Christopher Alan Roberts

US Patent:

6612339, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/034980

Inventors:

Westley J. Wilke - Lincoln Park MI
Christopher J. Roberts - Novi MI
Jeff King - Westland MI

Assignee:

Kelsey-Hayes Company - Livonia MI

International Classification:

F16L 5504

US Classification:

138 31, 138 30

Abstract:

A piston for a low pressure fluid accumulator of a hydraulic control unit of a vehicle brake system includes a cylindrical body having an outer surface defining a first end surface of the piston. The first end surface includes a plurality of interconnected ridges. The ridges have outer surfaces and form cavities therebetween. Each ridge is adapted to provide a sealing surface between the first end surface of the piston and an inner surface of a fluid accumulator in which the piston may be inserted. In one embodiment of the invention, the closed end of the piston includes a thick self-supporting wall. A thin skirt extends from the thick self-supporting wall toward the open end of the piston. A plurality of axially extending skirt support ribs is formed on the inner surface of the piston skirt.

US Patent:

56569912, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

May 22, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/446500

Inventors:

Johnny Thomas Hargenrader - Brighton MI
Christopher Lawrence Roberts - Monroe MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

340438

Abstract:

An apparatus for testing the operativeness of a squib in an active restraint system wherein the squib has a resistance value, when operative, within a predetermined range of resistance values. The squib is connected in series with a firing circuit to a first source of electrical energy. A monitoring circuit includes a second source of electrical energy and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a biasing resistor network and a reference resistor network, both networks being operatively connected to the second source of electrical energy. The biasing resistor network establishes a flow of test current through the squib, the test current being the only continuous non-actuating current through the squib. The biasing resistor network establishes a test voltage value at one terminal of the squib. The monitoring circuit further includes a comparator for comparing the test voltage value at the one terminal of the squib against the squib reference voltage value of the reference resistor network.

US Patent:

59216360, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Jun 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/874748

Inventors:

Christopher J. Roberts - Canton MI

Assignee:

Kelsey-Hayes Company - Livonia MI

International Classification:

B60T 1704

US Classification:

303 87

Abstract:

An attenuator for a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular braking system includes a hollow cylinder mounted in a bore of a housing. An end cap closes an outer end of the cylinder and does not extend beyond an outer wall of the housing. The cylinder and end cap define an interior chamber having an inner diameter tapered toward the end cap. An orifice is formed in the cylinder to permit fluid to exit the tapered interior chamber. An elastic core piece is fitted into the tapered interior chamber and substantially fills the volume of the chamber. An annular clearance is provided between the core piece and the cylinder. An inlet passage formed in the housing delivers fluid to the chamber. Fluid passes about the core piece to the orifice to reach the an outlet passage formed in the housing. Clearance between the core piece and the cylinder provides a streamlined path for fluid traveling from the inlet passage to the outlet passage, thereby decreasing fluid turbulence and aeration found in prior art attenuators.