Patents by Inventor Mark Brenkus

Mark Brenkus 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: 9964068
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a block forming a cylinder, a head, and a gasket positioned between the block and the head. The gasket has first and second outer layers and a distance layer positioned therebetween. The first layer defines a first aperture and a bead surrounding the cylinder. The distance layer defines a second aperture concentrically arranged between the first aperture and the bead. The gasket has a stopper layer extending inwardly from the distance layer to a circular stopper element positioned adjacent to and aligned with the first aperture. A method of sealing an engine includes compressing a gasket between a block and a head to form a primary seal at a first interface and a secondary seal at a second interface between first and second outer layers and an intermediate layer, the first interface being positioned between the second interface and a bead surrounding a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Patent number: 9261044
    Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Publication number: 20150198115
    Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Patent number: 8245685
    Abstract: A sealing and lubrication system includes first and second machine components with a combination sealing and lubrication directing gasket mounted between the first and second machine components. The gasket includes a sealing portion extending between the components and a nozzle portion which is operatively connected with the sealing portion as well as with a lubrication supply passage. The nozzle portion extends from the sealing portion of the gasket to a region external to the first machine component and the second machine component. The nozzle provides lubricating oil to at least one moving part of a third machine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Paul T. Reinhart, Mark Brenkus, Ken Fedeson
  • Publication number: 20100326393
    Abstract: A sealing and lubrication system includes first and second machine components with a combination sealing and lubrication directing gasket mounted between the first and second machine components. The gasket includes a sealing portion extending between the components and a nozzle portion which is operatively connected with the sealing portion as well as with a lubrication supply passage. The nozzle portion extends from the sealing portion of the gasket to a region external to the first machine component and the second machine component. The nozzle provides lubricating oil to at least one moving part of a third machine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul T. Reinhart, Mark Brenkus, Ken Fedeson