Patents by Inventor Craig Hooker
Craig Hooker 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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Publication number: 20230387746Abstract: An actuator includes a housing defining a cavity. The actuator further includes a hub disposed in the cavity. The actuator further includes a controller disposed in the cavity and supported by the hub. The actuator further includes potting compound surrounding the controller within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Craig Hooker, Bartholomew Briggs
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Publication number: 20230389212Abstract: A controller includes a plurality of circuit boards and a support configured to support each circuit board. The support includes a plurality of loading surfaces axially spaced from each other and a plurality of fingers extending obliquely relative to the loading surfaces. Each circuit board is disposed between one respective loading surface and one respective finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Craig Hooker
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Publication number: 20230383820Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a housing having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along an axis. The housing defines a cavity extending circumferentially about the axis. An output shaft is arranged coaxially with the axis. The output shaft extends outwardly from the cavity through the first end. A drive system is disposed in the cavity and axially spaced from the first end. A gearbox is disposed in the cavity between the output shaft and the drive system. The gearbox is coupled to the drive system and the output shaft. A rotational controller is disposed in the cavity between the drive system and the second end. The rotational controller is configured to actuate the drive system to adjust an angular position of the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Craig Hooker, Brad Derry, Peter Bartell, Josiah Bailey, Bartholomew Briggs
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Publication number: 20230387673Abstract: A cable gland includes a body, a cover, and an insert. The body is configured to be received in an opening of a housing. The body has a tube defining a first cavity extending circumferentially about an axis. The cover is threadedly engaged with the tube and configured to seal the body to the housing. The insert is disposed in the first cavity and defines a second cavity configured to receive a cable. The insert includes a plurality of ribs engaged with the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Craig Hooker, Jason Hoover
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Patent number: 11702126Abstract: A compact power steering system is suitable for small vehicles. A torque sensor on a steering shaft detects operator intention to turn. In response, a motor provides torque to assistance in rotating the steering shaft. A strain wave gear set multiplies the motor torque. A coupler having a torsional isolator links the gearbox output to the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker
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Patent number: 11635071Abstract: A pumping system for fracking fluid is designed to provide nearly constant flow rate. The pumping system includes a set of linear actuator pumping units, each driven by at least one electric motor. Each pumping unit includes a hollow threaded shaft driven by the linear actuator, two hollow cylinders fixed to an interior of the hollow shaft, and hollow pistons in each of the hollow cylinders. The hollow cylinders and hollow pistons form two pumping chambers. A first pumping chamber expels fluid when the linear actuator is moving in a first direction and a second pumping chamber that expels fluid when the linear actuator is moving in an opposite direction. The speeds of the actuators are coordinated such that a total flow rate of the pumping system is substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael Conlin
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Patent number: 11454226Abstract: A pumping system for fracking fluid is designed to provide nearly constant flow rate. The pumping system includes a set of linear actuator pumping units, each driven by an electric motor. Each pumping unit includes a first set of pumping chambers that expel fluid when the linear actuator is moving in a first direction and a second set of pumping chambers that expel fluid when the linear actuator is moving in an opposite direction. The speeds of the actuators are coordinated such that a total flow rate of the pumping system is substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael Conlin
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Patent number: 11396868Abstract: A pumping system utilizes a linear actuator to move a shaft attached to two pistons within cylinders to pump a working fluid. A housing is designed with coolant passageways and one-way valves such that movement of the shaft also pumps coolant past cooling fins and over a motor. The shaft is formed of several sections joined by couplers which slide within a bore of the housing. The couplers have a non-round shape and the bore has a complimentary non-round cross section such that rotation of the shaft is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael White, Michael Conlin, Eric Ovendorf
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Patent number: 11193567Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a motor shaft; support; harmonic drive connected to the motor shaft that includes an output connected to a drive shaft defining a first sun gear; drive mechanism; and actuator arm. The drive mechanism includes a first gear set and a second gear set. The first gear set has a first carrier including a second sun gear. The first carrier supports a first plurality of planetary gears that engage both the first sun gear and a first ring gear rotationally fixed to the support. The second gear set has a second carrier fixed to the support. The second carrier supports a second plurality of planetary gears that engage both the second sun gear and a second ring gear. The actuator arm is connected to the second ring gear such that the actuator arm is rotationally driven by the motor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker
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Publication number: 20210277880Abstract: A pumping system utilizes a linear actuator to move a shaft attached to two pistons within cylinders to pump a working fluid. A housing is designed with coolant passageways and one-way valves such that movement of the shaft also pumps coolant past cooling fins and over a motor. The shaft is formed of several sections joined by couplers which slide within a bore of the housing. The couplers have a non-round shape and the bore has a complimentary non-round cross section such that rotation of the shaft is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael White, Michael Conlin, Eric Ovendorf
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Publication number: 20210222682Abstract: A pumping system for fracking fluid is designed to provide nearly constant flow rate. The pumping system includes a set of linear actuator pumping units, each driven by an electric motor. Each pumping unit includes a first set of pumping chambers that expel fluid when the linear actuator is moving in a first direction and a second set of pumping chambers that expel fluid when the linear actuator is moving in an opposite direction. The speeds of the actuators are coordinated such that a total flow rate of the pumping system is substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael Conlin
