Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Wyatt

Christopher K. Wyatt 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: 8585534
    Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having multiple steering positions to actuate the corresponding brake mechanism and opposite drive mechanism and a neutral position to actuate both drive mechanisms. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate the brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that enables control of the brake clutch assemblies by the steering switch. The system may include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator and steering switches, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Lonnie E. Holder, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8575800
    Abstract: An electric motor includes an upper housing, a lower housing including a flange for mounting the upper housing thereon and a cone-shaped portion extending away from the flange and the upper housing. The electric motor further includes a stator assembly formed of a first core having a first height and fitted into the upper housing, a rotor assembly rigidly joined to a shaft to rotate therewith within the stator assembly and formed of a second core having a second height, and a hub connected to a lower end of the shaft to rotate therewith in relation to the cone-shaped portion. The hub is configured to secure an operable implement to the electric motor. The second height is greater than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ivan E. Fox, Christopher K. Wyatt, Jim Hendershot
  • Publication number: 20130257317
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser
  • Patent number: 8548694
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Patent number: 8450953
    Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser
  • Publication number: 20130066500
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20130030631
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox
  • Patent number: 8296003
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20120265390
    Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler
  • Patent number: 8250841
    Abstract: An output for use with a vehicle and having an electric motor powered by an electric power source. The output includes a motor shaft driven by and extending from opposite sides of the electric motor, and first and second output shafts driven by the motor shaft at opposite ends thereof. The first and second output shafts are perpendicular to the motor shaft and both have a first end driven by the motor shaft and a second end which extends through a deck. A first mower blade is driven by the first output shaft and a second mower blade is driven by the second output shaft. The first and second mower blades are meshed and have a fixed orientation with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Christopher K. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8234026
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox
  • Patent number: 8226519
    Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Lonnie E. Holder, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8227948
    Abstract: An electric motor includes an upper housing, a lower housing including a flange for mounting the upper housing thereon and a cone-shaped portion extending away from the flange and the upper housing. The electric motor further includes a stator assembly formed of a first core having a first height and fitted into the upper housing, a rotor assembly rigidly joined to a shaft to rotate therewith in the stator assembly and formed of a second core having a second height, and a hub connected to a lower end of the shaft to rotate therewith in relation to the cone-shaped portion. The hub is configured to secure an operable implement to the electric motor. The second height is greater than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ivan E. Fox, Christopher K. Wyatt, Jim Hendershot
  • Patent number: 8207693
    Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment. Features of the controller assemblies and packaging described herein allow for, among other things, modularity, scalability, and improved heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler
  • Publication number: 20120109440
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Patent number: 8055399
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Patent number: 8042322
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame with an electric power source secured to the frame. The vehicle further comprises an electric motor driven by the electric power source and secured to a deck and having at least a first side and a second side formed opposite the first side. The vehicle has a first shaft located within the electric motor housing and driven by the electric motor, the first shaft has a first end, which extends from the electric motor housing first side, and a second end, which extends from the electric motor housing second end. The vehicle further comprises a first output assembly driven by the first end of the first shaft and a second output assembly driven by the second end of the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Christopher K. Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20100125384
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, David Jones, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20090201650
    Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment. Features of the controller assemblies and packaging described herein allow for, among other things, modularity, scalability, and improved heat transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler
  • Publication number: 20090069964
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. These features include a power take-off timeout, automatic fail-safe brake (parking), and customized drive characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox