Patents by Inventor Walter L. Fournier

Walter L. Fournier 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: 9062752
    Abstract: An apparatus for manually shifting an automatic transmission can include a lever assembly, a coupling member and a lock arrangement. The lever assembly can include a variable length lever. The coupling member can be connected at a first end to the lever assembly and can be adapted to be coupled at a second end to a shift lever of the transmission. The lock arrangement can be associated with the lever assembly, and can be configured to provide for selective movement of the variable length lever between a stowed position having a first length and a deployed position having a second length greater than the first length. Actuation of the lever assembly can be adapted to move the shift lever to manually release a parking lock of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Walter L. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20140311269
    Abstract: An apparatus for manually shifting an automatic transmission can include a lever assembly, a coupling member and a lock arrangement. The lever assembly can include a variable length lever. The coupling member can be connected at a first end to the lever assembly and can be adapted to be coupled at a second end to a shift lever of the transmission. The lock arrangement can be associated with the lever assembly, and can be configured to provide for selective movement of the variable length lever between a stowed position having a first length and a deployed position having a second length greater than the first length. Actuation of the lever assembly can be adapted to move the shift lever to manually release a parking lock of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Walter L. Fournier
  • Patent number: 6138454
    Abstract: An exhaust stream aftertreatment system that selectively reduces NOx emissions during lean-burn operation of an internal combustion engine is provided. The apparatus includes a partial oxidation reactor having a fuel source, an ignition device, and various values. The partial oxidation reactor is disposed in the exhaust pipe of automobile between the engine and the threeway catalyst. A light-off catalyst is provided adjacent to the engine, upstream from the partial oxidation reactor. The three-way catalyst and the light-off catalyst are typical automotive catalysts having a substrate plated with a precious metal to facilitate the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the reduction of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx). The partial oxidation reactor is adapted to operate while the internal combustion engine is producing high levels of NOx or while the engine is operating in a lean burn regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Walter L. Fournier, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Marc Lorelli
  • Patent number: 5934553
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for controlling fluid flow from a high-temperature source to a low-temperature source. The thermostatic valve includes a first end which, during use of the valve, is exposed to fluid from the high-temperature source and a second end which, during use of the valve, is exposed to fluid from the low-temperature source. The valve also includes a valve seat member having a valve seat and a valve member having two ends and an exterior closure surface registrable with the valve seat. The valve member has a shape, except at its two ends, with only curves of greater than about 150.degree., so that fluid flowing past the valve member is caused to make only turns of less than about 30.degree.. The thermostatic valve is useful for controlling coolant flow from an internal combustion engine block to a radiator. The valve member may have a shape formed of continuously-varying parabolic curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Walter L. Fournier