Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Thomas

Stephen M. Thomas 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: 11702997
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises a valve flap disposed in the housing and rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. A mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway and attached to the valve flap. The mass damper includes end portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the end portions with the intermediate portion having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the end portions. The mass damper is positioned proximate an inner surface of the housing and positioned between the valve flap and the housing when the valve flap is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11371402
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a first housing, a second housing, a valve flap and a spring. The first housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and an exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The second housing is attached to the first housing and defines a compartment. The valve flap is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is allowed. The spring is disposed in the compartment and out of the exhaust gas passageway. The spring engages the valve flap to bias the valve flap toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11274581
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve shaft and a valve plate. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve shaft is rotatable. The valve plate is coupled to the valve shaft and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The first housing includes spaced apart ears integral with and laterally extending from the first housing. The ears opposing each other. The shaft includes an axis of rotation being positioned at the ears and outside of the exhaust gas passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11060428
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system is provided with a conduit that defines an exhaust passageway. A valve flap is disposed within the exhaust passageway for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the exhaust passageway and allows the valve flap to rotate between closed and open positions. A mass damper, positioned outside the conduit, includes a longitudinal segment that is rotatably coupled to the shaft and that extends between first and second coiled ends. The longitudinal segment includes an inboard side and an outboard side. The first and second coiled ends include a series of overlapping layers arranged in either a folded serpentine shape or a spiral shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Garrick Zuver, Danny Alexander
  • Patent number: 10961923
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve flap and a mass damper. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve flap is disposed in the housing and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway. The mass damper is attached to the valve flap and comprise of a material having a high density. The mass damper is shielded from the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas passageway when the valve flap is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20210025302
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a first housing, a second housing, a valve flap and a spring. The first housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and an exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The second housing is attached to the first housing and defines a compartment. The valve flap is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is allowed. The spring is disposed in the compartment and out of the exhaust gas passageway. The spring engages the valve flap to bias the valve flap toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10788136
    Abstract: A damper valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes a valve housing and a valve flap. The valve housing is adapted to be attached to a pipe of the exhaust system and defines an opening. The valve flap is rotatable relative to the valve housing and about a pivot axis between a first position whereat fluid flow through the opening of the valve housing is restricted and a second position whereat fluid flow through the opening of the valve housing is allowed. The valve flap includes a body and a mass damper. The mass damper is integral with the body and includes a plurality of segments that are folded so that the plurality of segments are in a stacked arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Danny D. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10598059
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The valve assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit that is partially received in the first conduit. A valve flap is disposed within the first conduit for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the first conduit for rotation between open and closed positions. The first conduit has first and second slots, each extending from an open slot end to a closed slot end. First and second bushings supporting the shaft are disposed within the slots between the second conduit and the closed slot ends. A pad made of wire mesh is attached to the valve flap. The pad includes an end portion that contacts the first conduit in the closed position to dampen vibration and reduce valve flap flutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Geer, Erwin Peters, Stephen M. Thomas, William E. Hill
  • Patent number: 10436088
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The valve assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit that is partially received in the first conduit. A valve flap is disposed within the first conduit for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the first conduit for rotation between open and closed positions. The first conduit has first and second slots, each extending from an open slot end to a closed slot end. First and second bushings subassemblies supporting the shaft are disposed within the slots between the second conduit and the closed slot ends. Each of the first and second bushing subassemblies includes an alignment system in the form of protrusions that limit insertion of the first and second bushing subassemblies into the first and second slot to a single orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Larry J. Geer
  • Patent number: 10253664
    Abstract: A passive exhaust valve assembly includes an exhaust conduit that has a first pipe section attached in generally axial alignment with a second pipe section. The end portion of the first pipe section includes a circumferential segment disposed within the end portion of the second pipe section to form an overlapping interface. The end portions of the first and second pipe sections each include a flange protruding radially outward from the respective first or second pipe section, whereby the flanges engage with each other to form an axle seat therebetween. A support shaft extends laterally across an interior volume of the exhaust conduit and rotatably engages the axle seat. A valve plate is coupled to the support shaft within the interior volume of the exhaust conduit for moving relative to the exhaust conduit between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Middleville Tool & Die Co.
