Patents by Inventor Luke Brodbeck

Luke Brodbeck 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: 10458289
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine, the phase control apparatus having a locking pin coupled to a rotor vane and engageable with a locking pin recess in the phase control apparatus cover plate. In one example, a method for assembling the phase control apparatus may include positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the rotor vane and the housing in face-sharing contact while positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the locking pin and the locking pin recess in face-sharing contact and maintaining a backlash gap between only the advanced side surfaces of the locking pin recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Luke Brodbeck, Andrew Erich Mast, Shawn Kevin Carlisle, Paul John Adam, Joel John Beltramo
  • Patent number: 10202908
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an oil pressure supplied to an engine and a variable cam timing (VCT) responsive to a condition of the VCT system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the oil pressure based on engine speed, engine load, and engine oil temperature, and responsive to a request to shift the VCT system during specific engine operating conditions, increasing the oil pressure to an upper threshold oil pressure for the duration of the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Paul John Adam, Jeffrey Alan Yeager, Luke Brodbeck, Joel John Beltramo
  • Publication number: 20180340476
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an oil pressure supplied to an engine and a variable cam timing (VCT) responsive to a condition of the VCT system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the oil pressure based on engine speed, engine load, and engine oil temperature, and responsive to a request to shift the VCT system during specific engine operating conditions, increasing the oil pressure to an upper threshold oil pressure for the duration of the shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Paul John Adam, Jeffrey Alan Yeager, Luke Brodbeck, Joel John Beltramo
  • Publication number: 20180266285
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine, the phase control apparatus having a locking pin coupled to a rotor vane and engageable with a locking pin recess in the phase control apparatus cover plate. In one example, a method for assembling the phase control apparatus may include positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the rotor vane and the housing in face-sharing contact while positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the locking pin and the locking pin recess in face-sharing contact and maintaining a backlash gap between only the advanced side surfaces of the locking pin the locking pin recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Luke Brodbeck, Andrew Erich Mast, Shawn Kevin Carlisle, Paul John Adam, Joel John Beltramo
  • Patent number: 9410577
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement may include at least one sliding bearing having a polymer coating. The bearing arrangement may bear a camshaft, and at least one of the polymer coating is applied to the camshaft, and the polymer coating is arranged in a bearing ring. An oil trough for collecting oil may be provided on at least one of the bearing ring and a cylinder head which receives the bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Jeff Carter, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 9255498
    Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a camshaft assembly for actuating valves of an engine are disclosed. The camshaft assembly may include a camshaft having a plurality of lobes, including at least one phase adjustable lobe configured to be selectively rotated with respect to the camshaft. The assembly may further include a hydraulic valve actuator in communication with a first lobe of the camshaft. The hydraulic valve actuator may be configured to selectively actuate at least one valve in communication with the hydraulic valve actuator in response to the at least one cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Falk Schneider, Thomas Flender, Antonio Menonna, Michael Kreisig
  • Patent number: 9157341
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly comprising an outer shaft, an inner shaft received within the outer shaft, and a bushing disposed about the inner shaft, the bushing having an outer surface defining at least one longitudinal groove extending at least partially along a length of the bushing, wherein the longitudinal groove cooperates with the outer shaft to define a fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Luke Brodbeck
  • Patent number: 8820283
    Abstract: A camshaft may have an inner shaft and an outer shaft, each rotatable relative to the other. An adjusting device may include a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The outer shaft may be mounted in a stationary counter bearing adjacent to the adjusting device and the adjusting device may have a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The counter bearing may be designed as a slide bearing and oil supply to the phase adjusters may take place via the slide bearing. The slide bearing may have a first, second and third oil channel. The first oil channel may act on the first phase adjuster with corresponding oil flows, the second oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a first oil flow, and the third oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a second oil flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Falk Schneider, Antonio Menonna, Stefan Steichele
  • Publication number: 20140158077
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement may include at least one sliding bearing having a polymer coating. The bearing arrangement may bear a camshaft, and at least one of the polymer coating is applied to the camshaft, and the polymer coating is arranged in a bearing ring. An oil trough for collecting oil may be provided on at least one of the bearing ring and a cylinder head which receives the bearing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Jeff Carter, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140158076
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a shaft with journals that have outer surfaces with a common outer diameter for carrying cages and roller bearings, such as low-friction needle roller bearings, to provide a uniform rolling speed of the rolling members axially along the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Luke Brodbeck
  • Publication number: 20140076255
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly comprising an outer shaft, an inner shaft received within the outer shaft, and a bushing disposed about the inner shaft, the bushing having an outer surface defining at least one longitudinal groove extending at least partially along a length of the bushing, wherein the longitudinal groove cooperates with the outer shaft to define a fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Luke Brodbeck
  • Publication number: 20140033998
    Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a camshaft assembly for actuating valves of an engine are disclosed. The camshaft assembly may include a camshaft having a plurality of lobes, including at least one phase adjustable lobe configured to be selectively rotated with respect to the camshaft. The assembly may further include a hydraulic valve actuator in communication with a first lobe of the camshaft. The hydraulic valve actuator may be configured to selectively actuate at least one valve in communication with the hydraulic valve actuator in response to the at least one cam lobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Falk Schneider, Thomas Flender, Antonio Menonna, Michael Kreisig
  • Publication number: 20130276734
    Abstract: A camshaft may have an inner shaft and an outer shaft, each rotatable relative to the other. An adjusting device may include a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The outer shaft may be mounted in a stationary counter bearing adjacent to the adjusting device and the adjusting device may have a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The counter bearing may be designed as a slide bearing and oil supply to the phase adjusters may take place via the slide bearing. The slide bearing may have a first, second and third oil channel. The first oil channel may act on the first phase adjuster with corresponding oil flows, the second oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a first oil flow, and the third oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a second oil flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luke Brodbeck, Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Falk Schneider, Antonio Menonna, Stefan Steichele