Patents by Inventor Mark Wayne Smith

Mark Wayne Smith 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: 10082168
    Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Wayne Smith, Steven P. Ragalyi, Grant Michael Wheeler, Jesus R. Morales
  • Publication number: 20170175790
    Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: MARK WAYNE SMITH, STEVEN P. RAGALYI, GRANT MICHAEL WHEELER, JESUS R. MORALES
  • Publication number: 20170164475
    Abstract: A PCB assembly includes a circuit board substrate defining a plurality of vias that are aligned along a common axis. A first via of the plurality of vias defines a circular shape and a second via defines an elongate oval shape along the common axis. The PCB assembly also includes an electrical component having a plurality of terminal pins aligned along the common axis. The plurality of terminal pins are received within the plurality of vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Wayne Smith, Jesus R. Morales
  • Patent number: 9634445
    Abstract: A bus bar connector system and an electrical distribution center suitable for use in a motor vehicle including such a bus bar connection system is presented. The bus bar connector system includes a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a spring clip configured to apply a contact force to the first and second bus bars effective to bring at least a portion the first and second bus bars into intimate contact with one another. The spring clip may comprise two longitudinal spring arms each extending from a lateral spring base interconnecting the spring arms. These spring arms are angled toward one another and end portions of the spring arms may be angled away from one another, thereby forming an hourglass or X-shaped spring clip. The end portions of the spring arms may be configured to retain the spring clip within a slot defined by a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Brandon, Daniel S. Eichorn, Mark Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 8129951
    Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Turner, Mark Wayne Smith, John V. Caputo
  • Publication number: 20120013297
    Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: DOUGLAS D. TURNER, MARK WAYNE SMITH, JOHN V. CAPUTO
  • Publication number: 20110117755
    Abstract: A bussed electrical center has a power cable for feeding electrical power to the bussed electrical center. A printed circuit board subassembly is interposed between a first housing member and a second housing member that are connectable together. An electrically conductive connector has a prong end and a distal end. The prong end is operably connected to the printed circuit board subassembly. A first fastener and a second fastener are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second housing members. When the first and second fasteners are tightened together to a draw the first and second housing members together to mechanically fasten the bussed electrical center together, the distal end and the terminal end are pressed against each other for electrical connection to each other to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: ALVARO GINO DE LA REZA, MARK WAYNE SMITH, ERICK A. RODRIGUEZ
  • Patent number: 7931479
    Abstract: A bussed electrical center has a power cable for feeding electrical power to the bussed electrical center. A printed circuit board subassembly is interposed between a first housing member and a second housing member that are connectable together. An electrically conductive connector has a prong end and a distal end. The prong end is operably connected to the printed circuit board subassembly. A first fastener and a second fastener are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second housing members. When the first and second fasteners are tightened together to a draw the first and second housing members together to mechanically fasten the bussed electrical center together, the distal end and the terminal end are pressed against each other for electrical connection to each other to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Gino De La Reza, Mark Wayne Smith, Erick A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20040114338
    Abstract: An electrical connection system is provided that includes a circuit board having a substrate layer with a projection. Electrically conductive contact pads are disposed on each side of the projection and electrically connected together by a plated through hole. An electrical connection system is provided including the circuit board and a high current terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond J. Blasko, Mark Wayne Smith