Patents by Inventor Mike Duffield

Mike Duffield 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: 6453859
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing apparatus (10) includes a pulse actuating circuit (24A,50,44,56,60,24R and 24R,52,46,54,58,24A) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing apparatus in reaction to fluid under pulsation, and includes a pressure actuating circuit (30,34,36,40,44,50,24A,24R,52,46,66,80/180,32 and 30,34,38,42,46,52,24R,24A,50,44,64,80/180,32) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing device in reaction to fluid under pressure. Advance and retard valves (44,46) are interconnected with the pulse and pressure actuating circuits for independently and simultaneously activating the pulse and pressure actuating circuits. Finally, an exhaust valve (80,180, 280) is positioned in fluid communication with the pulse and pressure actuating circuits, such that the variable camshaft timing device may be oscillated using one or both of the pulse actuating and pressure actuating circuits, and may be maintained in position using one or both of the pulse actuating and pressure actuating circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Smith, Braman C. Wing, Marty Gardner, Mike Duffield
  • Publication number: 20020088413
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing apparatus (10) includes a pulse actuating circuit (24A, 50, 44, 56, 60, 24R and 24R, 52, 46, 54, 58, 24A) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing apparatus in reaction to fluid under pulsation, and includes a pressure actuating circuit (30, 34, 36, 40, 44, 50, 24A, 24R, 52, 46, 66, 80/180, 32 and 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 52, 24R, 24A, 50, 44, 64, 80/180, 32) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing device in reaction to fluid under pressure. Advance and retard valves (44, 46) are interconnected with the pulse and pressure actuating circuits for independently and simultaneously activating the pulse and pressure actuating circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Frank R. Smith, Braman C. Wing, Marty Gardner, Mike Duffield
  • Patent number: 6325535
    Abstract: A probe for determining the heat flux in a direct-fired heater. The direct-fired heater is under a vacuum pressure. This vacuum pressure induces a small quantity of ambient air through a ceramic insulating tube and eventually into the heater. The induced air cools an absorber head and receptacle, causing heat to flow from a target to a base. The target is an outer surface of the absorber head exposed to radiant heat inside the direct-fired heater. The base is that portion of the absorber head and receptacle which has a surface exposed to cooling air within the ceramic tube. The vacuum pressure inside the heater causes ambient air to be induced into a second end of the ceramic tube. Air passages at a first end of the ceramic tube cause the induced air to flow past the base and into the heater. A thermocouple is fitted into a cylindrical slot inside the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Petro-Chem Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Gibson, Mike Duffield, James T. Eischen, Robert L. Gibson