Patents by Inventor Andrew B. Robson

Andrew B. Robson 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: 6045448
    Abstract: A drive assembly couples a driving mechanism, e.g., an engine, and a driven mechanism, e.g., a generator, to one another. The assembly includes a transmission member having a plurality of inwardly projecting fingers and a coupling having a plurality of outwardly directed projections interdigitated with the fingers. The projections include first and second projections which define a notch between them. A finger extends into the notch, thereby forming first and second pockets between the finger and the first and second projections, respectively. In the improvement, the first and second resilient devices are received in the first and second pockets, respectively. Each resilient device includes at least one spur projecting from it to prevent substantial rotation of the device in its pocket. In a more specific embodiment, alternating pairs of resilient devices are made, respectively, of natural rubber for good shock absorption and Buna N for resisting the harmful effects of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Andrew B. Robson, Gerald C. Ruehlow
  • Patent number: 5914551
    Abstract: An electrical alternator includes a stator with circumferentially-spaced stator arms, each having a coil wound on it. The rotor includes a cup-shaped support component with a plurality of magnets affixed to the inner surface of the component rim so as to be in excitation relationship to the coils. The improvement comprises a hub including (a) a first hub portion having the stator affixed thereto, and (b) a second hub portion axially spaced from the first hub portion. A ribbed section is affixed to the hub between the hub portions and includes a primary mount and two auxiliary mounts. The primary mount is bolted to an engine block. The alternator affords a high degree of mounting flexibility in that the alternator can be mounted toward the left or right of the engine and either one of the auxiliary mounts used for alternator attachment to a mounting bracket. Novel cooling and voltage regulator mounting arrangements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Generac Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Andrew B. Robson, Gerald C. Ruehlow
  • Patent number: 5899176
    Abstract: An apparatus has first and second driven pulleys for powering an engine auxiliary function, e.g., a water pump, and for driving an engine fan, respectively. The apparatus includes a hollow tube-like arbor fixed with respect to the first pulley and having a first arbor surface, e.g., an exterior cylindrical surface. A bearing has a first load-supporting surface, e.g., the interior surface of the bearing, which is mounted to the first arbor surface. A fan drive member is mounted to the second load-supporting surface of the bearing, e.g., the exterior bearing surface, and both the fan and the second pulley are coupled to the fan drive member. The two pulleys are driven by respective belts powered by the engine crankshaft and the pulleys rotate in opposite directions when driven. A new engine incorporating the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Generac Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Andrew B. Robson, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Peter D. Winnie