Patents Assigned to Riverhawk Company
  • Publication number: 20240133431
    Abstract: A hub joint assembly for connecting a shaft to a connector comprises a coupling hub including a collar portion and a flange portion. The collar portion includes a bore having an inner surface configured to be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the shaft, which may include a keyway for receiving a key defined in the shaft. The collar portion further includes an outer surface. The flange portion extends from the collar portion and is configured to be coupled with the connector. The assembly further includes a clamp ring including an inner surface. The inner surface is configured to mate with the outer surface of the coupling hub. A passage is defined in the clamp ring and may extend from an outer or face surface of the clamp ring to the inner surface of the clamp ring. The coupling hub may be formed as a two-piece sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Daniel M. Lauzon
  • Patent number: 11927238
    Abstract: An internal viscous rotational damping (VRD) assembly for transmitting torque from a drive member connector to a load member connector is provided. The VRD assembly comprises a spacer tube connected between the drive member connector and the load member connector, wherein the spacer tube includes a longitudinal axis and an inner surface that extends along the longitudinal axis. The VRD assembly further includes a damper bar disposed within the spacer tube. The damper bar includes an outer surface, wherein a cavity is defined between the outer surface of the damper bar and the inner surface of the spacer tube, and wherein the cavity is configured for receiving a viscous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Whitney
  • Patent number: 11859671
    Abstract: A hub joint assembly for frictionally connecting a shaft to a connector includes a coupling hub including a collar portion and a flange portion. The collar portion includes a bore having an inner surface that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft. The collar portion further includes an outer surface that may be conical. The flange portion extends from the collar portion and is configured to be coupled with the connector. The hub joint assembly further includes a clamp ring including a bore having an inner surface. The inner surface may be conical and configured to mate with the outer surface of the coupling hub. A passage is defined in the clamp ring and extends from an outer surface of the clamp ring to the inner surface of the clamp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Daniel M. Lauzon
  • Patent number: 11358243
    Abstract: A hub joint assembly for frictionally connecting a shaft to a connector is provided. The hub joint assembly includes a coupling hub including a collar portion and a flange portion. The collar portion includes a bore having an inner surface that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft. The collar portion further includes an outer surface that may be conical. The flange portion extends from the collar portion and is configured to be coupled with the connector. The hub joint assembly further includes a clamp ring including a bore having an inner surface. The inner surface may be conical and configured to mate with the outer surface of the coupling hub. A passage is defined in the clamp ring and extends from an outer surface of the clamp ring to the inner surface of the clamp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Daniel M. Lauzon
  • Publication number: 20220080538
    Abstract: A hub joint assembly for frictionally connecting a shaft to a connector is provided. The hub joint assembly includes a coupling hub including a collar portion and a flange portion. The collar portion includes a bore having an inner surface that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft. The collar portion further includes an outer surface that may be conical. The flange portion extends from the collar portion and is configured to be coupled with the connector. The hub joint assembly further includes a clamp ring including a bore having an inner surface. The inner surface may be conical and configured to mate with the outer surface of the coupling hub. A passage is defined in the clamp ring and extends from an outer surface of the clamp ring to the inner surface of the clamp ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Daniel M. Lauzon
  • Publication number: 20190331169
    Abstract: A hub joint assembly for frictionally connecting a shaft to a connector is provided. The hub joint assembly includes a coupling hub including a collar portion and a flange portion. The collar portion includes a bore having an inner surface that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft. The collar portion further includes an outer surface that may be conical. The flange portion extends from the collar portion and is configured to be coupled with the connector. The hub joint assembly further includes a clamp ring including a bore having an inner surface. The inner surface may be conical and configured to mate with the outer surface of the coupling hub. A passage is defined in the clamp ring and extends from an outer surface of the clamp ring to the inner surface of the clamp ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Daniel M. Lauzon
  • Patent number: 10364835
    Abstract: A system for tensioning a stud that projects from a structural member is provided. The system comprises a safety guard including a guard housing and a hydraulic interlock assembly, and a tensioning system coupled with a first end of the stud. The guard housing surrounds at least a portion of the tensioning system and is coupled with a second end of the stud and the hydraulic interlock assembly. The hydraulic interlock assembly is coupled with the guard housing and the tensioning system. The hydraulic interlock assembly provides fluid communication of a hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic source to the tensioning system to tension the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Trautman, Richard Joseph Donegan
  • Patent number: 9889529
    Abstract: A system for preloading tension in a stud using an anti-seizure spacer for tapered thread connections is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic tensioning device including a nut configured for threadably engaging the stud, a foot, a cylinder having a first bore defined therein and a surface for engaging the foot, and a piston movably positioned within the first bore, wherein a hydraulic cavity is defined therebetween. The device further includes a puller screw including male tapered threads configured for being threadably coupled with female tapered threads on the stud. The puller screw includes a head configured for engaging a surface of the piston. The system also includes a spacer positioned between the male tapered threads of the puller screw and the female tapered threads of the stud. A method for preloading tension in a stud using the spacer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert Sheets, Daniel Johnston
  • Patent number: 9506492
