Patents by Inventor Early C. McKnight

Early C. McKnight 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).

  • Torque limiting starter drive clutch assembly
    Patent number: 5241871
    Abstract: An electric starter having an electric motor with a rotatable shaft, a pinion gear for driving a flywheel, and a friction clutch for transmitting torque which includes a drive plate connected to the shaft and a friction coupling for frictionally transmitting torque between the drive plate and pinion gear wherein the coupling is compressible and a stop limits compression to a predetermined maximum compression so as to set a predetermined slip torque or limit torque transfer to a predetermined maximum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Motor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Early C. McKnight, III, Bobby E. McMillen
  • Starter motor with a pinion seal
    Patent number: 5142923
    Abstract: The space between a pinion and starter case in an electric starter is sealed by a flexible disk. This disk rotates on the pinion. The pinion contains a circular slot for the disk, which has a central cut-out portion in the profile of the pinion teeth, which hold the disk in place in the slot once the disk is installed. The disk is installed by lightly forcing it over the teeth on the pinion. This seal blocks path for particulate and contaminants into the interior of the starter through the space between the pinion and the starter case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Motor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Early C. McKnight, James W. Gibson
  • Double insulated starter motor
    Patent number: 4866294
    Abstract: A double insulated starter motor for use with power equipment. A combination of insulating members about a motor together with various insulating members for electrically isolating the starter gear from the motor are collectively utilized to effect double insulation of a starter designed for use with power equipment, especially outdoor equipment subject to adverse environmental and operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Electro Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Johnston, Early C. McKnight