Tom P Plunkett

US Patent:

6453892, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976202

Inventors:

Tom Plunkett - Bolingbrook IL
Tom Staab - Chicago IL
Brent Boldt - Bartlett IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F02M 2500

US Classification:

123572

Abstract:

A damped steel baffle for an engine cam cover aids in separation of oil mist entrained in a flow of crankcase air vented through the cam cover, and directs the air to a PCV valve atop the cover. The baffle forms a channel for the air, and effectively absorbs noise generated within the cover. Oil droplets condense on channel and baffle surfaces, and drain to an engine oil sump. The interface between baffle and cam cover is sealed with a foam gasket layer or RTV sealant. The baffle is constructed of two metal layers joined together by a thin layer of viscoelastic adhesive that converts vibrational energy into heat to dampen resonant vibrations. Amplitudes of vibration are significantly lower than for plain steel baffles, hence lower sound radiation is achieved. The individual steel layers are 0. 2 to 0. 6 mm thick; the viscoelastic layer has a thickness up to 0. 15 mm.

US Patent:

8128098, Mar 6, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/589329

Inventors:

Tom Plunkett - Aurora IL, US

Assignee:

Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Maumee OH

International Classification:

F02F 11/00

US Classification:

277593, 277598

Abstract:

A gasket is described having a middle layer, two metal layers and an uppermost and a lowermost layer. The middle layer may have an upper surface and a lower surface defining a first planar portion, a wave portion and a second planar portion. The metal layers sandwich the middle layer and are substantially planar. An uppermost active layer is located above the first intermediate layer. The uppermost active layer comprises a first planar portion, a first bead portion, and a second planar portion. The lowermost active layer is located below the second intermediate layer. The lowermost active layer also comprises a first planar portion, a first bead portion, and a second planar portion.

US Patent:

20130093181, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Apr 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/440121

Inventors:

Ernest Oxenknecht - Naperville IL, US
Tom Plunkett - Aurora IL, US
Frank Popielas - Plainfield IL, US
Kevin Shaver - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Maumee OH

International Classification:

F16L 21/03

US Classification:

285187, 277608

Abstract:

Slip joint having a stacked washer seal, a male part and a female part. The female part has a small and a large inner diameter. The male part has substantially constant inner and outer diameters and a ring on the outer diameter. A gap is located between the male and female part. At least two washers and a flat shim are located in the gap. Each washer and flat shim has a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. The first side of a first washer abuts an end of the male part. A second side of the washer contacts a first side of a flat shim. The second side of the shim contacts the first side of a second washer. The second side of the second washer contacts a first side of a second flat shim or an end of the female part.

US Patent:

55517099, Sep 3, 1996

Filed:

Apr 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/418710

Inventors:

Tom P. Plunkett - Lemont IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16J 1508

US Classification:

277235B

Abstract:

A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine includes a substantially flat center plate and first and second spring plates disposed on opposite sides of the center plate. The center plate has an opening therein. Both the first and second spring plates have openings therein aligned with and smaller than the opening of the center plate. The first and second spring plates thereby define wire ring retention portions of the spring plates extending radially inwardly from the edge of the center plate opening. A wire ring having a wire diameter greater than a thickness of the center plate is disposed between the ring retention portions of the spring plates. The spring plates have a substantially wave-like concentric embossment encircling the opening in each and radially proximate thereto. Clamping the gasket between two sealing surfaces forms a primary combustion seal at the wire ring, and forms a secondary combustion seal beyond the ring at the embossments.

US Patent:

60928107, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Mar 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/034784

Inventors:

Tom P. Plunkett - Bolingbrook IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16J 1508

US Classification:

277593

Abstract:

A gasket for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a sealing element formed by an extrusion and ironing process in combination with a folding operation. The gasket has a plate that includes a body portion, a flange portion and an aperture. The thickness of the flange portion is reduced to less than that of the body portion by the extrusion and ironing process. The flange portion is then folded back onto a surface of the plate in facing relation to form a stopper seal to act as a primary seal. Optional embossments may then be formed radially and outwardly of the stopper seal so as to form a secondary seal.

US Patent:

57277958, Mar 17, 1998

Filed:

Nov 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/752122

Inventors:

Tom P. Plunkett - Lemont IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16J 1508

US Classification:

277235B

Abstract:

A metallic gasket for use in an internal combustion engine has seals around the gasket openings which are formed by a two-step coining operation plus a folding operation. The gasket has a base plate including a folding portion located between an edge of an opening and a fold line. A channel and a reduced thickness portion are formed in the folding portion by a first coining operation. The channel is spaced from the edge of the opening and spaced from the fold line. Next the folding portion is folded back onto the base plate of the gasket. Finally, a second coining operation takes place to flatten the folded seal to a final thickness and produces material flow between the base plate and the folding portion.

US Patent:

60895721, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Mar 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/034054

Inventors:

Tom P. Plunkett - Bolingbrook IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16J 1508
F02F 1100

US Classification:

277592

Abstract:

An improved three layer metal gasket is disclosed incorporating both primary and secondary combustion seals for increased combustion seal area durability. The gasket has three plates, a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate. The first and third plates have opposed sealing beads that form the secondary combustion seal. The first and second plates cooperate to position the primary combustion seal and the secondary combustion seal along a central axis such that in operation the opposed sealing beads compress equally, thereby further improving the durability of the combustion area of the gasket. The gasket may further include a fluid seal. Specialized coatings may be used to enhance the sealability of both primary and secondary combustion seals and the fluid seal.