    Abstract: A tensioning system for tensioning a stud is provided. The system includes an adapter ring having an external surface, an internal surface engaging the external surface of the stud or puller screw, and at least two bores defined therein. The posts have first and second ends and are disposed in the bores. The first ends are supported by a stop surface, and the second ends extend outwardly from the bores. A cylinder includes an internal surface engaged with the external surface of the adapter ring. First and second pistons are movably positioned within the cylinder with an intermediate cap disposed therebetween to define first and second hydraulic chambers. The first piston is configured for being supported by the second ends of the posts. The hydraulic chambers are hydraulically connected to one another, whereby providing a hydraulic fluid in the chambers operates to apply a tension force on the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Trautman
  • Publication number: 20160318139
    Abstract: A system for preloading tension in a stud using an anti-seizure spacer for tapered thread connections is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic tensioning device including a nut configured for threadably engaging the stud, a foot, a cylinder having a first bore defined therein and a surface for engaging the foot, and a piston movably positioned within the first bore, wherein a hydraulic cavity is defined therebetween. The device further includes a puller screw including male tapered threads configured for being threadably coupled with female tapered threads on the stud. The puller screw includes a head configured for engaging a surface of the piston. The system also includes a spacer positioned between the male tapered threads of the puller screw and the female tapered threads of the stud. A method for preloading tension in a stud using the spacer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert Sheets, Daniel Johnston
  • Publication number: 20160069373
    Abstract: A tensioning system for tensioning a stud is provided. The system includes an adapter ring having an external surface, an internal surface engaging the external surface of the stud or puller screw, and at least two bores defined therein. The posts have first and second ends and are disposed in the bores. The first ends are supported by a stop surface, and the second ends extend outwardly from the bores. A cylinder includes an internal surface engaged with the external surface of the adapter ring. First and second pistons are movably positioned within the cylinder with an intermediate cap disposed therebetween to define first and second hydraulic chambers. The first piston is configured for being supported by the second ends of the posts. The hydraulic chambers are hydraulically connected to one another, whereby providing a hydraulic fluid in the chambers operates to apply a tension force on the stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Trautman
  • Publication number: 20160069372
    Abstract: A system for tensioning a stud that projects from a structural member is provided. The system comprises a safety guard including a guard housing and a hydraulic interlock assembly, and a tensioning system coupled with a first end of the stud. The guard housing surrounds at least a portion of the tensioning system and is coupled with a second end of the stud and the hydraulic interlock assembly. The hydraulic interlock assembly is coupled with the guard housing and the tensioning system. The hydraulic interlock assembly provides fluid communication of a hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic source to the tensioning system to tension the stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Trautman, Richard Joseph Donegan
  • Patent number: 9188146
    Abstract: A tensioning system for tensioning a stud is provided. The system includes a nut having an external surface, an internal surface engaging the external surface of the stud or puller screw, and at least two bores defined therein. The posts have first and second ends and are disposed in the bores. The first ends engage a stop surface, and the second ends extend outwardly from the bores. A cylinder includes an internal surface engaged with the external surface of the nut, and has a bore defined therein. A locking screw may be threadably positioned within the cylinder bore and engages the nut. A piston is positioned within the cylinder to define a hydraulic chamber and is configured for being engaged with the second ends of the posts. Further, a biasing member is disposed between the nut and piston. A tensioning system safety guard is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Trautman, Patrick Shawn Reilly, Richard Joseph Donegan, Robert Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 8702337
    Abstract: A lamellar rotational flexure pivot may include a first pivot end, and second pivot end, and a divider layer positioned therebetween to allow first and second pivot ends to pivot relative to one another. The first and second pivot ends may include a plurality of spring layers and spacer layers that are stacked in alternating fashion to form the lamellar rotational flexure pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Charles B. Gibbons, Richard Donegan
  • Patent number: 7237663
    Abstract: A torque fuse device having a bi-directional release mechanism that releases the torque carrying capability of the shafts upon torque overload is provided. The torque fuse device includes a sleeve, a hub positioned within the sleeve, and a hydraulic torque coupler. The sleeve and the hub are adapted to be coupled with two axially aligned shafts. The hub includes a feedback ring having at least one tooth formed therein. The hydraulic torque coupler includes a piston, a cylinder and a collet. The piston is positioned between the collet and the feedback ring and slides along an inclined surface of collet. One ore more fuse pins are selectively positioned between the tooth, the piston and the cylinder to frictionally engage the sleeve to the hub. Upon a torque overload condition, the pins release from the teeth thereby releasing the torque carrying capability of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventor: Robert Whitney
  • Patent number: 7090060
    Abstract: A torque fuse device having a bi-directional release mechanism that releases the torque carrying capability of the shafts upon torque overload is provided. The torque fuse device includes a sleeve, a hub positioned within the sleeve, and a hydraulic torque coupler. The sleeve and the hub are adapted to be coupled with two axially aligned shafts. The hub includes a feedback ring having at least one tooth formed therein. The hydraulic torque coupler includes a piston, a cylinder and a collet. The piston is positioned between the collet and the feedback ring and slides along an inclined surface of collet. One ore more fuse pins are selectively positioned between the tooth, the piston and the cylinder to frictionally engage the sleeve to the hub. Upon a torque overload condition, the pins release from the teeth thereby releasing the torque carrying capability of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventor: Robert Whitney
  • Patent number: 6685406
    Abstract: A stud tensioning device includes a nut having internal threads and external threads. The internal threads engage corresponding threads on the stud. At least two axial bores are defined by the nut, and posts are disposed in the bores. Each post at a first end thereof engages a stop surface, and at a second end thereof extends external to the bores and axially beyond a free end of the stud in a direction away from the structural member. A load cell threadingly engages the nut applying an axially-directed force on the posts in a direction toward the structural member and on the nut in a direction away from the structural member to thereby tension the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Whitney, Charles B. Gibbons, Timothy J. Trautman