Patents by Inventor Ken Barnes

Ken Barnes 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: 8584530
    Abstract: A wind turbine gearbox test cell includes a cradle and a base mounted to a first support structure. Load devices are interconnected between the cradle and base and are configured to input at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox through the cradle to a wind turbine gearbox under test. A controller is in communication with the load devices and is programmed to command the load devices to input the at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox corresponding to a simulated wind turbine gearbox loading event. The test cell includes dynamometers and gearboxes that can be reconfigured based upon the particular wind turbine gearbox under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AVL Test Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Stephen Gibson
  • Publication number: 20120138040
    Abstract: Belt for cutting solid aggregate material such as natural or synthetic stone, include a main belt body comprised of a flexible material and having outer and inner loop surfaces. Multiple drive lugs project from the inner loop surface toward the interior of the loop, and each lug has a belt drive surface generally transverse to the main belt body. Multiple abrasive segments containing diamond particles are partially embedded in the main belt body, so that they form a part of the outer surface of the main belt body. Methods of manufacturing and using the cutting belt are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ALSA, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: 8186206
    Abstract: A powertrain test installation is disclosed that includes a polymer base, which is supported on a concrete slab, for example. A dynamometer is mounted on the polymer base. A frame is mounted to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain component to be coupled to the dynamometer. The powertrain test system is installed, for example, by providing a floor, which is a concrete slab, for example. The floor is cut to provide a gap between a support floor and an adjacent floor that is arranged about the support floor. A polymer base is arranged on the support floor interiorly of the gap so that the polymer base is isolated from the adjacent floor. A dynamometer is secured to the polymer base. A frame is secured to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain test component, such as an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: AVL North America Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Barnes
  • Publication number: 20110252877
    Abstract: A powertrain test installation is disclosed that includes a polymer base, which is supported on a concrete slab, for example. A dynamometer is mounted on the polymer base. A frame is mounted to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain component to be coupled to the dynamometer. The powertrain test system is installed, for example, by providing a floor, which is a concrete slab, for example. The floor is cut to provide a gap between a support floor and an adjacent floor that is arranged about the support floor. A polymer base is arranged on the support floor interiorly of the gap so that the polymer base is isolated from the adjacent floor. A dynamometer is secured to the polymer base. A frame is secured to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain test component, such as an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ken Barnes
  • Publication number: 20110041624
    Abstract: A wind turbine gearbox test cell includes a cradle and a base mounted to a first support structure. Load devices are interconnected between the cradle and base and are configured to input at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox through the cradle to a wind turbine gearbox under test. A controller is in communication with the load devices and is programmed to command the load devices to input the at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox corresponding to a simulated wind turbine gearbox loading event. The test cell includes dynamometers and gearboxes that can be reconfigured based upon the particular wind turbine gearbox under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Stephen Gibson
  • Patent number: 7610819
    Abstract: A mobile test unit for testing a powertrain component such as a transmission is used in a test cell. A test unit includes a movable, generally horizontal base plate, and a frame spaced from the base plate. A headstock is secured to the frame for supporting the transmission. An adjustable support, which is arranged on each of four corners of the frame in the example embodiment, interconnects the frame to the base plate. The adjustable supports are movable in a vertical direction, in one example, between multiple positions to achieve a desired orientation relative to the base plate. In particular, the orientation of the frame is adjusted to obtain a desired rotational and/or tilt angle that corresponds to a rotational and/or tilt angle of the transmission when installed into a vehicle. The transmission can be installed onto the test unit, and the test unit can be moved into and out of a test cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: AVL North America Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Peter Posch, Wolfgang Kopecky, Walter Orth
  • Publication number: 20080126889
    Abstract: A mobile test unit for testing a powertrain component such as a transmission is used in a test cell. A test unit includes a movable, generally horizontal base plate, and a frame spaced from the base plate. A headstock is secured to the frame for supporting the transmission. An adjustable support, which is arranged on each of four corners of the frame in the example embodiment, interconnects the frame to the base plate. The adjustable supports are movable in a vertical direction, in one example, between multiple positions to achieve a desired orientation relative to the base plate. In particular, the orientation of the frame is adjusted to obtain a desired rotational and/or tilt angle that corresponds to a rotational and/or tilt angle of the transmission when installed into a vehicle. The transmission can be installed onto the test unit, and the test unit can be moved into and out of a test cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Peter Posch, Wolfgang Kopecky, Walter Orth
  • Patent number: 7213449
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer for use with a test vehicle such as a snowmobile is provided. First and second spaced apart rolls support the test vehicle. A belt is arranged around the first and second rolls and rotationally couples the rolls to one another. The belt includes an outer surface on a test side of the belt for supporting the test vehicle. The belt reduces slipping of the track on the dynamometer. The belt receives inputs from the test vehicle. A processor quantifies the inputs from the test vehicle. A platform is arranged between the first and second rolls beneath the belt to maintain engagement of the track with the belt. The platform includes a load cell for detecting a longitudinal load imparted to the platform by the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: AVL North America Inc., AVL Zoellner GmbH
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Juergen Neugebauer
  • Publication number: 20050028584
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer for use with a test vehicle such as a snowmobile is provided. First and second spaced apart rolls support the test vehicle. A belt is arranged around the first and second rolls and rotationally couples the rolls to one another. The belt includes an outer surface on a test side of the belt for supporting the test vehicle. The belt reduces slipping of the track on the dynamometer. The belt receives inputs from the test vehicle. A processor quantifies the inputs from the test vehicle. A platform is arranged between the first and second rolls beneath the belt to maintain engagement of the track with the belt. The platform includes a load cell for detecting a longitudinal load imparted to the platform by the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Juergen Neugebauer
  • Patent number: D643447
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ALSA, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: D643448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Alsa, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: D643862
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alsa, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: D643863
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alsa, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Larry Lee