Patents by Inventor Thomas Reinhart

Thomas Reinhart 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: 12140175
    Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a threaded section with a first diameter and an unthreaded section with a second, smaller diameter. A flange is attached to the unthreaded section of the shank. A bushing has a tip, a base, and a tapered sidewall extending from the base to the tip. The bushing defines a central hole received on the unthreaded section with the base adjacent to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Michael Strimpel, Paul Thomas Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20240009598
    Abstract: A filter apparatus connected a container, where the container includes a container neck and is filled with a filling material. The filter apparatus includes a filtrate riser tube in the container, which extends from the base region of the container to the container neck, a container connector head, which is fastened to the container neck and defines passages connected to a liquid inlet line and an inlet filter, and a connector unit with a sealing piston in the connector unit, which is arranged so as to be lowerable to connect the liquid inlet line to the filter material in the container and the filtrate riser tube to the filtrate outlet line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Manfred Volker, Andre Schuhmacher, Thomas Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20230235774
    Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a threaded section with a first diameter and an unthreaded section with a second, smaller diameter. A flange is attached to the unthreaded section of the shank. A bushing has a tip, a base, and a tapered sidewall extending from the base to the tip. The bushing defines a central hole received on the unthreaded section with the base adjacent to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Chad Michael Strimpel, Paul Thomas Reinhart
  • Patent number: 11654396
    Abstract: The reverse osmosis system with at least one high pressure pump, which supplies untreated water to at least one module pipe, in which a membrane with a permeate collecting pipe is arranged, includes a permeate outlet of the at least one module pipe that is connected by means of a first conduit to a permeate tank, which is in communication by means of a further conduit, connected into which there is a permeate supply pump, with a loop feed line, to which a plurality of dialysis devices are connected and that branching off from the first conduit there is a bypass conduit, which discharges into the further conduit downstream of the permeate tank and the permeate supply pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FIDICA GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Völker, Thomas Reinhart
  • Patent number: 11300072
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes a first wall, a second wall, and a post. The first wall defines an exhaust channel that is configured to direct exhaust gas away from the engine. The second wall forms an exterior of the cylinder head and defines a water jacket between the first wall and the second wall. The water jacket is configured to channel coolant through the cylinder head. The post is disposed within the water jacket. The post extends between and is secured to each of the first and second walls. The post tapers from the first wall to a center portion of the post. The post also tapers from the from the second wall to the center portion of the post. The post is configured to fracture in response to a thermal load generated by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Fluharty, Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Michael Strimpel, Dong-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11255299
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in a vehicle. In one example, a system may include a cylinder head including an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM), an EGR cartridge including an EGR valve positioned in the cylinder head at a central collector region of the IEM, and a water jacket formed within the cylinder head, the water jacket including at least one cooling passage that extends around a circumference of the EGR cartridge. In this way, an EGR system is provided that has a reduced volume between an exhaust valve of a cylinder to the EGR valve, reducing packaging space and complexity of the EGR system while increasing engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Michael Strimpel, Justin Craft, Gianluca Mantovano, Jacob Andrew Pleshe
  • Publication number: 20210362093
    Abstract: The reverse osmosis system with at least one high pressure pump, which supplies untreated water to at least one module pipe, in which a membrane with a permeate collecting pipe is arranged, includes a permeate outlet of the at least one module pipe that is connected by means of a first conduit to a permeate tank, which is in communication by means of a further conduit, connected into which there is a permeate supply pump, with a loop feed line, to which a plurality of dialysis devices are connected and that branching off from the first conduit there is a bypass conduit, which discharges into the further conduit downstream of the permeate tank and the permeate supply pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Manfred Völker, Thomas Reinhart
  • Patent number: 10947924
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head defining an exhaust valve guide bore with a side wall and an end wall, and an exhaust valve stem passage extending between an exhaust port and the end wall of the bore. A diameter of the passage is less than a diameter of the bore. An exhaust gas valve guide is positioned in the bore and spaced apart from the end wall to form an air gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Cattermole, Paul Thomas Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20200378347
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in a vehicle. In one example, a system may include a cylinder head including an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM), an EGR cartridge including an EGR valve positioned in the cylinder head at a central collector region of the IEM, and a water jacket formed within the cylinder head, the water jacket including at least one cooling passage that extends around a circumference of the EGR cartridge. In this way, an EGR system is provided that has a reduced volume between an exhaust valve of a cylinder to the EGR valve, reducing packaging space and complexity of the EGR system while increasing engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Michael Strimpel, Justin Craft, Gianluca Mantovano, Jacob Andrew Pleshe
  • Patent number: 10138841
