Patents by Inventor Richard W. Duce
Richard W. Duce 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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Patent number: 7197912Abstract: A gas sensor seal (40) comprising a body (122), an upper portion having a flange (124), and at least one channel (130). The flange (124) has an extension (131) that extends from the upper portion, a bend (129) which extends from the extension (131) along the body (122), and a protrusion (128) which extends from the bend (129) toward the body (122). The channel (130) extends through the body (122) from the upper portion to a lower surface (126). A method for using the gas sensor seal (40) within a sensor (10) is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Duce, Kathryn M. McCauley, Richard C. Kuisell
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Patent number: 6723217Abstract: A gas sensor is created comprising an electrochemical cell having a solid electrolyte layer disposed between an exhaust gas electrode and a reference electrode. A resistor is disposed in electrical communication with a heater and the reference electrode. The resistor can be disposed on a side of the gas sensor; on a side of the gas sensor such that the resistor is electrically connected through a via hole; over at least a portion of at least two sides of the gas sensor; or disposed in a void extending at least from the heater to the pump electrode, such that the void extends to at least a surface of the gas sensor, extends to at least partially through the gas sensor, or extends completely through the gas sensor. A method for using this gas sensor comprises applying a voltage to the heater within the gas sensor. A current is directed through the resistor to the reference electrode to pump oxygen into the reference electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Duce, Paul C. Kikuchi, Wayne M. Chadwick, Eric J. Detwiler, Jeffrey T. Coha, Carlos A. Valdes, Scott T. Sanford, Richard C. Kuisell
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Patent number: 5490412Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust oxygen sensor including a component requiring electricity to operate such as a heater or oxygen electrode. The first electrical terminal is provided in electrical contact with the component and wherein the electrical terminal has at least one male prong. The second electrical terminal in electrical contact with a wire for delivering electrical power from an external source is also provided. The second electrical terminal has at least one female connector or receptacle. The male prong and the female connector are constructed and arranged so at least one of the first and second electrical terminals is removable with respect to the other terminal. The sensor may include a threaded nut slidably received over a tubular housing, constructed and arranged to be threaded onto a threaded exhaust manifold boss without rotating the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1993Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard W. Duce, David B. Quinn, Kathryn M. McCauley
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Patent number: 5395506Abstract: An exhaust sensor having a substrate including first and second portions, the first portion comprising a dielectric material, the second portion comprising an electrolyte material and a transition zone interposed between the first and second portions. The transition zone includes an increasing concentration of the dielectric material in the direction of the first portion of the substrate and an increasing concentration of the electrolyte material in a direction towards the second portion of the substrate. The invention also includes a method of making such an exhaust sensor substrate including the steps of co-depositing first and second amenable compositions, the first composition comprising a dielectric material and the second composition comprising an electrolyte material. The co-deposited compositions are fired together to form the substrate having first, second and transition portions as described above.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1994Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard W. Duce, David B. Quinn
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Patent number: 5384030Abstract: An exhaust sensor having a substrate including first and second portions, the first portion comprising a dielectric material, the second portion comprising an electrolyte material and a transition zone interposed between the first and second portions. The transition zone includes an increasing concentration of the dielectric material in the direction of the first portion of the substrate and an increasing concentration of the electrolyte material in a direction towards the second portion of the substrate. The invention also includes a method of making such an exhaust sensor substrate including the steps of co-depositing first and second amenable compositions, the first composition comprising a dielectric material and the second composition comprising an electrolyte material. The co-deposited compositions are fired together to form the substrate having first, second and transition portions as described above.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard W. Duce, David B. Quinn
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Patent number: 5329806Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust oxygen sensor including a component requiring electricity to operate such as a heater or oxygen electrode. The first electrical terminal is provided in electrical contact with the component and wherein the electrical terminal has at least one male prong. The second electrical terminal in electrical contact with a wire for delivering electrical power from an external source is also provided. The second electrical terminal has at least one female connector or receptacle. The male prong and the female connector are constructed and arranged so at least one of the first and second electrical terminals is removable with respect to the other terminal. The sensor may include a threaded nut slidably received over a tubular housing, constructed and arranged to be threaded onto a threaded exhaust manifold boss without rotating the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1993Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Mark R. McClanahan, Bruce R. Dinger, Richard W. Duce
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Patent number: 5098548Abstract: A self heating, readily assembleable solid electrolyte oxygen sensor is provided. A heater subassembly readily adaptable to unheated oxygen sensor technology, provides the means for positioning and rigidly securing the heater element within the oxygen sensing device through the use of locating means on the heater element and corresponding locating projections on the electric connector terminals. The terminals also provide the means for electrically coupling the resistance heating wires of the heater element to the external ground and power signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1991Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Richard W. Duce
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Patent number: 4885992Abstract: A rotary indirect printing assembly for printing objects to be sequentially cycled past the assembly including a printing drum presenting a printing surface and a platform with the printing drum rotatably supported upon the platform. The assembly also includes a transfer roller presenting a transfer surface with the transfer roller rotatably supported upon the platform and rotating in time with the printing drum. The printing surface of the printing drum and the transfer surface of the transfer roller are in tangential rotational contact with respect to each other to transfer an ink image from the printing surface to the transfer surface to transfer the image to an object as an object is sequentially cycled past the assembly. The printing drum and the transfer roller are disposed vertically with respect to the platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1988Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Richard W. Duce