Patents by Inventor Michael D. Tombers

Michael D. Tombers 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: 9163641
    Abstract: A support housing is disclosed for use with a turbocharger. The support housing may have an end wall, a semi-cylindrical protrusion extending from the end wall in a first direction, and a plurality of side walls extending from the end wall in a second direction. The plurality of side walls together with the end wall may form a generally hollow enclosure. The support housing may also include a mounting flange disposed at distal edges of the plurality of side walls, and a center opening disposed in the end wall. The support housing may further include a collection cavity formed at a gravitationally lowest corner of the end wall below the center opening and substantially isolated from the enclosure formed by the plurality of side walls and the end wall, and a gutter passage formed in the end wall and extending from the center opening to the collection cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tombers
  • Publication number: 20130343929
    Abstract: A support housing is disclosed for use with a turbocharger. The support housing may have an end wall, a semi-cylindrical protrusion extending from the end wall in a first direction, and a plurality of side walls extending from the end wall in a second direction. The plurality of side walls together with the end wall may form a generally hollow enclosure. The support housing may also include a mounting flange disposed at distal edges of the plurality of side walls, and a center opening disposed in the end wall. The support housing may further include a collection cavity formed at a gravitationally lowest corner of the end wall below the center opening and substantially isolated from the enclosure formed by the plurality of side walls and the end wall, and a gutter passage formed in the end wall and extending from the center opening to the collection cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. TOMBERS
  • Patent number: 5398791
    Abstract: A method is provided for improving the load distribution on a ramp-surface of a clutch mechanism, such as the camplate of an overrunning clutch for the turbocharger of a locomotive diesel engine. In addition, an improved camplate produced by such a method is also provided in accordance with this invention. The method involves an electroplating process in which the electrostatic field is uniquely shaped so as to concentrate the electrostatic flux at a central region of the ramp surface, such that a greater amount of plating metal is deposited in the central region of the ramp surface as compared to the edges of the ramp surface. As a result, the ramp surface has a crowned contour as defined by the plating alone, and does not require a pre- or post-plating crown grind operation. The crowned contour serves to advantageously distribute a load over the ramp surface, so as to promote a longer service life for the camplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Tombers, James W. Heilenbach, Justin E. Wagner
  • Patent number: 3967438
    Abstract: An improved mower blade spindle assembly for a rotary mower is provided with an outer shaft having circumferential slots and an inner shaft rotatable within the outer shaft and having a diametral drive pin extending through the slots, and a braking member axially movably mounted on the outer shaft for rotation therewith, the braking member having a braking surface disposed for engagement with an interior surface of a support sleeve in which the outer shaft is mounted and a cammed surface disposed for engagement with the pin such that upon cessation of the input drive, the pin acts against the cammed surface to shift the brake member axially to engage the braking surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1976
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventor: Michael D. Tombers