Patents by Inventor Mark F. Werner
Mark F. Werner 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).
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Patent number: 9324892Abstract: A solar panel support sub-assembly includes a bottom rail, a first top rail and a second top rail, each rail having first and second longitudinally opposite ends. The first end of the bottom rail is pivotally coupled to the first end of the first top rail and the second end of the bottom rail is pivotally coupled to the first end of the second top rail. The sub-assembly also includes a ballast rail having a first end that is pivotally coupled to the bottom rail at a first location intermediate the first and second longitudinally opposite ends of the bottom rail. The sub-assembly may be unfolded for assembly by pivoting the first and second top rails within a first plane and pivoting the ballast rail within a second plane that is normal to the first plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Powrozek, Peter M. Szadyr, Mark F. Werner
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Patent number: 9249993Abstract: A support system for a trough-shaped solar collector assembly includes a support arm comprising first and second curved rails and an interconnecting web structure. The web structure is secured along first and second opposite edges thereof to first and second web engaging structures, which are provided along facing surfaces of the first and second rails, respectively. Prior to fixedly securing the web structure to the web engaging structure of the first and second curved rails, the location and/or the orientation of the web structure are adjustable for supporting interconnection of the first and second curved rails with different rates of convergence between the first and second curved rails. The support arm further includes a plurality of mirror-attachment brackets coupled to the first rail for attaching the trough-shaped solar collector assembly to the support arm and structure attachment brackets for mounting the support arm to a structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Vikas Kotagiri, Mark F. Werner, Michael J. Devor, Kevin R. Langworthy, Gianfranco Gabbianelli
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Patent number: 9073403Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Gregory P. Kiselis, DeWayne Dale Egle, Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Erryn Leigh Ashmore, Daniel Sulisz, Pascal P. Charest, Eric deNijs, Ying Zhang, Ryan R. Warpup, Dalip K. Matharoo
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Publication number: 20140230886Abstract: A solar assembly is provided for harnessing solar rays and generating electricity. The solar assembly includes at least one vertical leg extending in a vertical direction and having an upper attachment end. The assembly also includes at least one north-south rail and a plurality of east-west rails extending generally transversely to the north-south rail. A curved member interconnects the vertical leg with the north-south rail and extends through an arcuate shape. The solar assembly also includes a plurality of generally flat arrays of solar panels, such as photovoltaic panels, are coupled to the east-west members. The orientation of the solar panels relative to a base or the ground is dependent on the location along the curved member of the connection with the vertical leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Zachary A. Marten, Peter M. Szadyr, Ryan R. Warpup
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Publication number: 20140216531Abstract: A solar assembly for harnessing solar rays and generating electricity is provided. The solar assembly includes a mounting structure with a pair of sub-assemblies spaced from one another in an east-west direction and each having at least one post and a north-south rail. A plurality of east-west rails extend between the north-south rails of adjacent sub-assemblies. A plurality of photovoltaic (PV) arrays are attached to the east-west rails. The north-south rails of the sub-assemblies are curved concave downwardly towards the base such that the PV arrays are disposed at different angles from one another with the upper-most array being disposed at the shallowest angle relative to the base and the lower-most array being disposed at the steepest angle relative to the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventor: Mark F. Werner
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Publication number: 20140117190Abstract: At least one aspect of the present invention is related to a support frame assembly for supporting a solar device, such as an array of mirror elements and/or photovoltaic panels. The support frame assembly includes a plurality of support arm assemblies, each of which includes a pair of rails and a plurality of web structures interconnecting the rails. Specifically, each of the web structures has a base which is attached to one of the rails and a pair of legs extending towards and attached to the other of the rails. The web structures are preferably formed through a single stamping process with at least one of the web structures being at least partially in a nesting relationship with another of the web structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Steven Joseph Schwartz, Michael Stephen Lalka, II
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Publication number: 20130285343Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Gregory P. Kiselis, DeWayne Dale Egle, Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Erryn Leigh Langlois, Daniel Sulisz, Pascal P. Charest, Eric deNijs, Ying Zhang, Ryan R. Warpup, Dalip K. Matharoo
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Publication number: 20130240463Abstract: A support system for a trough-shaped solar collector assembly includes a support arm comprising first and second curved rails and an interconnecting web structure. The web structure is secured along first and second opposite edges thereof to first and second web engaging structures, which are provided along facing surfaces of the first and second rails, respectively. Prior to fixedly securing the web structure to the web engaging structure of the first and second curved rails, the location and/or the orientation of the web structure are adjustable for supporting interconnection of the first and second curved rails with different rates of convergence between the first and second curved rails. The support arm further includes a plurality of mirror-attachment brackets coupled to the first rail for attaching the trough-shaped solar collector assembly to the support arm and structure attachment brackets for mounting the support arm to a structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventors: Vikas Kotagiri, Mark F. Werner, Michael J. Devor, Kevin R. Langworthy, Gianfranco Gabbianelli
