Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Tilton

Kevin M. Tilton 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).

  • Publication number: 20200164912
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a first steering member which is linearly movable relative to the vehicle to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels. A pinion is disposed in meshing engagement with a rack portion of the first steering member. A steering column is connected with the pinion and with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in linear movement of the first steering member. An electrically powered steering unit is connected to a second steering member extending generally parallel to the first steering member for providing steering assist to the steerable wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin E. Boyle, Mark A. Cartwright, Kevin M. Tilton
  • Patent number: 10611401
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes first and second pumps driven by a vehicle engine to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly connected with the vehicle wheels. The first pump is sized to provide a fluid flow required by the power steering motor assembly to effect a first vehicle maneuver when the engine speed is at or above a first predetermined speed. A valve directs fluid flow from the second pump to the power steering motor assembly, which when combined with the fluid flow of the first pump is sufficient for the power steering assembly to effect a second vehicle maneuver when the engine speed is at or above the first predetermined speed. A greater fluid flow is required to effect the second vehicle maneuver than to effect the first vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY AND ELECTRONICS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Samuel A. StHilaire, Qinghe Li, Kevin M. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20180334185
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes first and second pumps driven by a vehicle engine to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly connected with the vehicle wheels. The first pump is sized to provide a fluid flow required by the power steering motor assembly to effect a first vehicle maneuver when the engine speed is at or above a first predetermined speed. A valve directs fluid flow from the second pump to the power steering motor assembly, which when combined with the fluid flow of the first pump is sufficient for the power steering assembly to effect a second vehicle maneuver when the engine speed is at or above the first predetermined speed. A greater fluid flow is required to effect the second vehicle maneuver than to effect the first vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel A. StHilaire, Qinghe Li, Kevin M. Tilton