Patents by Inventor Brian Ganter
Brian Ganter 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).
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Patent number: 11655895Abstract: A shift-by-wire system comprises an integrated park module including a slider, a motor, a spring, and an actuator system. The slider can be disposed in a park position (PP) and a not-parked position (NPP) corresponding to a park mode and a not-park mode of a transmission, respectively. The motor and a gear-train cause the slider to move from the PP to the NPP and the spring urges the slider from the NPP to the PP. The actuator system retains the slider in the NPP after the motor and the gear-train have disengaged from the slider. The gear-train includes a default position (DP) corresponding to the PP and a maximum lift region (MLR) in which the actuator system retains the slider in the NPP. The gear-train rotates from the MLR to the DP while the actuator system retains the slider in the NPP.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Stoneridge Inc.Inventor: Brian Ganter
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Publication number: 20200224766Abstract: A shift-by-wire system comprises an integrated park module including a slider, a motor, a spring, and an actuator system. The slider can be disposed in a park position (PP) and a not-parked position (NPP) corresponding to a park mode and a not-park mode of a transmission, respectively. The motor and a gear-train cause the slider to move from the PP to the NPP and the spring urges the slider from the NPP to the PP. The actuator system retains the slider in the NPP after the motor and the gear-train have disengaged from the slider. The gear-train includes a default position (DP) corresponding to the PP and a maximum lift region (MLR) in which the actuator system retains the slider in the NPP. The gear-train rotates from the MLR to the DP while the actuator system retains the slider in the NPP.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventor: Brian Ganter
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Patent number: 9394991Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
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Patent number: 9239108Abstract: In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2010Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Norman Poirier
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Publication number: 20150143938Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
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Patent number: 8561442Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
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Patent number: 8256313Abstract: An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventor: Brian Ganter
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Patent number: 8191442Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Knight Ko, Eric Tsui, Brian Ganter, William Farmer
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Publication number: 20120048053Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
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Patent number: 8047028Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
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Publication number: 20110126657Abstract: In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Norman Poirier
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Publication number: 20100242642Abstract: An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.Inventor: Brian Ganter
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Patent number: 7464627Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Knight Ko, Brian Ganter, Thomas P Schregardus, Eric Beishline, William H. Fort
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Publication number: 20070152455Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Knight Ko, Brian Ganter, Thomas Schregardus, Eric Beishline, William Fort
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Patent number: 7134672Abstract: A failsafe actuator is provided for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition. The actuator includes a drive assembly for driving a plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position. The actuator additionally includes a stored energy element for driving the plunger from the second plunger position to the first plunger position on the occurrence of the failure condition, wherein the actuator driven element is responsive to the plunger such that the actuator drive element is driven to the failsafe position when the plunger is driven to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Eric Beishline, William H. Fort, Henry Minasian, Brian Ganter, Yuly Yanishevsky, Michael Johnson
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Publication number: 20060144184Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: July 6, 2006Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
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Publication number: 20050050976Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Knight Ko, Eric Tsui, Brian Ganter, William Farmer
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Publication number: 20040140630Abstract: A failsafe actuator is provided for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition. The actuator includes a drive assembly for driving a plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position. The actuator additionally includes a stored energy element for driving the plunger from the second plunger position to the first plunger position on the occurrence of the failure condition, wherein the actuator driven element is responsive to the plunger such that the actuator drive element is driven to the failsafe position when the plunger is driven to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Eric Beishline, William H. Fort, Henry Minasian, Brian Ganter, Yuly Yanishevsky, Michael Johnson
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Patent number: 6557688Abstract: An actuator including a plurality of mounts for facilitating connection of the actuator to a variety of mounting bracket configurations for securing the actuator within an assembly. Also provided is a clutch assembly including an input member, an output member and pawls. Torque is transferred through the clutch when applied to the input member in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. When torque is applied to the output member, the clutch permits rotation in only one direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Henry Minasian, Brian Ganter, Bill Farmer
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Patent number: 6550351Abstract: A transmission range selector system having a driver interface module, an electronic control module, and an actuator coupleable to an automotive transmission. The driver interface module may be positioned in a plurality of desired transmission gear positions. The desired gear position set at the driver interface module is redundantly sensed by the combination of a rotational position Hall effect sensor and a plurality of discrete position Hall effect sensors. The rotational position Hall effect sensor has a linearly varying output representative of the desired gear position. The Hall effect sensors provide an output to the electronic control module for energizing the actuator to change the transmission gear position to the desired transmission gear set at the driver interface module. The actuator may include multiple motors to provide redundancy and a sensor gear for providing transmission gear position feedback to the electronic control module.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael O'Reilly, William J. Farmer, William Hartman Fort, Robert S. Vann Rox, Per I. Karlsson, Brian Ganter