Patents by Inventor Glen L. Barna

Glen L. Barna 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: 8666682
    Abstract: A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Paul A. LaVigne, Daniel R. Kemppainen, Glen L. Barna
  • Publication number: 20110015878
    Abstract: A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Paul A. LaVigne, Daniel R. Kemppainen, Glen L. Barna
  • Patent number: 5555457
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the pressure within the torque converter of an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a sensor to sense the interior pressure of the torque converter and generate an electrical signal representative of that pressure. That signal is converted to microwave energy which is radiated into the interior of the torque converter housing from a microwave transmitter located within the torque converter. Receiving microwave antennae exposed to the housing interior receive the microwaves and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the microwave energy to a remote readout external of the torque converter. The receiving antenna are preferably in the form of resonant slots in the torque converter housing and the slots have a length related to the wavelength of the generated microwaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Richard L. Campbell, Douglas B. Brumm, Carl L. Anderson, Glen L. Barna
  • Patent number: 5106202
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a piston in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a thermistor to sense the temperature of the piston and generate an electrical signal representative of that temperature, a transmission unit connected to the thermistor for receiving the electrical signal and for converting the signal to an infrared beam for transmission to a point remote from the piston, and a receiver to receive the beam and convert the beam to an electrical signal corresponding to the electrical signal generated by the thermistor. The first mentioned electrical signal is converted to a rectangular wave form prior to transmission of the infrared beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Carl L. Anderson, Glen L. Barna, Douglas B. Brumm