Patents by Inventor Eric P. Junkers

Eric P. Junkers 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: 12370656
    Abstract: A portable torque power tool is disclosed herein and includes: a motor to generate a turning force; a drive to transfer the turning force; a turning force multiplication mechanism assembly to multiply the turning force; a shifter assembly to shift the tool between a lower speed/higher torque (LSHT) mode and a higher speed/lower torque (HSLT) mode; a torque transducer to measure torque output; wherein torque output is controlled by the torque transducer in LSHT mode; and wherein torque output is controlled by motor current in HSLT mode. In one embodiment of the present application, the torque transducer is a wireless torque transducer assembly formed at or near an output of a housing of the turning force multiplication assembly to improve measurement accuracy of torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Peter E. Fortoloczki, Eric P. Junkers, Thomas F. McLoughlin, Randall A. Reagan, Michael R. Wood
  • Publication number: 20250196298
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for tightening threaded fasteners comprising a folding locking tab having a first tab and a second tab. The first tab and the second tab are movable between a locked position and an unlocked position along an axis transverse to a plane defined by a bendable living hinge. The first tab having a rotational coupling part in the center of the first tab having a first locking tab slot present on a primary end of the first tab and a second locking tab slot present on a secondary end of the first tab. The second tab having a lobe in the middle of the second tab, the lobe having a predetermined shape is configured for rotational coupling of the folding locking tab with a washer associated with the nut. The second tab having a first snap protruded at a first end of the second tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Dolan, Eric P. Junkers
  • Patent number: 12330272
    Abstract: A pneumatic fluid directional valve assembly for pneumatic torque tools controls and optimizes directional airflow for tightening and loosening threaded fasteners. The assembly includes an outer pneumatic valve portion, an inner pneumatic valve portion, and a push button rod assembly. The outer and inner valve portions form a relatively rotatable unit actuated by the push button rod assembly to direct airflow via various inlet and exhaust ports, slots, faces, passages, and sleeves. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a trigger lock safety feature to enhance operational safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Junkers, Peter Fortoloczki, Thomas F. McLoughlin, Richard J. Raska
  • Patent number: 12017311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operation parameter regulation unit (50) for use with a bolting system having a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) for simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners (40), the operation parameter regulation unit (50) including: a processing unit (53); an output unit (51) an input unit (52) an activation unit (55) for activating operation units and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11); and a control unit (54) for controlling operation parameters (41) of each of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) to maintain a difference between the operation parameters (41) within a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventor: Eric P. Junkers
  • Patent number: 11660734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operation parameter regulation unit (50) for use with a bolting system having a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) for simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners (40), the operation parameter regulation unit (50) including: a processing unit (53); an output unit (51) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53); an input unit (52) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53); an activation unit (55) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53) for activating operation units of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11); and a control unit (54) for controlling operation parameters (41) of each of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) to maintain a difference between the operation parameters (41)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventor: Eric P. Junkers
  • Patent number: 11590633
    Abstract: Disclosed inventions include:•integrated pneumatic flow pressure regulator assemblies with and/or without filters and/or swivels, per FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M and 1N for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;•activation, or trigger, lock safety assemblies, per FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, 2B1 and 2B2, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;•automatic torque gun shifting assemblies including:—rotation speed-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;—torque-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;•helical cam, or wobbling, turning force multiplication assemblies, per FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Junkers, Peter Fortoloczki, Thomas F. McLoughlin, Richard J. Raska
  • Publication number: 20220025920
    Abstract: A self-reacting center wheel nut assembly includes a reaction ring (120) formed between a center wheel nut (110) and a lock collar assembly (130). The self-reacting center wheel nut assembly may also include a washer (140) and O-rings. The self-reacting center wheel nut assembly improves and simplifies wheel bolt tightening; uses the lock collar assembly as a reaction point by transferring opposing torque generated during installation and removal through the reaction ring, which is reacted on by a dual sleeved drive assembly; may be used with HYTORC electric battery powered torque multiplier gun/tools to deliver quick, accurate and precise torque; eliminates the need for external reaction points such as the rim or ground, thereby eliminating side loads and damage to the wheel; is fully sealed and lubricated; eliminates vehicle movement and the need to lock the brakes; reduces operator fatigue, chances of injury and saves operator time and energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Hulbrock, Patrick A. O'Brien, Eric P. Junkers, Jason K. Junkers
  • Publication number: 20200254595
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a hydraulically driven torque tool for tightening or loosening threaded fasteners including an internal energy storage assembly for automatic piston return is disclosed. In one embodiment, the internal energy storage assembly operates by a pneumatic fluid which compresses during an advance stroke of a piston assembly of the tool and expands during a retract stroke of the piston assembly of the tool. In such embodiment, the internal energy storage assembly includes a hydraulic assembly and a pneumatic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Junkers, Peter Koppenhoefer
  • Publication number: 20130161041
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an apparatus for reaction—free and reaction—assisted tightening and loosening of an industrial fastener including: a motor (102) to generate a turning force to turn the fastener; a turning force multiplication mechanism (210) for a lower speed/higher torque mode including a plurality of turning force multiplication transmitters (211, 212, 213); a turning force impaction mechanism (250) for a higher speed/lower torque mode including a plurality of turning force impaction transmitters (251, 252); a housing (220) operatively connected with at least one multiplication transmitter; a reaction mechanism (401) to transfer a reaction force generated on the housing during the lower speed/higher torque mode to a stationary object; wherein during the lower speed/higher torque mode at least two multiplication transmitters rotate relative to the other; and wherein during the higher speed/lower torque mode at least two multiplication transmitters are unitary to achiev
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Eric P. Junkers, Peter Koppenhoefer, Richard J. Raska