Patents Assigned to Horton, Inc.
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Patent number: 10539157Abstract: A fan blade (134) includes a working region (148) having a leading edge (138) and a pressure side (136). A plurality of flow modification features (150-1 to 150-4) are positioned at the working region, including first and second flow modification features (150-1, 150-2, 150-3) each having a wedge shape with a pointed end (152) and a wider end (154), and located on the pressure side. A length of the first flow modification feature is less than a chord length of the fan blade, and the pointed end of the first flow modification feature is spaced from the leading edge. A length of the second flow modification feature is less than the chord length of the fan blade, and the pointed end of the second flow modification feature is spaced from the leading edge. The first and second flow modification features are spaced from each other to define a channel (156) therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Schilling, David R. Hennessy, Kevin Cahill
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Patent number: 10415587Abstract: A method of making a modular fan includes positioning a mounting pad of a blade between two plates of a center hub assembly, aligning the blade such that the mounting pad is located radially inward of an outer edge of at least one of the two plates, and spacing the outer edge of the at least one of the two plates from the blade at the outer edge.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Cahill, Eric Strauss, Doug Burchett, Charles Mark Shogren
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Patent number: 10385932Abstract: A viscous clutch includes a shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft, a housing located adjacent to the rotor, a working chamber defined between the rotor and the housing, a reservoir used to store a shear fluid, a valve assembly, an electromagnetic coil, and a flux insert in the housing. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the rotor and the housing. The valve assembly regulates flow of the shear fluid between the reservoir and the working chamber, and includes an armature. Selective energization of the electromagnetic coil governs actuation of the valve assembly. A flux circuit is provided that extends from the electromagnetic coil to the armature and back to the electromagnetic coil. The flux circuit passes through the flux insert and through the shaft, and the flux circuit crosses a radial air gap between the flux insert and the armature.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Raimund Krammer, Derek Savela, Bastian Brand
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Patent number: 10082350Abstract: A cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger and a fluid pressurizing assembly includes a wand assembly, a pivot assembly, and a movement mechanism having a body and a piston rod moveable relative the body in response to fluid pressurization. The wand assembly includes a wand in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, and having a first orifice configured to eject fluid toward the heat exchanger. The wand is supported by the pivot assembly such that the wand is selectively pivotable about a first pivot axis. The movement mechanism connects to the pivot assembly at a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis such that selective movement of the piston rod produces pivotal movement of the wand about the first pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Anthony Stone, Michael J. Campbell, Jamil Marwan Orfali, Jacob Vincent VandeHei, Kevin Watson, Thomas Schmidt, David R. Hennessy, Neal Shawaluk
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Patent number: 9945389Abstract: A modular fan assembly includes a center hub assembly and a first blade attached to the center hub assembly. The center hub assembly includes a first plate having an outer edge, and a second plate having an outer edge. The first blade has a mounting pad and a working portion. The mounting pad is positioned in between the first plate and the second plate. The working portion extends beyond the outer edges of the first and second plates of the center hub assembly. A thickness of the first blade is smaller proximate the outer edge of the first plate than at the mounting pad to create a first gap between the first blade and the first plate at the outer edge of the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Cahill, Eric Strauss, Doug Burchett, Hooshang Didandeh, Charles Mark Shogren
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Patent number: 9709103Abstract: A viscous clutch (30; 130; 230) includes a shaft (32; 132; 232), a rotor (34; 134; 234) attached to the shaft, a housing (36; 136; 236) located adjacent to the rotor, a working chamber (40; 140; 240) defined between the rotor and the housing, and a reservoir (38; 138; 238) used to store a shear fluid. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the rotor and the housing. The reservoir is attached to the shaft separately from the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Raimund Krammer, Derek Savela, Bastian Brand
