Patents by Inventor Philip D. McDowell

Philip D. McDowell 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: 6539299
    Abstract: A method and control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that allows an operator to calibrate engine performance relative to an engine operating characteristic. The control apparatus comprises a base engine control map that correlates values of the characteristic with values of a base engine control, a trim control map that correlates the values of the characteristic with values of a trim control, an engine control unit that obtains from the base engine control and trim control maps the respective base engine control and trim control values that are based on the characteristic value, and a panel that is operatively coupled with the engine control unit and includes a first switch regulating a trim signal supplied to the engine control unit. The trim control map is separated from the base control map. The engine control unit calculates an engine operating control value based on the obtained values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston, Philip D. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20020052682
    Abstract: A method and control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that allows an operator to calibrate engine performance relative to an engine operating characteristic. The control apparatus comprises a base engine control map that correlates values of the characteristic with values of a base engine control, a trim control map that correlates the values of the characteristic with values of a trim control, an engine control unit that obtains from the base engine control and trim control maps the respective base engine control and trim control values that are based on the characteristic value, and a panel that is operatively coupled with the engine control unit and includes a first switch regulating a trim signal supplied to the engine control unit. The trim control map is separated from the base control map. The engine control unit calculates an engine operating control value based on the obtained values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston, Philip D. McDowell
  • Patent number: 6026792
    Abstract: A method of operating a two-stroke, spark-ignited, internal combustion engine in which the ignition is time-based controlled at low or idle speeds and is crank-angle-based controlled at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Philip D. McDowell, Wolfram Hellmich, Todd D. Craft, Christopher R. Irgens, Wolfgang Heimberg, Francis A. McGinnity, Gregory J. Binversie
  • Patent number: 5779454
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel pump comprising a housing including therein a high pressure fuel chamber, a fuel outlet valve communicating with the high pressure fuel chamber and being operable to prevent fuel inflow and to permit fuel outflow when the fuel pressure is above a predetermined level, a fuel inlet valve communicating with the high pressure chamber and being operable to prevent fuel outflow and to permit fuel inflow, and a bearing bore extending from the high pressure chamber, a rod slideably and sealingly supported in the bearing bore for movement relative to a retracted position, and structure located in the housing for displacing the rod from the retracted position and in the direction toward the high pressure fuel chamber through an initial stroke length without encountering substantial resistance and thereafter displacing the rod through a subsequent stroke length which is effective to highly pressurize the fuel in the high pressure fuel chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: FICHT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gregory J. Binversie, Wolfgang Heimberg, Theodore J. Holterman, Christopher R. Irgens, Francis A. McGinnity, Philip D. McDowell, Richard T. Tunkieicz, Lee A. Woodward, Wolfram Hellmich
  • Patent number: 5608369
    Abstract: A method of constructing a magnetic flux gap comprising fabricating a first portion from a material having low reluctance and so as to provide an end surface, and a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter, fabricating a second portion from a material having high reluctance and so as to provide axially spaced first and second end surfaces, and a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical inner surface of said first portion, fabricating a third portion from a material having low reluctance and so as to provide an end surface, and a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said cylindrical inner surface of said first portion, fixing together the first and second portions with the first end surface of the second portion in axially abutting adjacent relation to the end surface of the first portion and with said cylindrical inner surfaces in concentric relation, fixing together the second and third portions with the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Irgens, Philip D. McDowell, Chinh D. Nguyen, James Bonifield
  • Patent number: 5153589
    Abstract: A data processing terminal is provided with a keyboard which can be removed to provide access to the interior of the terminal for maintenance and repair of electrical components contained therein. Removal of the keyboard causes the operating circuit for the terminal to be interrupted, thereby eliminating danger of shock to someone working in the interior of the terminal. Assembly of the keyboard to the remainder of the terminal is accomplished largely by means of molded engaging and latching elements, thereby minimizing the effort required for assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: George Heys, Jr., Andrew E. Yandora, Philip D. McDowell
  • Patent number: 4841412
    Abstract: An electronic terminal device is fabricated so as to be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by use of housing parts and internal parts having snap-type fasteners. Separate fasteners such as screws are not needed. Special tools are not required for assembly and disassembly of the device. Performance of repair and maintenance functions by purchasers of the equipment is thus facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: George Heys, Jr., Andrew E. Yandora, Philip D. McDowell
  • Patent number: 4816619
    Abstract: Passive strain relief apparatus provides relief of strain on cable connections to electrical components within an electrical device such as a point of sale terminal, which strain is caused by tension on cables extending from said device. The strain relief apparatus includes a flexible strain relief element which is located within said device and is positioned adjacent to an opening in said device through which the cables extend. The cables are pinched by recesses in the strain relief element in which they are positioned. Tension on the cables causes said strain relief element to flex, thereby relieving the tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: George Heys, Jr., Andrew E. Yandora, Philip D. McDowell