Patents Assigned to R. Sanderson Management, Inc.
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Patent number: 7438029Abstract: An assembly includes at least one piston, a rotating member, a transition arm, and a mechanism. The transition arm is configured to translate between rotational movement of the rotating member and a first linear motion of the piston. The mechanism is configured to superimpose a second linear motion of the piston onto the first linear motion of the piston. The assembly can be a hydraulic (or air) pump or hydraulic (or air) motor, with the second linear motion resulting in reduced output ripple or smooth torque vs. angular rotation, respectively. Also, the assembly can be an alternator or electric motor, with the additional linear motion resulting in an ac waveform that conforms substantially to a sinewave or a back emf that conforms to the input voltage or electric waveform. In addition, the assembly can be an internal combustion engine in which the second linear motion results in the pistons lingering about top dead center during the combustion process.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: John Fox, Albert E. Sanderson, Robert A. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7334548Abstract: A joint for positioning between first and second elements includes an outer member and an inner member. The first and second elements are arranged for linear motion along a common axis. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the first and second elements along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis, and the inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis and for movement relative to the outer member along the second axis. The outer member is restrained from movement along the second axis. The outer member defines first and second parallel flat sides. Each flat side defines a plane perpendicular to the common axis. The outer and inner members each defining an opening for receiving a drive arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7331271Abstract: An assembly includes a cylinder (232) and a piston assembly (212) housed within the cylinder and configured for reciprocal motion relative to the cylinder. The piston assembly and cylinder include a magnet (230) and coil (234) configured to undergo relative motion of the piston assembly and cylinder. The assembly includes a transition arm (214) and a rotating member (222) coupled to the piston assembly by the transition arm. The reciprocal motion is linear in space and sinusoidal in time.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Albert E. Sanderson, John Dieckmann
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Patent number: 7325476Abstract: In general, an assembly includes at least one piston housed in a cylinder and a transition arm coupled to the piston. The transition arm is coupled to a member that is housed in a channel defined by a rotating member. Movement of the transition arm adjusts a clearance distance between an end face of the piston and an end wall of the cylinder, and causes the member to slide in the channel such that a stroke of the piston is changed. The member is configured to allow the rotating member to rotate relative to the transition arm and/or configured to allow a change in orientation of the transition arm with respect to the rotating member. In other implementations, the transition arm includes a nose pin and the rotating member is coupled to the nose pin such that axial movement of the transition arm changes an axial position of the piston in the cylinder and causes the nose pin to move relative to the rotating member along an axis other than a central axis of the nose pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7162948Abstract: An assembly includes a piston and a transition arm coupled to the piston. The position of the transition arm is adjustable to vary a stroke of the piston. A balance member is adjustable relative to the transition arm to counterbalance the transition arm in varying positions. A control rod is coupled to the transition arm and the balance member. Linear movement of the control rod moves the transition arm in a first direction to change the stroke of the piston and moves the balance member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to counterbalance the transition arm. A method of counterbalancing a variable stroke assembly includes moving a transition arm coupled to a piston to vary a stroke of the piston, and moving a balance member in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of movement of the transition arm to counterbalance the transition arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7140343Abstract: According to the invention, an assembly includes at least one piston assembly (4105), a rotating member (4130), and a transition arm (4110). The transition arm couples the piston assembly (4105) to the rotating member (4130). The assembly includes an overload protection mechanism (4135) coupled to the transition arm (4110) and configured to reduce piston stroke of the piston assembly (4105) upon application of an overload to the assembly while enabling the rotating member (4130), e.g., an input drive and/or a flywheel, to continue rotating. The overload protection mechanism (4135) is configured to reduce piston stroke of the piston assembly to zero stroke while enabling the rotating member (4130) to continue rotating at a substantially pre-overload speed. A method of protecting an assembly from an overload includes reducing piston stroke upon application of an overload to the assembly while enabling the rotating member (4130) to continue rotating at a substantially pre-overload speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7040263Abstract: A variable compression piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member mounted for pivoting movement to slide along an axis of the drive member. Movement of the rotating member relative to the drive member changes the compression ratio of the piston assembly. An engine assembly includes first and second piston assemblies mounted back-to-back and 180° out of phase. A joint for positioning between first and second pistons includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the pistons along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis of the pistons. The inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 7011469Abstract: A joint for positioning between first and second elements includes an outer member and an inner member. The first and second elements are arranged for linear motion along a common axis. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the first and second elements along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis, and the inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis and for movement relative to the outer member along the second axis. The outer member is restrained from movement along the second axis. The outer member defines first and second parallel flat sides. Each flat side defines a plane perpendicular to the common axis. The outer and inner members each defining an opening for receiving a drive arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
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Patent number: 7007589Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a housing, at least two pistons mounted to the housing to rotate relative to the housing, and a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons to rotate therewith. The transition arm is set at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pump. An adjustment mechanism sets the transition arm at the predetermined angle. A cylinder is mounted within the housing to rotate relative to the housing and defines pump cavities for receiving the pistons. A face valve defines inlet and outlet channels in fluid communication with the pump cavities. An apparatus for varying the output volume of a piston assembly includes at least two pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the at least two pistons, and a rotatable member. The transition arm includes a nose pin, and the rotatable member is coupled to the transition arm nose pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Sanderson