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Patent number: 9624988Abstract: A viscous clutch (20) includes a housing assembly (28), a rotor assembly (26), a reservoir (38) to hold a supply of a shear fluid, a working chamber (40) operatively positioned between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly, and a fluid return bore (26-1B) that optionally extends radially through at least an outer diameter portion of the rotor assembly to the working chamber. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly. The fluid return bore can form at least a portion of a fluid return path (50) from the working chamber to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Bastian Brand, Scott Miller
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Patent number: 9618059Abstract: A viscous clutch (20) includes a housing assembly (28), a rotor assembly (26), a reservoir (38) to hold a supply of a shear fluid, a working chamber (40) operatively positioned between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly, and a fluid return bore (26-1B) that optionally extends radially through at least an outer diameter portion of the rotor assembly to the working chamber. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly. The fluid return bore can form at least a portion of a fluid return path (50) from the working chamber to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Bastian Brand, Scott Miller
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Patent number: 9568260Abstract: A cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger and a fluid pressurizing assembly includes a wand assembly, a pivot assembly, and a movement mechanism having a body and a piston rod moveable relative the body in response to fluid pressurization. The wand assembly includes a wand in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, and having a first orifice configured to eject fluid toward the heat exchanger. The wand is supported by the pivot assembly such that the wand is selectively pivotable about a first pivot axis. The movement mechanism connects to the pivot assembly at a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis such that selective movement of the piston rod produces pivotal movement of the wand about the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Anthony Stone, Michael J. Campbell, Jamil Marwan Orfali, Jacob Vincent VandeHei, Kevin Watson, Thomas Schmidt, David R. Hennessy, Neal Shawaluk
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Patent number: 9506507Abstract: A viscous clutch includes a rotor, a housing member, a working chamber located between the housing member and the rotor, a reservoir to hold viscous fluid that is configured to rotate with the rotor, a return bore in fluid communication between the working chamber and the reservoir, a first passage from the reservoir to the working chamber, a second passage from the reservoir to the working chamber, and a valve. The second passage is spaced from the first passage, and can extend substantially radially through the rotor. The valve is configured to selectively regulate flow of the viscous fluid through the first passage, and the second passage is unobstructed such that the viscous fluid can pass from the reservoir to the working chamber regardless of the operational state of the valve. Viscous fluid present in the working chamber rotationally couples the rotor and the housing member.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Derek Savela, Scott Miller
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Patent number: 9453541Abstract: A viscous clutch includes a shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft, a housing located adjacent to the rotor, a working chamber defined between the rotor and the housing, and a reservoir used to store a shear fluid. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the rotor and the housing. The reservoir is attached to the shaft separately from the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Raimund Krammer, Derek Savela, Bastian Brand
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Patent number: 9334788Abstract: A cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger includes a fluid pressurizing assembly, a wand assembly and a movement mechanism configured to selectively move the wand assembly about a pivot axis. The wand assembly includes a first wand positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, a second wand positioned adjacent to the first wand and in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, and a mounting assembly defining the pivot axis. The first and second wands each have a first orifice configured to eject fluid toward the heat exchanger, and the first and second wands are both attached to the mounting assembly such that first and second wands both pivot together relative to the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Anthony Stone, Michael J. Campbell, Jamil Orfali, Jacob Vincent VandeHei, Kevin Watson, Thomas Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160032987Abstract: A viscous clutch (30; 130; 230) includes a shaft (32; 132; 232), a rotor (34; 134; 234) attached to the shaft, a housing (36; 136; 236) located adjacent to the rotor, a working chamber (40; 140; 240) defined between the rotor and the housing, and a reservoir (38; 138; 238) used to store a shear fluid. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the rotor and the housing. The reservoir is attached to the shaft separately from the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: HORTON, INC.Inventors: Raimund Krammer, Derek Savela, Bastian Brand
