Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Tow

Patrick J. Tow 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: 9643302
    Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric D Staley, Mark Stabinsky, Patrick J. Tow
  • Publication number: 20170100823
    Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric D Staley, Mark Stabinsky, Patrick J. Tow
  • Patent number: 9482122
    Abstract: A detent assembly and a method of assembling the detent assembly are disclosed. The detent assembly includes a first shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The first shaft defines a cavity having an opening defined by the outer surface. The detent assembly further includes a camshaft defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis to present an inner wall of the camshaft that circumscribes the longitudinal axis. The inner wall defines a plurality of recesses spaced from each other. The detent assembly also includes a self-contained plunger unit that is secured to the first shaft in the cavity as a unit. A plunger of the self-contained plunger unit engages the inner wall as the camshaft is disposed over the self-contained plunger unit so that the plunger rests in one of the recesses of the camshaft to selectively secure together the first shaft and the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Moon, Patrick J. Tow, Domenic Certo
  • Publication number: 20150377094
    Abstract: A detent assembly and a method of assembling the detent assembly are disclosed. The detent assembly includes a first shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The first shaft defines a cavity having an opening defined by the outer surface. The detent assembly further includes a camshaft defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis to present an inner wall of the camshaft that circumscribes the longitudinal axis. The inner wall defines a plurality of recesses spaced from each other. The detent assembly also includes a self-contained plunger unit that is secured to the first shaft in the cavity as a unit. A plunger of the self-contained plunger unit engages the inner wall as the camshaft is disposed over the self-contained plunger unit so that the plunger rests in one of the recesses of the camshaft to selectively secure together the first shaft and the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: JOSEPH J. MOON, PATRICK J. TOW, DOMENIC CERTO
  • Patent number: 8820279
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air bleed valve and a hydraulically actuated engine component. The engine structure defines a first oil supply passage. The air bleed valve is in communication with the first oil supply passage and purges air from pressurized oil within the first oil supply passage. The hydraulically actuated engine component is in communication with the oil supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Roussey, Patrick J. Tow, Robert L. Jacques
  • Publication number: 20130298854
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air bleed valve and a hydraulically actuated engine component. The engine structure defines a first oil supply passage. The air bleed valve is in communication with the first oil supply passage and purges air from pressurized oil within the first oil supply passage. The hydraulically actuated engine component is in communication with the oil supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Roussey, Patrick J. Tow, Robert L. Jacques