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Patent number: 6915765Abstract: A variable compression piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member mounted for pivoting movement to slide along an axis of the drive member. Movement of the rotating member relative to the drive member changes the compression ratio of the piston assembly. An engine assembly includes first and second piston assemblies mounted back-to-back and 180° out of phase. A joint for positioning between first and second pistons includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the pistons along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis of the pistons. The inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
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Patent number: 6913447Abstract: A metering pump includes an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of piston cylinders coupled to the actuating mechanism. A first of the cylinders has a working volume that differs from a second of the cylinders. The actuating member is centrally located and the cylinders are arranged radially about the actuating mechanism. The working volume of the cylinders can be varied by adjusting the spacing of the cylinders from the actuating mechanism, thus varying the stroke of pistons housed within the cylinders, and/or by providing the cylinders with different inner diameters. A method of metering fluids includes independently adjusting stroke of a plurality of pistons to adjust the volume of metered fluid, and selecting different cylinder diameters to adjust the volume of metered fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: John Fox, Robert A. Sanderson
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Patent number: 6854377Abstract: An assembly includes a piston and a transition arm coupled to the piston. The position of the transition arm is adjustable to vary a stroke of the piston. A balance member is adjustable relative to the transition arm to counterbalance the transition arm in varying positions. A control rod is coupled to the transition arm and the balance member. Linear movement of the control rod moves the transition arm in a first direction to change the stroke of the piston and moves the balance member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to counterbalance the transition arm. A method of counterbalancing a variable stroke assembly includes moving a transition arm coupled to a piston to vary a stroke of the piston, and moving a balance member in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of movement of the transition arm to counterbalance the transition arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
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Patent number: 6829978Abstract: A piston assembly includes first and second pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member rotating in a first direction about a first axis. The transition arm includes a drive member coupled to the rotating member off-axis of the rotating member. A first counterbalance is mounted to rotate in the first direction, and a second counterbalance is mounted to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second counterbalance rotates about a second axis offset and parallel to the first axis. Alternatively, the second counterbalance rotates about the first axis. A method of counterbalancing a piston assembly includes mounting a first counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the first direction, and mounting a second counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Publication number: 20020194987Abstract: A piston assembly includes first and second pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member rotating in a first direction about a first axis. The transition arm includes a drive member coupled to the rotating member off-axis of the rotating member. A first counterbalance is mounted to rotate in the first direction, and a second counterbalance is mounted to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second counterbalance rotates about a second axis offset and parallel to the first axis. Alternatively, the second counterbalance rotates about the first axis. A method of counterbalancing a piston assembly includes mounting a first counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the first direction, and mounting a second counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: R. Sanderson Management, Inc., a Texas CorporationInventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 6460450Abstract: A piston assembly includes first and second pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member rotating in a first direction about a first axis. The transition arm includes a drive member coupled to the rotating member off-axis of the rotating member. A first counterbalance is mounted to rotate in the first direction, and a second counterbalance is mounted to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second counterbalance rotates about a second axis offset and parallel to the first axis. Alternatively, the second counterbalance rotates about the first axis. A method of counterbalancing a piston assembly includes mounting a first counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the first direction, and mounting a second counterbalance to the piston assembly to rotate in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 6446587Abstract: A variable compression piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member mounted for pivoting movement to slide along an axis of the drive member. Movement of the rotating member relative to the drive member changes the compression ratio of the piston assembly. An engine assembly includes first and second piston assemblies mounted back-to-back and 180° out of phase. A joint for positioning between first and second pistons includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the pistons along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis of the pistons. The inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 6397794Abstract: A variable compression piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons, and a rotating member mounted for pivoting movement to slide along an axis of the drive member. Movement of the rotating member relative to the drive member changes the compression ratio of the piston assembly. An engine assembly includes first and second piston assemblies mounted back-to-back and 180° out of phase. A joint for positioning between first and second pistons includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the pistons along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis of the pistons. The inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 6019073Abstract: The invention is a piston engine which has a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having two ends in a first embodiment, and single ended in another embodiment, each end having a spark plug and inlet and exhaust valves. A distibutor is used for controlling the timing of firing the spark plugs and cams for controlling the operation of the inlet and exhaust valves. In each cylinder is a double ended piston. A transition arm is connected to each double ended piston by connecting shafts which extend into a central opening in each double ended piston. An adjustable flywheel is connected by a drive arm to the transition arm. Output from the engine is through an output shaft connected to the flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Sanderson