Patents by Inventor Christiaan Vander Ploeg

Christiaan Vander Ploeg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8576033
    Abstract: An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Christiaan Vander Ploeg, Gary J. Spicer
  • Patent number: 8485331
    Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Scott Parsons, Andrew Boyes, Christiaan Vander Ploeg
  • Publication number: 20120133465
    Abstract: An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Christiaan Vander Ploeg, Gary J. Spicer
  • Publication number: 20100230227
    Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Parsons, Andrew Boyes, Christiaan Vander Ploeg
  • Publication number: 20090131208
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a flexible drive means is disclosed which has fewer components than comparable prior art tensioners. The tensioner is less expensive to manufacture and assemble and is easily installed. The tensioner includes a tensioner arm molded from a suitable plastic material and a pivot bushing formed from a different material, the pivot bushing preferably being over molded about the tensioner arm. The pivot bushing and tensioner arm include a series of longitudinal slots to form fingers from the tensioner arm and pivot bushing, the fingers engaging the pivot surface of the pivot shaft about which the arm pivots. A coil spring is used to bias a rotatable member on the tensioner arm into contact with the flexible drive means to be tensioned and a portion of the coil spring engages the fingers to squeeze them to increase the frictional force between the pivot bushing and the pivot surface to dampen the tensioner when the tensioner arm is moved in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Chris D. Hawryluck, Donavan R. Chambers, Gary J. Spicer, Larry J. Ferriman, Christiaan Vander Ploeg