Patents by Inventor Patrick B. Melton
Patrick B. Melton 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).
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Publication number: 20090085305Abstract: An apparatus for sealing gas path leakage within a turbomachine is provided. The apparatus may include at least one seal system, which may include at least one sealing shim, at least one spring; and at least one shim protection material. The seal system may be inserted between a first and a second structure of the turbomachine. The seal system may adjust for misalignments between the first and the second structures of the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Mehmet Demiroglu, Christopher E. Wolfe, Patrick B. Melton, Edip Sevincer
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Patent number: 7461454Abstract: An axle assembly includes an upper and lower housing joined to form a chamber for a differential gear assembly. The upper and lower housings are fabricated by a method including the steps of forming the upper housing from a first sheet of material and forming the lower housing from a second sheet of material. The upper housing includes an opening for the differential gear assembly and the lower housing includes a bowl portion disposed opposite the opening. The upper and lower housings are joined by a weld to from the axle housing. The lower housing includes leg portions that form a single unified structure with the bowl portion to improve structural rigidity and simplify assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Arvin TechnologiesInventors: Patrick B. Melton, Jack R. McKenzie
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Patent number: 7066479Abstract: A vehicle axle assembly is provided including an axle housing having legs extending along an axis. Each housing leg has a wall defining an interior cavity with the wall having a first locating feature formed therein. The first locating feature may be an indentation in the wall of the axle housing that may be in the shape of a concave dimple or a trough running transverse to the axis. The first locating feature may also be a protrusion instead of an indentation. A suspension component is secured to the housing leg by clamps. A suspension component includes a second locating feature of a complimentary shape to the first locating feature. The locating features cooperate to axially locate the suspension component on the housing leg preventing lateral movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Patrick B. Melton
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Patent number: 6857645Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a first suspension member such as a rear axle housing having first and second opposing sides. The housing includes spaced apart corners. First and second seats are respectively adjacent to the first and second opposing sides. Each of the seats has inwardly facing surfaces interconnected by an intermediate surface with the inwardly facing surfaces engaging the corners and the intermediate surface spaced from the side. The intermediate surface and inwardly facing surfaces of each seat form a continuous unbroken surface with the inwardly facing surfaces facing one another. A fastener such as a U-bolt or a pair of bolts secure the first and second seat about the first suspension member to secure a second suspension member to the first suspension member.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Patrick B. Melton, Jack Darrin Oates
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Publication number: 20040212166Abstract: A vehicle axle assembly is provided including an axle housing having legs extending along an axis. Each housing leg has a wall defining an interior cavity with the wall having a first locating feature formed therein. The first locating feature may be an indentation in the wall of the axle housing that may be in the shape of a concave dimple or a trough running transverse to the axis. The first locating feature may also be a protrusion instead of an indentation. A suspension component is secured to the housing leg by clamps. A suspension component includes a second locating feature of a complimentary shape to the first locating feature. The locating features cooperate to axially locate the suspension component on the housing leg preventing lateral movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventor: Patrick B. Melton
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Publication number: 20040149078Abstract: An axle assembly includes an upper and lower housing joined to form a chamber for a differential gear assembly. The upper and lower housings are fabricated by a method including the steps of forming the upper housing from a first sheet of material and forming the lower housing from a second sheet of material. The upper housing includes an opening for the differential gear assembly and the lower housing includes a bowl portion disposed opposite the opening. The upper and lower housings are joined by a weld to from the axle housing. The lower housing includes leg portions that form a single unified structure with the bowl portion to improve structural rigidity and simplify assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Patrick B. Melton, Jack R. McKenzie
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Publication number: 20030209871Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a first suspension member such as a rear axle housing having first and second opposing sides. The housing includes spaced apart corners. First and second seats are respectively adjacent to the first and second opposing sides. Each of the seats has inwardly facing surfaces interconnected by an intermediate surface with the inwardly facing surfaces engaging the corners and the intermediate surface spaced from the side. The intermediate surface and inwardly facing surfaces of each seat form a continuous unbroken surface with the inwardly facing surfaces facing one another. A fastener such as a U-bolt or a pair of bolts secure the first and second seat about the first suspension member to secure a second suspension member to the first suspension member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Patrick B. Melton, Jack Darrin Oates
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Patent number: 6543858Abstract: A wheel end assembly is provided which facilitates maintenance of the wheel end assembly, and further provides a more secure bearing housing. The spindle is caused to rotate with the drive axle, and is in turn connected to drive a wheel hub. In other features, a housing mounts a bearing cup structure which surrounds the spindle, and has a piloting land for positioning a brake torque plate or a spider, along with the bearing cup. A tone wheel is sandwiched between two nuts, and is caused to rotate with the spindle. The tone wheel includes a tab extending into an opening on the washer such that the washer rotates with the tone wheel. The overall assembly facilitates maintenance and assembly, and provides a more secure environment for the bearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventor: Patrick B. Melton
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Publication number: 20030062765Abstract: A wheel end assembly is provided which facilitates maintenance of the wheel end assembly, and further provides a more secure bearing housing. The spindle is caused to rotate with the drive axle, and is in turn connected to drive a wheel hub. In other features, a housing mounts a bearing cup structure which surrounds the spindle, and has a piloting land for positioning a brake torque plate or a spider, along with the bearing cup. A tone wheel is sandwiched between two nuts, and is caused to rotate with the spindle. The tone wheel includes a tab extending into an opening on the washer such that the washer rotates with the tone wheel. The overall assembly facilitates maintenance and assembly, and provides a more secure environment for the bearing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Patrick B. Melton
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Patent number: 5551790Abstract: A thermal load relief ring is disposed between the mating surfaces of adjacent cases of a gas turbine engine and secured thereto by a dowel pin or bolt to assure the concentricity of the cases. The bolt and dowel pin are configured to assure the concentric fit of the components. These configurations allow the cases to be fabricated from different materials to allow a lighter and less expensive case.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1995Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Patrick B. Melton
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Patent number: 5503490Abstract: A thermal load relief ring is disposed between the mating surfaces of adjacent cases of a gas turbine engine and secured thereto by a dowel pin or bolt to assure the concentricity of the cases. The bolt and dowel pin are configured to assure the concentric fit of the components. These configurations allow the cases to be fabricated from different materials to allow a lighter and less expensive case.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Patrick B. Melton