Patents by Inventor Brian K. Holmbeck

Brian K. Holmbeck 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: 10883552
    Abstract: A rotational coupling includes a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis. The rotor includes a hub disposed about the axis and configured to receive a shaft and a disc extending radially outwardly from the hub. An armature and electromagnet are disposed on opposite axial sides of the disc. The electromagnet is fixed against rotation. A bearing is disposed between the hub and the electromagnet. The hub and electromagnet engage the inner and outer races, respectively of the bearing on opposite axial sides of the bearing. A spacer is disposed radially inwardly of the electromagnet and engages the inner race of the bearing on the same axial side of the bearing as the electromagnet. An air gap separates the spacer from the electromagnet. A shield is supported by the spacer and extends radially outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the shield is axially aligned with the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Holmbeck, Michael Humy
  • Publication number: 20200325944
    Abstract: A rotational coupling includes a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis. The rotor includes a hub disposed about the axis and configured to receive a shaft and a disc extending radially outwardly from the hub. An armature and electromagnet are disposed on opposite axial sides of the disc. The electromagnet is fixed against rotation. A bearing is disposed between the hub and the electromagnet. The hub and electromagnet engage the inner and outer races, respectively of the bearing on opposite axial sides of the bearing. A spacer is disposed radially inwardly of the electromagnet and engages the inner race of the bearing on the same axial side of the bearing as the electromagnet. An air gap separates the spacer from the electromagnet. A shield is supported by the spacer and extends radially outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the shield is axially aligned with the air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Brian K. Holmbeck, Michael Humy
  • Patent number: 9709111
    Abstract: A rotational coupling includes a coupling disc configured to be disposed about a shaft having a rotational axis. An electromagnet assembly on one side of the coupling disc includes a housing and a conductor within the housing. An armature is disposed on an opposite side of the coupling disc opposite the conductor and the coupling disc, electromagnet assembly and armature form an electromagnetic circuit when current is supplied to the conductor to urge the armature towards engagement with the coupling disc. An anti-rotation mechanism for the electromagnet assembly includes one or more coupling permanent magnets and one or more fixed permanent magnets configured to be mounted to an outer surface of the housing of the electromagnet assembly and a fixed support structure, respectively. The coupling and fixed permanent magnets are arranged to inhibit movement of the coupling permanent magnets and electromagnet assembly in either rotational direction about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck, Michael Humy
  • Patent number: 8887890
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck
  • Publication number: 20130048462
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith in the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck