Patents by Inventor Robert D. Jefford

Robert D. Jefford 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: 20110139132
    Abstract: An EGR valve includes a flap is attached to a shaft and is rotatable to control exhaust gas flow through passage. The flap includes sealing ring for sealing against valve seat. A stepped diameter or collar on the shaft is disposed between first and second bearings to fix an axial position of the flap within the passage and relative to the valve seat. The collar fixes the axial position of the shaft to reduce axial movement of the flap and sealing ring relative to the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Kristopher Smith, Jack Gurd, Robert D. Jefford, Benjamin Williams
  • Patent number: 7814893
    Abstract: A system module is provided for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The module includes a body (12) including a passageway (41) between an exhaust gas inlet (32) and an exhaust gas outlet (34). An orifice (36) constricts the flow of exhaust gases proximate the exhaust gas outlet. A differential pressure sensor (38) is constructed and arranged to sense differential pressure across the orifice. A manifold absolute pressure sensor (42) is constructed and arranged to sense vacuum pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet. A first hose (40) is coupled with the body and provides the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice. A second hose (44) is coupled with the body and provides the manifold pressure sensor with vacuum pressure. The first and second hoses are integral with the system module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Jefford, Natalie Gagner, Ted Daneliuk, Geoff Miller
  • Publication number: 20080155962
    Abstract: An exhaust throttling valve (ETV) system (10) is provided for a vehicle. The system includes an ETV (12) having a housing (14), a valve member (16) movable with respect to the housing between at least one state and another state within an exhaust gas flow path, and an actuator (18) for moving the valve member. Sensor structure (20) in the form of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is mounted upstream or downstream of the valve member in the exhaust gas flow path. The sensor structure is constructed and arranged to determine an operating condition of the valve member such as position of the valve member and/or whether the valve member has moved from one state to the other state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Williams, Robert D. Jefford
  • Publication number: 20080149079
    Abstract: A system module is provided for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The module includes a body (12) including a passageway (41) between an exhaust gas inlet (32) and an exhaust gas outlet (34). An orifice (36) constricts the flow of exhaust gases proximate the exhaust gas outlet. A differential pressure sensor (38) is constructed and arranged to sense differential pressure across the orifice. A manifold absolute pressure sensor (42) is constructed and arranged to sense vacuum pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet. A first hose (40) is coupled with the body and provides the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice. A second hose (44) is coupled with the body and provides the manifold pressure sensor with vacuum pressure. The first and second hoses are integral with the system module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Jefford, Natalie Gagner, Ted Daneliuk, Geoff Miller