Patents by Inventor David Andrew Franchock

David Andrew Franchock 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).

  • Method to sense speed, direction and acceleration for a rotating shaft using a rotor with unequal tooth spacing
    Patent number: 5977764
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the speed and direction of a rotating shaft. A rotor is connected to the shaft. The rotor includes three circumferentially spaced teeth, the first of said teeth having a first center spacing, the second of said teeth having a second center spacing different than the center spacing of the first tooth, and the third of said teeth having a third center spacing different than the center spacing of the second tooth. The centers of each of said teeth is sensed and a signal is produced in response thereto. A first time period to reach the center of the first tooth, a second time period to reach the center of the second tooth and a third time period to reach the center of the third tooth are determined, then the speed and direction of rotation of the shaft are established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Dean Riedle, Charles William Suter, David Andrew Franchock, Patrick William Gibson, Robert Cary Haase
  • Speed, direction, and acceleration sensor for a rotating shaft having a rotor with teeth having unequal spacing
    Patent number: 5977765
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to determine the speed and direction of a rotating shaft, including a rotor with three circumferentially spaced teeth connected to the shaft. The spacing of the center of the second rotor tooth is wider than the spacing of the center of the first tooth and the spacing of the center of the third tooth is wider than the spacing of the center of the second tooth. A sensor detects the center of each tooth and produces a signal in response thereto. The signal is received by a computer. The computer determines the speed and direction of rotation of the shaft by determining a first time period to reach the center of the first tooth, a second time period to reach the center of the second tooth and a third time period to reach the center of the third tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick William Gibson, Robert Cary Haase, David Andrew Franchock, Bradley Dean Riedle, Charles William Suter
  • Method and system for verifying solenoid operation
    Patent number: 5808471
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting degraded operation of a solenoid. A current through the solenoid is sampled at predetermined time intervals within a predetermined time period. A maximum value of the sampled current is first detected. Next, a minimum value of the sampled current subsequent to the maximum value is detected. Finally, a predetermined increase in the sampled current from the minimum value is detected to verify operation of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Michael Rooke, David Andrew Franchock, Stephen Michael Cicala, Myron Ihor Senyk, Kyle Shawn Williams, Roberto Anthony Rossi, Christopher David Tebbe