Francis, MI
Brian D. Francis, Fenton, MI US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20090276147 | ENGINE KNOCK DIAGNOSTIC - A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal. | 11-05-2009 |
20100057325 | TORQUE RESERVE AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR COORDINATED TORQUE CONTROL - A coordinated torque control system includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A torque reserve module generates a torque reserve signal based on the multi-mode enable signal, an engine speed signal and an air per cylinder signal. The torque reserve module operates in a multi-pulse mode that is associated with injecting N pulses of fuel into a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle of the engine based on the multi-mode enable signal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057329 | MULTI-PULSE SPARK IGNITION DIRECT INJECTION TORQUE BASED SYSTEM - A control system is provided and includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A transition control module controls transitions between a single pulse mode and multi-pulse mode based on the multi-mode enable signal. The transition control module receives a first torque signal and generates a second torque signal based on the first torque signal. The engine torque control module generates an air per cylinder signal, a throttle area signal, and a spark timing signal based on the second torque signal. The single pulse mode is associated with a single fuel injection pulse per combustion cycle. The multi-pulse mode is associated with multiple fuel injection pulses per combustion cycle. | 03-04-2010 |
Hugh Francis, Farmington Hills, MI US
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20100051616 | COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER - A collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. At least two of the side walls include a rigid first segment and a rigid second segment coupled to the first segment by a pivot to permit the side wall to fold so that the first segment and second segment form an acute angle or are parallel when the container is collapsed. The collapsible container can be configured in a storage configuration for containing objects or a collapsed configuration occupying less volume than the storage configuration for stowing the container. | 03-04-2010 |
20100052353 | VEHICLE CONTAINER INTERFACE - A storage assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle structure, a removable storage container and a container attachment member. The removable storage container is moveable between a retained position and a release position. The container attachment member is coupled to the vehicle structure, and the container attachment member is moveable between a first position and a second position. The container attachment member is configured to engage the storage container and retain the storage container in the retained position when the container attachment member is in the first position. The container attachment member is configured to be disengaged from the storage container for movement of the storage container between the retained and released positions when the container attachment member is in the second position. | 03-04-2010 |
20120000954 | COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER - A collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. At least two of the side walls include a rigid first segment and a rigid second segment coupled to the first segment by a pivot to permit the side wall to fold so that the first segment and second segment form an acute angle or are parallel when the container is collapsed. The collapsible container can be configured in a storage configuration for containing objects or a collapsed configuration occupying less volume than the storage configuration for stowing the container. | 01-05-2012 |
Paul Francis, St. Clair Shores, MI US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20140096440 | COMBUSTIBLE ARTIFICIAL FIRELOG ASSEMBLY - A combustible artificial firelog assembly having a combustible base member and at least first, second, and third artificial firelogs is provided. The first and second artificial firelogs are coupled to the combustible base member and at least partially define a central cavity. The first and second artificial firelogs define at least one side opening therebetween that communicates with the central cavity. The third artificial firelog is supported by the first and second artificial firelogs and is disposed over the first and second artificial firelogs. The assembly further includes a metal retaining member disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the first and second artificial firelogs. The assembly further includes a combustible member that is disposed in the side opening that ignites the first, second, and third artificial firelogs. | 04-10-2014 |
Philip J. Francis, Lapeer, MI US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20090314602 | Three Position Control Solenoid for Hydraulic Activation - A hydraulic system having a clutch assembly ( | 12-24-2009 |
20100044181 | Torque Coupling With Disconnectable Fluid Pump - A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A clutch regulates a degree of coupling of the rotor to the shaft between a decoupled state and a coupled state to regulate the relative rotation between the first and second rotors. | 02-25-2010 |
20100122887 | HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVELINE - In at least one embodiment, a hydraulic clutch assembly for a motor vehicle driveline is provided. The clutch assembly comprises an input member, and output member and a friction clutch pack operably disposed therebetween for controlling torque transfer. A first fluid circuit contains hydraulic based fluid at a first pressure and is in fluid communication with the friction clutch pack for lubrication thereof. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit for replenishing the second fluid circuit with the hydraulic based fluid at a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The clutch assembly further comprises a motor and a gear train. The gear train has an input force driven by the motor and an output force. A first piston is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit for delivering the hydraulic based fluid thereto and is operatively driven by the output force to displace the hydraulic based fluid. A second piston is translated by the hydraulic based fluid displaced by the first piston to actuate the friction clutch pack. | 05-20-2010 |
20150060228 | LUBRICATION IN A TRANSFER CASE WITHOUT A MECHANICAL PUMP - A transfer case is provided with a primary shaft which is selectively engagable with a secondary shaft via a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is inclusive of a friction pack. A hub of the clutch mechanism is connected on the primary shaft and the clutch housing is torsionally fixed with a primary sprocket rotatively mounted on the primary shaft. A reservoir system is provided for delivering splashed oil axially along the primary shaft overlapping the friction pack. The reservoir system has a collective fluid receptacle that is connected via a stationary passage with a lubrication passage radially inward of the friction pack of the hub. | 03-05-2015 |
Robert W. Francis, Lake Orion, MI US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20140096440 | COMBUSTIBLE ARTIFICIAL FIRELOG ASSEMBLY - A combustible artificial firelog assembly having a combustible base member and at least first, second, and third artificial firelogs is provided. The first and second artificial firelogs are coupled to the combustible base member and at least partially define a central cavity. The first and second artificial firelogs define at least one side opening therebetween that communicates with the central cavity. The third artificial firelog is supported by the first and second artificial firelogs and is disposed over the first and second artificial firelogs. The assembly further includes a metal retaining member disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the first and second artificial firelogs. The assembly further includes a combustible member that is disposed in the side opening that ignites the first, second, and third artificial firelogs. | 04-10-2014 |
Thomas J. Francis, Clinton Township, MI US
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20110083414 | Lawn-care maintenance apparatus - The lawn-care maintenance apparatus is compatible with a conventional power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rotary blade that can be readily attachable to and detachable from a drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. Also, the lawn-care maintenance apparatus comprises fastener elements for securing the rotary blade onto a drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. The edger blade when attached to the drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower is driven by the power system of the self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. The rotary blade is offset from the center of the axis of the drive wheel of the self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. Another embodiment of the lawn-care maintenance apparatus is a permanent edger attachment that is capped when the edging is not needed, this extending the life of the edger blade. Still another embodiment is a clutch assembly that replaces one of the drive wheels of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower, the cutting surfaces of the clutch assembly having an engaged and a retracted position, the cutting surfaces when engaged locking in place and performing the edging. | 04-14-2011 |
20130219845 | LAWN CARE MAINTENANCE APPARATUS - A mower drive wheel incorporating an edging plate including a number of different blade edge profiles for assisting in edging various types and thicknesses of grass or turf. The drive wheel can be reconfigured so that a one piece edging plate is replaced by a plurality of individually attachable blades. A modified walk behind powered mower is also disclosed and which integrates an adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of the edging drive wheel. A secondary drive wheel disconnect linkage is included and the main blade housing of the mower can also exhibit a widened profile to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris. | 08-29-2013 |