| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080217977 | Seating structure and methods for the use thereof - A seating structure has an articulated seat and back. A rear portion of the seat is automatically pivotable relative to a forward portion of the seat as the seat is tilted between upright and reclined tilt positions. An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions. A seat with an adjustable seat depth is also provided, along with various methods for operating the different aspects and embodiments of the seating structure. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20100021685 | MULTI-LAYERED SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The multi-layered support structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The multi-layered support structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the multi-layered support structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100253128 | SUSPENDED PIXELATED SEATING STRUCTURE - A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20110241399 | BIASING MECHANISM FOR A SEATING STRUCTURE AND METHODS FOR THE USE THEREOF - A seating structure includes a leaf spring and a body support structure biased by the leaf spring. One of the leaf spring and the body support structure has a cam with a concave cam surface, while the other of the leaf spring and body support structure has a cam follower with a convex cam surface. The cam follower engages the cam. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120007400 | SEATING STRUCTURE WITH A CONTOURED FLEXIBLE BACKREST - A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge. | 01-12-2012 |
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| 20100283311 | VEHICLE WHEEL COVER RETENTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME - This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment, the vehicle wheel cover retention system is for a non-full face fabricated vehicle wheel and comprises: a full outer wheel rim formed from a suitable material and including a first rim flange, a first tire bead seat, a well, a second tire bead seat, and a second rim flange, the full outer wheel rim defining a first surface extending between the first an second rim flanges; an inner wheel disc defining a wheel axis and formed from a suitable material and joined to the full outer wheel rim, the inner wheel disc including a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion, the inner wheel disc having a first surface and a second surface; and a wheel cover formed from a suitable material and secured to at least one of the first surface of the inner wheel disc, the second surface of the inner wheel disc, and the first surface of said full outer wheel rim. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20120003061 | CAGED SLEEVE ASSEMBLY - A caged sleeve assembly includes a cage having a main body defining a washer chamber, at least one washer within the washer chamber, and a centering sleeve secured to the cage. The centering sleeve is configured to center the caged assembly within a through-hole of a wheel component. | 01-05-2012 |
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| 20080223025 | SNAP-ACTION VALVE FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM - A passive, exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit is pivotally mounted to an off-center axle for rotation between fully closed and fully opened positions. A bias element forces the valve flap toward the fully closed position. The valve flap is shaped in a manner enabling use of the interior surface of the exhaust conduit to define stops at the full closed and full opened positions. The valve flap shape, in conjunction with the bias element arrangement, enables the flap to lie substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit in the fully opened position, which provides for minimum back pressure in the conduit. The valve assembly finds particularly advantageous use inside a bypass through pipe of a muffler assembly. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080224083 | SNAP-ACTION VALVE FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM - A passive, exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit is pivotally mounted to an off-center axle for rotation between fully closed and fully opened positions. A bias element forces the valve flap toward the fully closed position. The valve flap is shaped in a manner enabling use of the interior surface of the exhaust conduit to define stops at the full closed and full opened positions. The valve flap shape, in conjunction with the bias element arrangement, enables the flap to lie substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit in the fully opened position, which provides for minimum back pressure in the conduit. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080245063 | SNAP-ACTION VALVE FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM - A passive, exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit is pivotally mounted to an off-center axle for rotation between fully closed and fully opened positions. A bias element forces the valve flap toward the fully closed position. The valve flap is shaped in a manner enabling use of the interior surface of the exhaust conduit to define stops at the full closed and full opened positions. The valve flap shape, in conjunction with the bias element arrangement, enables the flap to lie substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit in the fully opened position, which provides for minimum back pressure in the conduit. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20100263211 | METHOD OF INSTALLING ROTATABLE FLAPPER VALVE TO AN INTERIOR OF A CONDUIT - A method of assembly of a rotatable flapper valve to an interior of a conduit features the ability to couple the valve plate to its axle outside of the conduit in an independent operation. The conduit is split into first and second sections each having a flared end and a pair of indentations for receipt of the valve axle. While separated, the valve axle is placed in a pair of indentations in one of the conduit sections and then the second conduit section is moved into abutting engagement such that its indentations also partially surround the axle. The first and second conduit sections are then joined by welding. