Patents by Inventor William C. Vassell

William C. Vassell 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: 5518780
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for providing a hard, transparent, hydrophobic film of hydrogenated boron nitride on a substrate and the film so made. The process comprises depositing the film condensation from a flux of ions generated from gaseous precursors comprising borazine, the kinetic energy of the ions being between 50 and 300 electron volts per ion. Preferably the process is plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition carried out in a radio frequency plasma system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Tamor, William C. Vassell
  • Patent number: 5309874
    Abstract: A powertrain component (10) for use in an internal combustion engine, the powertrain component comprising a coating system including an amorphous or nanocrystalline ceramic film (30). The powertrain component (10) also includes an interlayer (42) formed between the film and the component. The interlayer (42) accommodates stresses engendered by formation of the film (30), and thereby improves adherence of the film (30) to the substrate (10). To enable engineering of desired surface properties, the film (30), the interlayer (42), or both may be provided with a graded composition profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Pierre A. Willermet, Arup K. Gangopadhyay, Michael A. Tamor, William C. Vassell, Margherita Zanini-Fisher
  • Patent number: 5249554
    Abstract: A powertrain component (10) for use in an internal combustion engine, the powertrain component comprising a coating system including a film (30) selected from the group consisting of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, boron-, nitrogen-, boron nitride-, or metal-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, and mixtures thereof. The film (30) is formed on the powertrain component (10), and imparts the characteristics of low friction and wear resistance to the component. The powertrain component (10) also includes an interlayer (42) formed between the film and the component. The interlayer (42) accommodates stresses engendered by formation of the film (30), and thereby improves adherence of the film (30) to the substrate (10). To enable engineering of desired surface properties, the film (30), the interlayer (42), or both may be provided with a graded composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Tamor, Pierre A. Willermet, William C. Vassell, Arup K. Gangopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5237967
    Abstract: A powertrain component such as a valve lifter (10) for use in an internal combustion engine (12), the valve lifter (10) being positioned between a cam (14) and a valve stem (16). An amorphous hydrogenated carbon film (28) is formed on the component, the film (28) imparting the characteristics of low friction and wear resistance. Also disclosed is an interlayer which improves adherence by imparting the properties of improved absorption of mechanical stresses and chemical compatibility between the film (28) and the substrate (10). Methods for forming the film (28) and interlayer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Pierre A. Willermet, Arup K. Gangopadhyay, Michael A. Tamor, William C. Vassell
  • Patent number: 4841934
    Abstract: A method of controlling the air fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine includes positioning a two cell oxygen pumping device in the exhaust gas of the engine. A pumping current is applied to a pumping cell and an EMF is sensed across a sensor cell. The sensed EMF is compared to reference voltage and an error signal is generated. The air fuel ratio is changed in response to the error signal so as to reduce the absolute magnitude of the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Eleftherios M. Logothetis, Robert E. Hetrick, Richard E. Soltis, William C. Vassell
  • Patent number: 4790924
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making planar oxygen-solid electrolyte sensors. The method involves coating the several layers onto a support, selectively etching an etchable layer to form areas wherein the electrode layers and electrolyte layers may be formed thereon and, finally, etching the etchable layer totally away in order to form a chamber therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Eleftherios M. Logothetis, William J. Kaiser, William C. Vassell
  • Patent number: 4487680
    Abstract: A planar oxygen pumping device (10) has a first and second oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte material layer (12, 18). A first electrode (16) is between, and in contact with, the first electrolyte material layers and the second electrolyte material layer. A second electrode (14) is on the first electrolyte material layer. A third electrode (20) is on the second electrolyte material layer. At least one of the first and second electrolyte layers has a porosity sufficient to establish at the first electrode (16) an oxygen concentration dependent upon the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Eleftherios M. Logothetis, William C. Vassell