Engineering Patents: Including Case Studies I & II

Engineering Patent Review describes patents and the patent process. It then, in Case Study I, examines all aspects of a patent assigned to a large U.S. corporation to improve performance of one of its products. It explains how four other patents examined as "prior art" were used to enhance the credibility of the sought after patent and how the three claims that were made skillfully protect against possible patent infringement. A twenty-two multiple choice question quiz follows. Case Study II teaches both patent application and the important design and operating characteristics of two different types of anti-friction bearings. The patent application involves replacing conventionally used tapered roller bearing with angular contact ball bearings in a mechanical setting. It details important design features of both types of bearings and how it affects their installation and operation. "Prior art" (patents that are similar to the one being applied for) is examined and a conclusion drawn as to whether the patent application is to be allowed or denied. A twenty multiple choice question quiz follows.

The author has a BSME from Case-Western University, Cleveland, Ohio. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. He has had 40 years of Mechanical Engineering experience, 26 of which were with the General Motors Corporation. While there, he obtained U.S. Patent number 4,645,432, Magnetic Drive Vehicle Coolant Pump. He went on to become a leader in anti-friction bearing applications in both the automotive and industrial fields. Valuable experience was also gained in gears and mechanical power transmission. Prior to that he was employed by TRW, Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for bearings, gears and mechanical power transmission in the aircraft and missile fields under the tutelage of Mr. Thomas Barish, a leading mechanical power transmission consultant. Also, Mr. Tata has authored 27 technical papers that are available on the internet and other sources for professional development hours. He is also the author of the book The Development of U.S. Missiles During the Space Race with the U.S.S.R. It is based on his experience, early in his career, working as a Flight Test Engineer at Cape Canaveral, Florida during the Cold War with the U.S.S.R. More recently, Mr. Tata has ventured outside the technical field in authoring his second book, The Greatest American Presidents. Following that is his third work, a part technical, part historical book titled How Detroit became the Automotive Capital of the World. The fourth book is a workbook sized publication titled "Mechanical Engineering Primer" complete with a multiple choice quiz for classroom use or any other party so inclined.