Richard Dean Nix

US Patent:

6430928, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Jul 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620436

Inventors:

Rajiv Iyer - Auburn Hills MI
Michael James Woodard - Utica MI
Benjamin Chetwood Struve - Leamington Spa, GB
Richard A. Nix - Ortonville MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products (USA), Inc.

International Classification:

H15B 710

US Classification:

60592

Abstract:

A clutch hydraulic actuator system having a vibration damper provided in the system between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder of the system. The damper includes an elastomeric diaphragm and a spring steel diaphragm. One face of the elastomeric diaphragm is in fluid communication with hydraulic fluid in the system so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deflect in response to low frequency vibrations transmitted through hydraulic fluid in the system to effect damping of the low frequency vibrations. The spring steel diaphragm is positioned in the system generally parallel to and proximate the other face of the elastomeric diaphragm so as to form a backup for the elastomeric diaphragm so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deform against the spring steel diaphragm in response to high frequency vibrations transmitted through the hydraulic fluid to cause deflection of the spring steel diaphragm to effect damping of the high frequency vibrations.

US Patent:

6742643, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Aug 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/215632

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Ortonville MI
Michael James Woodard - Utica MI
Timothy M. Dangel - Oxford MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products (USA), Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16L 5504

US Classification:

192109F, 60469, 92 43, 192 30 V

Abstract:

A hydraulic clutch actuator system having a vibration damper in the system including an elastomeric diaphragm and a steel diaphragm. One face of the elastomeric diaphragm is in communication with fluid in the system so that the diaphragm may deflect in response to low frequency system vibrations to effect damping of these vibrations. The steel diaphragm is positioned generally parallel to and proximate the other face of the elastomeric diaphragm so as to form a back-up for the elastomeric diaphragm so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deform against the steel diaphragm in response to high frequency system vibrations to cause deflection of the steel diaphragm to effect damping of the high frequency vibrations. An apertured stop structure above the elastomeric diaphragm functions to limit upward excursions of the elastomeric diaphragm and further functions to maintain communication between the chamber above the elastomeric diaphragm and the damper port to the system.

US Patent:

7001561, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Nov 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/301236

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Ortonville MI, US
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael James Woodard - Utica MI, US

Assignee:

Automotive Products (USA), Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B29C 45/14
B29C 45/36
B29C 33/42

US Classification:

264254, 264259, 264275, 425577

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for molding a right angle connector onto a tube end portion. The tube end portion is positioned in a mold cavity; an axially extending core is positioned in the mold cavity with the axis of the core at a right angle to the axis of the tube end portion and with an inboard end of the core positioned proximate the open end of the tube end portion; a molten plastic material is injected into the mold cavity in surrounding relation to the core and the tube end portion; and the core is removed to form a connector fixedly secured to the tube end portion and having a central axial bore communicating with the open end of the tube, extending at a right angle to the central axis of the tube end portion, and conforming to the configuration of the core.

US Patent:

20030213240, Nov 20, 2003

Filed:

May 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/150294

Inventors:

Richard Nix - Ortonville MI, US
Michael Woodard - Utica MI, US

International Classification:

B60T011/26

US Classification:

060/588000

Abstract:

A hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly comprising a casing structure defining a reservoir port, a cylindrical bore, and an internal annular groove opening in the bore and communicating with the reservoir port; a piston slidably mounted in the bore for movement between a rearward retracted position in which the forward end of the piston is positioned proximate but forwardly of the internal groove and a forward extended position in which the forward end of the piston is positioned remotely forwardly of the internal groove, and an annular seal positioned in the internal groove and including an inner annular flexible lip sealingly and resiliently engaging the outer periphery of the piston as the piston moves between its retracted and extended positions. The piston includes an annular external groove proximate a forward end of the piston which, with the piston in its retracted position, is positioned in axial alignment with the seal and receives the inner annular lip of the seal with an annular space therebetween. The inner lip of the seal and the groove thus coact with the piston in its retracted position to define a fluid flow path interconnecting the reservoir port and the bore whereby to equalize the reservoir port and the bore.

US Patent:

49916270, Feb 12, 1991

Filed:

Feb 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/481815

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F15L 2900

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, having a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, is made of separate modular units interconnectable by leakproof connectors. The apparatus is prefilled with hydraulic fluid while the separate modular units are interconnected, and after filling the separate modular units are disconnected and shipped to a user, unconnected but filled with hydraulic fluid. Alternatively, the separate modular units may be individually filled with hydraulic fluid, and shipped to a user unconnected but each filled with hydraulic fluid. After installation on a utilization device, for example a motor vehicle, the complementary connector members are reconnected for placing the individual modular units in hydraulic fluid communication. The connectors take the form of complementary members which are arranged to open fluid passageway during connection. A one-way locking or retainer clip is disposed in one connector member for interlocking engagement with appropriate abutments in the other connector member for preventing separation of the members after coupling.

US Patent:

51136570, May 19, 1992

Filed:

May 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/705312

Inventors:

David J. Compton - Troy MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F16D 2508
B60T 1116

US Classification:

60533

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling. Alternatively, the two connector members may be disconnected by a special tool to enable disconnecting the members without loss of hydraulic fluid, for the purpose of repair or replacement of components.

US Patent:

46242902, Nov 25, 1986

Filed:

Nov 28, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/555667

Inventors:

David J. Compton - Troy MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

141 1

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. A leakproof quick-connect connector is placed between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, preferably at the end of the conduit where it connects to the master cylinder or the slave cylinder, one member of the connector forming part of the master cylinder or slave cylinder. The apparatus, after assembly, is filled with hydraulic fluid, the two members of the connector being held momentarily engaged. After filling, the connector is broken, and the filled components are shipped to a user. After installation of the apparatus for operation of a mechanism such as a clutch release mechanism, the two connector members are reconnected, and the connector members having been provided with a one-way locking member can no longer be separated such as to preserve the integrity of the system.

US Patent:

61486140, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Jun 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/097064

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Ortonville MI
Scott Lee Loring - Lapeer MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products (USA), Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F15B 710

US Classification:

60592

Abstract:

A damper for use with a hydraulic actuator of the type including a master cylinder and a slave cylinder with a conduit interconnecting the outlet of the master cylinder and the inlet of the slave cylinder. The damper is positioned in the conduit between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder and includes a housing member defining a chamber opening in one face of the housing member and a mounting bracket plate. The mounting bracket plate includes a housing portion corresponding in size and configuration to the one face of the housing member and is positioned against the one face of the housing member to coact with the housing member to seal the chamber. The bracket plate further includes a bracket portion extending outwardly from the housing portion in the form of mounting arms which are utilized to facilitate mounting of the damper to a fixed vehicle structure. A diaphragm is fixedly positioned in the chamber and divides the chamber into a first chamber portion between one side of the diaphragm and the housing member and a second chamber portion between the opposite side of the diaphragm and the housing portion of the bracket plate. This construction enables a single member to function to define the damper diaphragm chamber and further define the mounting bracket to secure the damper within the vehicle.