Patents by Inventor Brian W. Franke

Brian W. Franke 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).

  • Publication number: 20190032727
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly includes a rotor assembly operable to rotate about an axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an armature assembly operable to rotate about the axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an electromagnetic coupling system operable to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field induces the rotor assembly and the armature assembly against one another along the axis for frictional engagement such that the rotor assembly and the armature assembly rotate together. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an air gap defined between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly when the rotor assembly and the armature assembly are in frictional engagement. In another implementation, at least one plate is positioned between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly such that magnetic flux passes through the at least one plate. The plate is formed from a mixture of powdered metal and solid lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornbrook, Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Warwick, Mark C. Barnholt
  • Patent number: 10077812
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly includes a rotor assembly operable to rotate about an axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an armature assembly operable to rotate about the axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an electromagnetic coupling system operable to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field induces the rotor assembly and the armature assembly against one another along the axis for frictional engagement such that the rotor assembly and the armature assembly rotate together. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an air gap defined between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly when the rotor assembly and the armature assembly are in frictional engagement. In another implementation, at least one plate is positioned between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly such that magnetic flux passes through the at least one plate. The plate is formed from a mixture of powdered metal and solid lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornbrook, Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Warwick, Mark C. Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20160053827
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly includes a rotor assembly operable to rotate about an axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an armature assembly operable to rotate about the axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an electromagnetic coupling system operable to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field induces the rotor assembly and the armature assembly against one another along the axis for frictional engagement such that the rotor assembly and the armature assembly rotate together. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an air gap defined between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly when the rotor assembly and the armature assembly are in frictional engagement. In another implementation, at least one plate is positioned between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly such that magnetic flux passes through the at least one plate. The plate is formed from a mixture of powdered metal and solid lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornbrook, Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Warwick, Mark C. Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20140334959
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump (8) comprises a cylindrical input shaft (13) comprising a first area (A1) with a first diameter (D1), a second area (A2) with a second diameter (D2), and a third area (A3) with a third diameter (D3), where the second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the third diameter. A stator (19) is press fit to a portion of the third area. A cylindrical bushing (15) is press fit around the second area. When the input shaft (13) rotates, the torsional vibration damping bushing (15) resists the rotation. The pump also comprises a clutch assembly (21). A clutch armature (29) of the assembly comprises a cylindrical, hollow passageway (290) and radially extending arms (39). Each arm comprises an opening (293), at least one slot (295) passing through the arm, and at least one void (297) abutting the slot, the void passing through the arm. When the clutch assembly engages, the armature damps vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Hornbrook, David Gerard Rauen, Rodney Champlin Glover, Thomas Jonathan Walsh, Bryn Tailer Dixon, Randal J. Graves