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Publication number: 20130228537Abstract: A solar panel support sub-assembly includes a bottom rail, a first top rail and a second top rail, each rail having first and second longitudinally opposite ends. The first end of the bottom rail is pivotally coupled to the first end of the first top rail and the second end of the bottom rail is pivotally coupled to the first end of the second top rail. The sub-assembly also includes a ballast rail having a first end that is pivotally coupled to the bottom rail at a first location intermediate the first and second longitudinally opposite ends of the bottom rail. The sub-assembly may be unfolded for assembly by pivoting the first and second top rails within a first plane and pivoting the ballast rail within a second plane that is normal to the first plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2011Publication date: September 5, 2013Inventors: Eric A. Powrozek, Peter M. Szadyr, Mark F. Werner
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Patent number: 8496258Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Gregory P. Kiselis, DeWayne Dale Egle, Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Erryn Leigh Langlois, Daniel Sulisz, Pascal P. Charest, Eric deNijs, Ying Zhang, Ryan R. Warpup, Dalip K. Matharoo
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Publication number: 20110068619Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Mark F. WERNER, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Gregory P. Kiselis, DeWayne Dale Egle, Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Erryn Leigh Langlois, Daniel Sulisz, Pascal P. Charest, Eric deNijs, Ying Zhang, Ryan R. Warpup, Dalip K. Matharoo
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Patent number: 7837230Abstract: A hybrid component for lightweight, structural uses, including a steel member formed of a high strength steel; and a cast coupling member cast on a portion of the steel member by casting-in-place a semi-solid aluminum about the portion of the steel member, thereby positively and rigidly securing the coupling member to the steel member. A method of forming a hybrid component for lightweight, structural uses, including: forming a steel member formed of a high strength steel into a predetermined configuration; and casting a coupling member on a portion of the steel member by casting-in-place a semi-solid aluminum about the portion of the steel member, thereby positively and rigidly securing the coupling member to the steel member.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Frank Gabbianelli, Erryn Leigh Langlois, Daniel Sulisz, Mark F. Werner, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, P. Gregory Kiselis, Dewayne Dale Egle
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Patent number: 7819463Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Mark F. Werner
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Patent number: 7722111Abstract: A truck box includes front and rear corner brackets and an inner side panel having a first end fixed to the front corner bracket and a second end fixed to the rear corner bracket. A rail longitudinally extends substantially the entire length of the inner side panel and has a first end fixed to the front corner bracket and a second end fixed to the rear corner bracket. The rail has a center portion fixed to the inner side panel. The first and second ends of the rail are transversely offset and spaced apart from the inner side panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Alan Reich, Mark F. Werner, Gianfranco Gabbianelli
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Publication number: 20100072781Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventor: Mark F. WERNER
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Patent number: 7665800Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Mark F. Werner
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Patent number: 7503619Abstract: A frame (18) for a liftgate (10) of a motor vehicle includes an upper frame member (24) and a generally U-shaped lower frame member (26). The upper frame member is adapted to be pivotally secured (33, 35) to the motor vehicle. The lower frame member (26) is fixedly secured to the upper frame member (24). The lower frame member (26) is integrally formed, and includes spaced apart vertical segments (36, 38) and a horizontal segment (40) extending therebetween for supporting the liftgate as the liftgate opens and closes.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Mark F. Werner
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Publication number: 20090026786Abstract: A truck box includes front and rear corner brackets and an inner side panel having a first end fixed to the front corner bracket and a second end fixed to the rear corner bracket. A rail longitudinally extends substantially the entire length of the inner side panel and has a first end fixed to the front corner bracket and a second end fixed to the rear corner bracket. The rail has a center portion fixed to the inner side panel. The first and second ends of the rail are transversely offset and spaced apart from the inner side panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Alan Reich, Mark F. Werner, Gianfranco Gabbianelli
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Publication number: 20080191443Abstract: A traditional twist beam axle found in a vehicle includes a twist beam with a separate torsion beam or a hollow tube formed into an inverted U shape that acts as both the twist beam and the torsion beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2006Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, P. Gregory Kiselis, Mark F. Werner, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Darren A. Womack