Patents by Inventor Steven R. Benson

Steven R. Benson 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: 12092191
    Abstract: A reversible torque vector multiplier for gear reduction or gear multiplication of vehicle driveline, machinery or any rotating structure, such as an automobile or offroad vehicle. Said embodiments comprise an input structure such as an axle or driveline, an output structure such as wheel studs or a driven driveshaft, with a pinion gear and an annular or ring gear. In preferred embodiments replacement of a standardized component such as a unitary bearing hub or a carrier bearing results in gearing down or gearing up the final output speed and corresponding torque. In some applications the orientation can be swapped resulting in switching gear reduction with multiplication, and vice versa. A pinion gear with automatic lubrication channels. Apparatus and method claims are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Steven R Benson
  • Patent number: 12044292
    Abstract: A torque vector multiplier for gear reduction or gear multiplication of vehicle driveline, machinery or any rotating structure, such as an automobile or offroad vehicle. Said embodiments comprise an input structure such as an axle or driveline, an output structure such as wheel studs or a driven driveshaft, with a pinion gear and an annular or ring gear. In preferred embodiments replacement of a standardized component such as a unitary bearing hub or a carrier bearing results in gearing down or gearing up the final output speed and corresponding torque. In some applications the orientation can be swapped resulting in switching gear reduction with multiplication, and vice versa. A pinion gear with automatic lubrication channels. Apparatus and method claims are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 10935118
    Abstract: A differential device may include a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having an outer ring gear and said outer surface having a first receptacle and a sun gear positioned within the housing, the sun gear having a second receptacle positioned opposite the first receptacle. The differential device may further include an intermediate gear interposed between the sun gear and the outer ring gear, a bearing interposed between the inner surface of the housing and the sun gear, and a central axis intersecting the first receptacle and the second receptacle. The housing and the sun gear may be configured to rotate freely about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 7269950
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprising a turbine, director, and compressor. The turbine may be formed as a turbine wheel surrounded by at least two scrolls. The at least two scrolls may direct exhaust gases supplied thereto toward the turbine wheel to cause rotation thereof. The director may control distribution of the exhaust gases between the at least two scrolls to optimize circumferential velocity in the scroll or volute, and thus impingement velocity on the turbine. The compressor may be driven by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin H. Pedersen, Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 6708674
    Abstract: The invention is in a regulator and converter operated to fumigate a volatile material, preferably a liquified petroleum gas (LPG), under vacuum, into an intake air flow of an internal combustion diesel engine to provide, on demand generated by an operator closing a throttle, passage of LPG to the regulator and converter wherein it is vaporized and the LPG vapors are passed into the engine intake air flow that travels into the engine. The injection of LPG vapors provides for an increase in engine output power and an improvement in fuel percentage of burn. The regulator and converter is connected the engine coolant system to receive a hot coolant flow, heating an LPG flow path therethrough to vaporize the LPG with the LPG vapors then directed from the regulator and converter into the engine intake air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 6657287
    Abstract: A leadframe having component receiving projections, such as electrical connectors, adapted to receive a component thereon, such as a ferrite filter, and having means for securing the position of the component on the leadframe during premold or overmold processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Smith, Robert J. Cook, Steven R. Benson
  • Publication number: 20030205788
    Abstract: A leadframe having component receiving projections, such as electrical connectors, adapted to receive a component thereon, such as a ferrite filter, and having means for securing the position of the component on the leadframe during premold or overmold processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald M. Smith, Robert J. Cook, Steven R. Benson
  • Publication number: 20030106538
    Abstract: The invention is in a regulator and converter operated to fumigate a volatile material, preferably a liquified petroleum gas (LPG), under vacuum, into an intake air flow of an internal combustion diesel engine to provide, on demand generated by an operator closing a throttle, passage of LPG to the regulator and converter wherein it is vaporized and the LPG vapors are passed into the engine intake air flow that travels into the engine. The injection of LPG vapors provides for an increase in engine output power and an improvement in fuel percentage of burn. The regulator and converter is connected the engine coolant system to receive a hot coolant flow, heating an LPG flow path therethrough to vaporize the LPG with the LPG vapors then directed from the regulator and converter into the engine intake air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 6111824
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented which gathers information about optical disks (e.g., CDs) stored in an optical disk player and provides this information to a user. The apparatus includes the optical disk player and a computer system coupled to the optical disk player. The optical disk player retrieves data from optical disks, and includes storage for multiple optical disks (i.e. an optical disk cassette). A data transfer unit within the optical disk player transfers information about the contents of one or more optical disks in the cassette to the computer system. The computer system includes a memory unit for storing the information. The memory unit includes system software for controlling the transfer of the information from the optical disk player to the computer system, and for controlling the storing of the information within the memory unit. The computer system may also include a monitor for displaying the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 5911212
    Abstract: The invention is in a priority valve that includes a housing arranged for in-line mounting between a conventional turbocharging unit of an internal combustion engine, an intercooler and an engine intake manifold to receive a charge air flow, and to either direct that flow directly to an engine intake manifold or to the intercooler, with the flow to pass from the intercooler back through the priority valve and then to the engine intake manifold. The priority valve includes a valve member that is preferably a cylinder and is journaled in the housing to turn between a first position, where the charge air flow, that is received from the turbocharger unit, is directed to the engine intake manifold, and a second position where the received charge air flow is first directed to the intercooler, with that flow passed back to the priority valve from the intercooler and is then passed from the priority valve into the line to the engine intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 5720681
    Abstract: The invention is in a torque responsive actuation device, preferably for a belt drive system as is commonly utilized with snowmobile and like type vehicles. A bearing carrier of the invention is connected to a lower half of a split pulley, with the upper pulley half mounting a helix or cam cone that extends towards the carrier undersurface and includes a plurality of cam tracks formed therein that are each to receive a cam follower for travel therealong. Movement of the bearing carrier towards the top face of the pulley upper half is thereby translated to lower the pulley half to spread the pulley upper and lower halves apart, opening a V slot therebetween wherein a drive belt is maintained. A cylindrical shaft is journaled through the bearing carrier and fitted through the pulley that includes a coil spring disposed therearound for providing spring biasing to urge the bearing carrier away from the pulley upper half, biasing the pulley halves together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 5673559
    Abstract: A turbine housing system that includes a housing that is formed as a single casting and includes a pair of identical first and second scroll volute passages separated by a center wall that each provide a reducing cross section therealong through approximately three hundred sixty (360) degrees from an inlet end that connects to a source of engine inlet exhaust gas to an inlet throat of a turbine chamber wherein a turbine wheel is journaled to be turned by the entering inlet exhaust gas. An expansion chamber is provided to receive spent exhaust gas from the turbine chamber that is connected to a manifold to vent those spent gases to atmosphere. The housing further includes a turbine chamber bypass section that is open between one of the first or second passages and into the expansion chamber and includes a valve seat formed across the turbine chamber bypass section that is closed over by a valve head of a waste gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 5516333
    Abstract: The invention in a torque responsive actuator device for a belt drive system as is commonly utilized with snowmobile and like type vehicles. An actuator cover plate of the invention is connected by rods to a lower half of a split pulley, with the upper pulley half mounting a helix or cam cone extending towards the actuator cover plate undersurface that includes a plurality of cam tracks formed therein that are each to receive a cam follower for travel therealong that extends from the actuator cover plate undersurface. Movement of the actuator cover plate towards the top face of the pulley upper half is thereby translated through the rods to spread the pulley upper and lower halves apart, opening a V slot therebetween to a drive belt that is maintained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 5492092
    Abstract: The invention in a snow mobile engine head is formed, as by milling methods, from an aluminum billet and includes spaced bolt bosses extending at spaced intervals from around the head perimeter, each of which bolt bosses includes a hole formed therethrough to receive a bolt that is turned into an engine block, mounting the head. The head includes a firing chamber formed therein in opposition to a piston chamber formed in the engine block, for containing a piston having a crown top surface with a junction of an outer edge of the firing chamber and an edge of an inner wall of a head squish band radiused to provide a curved surface thereat that will encourage a circular flow of an air fuel mixture towards the head firing chamber center to provide for improved exhaust gas acceleration away from the piston outer perimeter, aiding in the eliminate detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: RE41424
    Abstract: The invention is in a torque responsive actuation device, preferably for a belt drive system as is commonly utilized with snowmobile and like type vehicles. A bearing carrier of the invention is connected to a lower half of a split pulley, with the upper pulley half mounting a helix or cam cone that extends towards the carrier undersurface and includes a plurality of cam tracks formed therein that are each to receive a cam follower for travel therealong. Movement of the bearing carrier towards the top face of the pulley upper half is thereby translated to lower the pulley half to spread the pulley upper and lower halves apart, opening a V slot therebetween wherein a drive belt is maintained. A cylindrical shaft is journaled through the bearing carrier and fitted through the pulley that includes a coil spring disposed therearound for providing spring biasing to urge the bearing carrier away from the pulley upper half, biasing the pulley halves together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: D373590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: D379999
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: D382283
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: D390855
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: D404408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Steven R. Benson