Patents by Inventor Robert A. McFarland

Robert A. McFarland 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).

  • Publication number: 20020084356
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A filter assembly is disposed within the tube assembly to provide a reaction member for the spring. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz
  • Publication number: 20020083928
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A filter and an O-ring retainer assembly are disposed proximate the upstream end. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084363
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is located at the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084339
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is disposed at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Brayn Hall, Ross Wood
  • Publication number: 20020084343
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter located within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084364
    Abstract: A modular fuel injector is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is disposed at least within the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Michael J. Hornby, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084367
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is disposed at least within the tube assembly; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that can be maintained by a retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Michael J. Hornby
  • Publication number: 20020047054
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Michael J. Hornby, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz, Ross Wood, Bryan Hall
  • Patent number: 6314039
    Abstract: A circuit and method characterizes a sense amplifier, such as the type utilized in computer memory systems. The sense amplifier characterization circuit comprises a sense amplifier having one or more inputs and an output, a BIT line connected to one of the one or more inputs of the sense amplifier, a register connected to the output of the sense amplifier; and control logic connected to the BIT line. Optionally, the register is further connected to the control logic, and the register is a scan register connectable to a tester. Preferably, the sense amplifier is a differential sense amplifier, and the circuit further comprises a complement BIT line connected to one of the one or more inputs of the sense amplifier. The method produces one or more signals like an output of a memory cell, operates one or more sense amplifier to produce one or more output states on the basis of the one or more signals, and records the one or more output states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: J. Michael Hill, Jonathan E. Lachman, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20010032888
    Abstract: A fuel injector for controlling fuel flow to an internal combustion engine and a method of setting dynamic calibration for the fuel injector. The fuel injector comprises a body, a seat, an armature assembly, a resilient member, and a member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis. The seat is secured to the body and defines an opening through which fuel flows. The armature assembly moves along the longitudinal axis with respect to the body between first and second positions. The first position is spaced from the seat such that fuel flow through the opening is permitted, and the second position contiguously engages the seat such that fuel flow is prevented. The resilient member biases the armature assembly toward the second position. And the member extends parallel to the longitudinal axis between a first portion and a second portion. The first portion supports the resilient member and engages the body, and the second portion has a filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Robert McFarland
  • Patent number: 6096412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary disposable paper product having improved resistance to ink rub-off. Also disclosed is a sanitary disposable paper product having high color density print characteristics which exhibits improved resistance to ink rub-off. The sanitary disposable paper product comprises a fibrous sheet containing cellulose wherein the ink is applied to at least one surface of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: James Robert McFarland, Arman Ebrahimpour, Nicholas James Nissing
  • Patent number: 6044813
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided for mounting to a cylinder head of an engine. The actuator includes an actuator assembly including housing structure and an armature. A pair of electromagnets are disposed in the housing structure. An alignment collar is detached from the actuator assembly. The alignment collar has a first end constructed and arranged to be received in a bore of the cylinder head and a second end opposite the first end. The second end of the alignment collar is cooperable with an end of the actuator assembly. The detached alignment collar facilitates assembly of the electromagnetic actuator to a cylinder head. A method of securing an electromagnetic actuator to a cylinder head is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Bulgatz, Robert McFarland
  • Patent number: 5834654
    Abstract: Simultaneously opening and closing the inlet and outlet valves of a water brake dynamometer to increase or decrease the flow of water through the dynamometer. By so controlling the flow of water through the dynamometer, the power absorbed by the water within the dynamometer is controlled as well as the outlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 5674663
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventors: James Robert McFarland, Paul Dennis Trokhan, John Robert Powers, James Daniel Miller, II, Glenn David Boutilier
  • Patent number: 5473807
    Abstract: A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance providing an improved assembly which insures uniform and proper alignment of control instruments mounted therein. The control panel assembly includes a control panel faceplate, a control instrument mounting bracket, and a bracket retainer. The faceplate includes an indexing or positioning notch into which the mounting bracket, which has the control instruments mounted thereto, fits to correctly locate the control instruments relative to openings in the faceplate. The bracket retainer attaches the mounting bracket to the control panel faceplate. The control panel faceplate, with the mounting bracket and bracket retainer mounted thereon, is slidably and removably attached to a trim wrapper and deflector provided by the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Tupa, Robert McFarland, James L. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5429003
    Abstract: A linear true mass flowmeter which utilizes at least one movable sensor mounted within the path of the flow of the fluid with this sensor mounted on an axis that is perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the path of the fluid. The sensor is connected to a transducer whose output is displayed by a rate of flow indicator to determine the mass flow rate of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Robert A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 5375921
    Abstract: A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance providing an improved assembly which insures uniform and proper alignment of control instruments mounted therein. The control panel assembly includes a control panel faceplate, a control instrument mounting bracket, and a bracket retainer. The faceplate includes an indexing or positioning notch into which the mounting bracket, which has the control instruments mounted thereto, fits to correctly locate the control instruments relative to openings in the faceplate. The bracket retainer attaches the mounting bracket to the control panel faceplate. The control panel faceplate, with the mounting bracket and bracket retainer mounted thereon, is slidably and removably attached to a trim wrapper and deflector provided by the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Tupa, Robert McFarland, James L. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5158065
    Abstract: A domestic cooking range provides an upswept cook top which promotes ease of cleaning in combination with a vent stack which exhausts flue gases from the oven through an elongated opening between the upswept portion and a control panel on the backguard. A deflector is provided to prevent the flue gases from impinging upon either the control panel or the cook top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. Lee, Robert McFarland
  • Patent number: 4478090
    Abstract: A dynamometer controller comprising circuit means for accomplishing numerous improvements including means to convert the reactive load cell torque value into a true torque value instantaneously using an extremely simple passive circuit; a three mode controller including improved integration means to prevent reset windup and a dual mode operation to permit automatic shifting of the dynamometer between its motor and engine modes while preventing oscillations in the system when this occurs; improved means to drive the displays in the performance monitor by blanking one or two of the last significant digits selectively, as well as other improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: Robert A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 4457182
    Abstract: A throttle controller comprising circuit means for accomplishing numerous improvements including means to convert the reactive load cell torque value into a true torque value instantaneously using an extremely simple passive circuit; together with means to use this value together with either load or power feedback values to generate a true shaft load signal. The circuit also includes improved means to permit the throttle controller to provide a single pulse usable for the dual functions of driving either a servo or a solenoid type actuator, in addition to other types of actuators for the throttle of the engine being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Robert A. McFarland