Patents by Inventor Craig Louis Althen

Craig Louis Althen 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: 11326672
    Abstract: A power transmitting chain that operates between continuously variable pulley sheaves, but which is retained by radial locking forces rather than by teeth, sprockets, strain forces, or tangential friction. The chain is comprised of three basic elements: 1) An inner drive-chain of conventional chain links, which transmits power, but which is free-floating with no contact with the sheaves; 2) an outer series of chocks which immovably wedge into place between the sheave faces; and 3) radial links that are arranged to form the connections between the drive-chain and each of the chocks. The connecting links pivot or swing longitudinally, in both directions at both ends, and are arranged radially, so only radial forces are transmitted between the drive-chain and the chocks. With the primary vectors nearly perpendicular and restricted to angles well below tangency, the chocks are immovably seated and will not slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Craig Louis Althen
  • Publication number: 20220090655
    Abstract: A power transmitting chain that operates between continuously variable pulley sheaves, but which is retained by radial locking forces rather than by teeth, sprockets, strain forces, or tangential friction. The chain is comprised of three basic elements: 1) An inner drive-chain of conventional chain links, which transmits power, but which is free-floating with no contact with the sheaves; 2) an outer series of chocks which immovably wedge into place between the sheave faces; and 3) radial links that are arranged to form the connections between the drive-chain and each of the chocks. The connecting links pivot or swing longitudinally, in both directions at both ends, and are arranged radially, so only radial forces are transmitted between the drive-chain and the chocks. With the primary vectors nearly perpendicular and restricted to angles well below tangency, the chocks are immovably seated and will not slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventor: Craig Louis Althen
  • Patent number: 8136503
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of two perpendicular, toroidal cylinders intersecting at two junctions with each cylinder containing one piston filling half of its volume. The pistons are 180 degrees out of phase; each alternately occluding one intersection or the other. Each piston completes a full power, exhaust, intake, and compression stroke in one revolution. Endplates of 45 degrees allow the combustion chamber junction to be permanently filled and sealed at all times; first by one piston, then by the tips of both pistons as the complementary-angled endplates tangentially slide past one another, and then by the other piston. Compressed gases are shunted into the crossing cylinder's combustion chamber. Both pistons orbit continuously, one-way. Airflow is also one-way. Each piston is mounted to a sealed, 360-degree, counterbalanced ring gear. One ring gear is positioned centrally and the other peripherally to prevent interference. These maintain coordination between the pistons and provide output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Louis Althen
  • Publication number: 20090255507
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of two perpendicular, toroidal cylinders intersecting at two junctions with each cylinder containing one piston filling half of its volume. The pistons are 180 degrees out of phase; each alternately occluding one intersection or the other. Each piston completes a full power, exhaust, intake, and compression stroke in one revolution. Endplates of 45 degrees allow the combustion chamber junction to be permanently filled and sealed at all times; first by one piston, then by the tips of both pistons as the complementary-angled endplates tangentially slide past one another, and then by the other piston. Compressed gases are shunted into the crossing cylinder's combustion chamber. Both pistons orbit continuously, one-way. Airflow is also one-way. Each piston is mounted to a sealed, 360-degree, counterbalanced ring gear. One ring gear is positioned centrally and the other peripherally to prevent interference. These maintain coordination between the pistons and provide output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Craig Louis Althen