Patents by Inventor Michael Layne

Michael Layne 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: 11441647
    Abstract: A linear actuator is provided. The linear actuator includes a rotor assembly including a rotor and a lead screw. The lead screw is rotationally coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith. The linear actuator further includes a stator assembly configured to selectively rotate the rotor in a desired direction, and a body assembly having a shaft and a shaft tube. The shaft is keyed to the shaft tube and prevented from rotating with the rotor. The shaft includes an inner bore configured to threadably receive the lead screw therein. Selective rotation is configured to displace the shaft between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael Layne, Dean Wardle, Selena Boltik
  • Patent number: 10907740
    Abstract: A control valve that includes a valve body, a spool, and an actuator is provided. The valve body includes a plastic body housing and a metallic sleeve housed within the body housing. The spool is received within the metallic sleeve and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Michael Layne
  • Publication number: 20200240495
    Abstract: A linear actuator is provided. The linear actuator includes a rotor assembly including a rotor and a lead screw. The lead screw is rotationally coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith. The linear actuator further includes a stator assembly configured to selectively rotate the rotor in a desired direction, and a body assembly having a shaft and a shaft tube. The shaft is keyed to the shaft tube and prevented from rotating with the rotor. The shaft includes an inner bore configured to threadably receive the lead screw therein. Selective rotation is configured to displace the shaft between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Layne, Dean Wardle, Selena Boltik
  • Patent number: 9903280
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a control valve including a control valve body having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a workport, and a chamber arranged in a fluid path between the workport and the outlet passage. The control valve further includes an annular poppet slidably received within the chamber and to selectively engage a poppet seat to inhibit fluid flow through the fluid path when a pressure in the fluid path is less than a predefined pressure level, and a valve element slidably received within the control valve body to selectively provide fluid communication between the inlet passage and the workport and selectively provide fluid communication between the workport and the outlet passage along the fluid path. The poppet is biased towards the poppet seat by an elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Michael Layne
  • Publication number: 20170284277
    Abstract: A pilot operated piston oil cooling jet control valve configured to be in communication with a main oil galley, an oil pan, and a cooling jet is provided. The pilot operated piston oil cooling jet control valve includes a valve body, a pilot valve, and a main stage poppet. The pilot valve is arranged within the valve body and includes a solenoid armature movable between a first position and a second position and a pilot poppet movable between a pilot open position where flow is provided to the oil pan and a pilot closed position where flow is inhibited to the oil pan. The main stage poppet is arranged within the valve body and is movable between a closed position where flow is inhibited to the cooling jet and an open position where flow is provided to the cooling jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Wardle, Michael Layne, Brian Heidemann
  • Publication number: 20170167617
    Abstract: A control valve that includes a valve body, a spool, and an actuator is provided. The valve body includes a plastic body housing and a metallic sleeve housed within the body housing. The spool is received within the metallic sleeve and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and to the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Layne
  • Publication number: 20050150553
    Abstract: An electrically operated valve controls the flow of oil to and from a device that activates and deactivates a cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine. A first valve seat is between an inlet and a workport connected to the device and a second valve seat is between the workport and an outlet. A valve element engages the first valve seat when a solenoid actuator is energized. The valve element and the first valve seat cooperate to allow air to bleed from the inlet through the valve upon starting the engine, but prevent the oil from flowing in that path unless the solenoid actuator is energized. In one version of the valve, the valve element engages the second valve seat when disengaged from the first valve seat. In a second version, another valve element engages the second valve seat when oil flows through the first valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Flynn, Curt VanWeelden, Michael Layne
  • Publication number: 20050150561
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve assembly is provided to activate and deactivate cylinder valves of a multi-cylinder engine. A plurality of electrohydraulic valves are loosely received in openings in a base plate which allows the relative positions of the valve to adjust automatically for dimensional irregularities as the assembly is installed on the engine. At the complete of that installation, elements of each electrohydraulic valve are clamped between the base plate and the engine to secure the valves in position. A flexible lead frame containing electrical conductors is secured to both the base plate and the electrohydraulic valves provides additional support while allowing movement of the valves with respect to the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Flynn, Curt VanWeelden, Michael Layne
  • Patent number: 6807943
    Abstract: A gasoline direct injection system of an engine has a high pressure pump with an output connected to a fuel rail that supplies a plurality of fuel injectors. A control valve is connected in parallel with the pump to maintain the fuel rail pressure at a consistent level as the fuel injectors open and close. A valve element engages and disengages a seat to control the flow of fuel through the control valve. The high pressure from the fuel supply rail acts on surfaces of the valve element which are designed to produce a force imbalance that serves to rapidly open the control valve. An electromagnetic actuator, that closes the control valve, has a low impedance coil and pole pieces made of soft magnetic composite material to minimize eddy currents that impede valve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. VanWeelden, Kathryn I. Bacon, Michael Layne
  • Publication number: 20040103885
    Abstract: A gasoline direct injection system of an engine has a high pressure pump with an output connected to a fuel rail that supplies a plurality of fuel injectors. A control valve is connected in parallel with the pump to maintain the fuel rail pressure at a consistent level as the fuel injectors open and close. A valve element engages and disengages a seat to control the flow of fuel through the control valve. The high pressure from the fuel supply rail acts on surfaces of the valve element which are designed to produce a force imbalance that serves to rapidly open the control valve. An electromagnetic actuator, that closes the control valve, has a low impedance coil and pole pieces made of soft magnetic composite material to minimize eddy currents that impede valve performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Curtis L. VanWeelden, Kathryn I. Bacon, Michael Layne