Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2004-2007
Title: Innovations by Lawrence E. Peck
Introduction
Lawrence E. Peck is a notable inventor based in Wadsworth, Illinois. He has made significant contributions to the field of engineering, particularly in the development of pressure sensor technologies for automotive applications. With a total of 3 patents, his work has advanced the understanding and measurement of engine conditions.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is a pressure sensor apparatus designed for measuring pressures, including knock conditions in engine cylinders. This innovative sensor apparatus for a multiple layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gasket measures combustion pressures to detect engine conditions. The design features a membrane positioned at one end of an elongated metal tube, which engages the cylinder bore boundary. A fiber optical sensor apparatus is fixed within the tube and communicates with cyclic combustion events via the membrane. In one embodiment, optical wires from sensor apparatus situated at each engine bore are bundled into a common groove machined into an extended spacer layer, radially outwardly of the conventional boundary of the gasket. The tube protects the sensor apparatus from damage due to sealing stress on the gasket, particularly at the bore perimeter. Each tube lies in a separate groove in the spacer layer that terminates at the bore boundary. A converter changes optical signals received from the apparatus into electrical signals for transmittal to a controller.
Another significant patent is the multi-layer steel cylinder head gasket with integrated pressure sensors. This gasket contains fully integrated pressure sensors, including first and second metal layers with inner facing surfaces, and a spacer layer interposed between the facing surfaces. The outer (non-facing) surfaces of the first and second metal layers each include an elastomeric seal coating, while the inner surfaces of the layers each include a friction-reducing coating. Combustion apertures extend fully between the outer surfaces of the gasket and are adapted to circumscribe cylinder bores of an engine. The spacer layer includes protective slots positioned adjacent each of the combustion apertures. Each slot wall contains a pressure sensor in the form of a strain gauge to measure deflection of the wall resulting from pressure changes within engine combustion chambers. The measured deflections are correlated to actual pressures within the chambers, and the strain gauges are protected from exposure to combustion gases that could otherwise foul the sensors.
Career Highlights
Lawrence E. Peck is currently associated with Dana Corporation, where he continues to innovate and develop advanced technologies for the automotive industry.