Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Larkin

Bruce D. Larkin 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: 8668467
    Abstract: An integrated fluid handling apparatus 10 includes a power take off device 108 having a rotating power take off mechanism 122, a hydraulic pump 104 having a rotating fluid pump mechanism 146, a flow torque tube 106, and an electric motor/generator 102 having a rotating electric power conversion mechanism 173. A rotational power transfer system includes connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 that are drivingly connected to and that drivingly connect the mechanisms 122, 146 and 173 in one mode of operation. The electric motor/generator 102 includes heat exchange fluid flow passages that establish a fluid flow path to the inlet of the pump. The mechanisms 122, 146 and 173, and the connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 are assembled and used as a whole within a housing, without externally exposed mechanical drive connections and without externally exposed fluid connections, between such mechanisms and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Douglas, Dale Vanderlaan, Bruce D. Larkin
  • Patent number: 8052401
    Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus comprises a housing having a central axis; a plurality of radially-oriented piston-cylinder assemblies each including a cylinder supported by the housing and a piston movable within the cylinder, the piston separating radially inner and outer chambers within the cylinder; and valving and associated flow passages for individually controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the radially inner and outer chambers of each piston-cylinder assembly. The piston-cylinder assemblies are mounted to the housing for pivotal movement by trunnions provided with flow passages for connecting the piston-cylinder assemblies to inlet and outlet ports via the valving and porting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kovach, Bruce D. Larkin
  • Publication number: 20110014070
    Abstract: An integrated fluid handling apparatus 10 includes a power take off device 108 having a rotating power take off mechanism 122, a hydraulic pump 104 having a rotating fluid pump mechanism 146, a flow torque tube 106, and an electric motor/generator 102 having a rotating electric power conversion mechanism 173. A rotational power transfer system includes connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 that are drivingly connected to and that drivingly connect the mechanisms 122, 146 and 173 in one mode of operation. The electric motor/generator 102 includes heat exchange fluid flow passages that establish a fluid flow path to the inlet of the pump. The mechanisms 122, 146 and 173, and the connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 are assembled and used as a whole within a housing, without externally exposed mechanical drive connections and without externally exposed fluid connections, between such mechanisms and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Douglas, Dale Vanderlaan, Bruce D. Larkin
  • Patent number: 7275474
    Abstract: In a variable displacement type hydraulic pump/motor assembly including at least one internally movable component, such as a yoke, a swashplate, and the means for moving the swashplate, the improvement includes imparting on this component absolute location indicia markings and the addition of an optical/electronic sensor unit capable of reading such indicia markings fixedly located on a housing of the pump/motor assembly and including an optical read head extending into the housing interior and located at a spaced distance from the indicia markings for reading same, relative to a reference location, and producing a signal indicative of the absolute position of the movable component. The signal can then, in turn, be used for controlling the displacement of the pump/motor assembly. A method for determining the absolute component position is also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Parker-HannifinCorporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Larkin, Joseph A. Kovach, Matthew H. Simon, Eric B. Chapman, Dan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6312231
    Abstract: In an axial piston pump having an oblique disk, the axial piston pump includes a piston drum with pistons disposed therein that are displaceable by way of a holder that runs along the oblique disk. The angle of engagement of the oblique disk can be increased. On the outer side of a spherical adjustment surface provided on a component of a shaft, there are at least two glide blocks that are rotatable about a rotational mount and that exhibit an axial extent with respect to the drive shaft axis. For the purpose of transmitting torque from the drive shaft to a holder, the glide blocks are engaged with grooves that are provided in the holder, and in particular in the wall of the holder that circumscribes a receiving bore of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kuhne, Jimmy Johansson, Bruce D. Larkin
  • Patent number: 5123815
    Abstract: A fluid power pumping apparatus having a control system for limiting the power loading thereon to the power available from a motor (126) driving the apparatus, includes a variable displacement rotating piston pump (122). A compensating valve assembly (128) of a type known in the prior art is mounting on the pump. The compensating valve controls flow volume through the pump in response to pressure at an outlet (130) of the compensating valve. The outlet is connected to a variable pressure relief valve (134). The relief pressure of the relief valve varies according to the position of a cam (140) which is connected to the swash plate of the pump. The relief pressure of the variable pressure relief valve and the control pressure on the compensating valve are both at their maximums when the pump is at a minimum flow condition and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Larkin, Paul K. Houtman