Patents by Inventor Eli BEARD

Eli BEARD 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: 9181984
    Abstract: A hub-driveshaft assembly comprises a hub and driveshaft with a flat portion having a width. The hub comprises a body having an axial bore therethrough, a set screw hole extending radially through a wall of the body and communicating with the axial bore, and an alignment feature positioned near an entrance to the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature substantially aligns the flat portion of the driveshaft with the set screw hole when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore. In another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature to promote proper alignment of the driveshaft with respect to the hub when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature is eliminated under load. In yet another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature that flattens in response to loading from the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Eli Beard, Ken Monroe, Don Williamson, Walter Freeman
  • Patent number: 8931509
    Abstract: A distributor assembly has a distributor extending along a central axis between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The distributor has a flow passage extending from the first end of the distributor and a plurality of feeder ports extending from the second end of the distributor to the flow passage and each feeder port is in fluid communication with the flow passage. Each feeder port extends along a central axis from a first end at the flow passage to a second end at the second end of the distributor and each feeder port comprises a first axial segment and a second axial segment, the first axial segment being connected between the flow passage and the second axial segment and the second axial segment being connected between the first axial segment and the second end of the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Eli Beard
  • Publication number: 20130087204
    Abstract: A distributor assembly has a distributor extending along a central axis between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The distributor has a flow passage extending from the first end of the distributor and a plurality of feeder ports extending from the second end of the distributor to the flow passage and each feeder port is in fluid communication with the flow passage. Each feeder port extends along a central axis from a first end at the flow passage to a second end at the second end of the distributor and each feeder port comprises a first axial segment and a second axial segment, the first axial segment being connected between the flow passage and the second axial segment and the second axial segment being connected between the first axial segment and the second end of the distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Eli Beard
  • Publication number: 20090196685
    Abstract: A hub-driveshaft assembly comprises a hub and driveshaft with a flat portion having a width. The hub comprises a body having an axial bore therethrough, a set screw hole extending radially through a wall of the body and communicating with the axial bore, and an alignment feature positioned near an entrance to the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature substantially aligns the flat portion of the driveshaft with the set screw hole when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore. In another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature to promote proper alignment of the driveshaft with respect to the hub when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature is eliminated under load. In yet another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature that flattens in response to loading from the driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Eli BEARD, Ken MONROE, Don WILLIAMSON, Walter FREEMAN