Patents by Inventor Robert T. Niemczyk

Robert T. Niemczyk 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: 5282386
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for fluid level determination in automatic transmissions. The invention employs an electronic control unit in association with an automatic transmission for a vehicle, the electronic control unit receiving data corresponding to transmission oil level, transmission oil temperature, engine speed, transmission speed, and transmission selected range. Upon determining that such data satisfies certain diagnostic tests, the level of transmission fluid within the transmission is determined and adjusted or otherwise normalized to ideal test conditions. The electronic control unit compensates an oil level signal for deviations in oil temperature from an optimum test temperature, and makes further compensation for deviations in engine speed and settling time at the time that the test data is acquired. Additionally, variations in oil density as a function of oil temperature are also compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Niemczyk, Thomas H. Wilson, Phillip F. McCauley, Ronald A. Lee, William M. Murray
  • Patent number: 4944260
    Abstract: An air intake heater system for internal combustion engines is disclosed including a microprocessor controller, intake manifold air temperature sensing means, water in fuel sensors, electrical air heating elements actuated by the microprocessor, and system status indicators. Additionally, fuel injector timing is altered by the microprocessor depending upon intake manifold air temperature. Air intake heating is provided to assist cold weather starting of engines as well as for minimizing white smoke pollutants produced by diesel engines. Power consumption of the device is maintained below a predetermined level by judicious use of the microprocessor controller in conjunction with the electrical heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Cummins Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Shea, Robert T. Niemczyk