Patents by Inventor Mark A. Kopec

Mark A. Kopec 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: 6695748
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control apparatus (10) that produces, controls and directs hydraulic pressure inputs to the clutches, brakes and shift mechanisms of an automatic transmission to shift the transmission. A module body (14) supports control apparatus components and is removably mountable to a transmission housing (16) of the transmission. The module body (14) defines a plurality of fluid conduits (28). A plurality of control valves (26) is disposed on the module body (14) and meter hydraulic fluid through the conduits (28) to brake and clutch hydraulic cylinders and shift mechanisms in the transmission. A plurality of solenoid-operated control valves (26) is also disposed on the module body. A controller (34) disposed on the module body is connected to the solenoids (30) and controls the valves by operating the solenoids (30) in accordance with inputs received from sensors (36-44) that detect various factors representing the running state of the transmission and the vehicle it's mounted in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kopec, Eric Sandstrom
  • Publication number: 20020032093
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control apparatus (10) that produces, controls and directs hydraulic pressure inputs to the clutches, brakes and shift mechanisms of an automatic transmission to shift the transmission. A module body (14) supports control apparatus components and is removably mountable to a transmission housing (16) of the transmission. The module body (14) defines a plurality of fluid conduits (28). A plurality of control valves (26) is disposed on the module body (14) and meter hydraulic fluid through the conduits (28) to brake and clutch hydraulic cylinders and shift mechanisms in the transmission. A plurality of solenoid-operated control valves (26) is also disposed on the module body. A controller (34) disposed on the module body is connected to the solenoids (30) and controls the valves by operating the solenoids (30) in accordance with inputs received from sensors (36-44) that detect various factors representing the running state of the transmission and the vehicle it's mounted in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Kopec, Eric Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 6161515
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided, including a pressure control valve for regulating oil pressure in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. An oil pump for circulating oil through the lubrication system is connected in flow communication with an engine lubrication circuit and a sump. A control valve in the oil pump is slidably movable in response to a control oil pressure. As oil pressure increases, the control valve functions to recirculate some of the oil back into the oil pump. By recirculating the oil, the control valve controls the flow of oil from the oil pump, and thereby regulating oil pressure in the lubrication system. During a cold engine start, the pressure control valve is actuated using a combined oil pressure, where a check valve is used to blend a first pressure prevailing at the outlet of said oil pump and a second pressure prevailing at or near the end of the lubrication circuit and.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Kopec
  • Patent number: 6082321
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided, including a pressure control valve for regulating oil pressure in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. An oil pump for circulating oil through the lubrication system is connected in flow communication with an engine lubrication circuit and a sump. A control valve in the oil pump is slidably movable in response to a control oil pressure. As oil pressure increases, the control valve functions to recirculate some of the oil back into the oil pump. By recirculating the oil, the control valve controls the flow of oil from the oil pump, and thereby regulating oil pressure in the lubrication system. To provide a more stable response by the control valve, the control pressure used to actuate the valve is blended from a first pressure prevailing at the outlet of said oil pump and a second pressure prevailing at or near the end of the lubrication circuit. In addition, bleed can also be incorporated into the oil pump to increase flow rate throughout the lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Kopec