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Patent number: 9140309Abstract: A magnet holder assembly suitable for use as an eddy current drive of a clutch includes magnet holder means for securing one or more magnets to a rotatable component of the clutch, a first permanent magnet radially retained by the magnet holder means, wherein the first permanent magnet has a beveled edge configured to mate with the magnet holder means, and a second permanent magnet radially retained by the magnet holder means. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet have magnetic orientations arranged substantially opposite one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Lawrence, Michael J. Bieber, John Philip Cinq-Mars
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Patent number: 8887888Abstract: A viscous clutch (30; 30?) includes a stationary journal bracket (32; 32?) defining a mounting shaft (32-1; 32-1?), an output member (34; 34?) rotatably supported on the mounting shaft about an axis (A), an input member (34; 34?) rotatably supported on the mounting shaft about the axis, and a working chamber (50; 50?) defined between the input member and the output member to selectively transmit torque there between when a shear fluid is present. The mounting shaft extends axially through the viscous clutch from a front face (62; 62?) of the viscous clutch to a rear face (56; 56?) of the viscous clutch, with the rear face defining a mounting surface for mounting the viscous clutch at a mounting location. The front and rear faces are located at opposite sides of the viscous clutch and face in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hennessy, Thomas Schmidt, Scott Miller
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Patent number: 8881881Abstract: A valve assembly for a viscous clutch includes an orifice plate defining a bore to allow the passage of a fluid through the orifice plate, a reed valve secured relative to the orifice plate, an armature comprising a magnetic flux-conducting material, an anchor spring secured to the armature, and a stiffening plate. The reed valve includes a tongue configured to selectively cover the bore of the orifice plate, and a first pivot location along the tongue. A second pivot location is defined along the anchor spring at an edge of the stiffening plate. The first and second pivot locations are spaced from each other. The armature is configured to selectively apply a force to the reed valve to pivot at least a portion of the tongue about the first pivot location.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: William Frances Gevers, Derek Savela, Scott Miller
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Publication number: 20130284556Abstract: A valve assembly for a viscous clutch includes an orifice plate defining a bore to allow the passage of a fluid through the orifice plate, a reed valve secured relative to the orifice plate, an armature comprising a magnetic flux-conducting material, an anchor spring secured to the armature, and a stiffening plate. The reed valve includes a tongue configured to selectively cover the bore of the orifice plate, and a first pivot location along the tongue. A second pivot location is defined along the anchor spring at an edge of the stiffening plate. The first and second pivot locations are spaced from each other. The armature is configured to selectively apply a force to the reed valve to pivot at least a portion of the tongue about the first pivot location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: HORTON, INC.Inventors: William Frances Gevers, Derek Savela, Scott Miller
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Patent number: 8544627Abstract: A magnet holder assembly for a clutch includes a magnet holder and first and second permanent magnets. The magnet holder includes a body portion, a first groove defined in the body portion, a second groove defined in the body portion adjacent to the first groove, and a flange extending from the body portion opposite the first groove and extending in a different direction than the first groove. The flange has a connection feature for securing the magnet holder to a rotatable component of the clutch. The first permanent magnet is radially retained by the first groove in the body portion, and the first permanent magnet has a beveled edge configured to mate with the first groove. The second permanent magnet is radially retained by the second groove, and the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet have magnetic orientations arranged substantially opposite one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Lawrence, Michael J. Bieber, John Philip Cinq-Mars
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Publication number: 20120279525Abstract: A cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger includes a fluid pressurizing assembly, a wand assembly and a movement mechanism configured to selectively move the wand assembly about a pivot axis. The wand assembly includes a first wand positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, a second wand positioned adjacent to the first wand and in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizing assembly, and a mounting assembly defining the pivot axis. The first and second wands each have a first orifice configured to eject fluid toward the heat exchanger, and the first and second wands are both attached to the mounting assembly such that first and second wands both pivot together relative to the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Anthony Stone, Michael J. Campbell, Jamil Orfali, Jacob Vincent VandeHei, Kevin Watson, Thomas Schmidt
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Patent number: D860427Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventor: Robert Donald Cayton