Patents by Inventor Dean Banks

Dean Banks 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: 7150340
    Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 6953108
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20040195062
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Rod Millen Special Vehicles, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20040163863
    Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks