Patents by Inventor Rodney E. Barr

Rodney E. Barr 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: 6230577
    Abstract: Shift control assembly for a power transmission device includes an electric drive motor and gear train having an output which is coupled to and bi-directionally rotates a shift rail. The shift rail includes a pair of spaced-apart cam followers. Freely rotatably receiving the shift rail and disposed thereon between the cam followers is a shift fork assembly. The shift fork assembly includes a body having a pair of spaced-apart helical cam surfaces engaged by the cam followers and a fork engaging a shift clutch collar. As the shift rail rotates bi-directionally, the shift fork assembly and clutch collar bi-directionally translate. A circular plate is disposed for rotation with the shift rail and includes an array of apertures. A plurality of sensors are disposed in adjacent, sensing relationship to the circular plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dan J. Showalter, Carl Randall Vogt, John S. Sewell, Paul G. Kowaleski, Rodney E. Barr, Michael Wayne Miller, Thomas P. Knox, Richard K. Rader, Scott Wood
  • Patent number: 5400758
    Abstract: An electronic sensor (20) for measuring methanol content in gasoline fuels for automotive engines including a sensing coil (108/108') and a paired capacitance element (42,44/42', 44') that cooperates with the coil to define an oscillating circuit wherein the gasoline methanol fuel mixture is used as a dielectric for the capacitor elements of the sensor, a change in the methanol concentration in the fuel resulting in a change in the dielectric constant of the sensor (20) which results in a change in the resonant frequency of the capacitor elements (108/108', 42/44/42', 44'), and a microprocessor circuit (160) which responds to a change in the oscillating frequency to establish a control signal that may be used by an automotive powertrain controller (24) to effect appropriate adjustments in the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing for the engine (10) to compensate for variations in the methanol content of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignees: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc., Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Rader, Rodney E. Barr, Carl R. Vogt, John J. C. Kopera
  • Patent number: 5255656
    Abstract: An electronic sensor (20) for measuring methanol content in gasoline fuels for automotive engines including a sensing coil (108/108') and a paired capacitance element (42,44/42',44') that cooperates with the coil to define an oscillating circuit wherein the gasoline methanol fuel mixture is used as a dielectric for the capacitor elements of the sensor, a change in the methanol concentration in the fuel resulting in a change in the dielectric constant of the sensor (20) which results in a change in the resonant frequency of the capacitor elements (108/108',42,44/42',44'), and a microprocessor circuit (160) which responds to a change in the oscillating frequency to establish a control signal that may be used by an automotive powertrain controller (24) to effect appropriate adjustments in the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing for the engine (10) to compensate for variations in the methanol content of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Rader, Rodney E. Barr, Carl R. Vogt
  • Patent number: 4507973
    Abstract: A housing for a capacitive pressure sensor generally utilized to measure fluid pressure. A metallic housing for a ceramic diaphragm provides greater flexural strength to compensate for the differences in the thermal expansion and bulk modulus of elasticity of such ceramic diaphragm and metal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Barr, George E. Kochanek
  • Patent number: 4414163
    Abstract: The disclosure embraces a fuel feed and charge forming apparatus wherein the apparatus is of comparatively small size particularly for use with chain saws and other motor driven tools to effect the reduction in weight. The charge forming apparatus embodies a body construction providing external support members to resist creep and bolt-torque deformation, as well as providing a heat sink-heat transfer means. A valve seat construction for shape retention is also provided to inhibit fuel metering distortions caused by deformation of valve seats by carburetor body creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Barr, Daniel L. Donovan