Patents by Inventor John S. Beam
John S. Beam 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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Publication number: 20240034391Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle includes a ball screw. The steer-by-wire system also includes a ball nut threadedly coupled to the ball screw, wherein rotation of the ball nut actuates translation of the ball screw. The steer-by-wire system further includes a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes an inner race. The bearing assembly also includes an outer race having an outer surface disposed within an axial groove defined within the ball screw to prevent rotation of the ball screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Christopher R. Case Myers, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20230313869Abstract: A linear translating assembly includes a housing. The linear translating assembly also includes a linear translating component moveable in an axial direction, wherein at least a portion of the length of the linear translating component is disposed within the housing. The linear translating assembly further includes an anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device includes an inner clamshell assembly at least partially surrounding the linear translating component at a mounting location of the linear translating component. The anti-rotation device also includes an outer clamshell assembly at least partially surrounding the inner clamshell assembly. The anti-rotation device is disposed within the housing and is axially fixed to the linear translating component at the mounting location in a non-rotational manner relative to the linear translating component, wherein interaction between the anti-rotation device and the housing prevents rotation of the linear translating component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Christopher R. Case Myers, Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam, Travis L. Palmer
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Publication number: 20230264733Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes a first support structure. The axially adjustable steering column assembly also includes a second support structure, wherein the first support structure is axially adjustable relative to the second support structure in a telescoping manner. The axially adjustable steering column assembly further includes a plurality of telescope interface assemblies disposed between the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies include a track formed in at least one of the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies also includes a plurality of metal balls disposed in the track to provide a rolling interface between the first support structure and the second support structure during axial adjustment therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Kevin J. Haubenstricker, Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam
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Patent number: 11731684Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes a first support structure. The axially adjustable steering column assembly also includes a second support structure, wherein the first support structure is axially adjustable relative to the second support structure in a telescoping manner. The axially adjustable steering column assembly further includes a plurality of telescope interface assemblies disposed between the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies include a track formed in at least one of the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies also includes a plurality of metal balls disposed in the track to provide a rolling interface between the first support structure and the second support structure during axial adjustment therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Haubenstricker, Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam
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Patent number: 10385930Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel and an upper steering shaft rigidly coupled to the steering wheel. Also included is a lower steering shaft operatively coupled to the upper steering shaft. Further included is a ball coupling assembly comprising balls retained within the upper steering shaft, the balls disposed in a first radial position that engages the balls with the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a coupled condition, the balls disposed in a second radial position that disengages the balls from at least one of the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a decoupled condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Brian J. Magnus, John S. Beam
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Patent number: 10370022Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Brian J. Magnus, John S. Beam
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Patent number: 10112593Abstract: A power assist system includes a motor having a rotor shaft, a drive pulley attached to the rotor shaft, a driven pulley, a flexible belt configured to connect the drive pulley to the driven pulley, and a ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly includes a rotatable ball screw rotatable with the driven pulley, a linearly translated ball nut surrounding the ball screw, and an anti-rotation device arranged to prevent rotation of the ball nut.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20180238400Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel and an upper steering shaft rigidly coupled to the steering wheel. Also included is a lower steering shaft operatively coupled to the upper steering shaft. Further included is a ball coupling assembly comprising balls retained within the upper steering shaft, the balls disposed in a first radial position that engages the balls with the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a coupled condition, the balls disposed in a second radial position that disengages the balls from at least one of the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a decoupled condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Brian J. Magnus, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20180229753Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Brian J. Magnus, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20170028976Abstract: A power assist system includes a motor having a rotor shaft, a drive pulley attached to the rotor shaft, a driven pulley, a flexible belt configured to connect the drive pulley to the driven pulley, and a ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly includes a rotatable ball screw rotatable with the driven pulley, a linearly translated ball nut surrounding the ball screw, and an anti-rotation device arranged to prevent rotation of the ball nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20140271299Abstract: A binary vane pump providing a balanced, stepwise variable displacement is provided. The binary vane pump includes a pressure plate having first and second discharge ports configured to discharge fluid from the binary vane pump to a first discharge path and a thrust plate having third and fourth discharge ports configured to discharge fluid from the binary vane pump to a second discharge path. The binary vane pump also includes a ring positioned axially between the pressure plate and thrust plate, the ring having an inner cam surface, a rotor rotatably disposed within the ring, the rotor having a plurality of slots and a plurality of vanes received and movable within respective slots, and a shaft extending along an axis through the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor so that the vanes are rotatable within the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Albert C. Wong, Thomas C. Rytlewski, John S. Beam
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Publication number: 20130089456Abstract: A binary vane pump is provided. The binary vane pump includes a pressure plate having a first discharge port, a thrust plate having a second discharge port, a ring positioned axially between the pressure plate and thrust plate, the ring having an inner cam surface, and a rotor rotatably disposed within the ring, the rotor having a plurality of slots and a plurality of vanes, vanes of the plurality vanes corresponding to respective slots of the plurality of slots and radially movable with the respective slots. A first and second pump chamber are disposed within the ring, separated by the rotor, vanes, pressure plate and thrust plate, the first pump chamber configured to discharge fluid to the first discharge port and the second pump chamber configured to discharge fluid to the second discharge port. A shaft extends through the pressure plate, thrust plate, ring and rotor and drives the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas C. Rytlewski, John S. Beam, Albert C. Wong