    Inventors: Robert Leroy Middleton, Jr., Justin Tyler Middleton, Bradley Blair Walworth, Stephen M. Thomas, Larry Joseph Geer, Erwin Albert Peters, III
  • Patent number: 10180092
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system is provided that includes a first conduit and a second conduit that are joined to together to define an exhaust passageway. A valve flap is disposed within the exhaust passageway for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the exhaust passageway for rotation between open and closed positions. First and second bushings support the shaft. A pad made of wire mesh is attached to the valve flap. The pad includes an end portion that contacts the first or second conduit in the closed position and side wings that contact the first or second conduit in the open position. A resilient tongue may support the pad on an angle relative to the valve flap and a mass damper may be attached to one end of the shaft. These features dampen vibration and reduce valve flap flutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Geer, Erwin Peters, Stephen M. Thomas, William E. Hill
  • Patent number: 9982793
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, David L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9982794
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180031285
    Abstract: A single or multi stage liquid loop thermoelectric heat pump system for cooling and/or heating is disclosed that can achieve higher delta temperature and COP then previous thermoelectric heat pump systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Peter M. Thomas, Stephen M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9759113
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a coil of wire positioned proximate the valve member such that the valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position relative to an orifice in response to energizing the electromagnet. A connector coupled to the housing includes an inlet tube concentrically aligned with and surrounding a return tube. The inlet tube is adapted to receive pressurized reagent from a source of reagent. The return tube is adapted to return reagent to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, John Lowry, Eric Grant, Roshan Rodrigues, David Hammer, Christopher Otto
  • Patent number: 9683472
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a cylindrically-shaped coil of wire. The valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position in response to energizing the electromagnet. A flux sleeve passes through the coil and includes two magnetic portions interconnected by a flux bridge portion or a flux break portion. Each of the magnetic portions is aligned with transverse planes defined by the ends of the cylindrical coil. The flux bridge portion or flux break portion is axially positioned between the transverse planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Matthew L. Roessle, Rick Simpson, Eric Grant
  • Publication number: 20170164757
    Abstract: A cooling and heating system for seats and other user items utilizes a thermally conductive sheet with one or more thermoelectric devices. This thermally conductive sheet has high thermal conductivity and is flexible, and may comprise polyimide, graphite, PGS graphite, carbon fiber, or more advanced materials such as graphene or carbon nanotubes or other high thermal conductivity material such as copper or aluminum sheet or mesh. The thermally conductive flexible sheet with remote thermoelectric device provides good temperature uniformity across the seat, quick response time, and excellent performance in extreme ambient temperatures. The high thermal conductivity sheet can be placed in the seat area between the upholstery and seat cushion with thermoelectric devices thermally connected to the thermally conductive sheet away from the occupant seating area to provide comfortable and durable seating with thermal comfort control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Peter M. Thomas, Stephen M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150090808
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a coil of wire positioned proximate the valve member such that the valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position relative to an orifice in response to energizing the electromagnet. A connector coupled to the housing includes an inlet tube concentrically aligned with and surrounding a return tube. The inlet tube is adapted to receive pressurized reagent from a source of reagent. The return tube is adapted to return reagent to the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, John Lowry, Eric Grant, Roshan Rodrigues, David Hammer, Christopher Otto
  • Patent number: 8973895
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a cylindrically-shaped coil of wire. The valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position in response to energizing the electromagnet. A flux sleeve passes through the coil and includes two magnetic portions interconnected by a non-magnetic portion. Each of the magnetic portions is aligned with transverse planes defined by the ends of the cylindrical coil. The non-magnetic portion is axially positioned between the transverse planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, Matthew L. Roessle, Rick Simpson, Eric Grant
  • Patent number: 8910884
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a coil of wire positioned proximate the valve member such that the valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position relative to an orifice in response to energizing the electromagnet. A connector coupled to the housing includes an inlet tube concentrically aligned with and surrounding a return tube. The inlet tube is adapted to receive pressurized reagent from a source of reagent. The return tube is adapted to return reagent to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Thomas, John Lowry, Eric Grant, Roshan Rodrigues, David Hammer, Christopher Otto