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100263743 | SNAP ACTION VALVE WITH BUMPER PAD - A rotary valve plate adapted for housing within a conduit employs a vibration absorbing bumper pad coupled to the valve plate at a surface thereof adapted to contact an inner surface of the conduit whenever the valve plate is rotated to a closed position. The bumper pad minimizes vibratory noise and improves the durability of the valve plate over extended periods of operation. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100294589 | SNAP ACTION VALVE WITH INERTIA DAMPER - Snap action valve assemblies for use in conduits of automotive exhaust systems have their operation controlled by use of inertia damper elements coupled to an axle of a rotatable valve plate of the valve assembly. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110061969 | Snap-Action Valve for Exhaust System - A muffler for an internal combustion engine exhaust system includes a housing having an inlet and outlet headers enclosing opposite ends of an outer shell. A partition divides a housing interior into first and second chambers, the first chamber having sound absorbing material positioned therein. The partition has an aperture allowing fluid communication between the first and second chambers. A through pipe extends through the inlet and outlet headers and the partition and has a plurality of perforations enabling fluid communication between the through pipe and the first chamber. A valve assembly has a valve flap positioned inside the through pipe for rotation with an axle pivotally coupled to the pipe between a closed position and an open position. The valve is positioned downstream of the pipe perforations such that all of an exhaust gas flowing through the muffler passes through the valve regardless of the valve flap position. | 03-17-2011 |
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| 20090205346 | Air Conditioning System Having Integrated Chiller and Thermal Storage - An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary liquid loop. The primary refrigerant loop includes a compressor configured to be selectively driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion device and a refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The secondary liquid loop includes the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a thermal storage reservoir within which the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger is mounted, a pump configured to pump a liquid through the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to mount in a HVAC module and receive the liquid from the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a liquid flow valve configured to selectively direct the liquid directly to the pump or through the thermal storage reservoir to the pump. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090205359 | Low Refrigerant Charge Secondary Loop Air Conditioning System - A secondary loop air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a condenser and an integrated assembly is disclosed. The condenser has a first condenser header spaced from a second condenser header, a condenser core extending between the first and second condenser headers, and a refrigerant inlet operatively engaging the first condenser header. The integrated assembly includes a chiller mounted to the first condenser header and having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a secondary loop of the air conditioning system, and an expansion device in fluid communication with the condenser and mounted adjacent to the chiller for directing refrigerant into the chiller, and a refrigerant outlet. Also, a receiver/dryer area may be located in one of the condenser and the integrated assembly. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090236089 | Controlling Temperature of Vehicle Devices Using a Variable Speed Fan - A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090250980 | Temperature Controlled Vehicle Seats - A seat temperature control system having a temperature controlled seat for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The temperature controlled seat may comprise a seat bottom, a seat back and an air conditioning system. The seat bottom includes a bottom heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough from a bottom inlet end to a bottom outlet end. The seat back includes a back heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct the cooling fluid therethrough from a back inlet end to a back outlet end. The air conditioning system includes a coils inlet line in fluid communication with the bottom inlet end and the back inlet end, and a coils outlet line in fluid communication with the bottom outlet end and the back outlet end. The air conditioning system provides cooling fluid to the coils and receives cooling fluid from the coils. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20100087134 | VEHICLE HVAC SYSTEM - An HVAC system for a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system may comprise an HVAC module configured to selectively direct conditioned air through an HVAC outlet; and an HVAC air distribution system including a duct operatively engaging the HVAC outlet to receive air flow therefrom, a top outlet configured to be positioned above an instrument panel, a heater outlet configured to be located below the instrument panel, and a diverter located in the duct and configured to selectively direct the air flow from the HVAC outlet through the duct to the top outlet and the heater outlet. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100301642 | FLUIDIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A SEAT - A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110251756 | Accessory load control systems and methods - An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period. | 10-13-2011 |
