John B Curnow, 534730 Boutell Ranch Rd, West Branch, MI 48661

5513832, May 7, 1996

Apr 22, 1994

8/241721

David L. Becker - Oak Park MI
John W. Curnow - Utica MI
Donald J. West - Warren MI
Craig A. Carlson - Harper Woods MI

Lectron Products, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

F16K 3106

25112918

A combined bearing/diaphragm seal for use in a solenoid valve assembly or the like is disclosed which provides a flexible fluid seal between the solenoid sub-assembly and the valve sub-assembly. The solenoid and valve sub-assemblies communicate mechanically via a portion of a solenoid armature which translates through the combined bearing/diaphragm seal and controls elements of the valve sub-assembly for regulating outlet fluid pressure. The bearing portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal comprises a flat spring-plate that is adapted to resiliently deflect in response to movement of the solenoid armature. The diaphragm portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal is an elastomeric seal material applied to at least one side of the spring plate.

4724673, Feb 16, 1988

Jun 30, 1986

6/880587

John W. Curnow - Utica MI

Vickers, Incorporated - Troy MI

F15B 1108

60489

A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic actuator having opposed openings adapted to alternately function as inlets and outlets for moving the element of the actuator in opposite directions and a pump system with load sensing control for supplying fluid to said actuator. A meter-in valve is provided to which the fluid from the pump is supplied and a manual or electrohydraulic controller alternately supplies fluid at pilot pressure to the meter-in valve for controlling the flow therefrom to the actuator to control direction and displacement of movement of the meter-in valve and the direction and velocity of the actuator. A pair of lines extends from the meter-in valve to the respective openings of the actuator. A meter-out valve is associated with each line to the actuator for controlling flow out of the actuator. Each meter-out valve is operated by the pilot pressure from the controller.

5261637, Nov 16, 1993

Jul 7, 1992

7/909987

John W. Curnow - Utica MI

Lectron Products, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

F16K 3106

25112915

A solenoid-operated control valve for a variable assist power steering system of an automobile vehicle includes a valve structure which defines a variable flow orifice in response to a predetermined variable (e. g. , vehicle velocity) thereby providing fluid pressure needed to modify user input torque supplied to the steering wheel. The valve structure features a unique nonmagnetic core tube which reduces manufacture costs, enhances the ease of assembly of the magnetic housing elements needed to complete a magnetic circuit, and ensures the armature responds as needed to control orifice closure.