Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Wians
Jeffrey A. Wians 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).
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Patent number: 9512774Abstract: A cooling device for use with an engine is provided. The cooling device includes a flow control portion that includes a base and an opening defined therein. The flow control portion also includes a plurality of blades that extend from at least a portion of the base. The cooling device also includes a grid portion having an opening defined therein, said grid portion opening is substantially concentrically aligned with the base opening. An attachment portion is configured to couple the cooling device to at least one rotatable component of the engine. Each of the flow control portion, the grid portion, and the attachment portion are formed integrally together such that the cooling device is a single component.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 9470137Abstract: A cooling device for use with an engine is provided. The cooling device includes a flow control portion that includes a base and an opening defined therein. The flow control portion also includes a plurality of blades that extend from at least a portion of the base. The cooling device also includes a grid portion having an opening defined therein, said grid portion opening is substantially concentrically aligned with the base opening. An attachment portion is configured to couple the cooling device to at least one rotatable component of the engine. Each of the flow control portion, the grid portion, and the attachment portion are formed integrally together such that the cooling device is a single component.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 9096981Abstract: Snowblower adjustable deflector control devices, systems, and methods can include a control cable connected at one end to a movable deflector of a discharge chute of a snowblower, a control lever pivotably connected to a machine handle of the snowblower, and a lever guide connected to the machine handle. The control lever can have a first end comprising a grip portion, a second end connected to the control cable, and at least one protrusion extending from the control lever, and the lever guide can be configured to selectively retain the at least one protrusion in any of one or more angular positions corresponding to one or more deflector positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wians, Dean E. Hartley
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Publication number: 20140215863Abstract: Snowblower adjustable deflector control devices, systems, and methods can include a control cable connected at one end to a movable deflector of a discharge chute of a snowblower, a control lever pivotably connected to a machine handle of the snowblower, and a lever guide connected to the machine handle. The control lever can have a first end comprising a grip portion, a second end connected to the control cable, and at least one protrusion extending from the control lever, and the lever guide can be configured to selectively retain the at least one protrusion in any of one or more angular positions corresponding to one or more deflector positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wians, Dean E. Hartley
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Publication number: 20140056703Abstract: A cooling device for use with an engine is provided. The cooling device includes a flow control portion that includes a base and an opening defined therein. The flow control portion also includes a plurality of blades that extend from at least a portion of the base. The cooling device also includes a grid portion having an opening defined therein, said grid portion opening is substantially concentrically aligned with the base opening. An attachment portion is configured to couple the cooling device to at least one rotatable component of the engine. Each of the flow control portion, the grid portion, and the attachment portion are formed integrally together such that the cooling device is a single component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 8567371Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for automatically adjusting a speed of an engine in response to the loading on the engine. In particular, an automatic idle system and method can comprise a governor linkage with a first end for connection to the rotatable shaft of an engine governor and a second end for connection to a throttle control of the engine, and an actuator connected to the second end of the governor linkage. The actuator can be movable in response to a load on the engine to move the governor linkage from a base position to an adjusted position. In this arrangement, when the engine is in a low-load state, the governor linkage can be moved toward a throttle-closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 8281914Abstract: An auger brake clutch and drive assembly and related methods for a power equipment device such as a snowblower are provided. In use with a snowblower, the auger brake clutch assembly and related methods can be used for driving both the auger and driven wheels of a snowblower. The auger brake clutch can include a transmission wheel rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel with the transmission wheel having a contact surface. A drive pulley can be provided that has a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. An actuation plate is movable to move the drive pulley in and out of contact with the contact surface of the transmission wheel. A friction member can be provided to be selectively rotated by the drive pulley and configured to transfer the rotation to an output shaft, which can attach for example to at least one of an auger or blower blades.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wians, Kevin D. King, Christopher W. Vaughn
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Publication number: 20110214641Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for automatically adjusting a speed of an engine in response to the loading on the engine. In particular, an automatic idle system and method can comprise a governor linkage with a first end for connection to the rotatable shaft of an engine governor and a second end for connection to a throttle control of the engine, and an actuator connected to the second end of the governor linkage. The actuator can be movable in response to a load on the engine to move the governor linkage from a base position to an adjusted position. In this arrangement, when the engine is in a low-load state, the governor linkage can be moved toward a throttle-closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 7971695Abstract: Drive assemblies and related methods are provided particularly suited for a snowblower. The drive assemblies include a transmission wheel disposed about a shaft and rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel. The transmission wheel has a contact surface. The drive assemblies also include a drive pulley having a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. At least one brake clutch is disposed about an end of the shaft to provide independent control to the at least one wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians, Christopher M. Osborne
