment. A pressure relief valve disposed in-line within the first tube segment and a vacuum relief valve disposed in-line within the second tube segment. The pressure relief valve cooperates with the vacuum relief valve to maintain a predetermined range of pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. The vent tube may also include a moisture and/or a transmission fluid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, David J. Varda
  • Publication number: 20190271384
    Abstract: A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, including a vent tube configured to engage a transmission such that a first opening of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an upper portion of a transmission cavity, a second end defining a second opening configured to be in fluid communication with an external atmosphere, and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end. The bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment. A pressure relief valve disposed in-line within the first tube segment and a vacuum relief valve disposed in-line within the second tube segment. The pressure relief valve cooperates with the vacuum relief valve to maintain a predetermined range of pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. The vent tube may also include a moisture and/or a transmission fluid separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, David J. Varda
  • Patent number: 9333453
    Abstract: An air filter comprises a rigid, hollow body that may be spherical, cylindrical, rectangular or shaped to conform to available, typically underhood, space. If spherical, it may be assembled from a first, lower hemisphere and a second, upper hemisphere which are secured together about their edges, by, for example a press or interference fit, an O-ring received within complementary, edge adjacent channels, an adhesive or autogenous bonding. Other shapes and configurations may be assembled from a body with, for example, a solid bottom and attachable lid, top or cover. The hollow body is filled with activated carbon filter media or passive fibrous filter media. The upper hemisphere, lid or cover includes an outlet and cap which reduces the possibility of ingesting water into the filter. The lower hemisphere or body includes an inlet fitting to which a hose leading to an outlet or vent in the powertrain component is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Tesner
  • Publication number: 20150128806
    Abstract: An air filter comprises a rigid, hollow body that may be spherical, cylindrical, rectangular or shaped to conform to available, typically underhood, space. If spherical, it may be .assembled from a first, lower hemisphere and a second, upper hemisphere which are secured together about their edges, by, for example a press or interference fit, an O-ring received within complementary, edge adjacent channels, an adhesive or autogenous bonding. Other shapes and configurations may be assembled from a body with, for example, a solid bottom and attachable lid, top or cover. The hollow body is filled with activated carbon filter media or passive fibrous filter media. The upper hemisphere, lid or cover includes an outlet and cap which reduces the possibility of ingesting water into the filter. The lower hemisphere or body includes an inlet fitting to which a hose leading to an outlet or vent in the powertrain component is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Tesner
  • Publication number: 20140182988
    Abstract: A damper for a linear element of a motor vehicle drivetrain such as a cable, a transmission oil fill tube or an engine oil dipstick tube constitutes a loose fitting sleeve or annulus disposed about the linear component. The damper may be positioned on a substantially vertical tube by a stop which may be any device such as a sleeve of material having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the damper that is clamped or secured to the tube. Alternatively, the damper may be of sufficient length that one end may be clamped to the tube while the other end, which loosely fits on the tube, acts as a damper. The damper may be fabricated of a material such as closed cell foam or other relatively lightweight, resilient and compressible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: KENNETH C. TESNER, TURGAY BENGISU, MICHAEL DUVA
  • Patent number: 8701848
    Abstract: A damper for a linear element of a motor vehicle drivetrain such as a cable, a transmission oil fill tube or an engine oil dipstick tube constitutes a loose fitting sleeve or annulus disposed about the linear component. The damper may be positioned on a substantially vertical tube by a stop which may be any device such as a sleeve of material having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the damper that is clamped or secured to the tube. Alternatively, the damper may be of sufficient length that one end may be clamped to the tube while the other end, which loosely fits on the tube, acts as a damper. The damper may be fabricated of a material such as closed cell foam or other relatively lightweight, resilient and compressible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, Turgay Bengisu, Michael Duva
  • Patent number: 8454719
    Abstract: A transmission breather assembly includes a vertically disposed stanchion or stem having a castellated end and an annular shoulder axially spaced therefrom. The stanchion defines an internal passageway which communicates with the interior of the transmission either directly or through a flexible tube. The stanchion may be secured to a surface such as the vehicle firewall or may be mounted directly to the transmission housing if space and packaging requirements permit. Disposed on and over the castellated, open end of the stanchion is a cap or cover. The cap or cover includes an internal cylindrical wall that cooperates with the castellated end of the stanchion to retain it thereon and creates an annular space adjacent the stanchion which functions as an air passageway. The lower open end of the cap or cover is generally radially aligned with the annular shoulder on the stanchion. The cap or cover is fabricated of a hydrophobic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, Hoang L. Vo, Dale Cattell
  • Patent number: 8430114
    Abstract: A vent assembly connectable to a transmission housing includes a stem, a membrane and a cap. The stem has an annular flange, a first end, a second end, and a through bore extending between the first end and the second end. The first end is connectable to the transmission housing and the second end has at least one flange and an annular rim. The membrane is located on the second end of the stem over the bore. The cap has a base and an annular wall extending from the base. The annular wall of the cap is deformed at a terminal end against the annular flange of the stem at discrete locations, where an undeformed portion of the annular wall of the cap creates at least one channel axially extending along the stem. The at least one channel creates a path between the cap and the flange of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Welch, Andrew Laskovy, Hoang L. Vo, Kenneth C. Tesner
  • Publication number: 20120247896
    Abstract: A damper for a linear element of a motor vehicle drivetrain such as a cable, a transmission oil fill tube or an engine oil dipstick tube constitutes a loose fitting sleeve or annulus disposed about the linear component. The damper may be positioned on a substantially vertical tube by a stop which may be any device such as a sleeve of material having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the damper that is clamped or secured to the tube. Alternatively, the damper may be of sufficient length that one end may be clamped to the tube while the other end, which loosely fits on the tube, acts as a damper. The damper may be fabricated of a material such as closed cell foam or other relatively lightweight, resilient and compressible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, Turgay Bengisu, Michael Duva
  • Publication number: 20110173935
    Abstract: A transmission breather assembly includes a vertically disposed stanchion or stem having a castellated end and an annular shoulder axially spaced therefrom. The stanchion defines an internal passageway which communicates with the interior of the transmission either directly or through a flexible tube. The stanchion may be secured to a surface such as the vehicle firewall or may be mounted directly to the transmission housing if space and packaging requirements permit. Disposed on and over the castellated, open end of the stanchion is a cap or cover. The cap or cover includes an internal cylindrical wall that cooperates with the castellated end of the stanchion to retain it thereon and creates an annular space adjacent the stanchion which functions as an air passageway. The lower open end of the cap or cover is generally radially aligned with the annular shoulder on the stanchion. The cap or cover is fabricated of a hydrophobic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Tesner, Hoang L. Vo, Dale Cattell
  • Publication number: 20110056574
    Abstract: A vent assembly connectable to a transmission housing includes a stem, a membrane and a cap. The stem has an annular flange, a first end, a second end, and a through bore extending between the first end and the second end. The first end is connectable to the transmission housing and the second end has at least one flange and an annular rim. The membrane is located on the second end of the stem over the bore. The cap has a base and an annular wall extending from the base. The annular wall of the cap is deformed at a terminal end against the annular flange of the stem at discrete locations, where an undeformed portion of the annular wall of the cap creates at least one channel axially extending along the stem. The at least one channel creates a path between the cap and the flange of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael H. Welch, Andrew Laskovy, Hoang L. Vo, Kenneth C. Tesner