Patents by Inventor Derek L. Crites

Derek L. Crites 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: 10483825
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a connector housing with a hollow tube, a separate motor housing clipped to one side of the connector housing, and a separate gear and sensor housing clipped to an opposed side of the connector housing. At least a first gear and a first gear carrier are located within the interior of the hollow tube. A motor shaft extends from the motor through the connector housing into the tube and into engagement with the first gear. A sensor is seated on an exterior surface of the hollow tube and a magnet is housed in the interior of the first gear carrier. The sensor is adapted to change changes in the magnetic field generated by the magnet in response to movement of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Derek L. Crites, Douglas E. Cors, David A. Kolberg, Andy Rutten
  • Publication number: 20160380509
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a connector housing with a hollow tube, a separate motor housing clipped to one side of the connector housing, and a separate gear and sensor housing clipped to an opposed side of the connector housing. At least a first gear and a first gear carrier are located within the interior of the hollow tube. A motor shaft extends from the motor through the connector housing into the tube and into engagement with the first gear. A sensor is seated on an exterior surface of the hollow tube and a magnet is housed in the interior of the first gear carrier. The sensor is adapted to change changes in the magnetic field generated by the magnet in response to movement of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Derek L. Crites, Douglas E. Cors, David A. Kolberg, Andy Rutten
  • Patent number: 9027436
    Abstract: An assembly for coupling the rotor of a vehicle pedal assembly to the shaft of a vehicle pedal assembly. The rotor includes a cap which is fitted over a distal end of the shaft. The cap and the distal end of the shaft define a through aperture and an interior recess respectively. A coupling pin extends through the aperture in the cap of the rotor and into the recess in the shaft and includes a knurled outer surface which allows the pin to be interference fitted to the rotor and the shaft for securely coupling the rotor to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Derek L. Crites, Brian G. Babin
  • Patent number: 8680727
    Abstract: A brushless rotary actuator comprises a housing including a motor housing defining a cavity for a motor assembly and a cover defining a cavity for a gear assembly. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a stator with a plurality of bobbins. A clip in the form of a ring plate is seated against the bobbins for retaining the bobbins on the stator. Fingers formed on the ring plate are fitted into respective slots defined by respective bobbin terminals. A circuit board is seated in the housing against an interior shoulder of the motor housing. A plate is seated in the housing against a peripheral rim of the motor housing in a spaced relationship above the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Edward Cors, Patrick B. Blakesley, Ryan P. Garver, Derek L. Crites
  • Publication number: 20110308350
    Abstract: An assembly for coupling the rotor of a vehicle pedal assembly to the shaft of a vehicle pedal assembly. The rotor includes a cap which is fitted over a distal end of the shaft. The cap and the distal end of the shaft define a through aperture and an interior recess respectively. A coupling pin extends through the aperture in the cap of the rotor and into the recess in the shaft and includes a knurled outer surface which allows the pin to be interference fitted to the rotor and the shaft for securely coupling the rotor to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Derek L. Crites, Brian G. Babin
  • Publication number: 20100301691
    Abstract: A brushless rotary actuator comprises a housing including a motor housing defining a cavity for a motor assembly and a cover defining a cavity for a gear assembly. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a stator with a plurality of bobbins. A clip in the form of a ring plate is seated against the bobbins for retaining the bobbins on the stator. Fingers formed on the ring plate are fitted into respective slots defined by respective bobbin terminals. A circuit board is seated in the housing against an interior shoulder of the motor housing. A plate is seated in the housing against a peripheral rim of the motor housing in a spaced relationship above the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas Edward Cors, Patrick B. Blakesley, Ryan P. Garver, Derek L. Crites