    Abstract: A cam cover cap plug for use with a cylinder head assembly to fill the opening that remains when an accessory unit such as a READ utility pump is not utilized. The cam cover cap plug is preferably a one-piece, molded component formed from a plastic or a metal. The cam cover cap plug includes a back, a front, an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is arched and defines a half-round configuration. The lower surface is flat and includes integrated cylinder head fasteners extending from the flat surface. The arched, half-round configuration of the upper surface provides a full and complete sealing area with the half-round opening of the cam cover formed to receive the accessory unit. The fasteners of the lower surface are preferably integrated dowels. The integrated dowels locate the cam cover cap plug base to the cylinder head of the cylinder head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Michael Strimpel, Joan Prater-Hebeeb
  • Patent number: 9964068
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a block forming a cylinder, a head, and a gasket positioned between the block and the head. The gasket has first and second outer layers and a distance layer positioned therebetween. The first layer defines a first aperture and a bead surrounding the cylinder. The distance layer defines a second aperture concentrically arranged between the first aperture and the bead. The gasket has a stopper layer extending inwardly from the distance layer to a circular stopper element positioned adjacent to and aligned with the first aperture. A method of sealing an engine includes compressing a gasket between a block and a head to form a primary seal at a first interface and a secondary seal at a second interface between first and second outer layers and an intermediate layer, the first interface being positioned between the second interface and a bead surrounding a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Publication number: 20180100467
    Abstract: A cam cover cap plug for use with a cylinder head assembly to fill the opening that remains when an accessory unit such as a READ utility pump is not utilized. The cam cover cap plug is preferably a one-piece, molded component formed from a plastic or a metal. The cam cover cap plug includes a back, a front, an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is arched and defines a half-round configuration. The lower surface is flat and includes integrated cylinder head fasteners extending from the flat surface. The arched, half-round configuration of the upper surface provides a full and complete sealing area with the half-round opening of the cam cover formed to receive the accessory unit. The fasteners of the lower surface are preferably integrated dowels. The integrated dowels locate the cam cover cap plug base to the cylinder head of the cylinder head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Michael Strimpel, Joan Prater-Hebeeb
  • Publication number: 20170248100
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a block forming a cylinder, a head, and a gasket positioned between the block and the head. The gasket has first and second outer layers and a distance layer positioned therebetween. The first layer defines a first aperture and a bead surrounding the cylinder. The distance layer defines a second aperture concentrically arranged between the first aperture and the bead. The gasket has a stopper layer extending inwardly from the distance layer to a circular stopper element positioned adjacent to and aligned with the first aperture. A method of sealing an engine includes compressing a gasket between a block and a head to form a primary seal at a first interface and a secondary seal at a second interface between first and second outer layers and an intermediate layer, the first interface being positioned between the second interface and a bead surrounding a cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Thomas REINHART, Mark BRENKUS
  • Publication number: 20160363093
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head defining an exhaust valve guide bore with a side wall and an end wall, and an exhaust valve stem passage extending between an exhaust port and the end wall of the bore. A diameter of the passage is less than a diameter of the bore. An exhaust gas valve guide is positioned in the bore and spaced apart from the end wall to form an air gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Ian CATTERMOLE, Paul Thomas REINHART
  • Patent number: 9382870
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having two mating components. The mating components include an engine and an engine front cover. A fastening boss is formed on at least one of the two mating components and configured to receive a threaded fastener to join the two mating components. A compression boss extends from a first of the two mating components to contact a second of the two mating components. The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the mating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Strimpel, JonCarlo Mancini
  • Patent number: 9261044
    Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Patent number: 9169798
    Abstract: A valve cover for an engine and a method is provided. The valve cover may include a cover body, and a sparkplug tube formed integrally with the cover body. In this way, any distortion of the bottom end of the sparkplug tubes due to, for example removal and reinstallation may not provide a leakage path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Acierno Valencia, Paul Thomas Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20150198115
    Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
  • Publication number: 20150096525
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having two mating components. The mating components include an engine and an engine front cover. A fastening boss is formed on at least one of the two mating components and configured to receive a threaded fastener to join the two mating components. A compression boss extends from a first of the two mating components to contact a second of the two mating components. The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the mating components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Strimpel, JonCarlo Mancini
  • Patent number: 8944018
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an integrated exhaust manifold includes: a first cooling jacket configured to surround a portion of an exhaust manifold; and a second cooling jacket configured to surround another portion of the exhaust manifold. The first cooling jacket includes a first portion sitting atop the second cooling jacket and a second portion adjacent the second cooling jacket and positioned lower than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jody Michael Slike, Paul Thomas Reinhart, Timothy Gerald Taylor, Todd Jay Brewer