John H Allison

US Patent:

6858103, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/151224

Inventors:

Christopher Mark Wolverton - Saline MI, US
John Edmond Allison - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

C22F001/043
C21D011/00

US Classification:

148502, 148698, 702130, 702156

Abstract:

The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al—Si—Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

US Patent:

6889848, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Nov 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/998072

Inventors:

John Hugh Allison - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B07C005/00

US Classification:

209534, 235 33, 453 3

Abstract:

A combined coin sorting and dispensing apparatus for motor vehicles which may be mounted in or integrally formed with the dashboard, console, or an existing interior door or side panel, or placed in an existing pocket of the vehicle. The coin sorter has a hopper with a coin slot, a coin sorter plate, a coin holder support, and a plurality of coin holders. In operation, coins placed in the hopper pass through the coin slot, and fall onto an inclined sorter plate which sorts the coins into the coin holders. The motion of the motor vehicle as it is being driven assists in moving the coins through the hopper, down the coin slot, and down the sorter plate. The sorted coins are stored in the coin holders until needed at which time they are manually or automatically dispensed from the holders. Methods for sorting the coins using the disclosed combined coin sorting and dispensing apparatus are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7284528, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Mar 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/373544

Inventors:

Robert J. Natkin - Canton MI, US
Bret Oltmans - Stacy MN, US
John E. Allison - Ann Arbor MI, US
Thomas J. Heater - Milford MI, US
Joy Adair Hines - Plymouth MI, US
Grant K. Tappen - Washington MI, US
Dietmar Peiskammer - Rochester MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16M 1/00
F16M 1/021
B21K 3/00

US Classification:

123195R, 123195 A, 2988801

Abstract:

A crank shaft support assembly for increasing stiffness and reducing thermal mismatch distortion in a crank shaft bore of an engine comprising different materials. A cylinder block comprises a first material and at least two crank journal inserts are insert-molded into respective crank journal regions of the cylinder block and comprise a second material having greater stiffness and a lower thermal coefficient of expansion that the first material. At least two bearing caps are bolted to the respective crank journal inserts and define, along with the crank journal inserts, at least two crank shaft support rings defining a crank shaft bore coaxially aligned with a crank shaft axis. The bearing caps comprise a material having higher stiffness and a lower thermal coefficient of expansion than the first material and are supported on the respective crank journal inserts independently of any direct connection to the cylinder block.

US Patent:

62693212, Jul 31, 2001

Filed:

Sep 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/150690

Inventors:

Nagendra Palle - Ann Arbor MI
Ravi Vijayaraghavan - Farmington Hills MI
Jacob Wesley Zindel - Ann Arbor MI
William Thomas Donlon - Dearborn MI
John Edmond Allison - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B22D 2700
G01N 1700

US Classification:

702136

Abstract:

A method for quantitatively predicting and consequently minimizing the amount of critical phases such as eutectic Al. sub. 2 Cu formed during solidification of Al--Si--Cu alloys used in a vehicle engine component comprises developing a micromodel to simulate microstructure evolution in cast Al--Si or Al--Cu alloys. The micromodel is calibrated using experimental thermal analysis cooling curves and an optimization process. Microstructure evolution and cooling curves are simulated for a casting using the calibrated micromodel. Precipitation of critical phases such as Al. sub. 2 Cu in the casting is predicted as a function of solidification conditions. The model allows casting process variables to be varied with predictable results so that the casting process can be controlled via the micromodel.

US Patent:

45256314, Jun 25, 1985

Filed:

Jan 10, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/569722

Inventors:

John H. Allison - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

F01C 1300

US Classification:

290 4R

Abstract:

A pressure energy storage device for the storage of kinetic energy of rotation in the form of potential energy of a compressed fluid and for converting the potential energy of the compressed fluid into kinetic energy of rotation. The pressure energy storage device includes a storage reservoir, a compressor driven by a rotating source to deliver pressurized fluid to the storage reservoir, and a primary fluid motor selectively operable to generate rotary motion by drawing off a portion of the pressurized fluid. The pressure energy storage device may be provided with an electric motor to drive the compressor, a generator driven by the primary fluid motor, a secondary fluid motor to drive the compressor by the exhaust fluid from the primary fluid motor, and an auxiliary pressurized fluid outlet, permitting the compressor to be driven by a rotating power source or an electrical power source and permitting the potential energy of the pressurized fluid to be used directly or to be converted to rotary motion or electrical current, as needed.

US Patent:

56498349, Jul 22, 1997

Filed:

Nov 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/554058

Inventors:

John Hugh Allison - Plymouth MI
Gerald Arthur Heath - Canton MI
Richard Granitz - Harrisburg PA

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H01R 1374

US Classification:

439247

Abstract:

A novel electrical connector assembly is disclosed. An embodiment of the electrical connector assembly includes a guide sleeve having a tapered interior and electrical contacts disposed therein. The guide sleeve receives a tapered housing having corresponding electrical contacts for mating with the electrical contacts of the guide sleeve. An alternate embodiment of the electrical connector assembly has a connection mechanism using a flat contact surface and a round tipped contact surface to maintain electrical contact while allowing for movement of the contacts in any direction along the surface of the flat contact surface.

US Patent:

47295465, Mar 8, 1988

Filed:

Jan 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/007035

Inventors:

John E. Allison - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01L 300

US Classification:

251368

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for making a dual microstructure titanium based engine valve, wherein a first zone of the valve contains essentially a mixture of fine, equiaxed alpha and transformed beta crystalline grains which exhibit high tensile strength and high fatigue resistance, and a second zone of the valve which contains essentially a colony type microstructure exhibiting resistance to high temperature creep. The method comprises: (a) preparing a valve stock of forgeable mixed phase alpha/beta titanium based material; (b) hot working said first zone at a temperature below the beta transus temperature, (c) forging said second zone and, either simultaneously with said forging or subsequent thereto, heat treating said second zone at a temperature above (e. g. , 25. degree. -200. degree. F. above) the beta transus temperature for a period of time to achieve beta processing followed by cooling to 1400. degree. F. at a rate of 0. 1. degree. -10. degree. F.

US Patent:

46759646, Jun 30, 1987

Filed:

Dec 24, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/813173

Inventors:

John E. Allison - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B21K 120
B23P 1904

US Classification:

291567R

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for making a dual microstructure titanium based engine valve, wherein a first zone of the valve contains essentially a mixture of fine, equiaxed alpha and transformed beta crystalline grains which exhibit high tensile strength and high fatigue resistance, and a second zone of the valve which contains essentially a colony type microstructure exhibiting resistance to high temperature creep. The method comprises: (a) preparing a valve stock of forgeable mixed phase alpha/beta titanium based material; (b) hot working said first zone at a temperature below the beta transus temperature, (c) forging said second zone and, either simultaneously with said forging or subsequent thereto, heat treating said second zone at a temperature above (e. g. , 25. degree. -200. degree. F. above) the beta transus temperature for a period of time to achieve beta processing followed by cooling to 1400. degree. F. at a rate of 0. 1-10. degree. F.