Patents by Inventor Alan R. Fillman

Alan R. Fillman 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: 6938400
    Abstract: Provided is an all-electric riding greens mower. The mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6802175
    Abstract: A walk-behind battery-powered lawnmower having an assembly of a reel unit and a traction unit articularly connected together in an arrangement wherein the reel unit can conform in its vertical position to the elevation of the turf which is being mowed. Thus there is an articular connection between the two units, and the reel unit rides up and down in response to the turf undulations. An electric battery is supported on the traction unit, and there is required only an electric wire connection providing the rotation drive power from the battery to the mower reel. Separate electric controls between the battery and to a motor on the traction unit and one on the reel unit provide for operational speed control to thereby select the clip rate of grass cutting in an articular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Frank D. Gall, III
  • Publication number: 20040168420
    Abstract: Provided is an all-electric riding greens mower. The mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6729114
    Abstract: An all-electric riding greens mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6571542
    Abstract: An all-electric riding greens mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Publication number: 20030061792
    Abstract: A walk-behind battery-powered lawnmower having an assembly of a reel unit and a traction unit articularly connected together in an arrangement wherein the reel unit can conform in its vertical position to the elevation of the turf which is being mowed. Thus there is an articular connection between the two units, and the reel unit rides up and down in response to the turf undulations. An electric battery is supported on the traction unit, and there is required only an electric wire connection providing the rotation drive power from the battery to the mower reel. Separate electric controls between the battery and to a motor on the traction unit and one on the reel unit provide for operational speed control to thereby select the clip rate of grass cutting in an articular assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Frank D. Gall
  • Publication number: 20030029149
    Abstract: Provided is an all-electric riding greens mower. The mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6487837
    Abstract: A walk-behind battery-powered lawnmower having an assembly of a reel unit and a traction unit articularly connected together in an arrangement wherein the reel unit can conform in its vertical position to the elevation of the turf which is being mowed. Thus there is an articular connection between the two units, and the reel unit rides up and down in response to the turf undulations. An electric battery is supported on the traction unit, and there is required only an electric wire connection providing the rotation drive power from the battery to the mower reel. Separate electric controls between the battery and to a motor on the traction unit and one on the reel unit provide for operational speed control to thereby select the clip rate of grass cutting in an articular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Frank D. Gall, III
  • Patent number: 5934053
    Abstract: A removable battery tray for an electric mower is disclosed. The battery tray fits over the frame of the mower during operation, and can be removed by a hoist or other method in order for the electric mower to continue to operate with another charged set of batteries. The battery tray also has a central power plug that is used for charging and is the only electrical disconnect required when changing the battery tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Timothy A. Esser
  • Patent number: 5549089
    Abstract: An engine speed control apparatus wherein the upper limit of engine speed can be set and then not be exceeded once a key-operated switch has been activated to an "off" position. The key can be removed from the switch so that the operator cannot exceed the maximum selected engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Snell, Alan R. Fillman
  • Patent number: 5489006
    Abstract: A vehicle steering control system and apparatus for controlling steering radius to prevent vehicle and surface damage and to provide improved low speed vehicle maneuverability. The steering control system and apparatus provides a first controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a first condition and a second controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a second condition. Examples of the first and second conditions include speed related conditions, such as, the actual speed of the vehicle, a selected gear of the vehicle, and manual selection of the turning radius. The system and apparatus includes a dual stroke hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder body housing a hydraulically controllable primary piston. A shaft is attached to and extends from the primary piston, projects through the cylinder body, and connects to the steering linkage of the vehicle. Hydraulic operation of the primary piston transfers forces along the shaft to the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Saiia, Alan R. Fillman
  • Patent number: 5417193
    Abstract: An engine speed control apparatus employs a governor responsive to predetermined control input signals for controlling engine speed. An accelerator sensor produces an accelerator control input signal corresponding to the position of an accelerator. A mode selector selects one of a governor mode and a throttle mode, and produces one of a governor mode control input signal and a throttle mode control input signal corresponding to the mode selected. The governor is responsive to the governor mode control input signal for permitting the selection of an upper limit of engine speed within a predetermined range of speeds and thereafter for controlling the engine speed to maintain the engine at this upper limit when the accelerator control signal corresponds to a maximum accelerator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Richard P. Hatlen