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Publication number: 20100319223Abstract: An auger brake clutch and drive assembly and related methods for a power equipment device such as a snowblower are provided. In use with a snowblower, the auger brake clutch assembly and related methods can be used for driving both the auger and driven wheels of a snowblower. The auger brake clutch can include a transmission wheel rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel with the transmission wheel having a contact surface. A drive pulley can be provided that has a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. An actuation plate is movable to move the drive pulley in and out of contact with the contact surface of the transmission wheel. A friction member can be provided to be selectively rotated by the drive pulley and configured to transfer the rotation to an output shaft, which can attach for example to at least one of an auger or blower blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wians, Kevin D. King, Christopher W. Vaughn
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Publication number: 20100201072Abstract: A one-piece shaft seal apparatus and related method are disclosed for use in machines having a rotating shaft and a rolling-element bearing. The integral shaft seal apparatus can include a substantially rigid, annular frame secured between a machine support structure and a rolling-element bearing surrounding a rotatable shaft, and some combination of a bearing seal portion extending from the frame, a housing seal portion that can be secured between the rolling-element bearing and the machine support structure, and a shaft seal portion extending between the frame and the shaft, wherein fluid in the race can be separated from fluid sealed by the shaft seal portion. The bearing seal portion can snap in place between the races of the bearing, while the shaft seal portion can be at least partially in fluid-tight contact with the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wians, Scott J. Kaskawitz
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Publication number: 20090159392Abstract: Drive assemblies and related methods are provided particularly suited for a snowblower. The drive assemblies include a transmission wheel disposed about a shaft and rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel. The transmission wheel has a contact surface. The drive assemblies also include a drive pulley having a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. At least one brake clutch is disposed about an end of the shaft to provide independent control to the at least one wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians, Christopher M. Osborne
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Patent number: 7070035Abstract: A centrifugally actuated coupling apparatus having an internal hub, an annular rotatable external hub coaxially disposed about the internal hub, and a locking element. The internal hub is rotatable about an axis, and includes an outer circumferential surface and a first recess formed on the outer surface. The external hub includes an inner circumferential surface and at least one circumferentially spaced second recess formed on the inner surface. The locking element includes a pivot end and a contact end. The pivot end is pivotally retained by the internal hub, and the contact end movably contacts the first recess. The contact end is pivotable radially outwardly by centrifugal force into engagement with one of the second recesses in response to rotation of the internal hub in a forward direction with respect to the external hub.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 7029408Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 6986332Abstract: An electric starter apparatus and method with three-stage gearing and method for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a starter assembly, a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear and an engine shaft. The starter assembly includes an electric starter motor and a starter motor shaft communicating with the starter motor. The starter motor shaft is rotatable in response to energizing of the starter motor. The first gear is attached to the starter motor shaft for rotation therewith. The second gear engages the first gear, the third gear engages the second gear, and the fourth gear engages the third gear. The fourth gear is attached to the engine shaft for communicating with an internal combustion engine. The engine is started by energizing the starter motor to rotate the starter motor shaft, the gears, and the engine shaft. The arrangement of gears enables the use of a low-torque/high-rpm electric starter motor in combination with a nickel-cadmium battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Publication number: 20040244755Abstract: An electric starter apparatus and method with three-stage gearing and method for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a starter assembly, a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear and an engine shaft. The starter assembly includes an electric starter motor and a starter motor shaft communicating with the starter motor. The starter motor shaft is rotatable in response to energizing of the starter motor. The first gear is attached to the starter motor shaft for rotation therewith. The second gear engages the first gear, the third gear engages the second gear, and the fourth gear engages the third gear. The fourth gear is attached to the engine shaft for communicating with an internal combustion engine. The engine is started by energizing the starter motor to rotate the starter motor shaft, the gears, and the engine shaft. The arrangement of gears enables the use of a low-torque/high-rpm electric starter motor in combination with a nickel-cadmium battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Publication number: 20040188219Abstract: A centrifugally actuated coupling apparatus having an internal hub, an annular rotatable external hub coaxially disposed about the internal hub, and a locking element. The internal hub is rotatable about an axis, and includes an outer circumferential surface and a first recess formed on the outer surface. The external hub includes an inner circumferential surface and at least one circumferentially spaced second recess formed on the inner surface. The locking element includes a pivot end and a contact end. The pivot end is pivotably retained by the internal hub, and the contact end movably contacts the first recess. The contact end is pivotable radially outwardly by centrifugal force into engagement with one of the second recesses in response to rotation of the internal hub in a forward direction with respect to the external hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Publication number: 20030199346Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 6615964Abstract: A friction coupling includes a friction member including a brake surface and a clutch surface in a different plane from the brake surface; a spring abutting the friction member; a brake member proximate to the brake surface; the brake member mounted relative to the friction member to permit relative rotation; and a brake actuator connected to the brake member. The friction member can include an insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Christopher M. Osborne, Jeffrey A. Wians
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Patent number: 6592478Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jeffrey A. Wians