Patents by Inventor Michael A. MacMillan

Michael A. MacMillan 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).

  • Valve assembly
    Patent number: 7178787
    Abstract: An improved valve assembly (100) includes a primary spring (142) which extends along a valve stem (144). A spring retainer (150) holds the primary spring (142) on the valve stem (144) and has a thread convolution (152) which engages a thread convolution (154) on the valve stem (144). The spring retainer (150) has a force transmitting surface (182) which engages a reference surface (184) on the valve stem (144) with a retainer preload force which is at least as great as a primary spring preload force. Shims (158–162) are provided between the primary spring (142) and the spring retainer (150) to enable a desired primary spring preload force to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Wendell L. Gilbert, Michael A. MacMillan