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Publication number: 20210222686Abstract: A pumping system for fracking fluid is designed to provide nearly constant flow rate. The pumping system includes a set of linear actuator pumping units, each driven by at least one electric motor. Each pumping unit includes a hollow threaded shaft driven by the linear actuator, two hollow cylinders fixed to an interior of the hollow shaft, and hollow pistons in each of the hollow cylinders. The hollow cylinders and hollow pistons form two pumping chambers. A first pumping chamber expels fluid when the linear actuator is moving in a first direction and a second pumping chamber that expels fluid when the linear actuator is moving in an opposite direction. The speeds of the actuators are coordinated such that a total flow rate of the pumping system is substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael Conlin
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Publication number: 20210016821Abstract: A compact power steering system is suitable for small vehicles. A torque sensor on a steering shaft detects operator intention to turn. In response, a motor provides torque to assistance in rotating the steering shaft. A strain wave gear set multiplies the motor torque. A coupler having a torsional isolator links the gearbox output to the steering shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker
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Publication number: 20200362838Abstract: A pumping system includes at least three electrically driven pumping units. Each pumping unit includes a linear actuator driven by at least one electric motor and driving a shaft. Pistons on each end of the shaft move within fixed cylinders to draw fluid from an inlet and expel the fluid to an outlet. Each pumping unit draws fluid at one end while expelling an equal quantity of fluid at the opposite end. The shaft velocity is controlled such that a total flow of the pumping system is constant, eliminating flow ripple.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker, Michael White, Michael Conlin, Eric Ovendorf
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Publication number: 20200340566Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a motor shaft; support; harmonic drive connected to the motor shaft that includes an output connected to a drive shaft defining a first sun gear; drive mechanism; and actuator arm. The drive mechanism includes a first gear set and a second gear set. The first gear set has a first carrier including a second sun gear. The first carrier supports a first plurality of planetary gears that engage both the first sun gear and a first ring gear rotationally fixed to the support. The second gear set has a second carrier fixed to the support. The second carrier supports a second plurality of planetary gears that engage both the second sun gear and a second ring gear. The actuator arm is connected to the second ring gear such that the actuator arm is rotationally driven by the motor shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker
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Patent number: 10711871Abstract: An linear actuator drive arrangement is disclosed that includes a drive screw including a drive screw threading on an outer periphery thereof and a first axial end of the drive screw is configured to support a load. The arrangement includes a motor including a stator and a rotor arranged radially within the stator. The rotor includes a rotor housing, a first ring nut, and a second ring nut. A plurality of planetary screws are arranged radially between the drive screw and the first ring nut and the second ring nut. A bearing assembly is arranged radially inside a first axial end of the rotor housing, and the bearing assembly axially supports the rotor housing. An encoder ring is fixed to a radially outer surface of the rotor housing at the first axial end of the rotor housing, and the encoder ring is concentric with the bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Joseph Johnson, Craig Hooker
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Publication number: 20190234500Abstract: A linear actuator drive arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes a linear actuator assembly including a motor, a drive screw arranged within the motor that is axially driven by the motor, and a linear actuator housing surrounding the motor. An outer housing surrounds the linear actuator housing. The outer housing is fixed to the drive screw and axially slides relative to the linear actuator housing when the drive screw is axially driven by the motor. An anti-rotation retainer is arranged between the linear actuator housing and the outer housing that (1) provides an axial end stop for an extended position of the outer housing located between the outer housing and the linear actuator housing, and (2) prevents relative rotation between the linear actuator housing and the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Joseph Johnson, Craig Hooker
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Publication number: 20190234498Abstract: An linear actuator drive arrangement is disclosed that includes a drive screw including a drive screw threading on an outer periphery thereof and a first axial end of the drive screw is configured to support a load. The arrangement includes a motor including a stator and a rotor arranged radially within the stator. The rotor includes a rotor housing, a first ring nut, and a second ring nut. A plurality of planetary screws are arranged radially between the drive screw and the first ring nut and the second ring nut. A bearing assembly is arranged radially inside a first axial end of the rotor housing, and the bearing assembly axially supports the rotor housing. An encoder ring is fixed to a radially outer surface of the rotor housing at the first axial end of the rotor housing, and the encoder ring is concentric with the bearing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Joseph Johnson, Craig Hooker
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Patent number: 10196121Abstract: A power steering system for a watercraft includes an electromechanical rotary actuator mounted within a cylindrical housing. The electromechanical rotary actuator includes a motor and a gearing system. The housing, along with a stern bracket and an output flange, are sized and arranged to permit steering movements and trim/tilt movements of an outboard motor. The power steering system may include one or more of a redundant linear actuator, a trim/tilt mechanism, and a control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Craig Hooker, Jason Hoover
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Patent number: 10035261Abstract: An actuatable joint for a robotic system has a body, a motor positioned in the body, an output shaft configured to be rotated by the motor relative to the body, and a bearing assembly positioned between the output shaft and the body and configured to support the rotation of the output shaft. The bearing assembly has a first axial angular contact roller bearing. The roller bearing has a pair of frusto-conical bearing rings forming a pair of parallel races, a bearing cage positioned between the pair of bearing rings and including a plurality of openings, and a plurality of rollers positioned in the openings and in contact with the races.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Joseph Johnson, Craig Hooker