Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Hewer

Thomas D. Hewer 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).

  • Shape memory alloy actuator
    Patent number: 7481054
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator includes a housing, a plunger, a shaft, a resilient member, and a shape memory alloy component. The plunger is slidably but non-rotatably received in the housing and has a first locking component. The shaft has a second locking component. The resilient member is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into a disengagement position of the first and second locking components allowing rotation of the shaft. The shape memory alloy component is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into an engagement position of the first and second locking components, when the shape memory alloy component is heated, preventing rotation of the shaft. In one application, the first and second locking components are interdigitable vehicle-parking-brake latch teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Hageman, Bryan P. Riddiford, Thomas D. Hewer
  • Disk brake mounting bracket and high gain torque sensor
    Patent number: 6511135
    Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Ballinger, Robert J. Disser, David B. Drennen, Thomas D. Hewer, Gregory M. Hickey, Harald Klode, Patrick A. Mescher
  • Disk Brake mounting bracket and high gain torque sensor
    Publication number: 20010032757
    Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS.
    Inventors: Robert S. Ballinger, Robert J. Disser, David B. Drennen, Thomas D. Hewer, Gregory M. Hickey, Harald Klode, Patrick A. Mescher