Patents by Inventor Eric R. Hansen

Eric R. Hansen 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: 9540859
    Abstract: The tailgate drive includes a motor assembly in operable communication with a pickup tailgate that is adjustable between a manual mode of operation and an automatic mode of operation, where the motor assembly permits free rotation of the tailgate between the open and closed positions during manual mode of operation and wherein the motor assembly drives the tailgate body between the open and closed position during the automatic mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9523231
    Abstract: A drive unit comprising a guide channel that has a first pulley at one end that rotates about a fixed pulley axis. The drive unit also includes a flexible drive member having a plurality of spaced windows, an attachment assembly moveably attached to the guide channel, and an adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the guide channel that has a second pulley that rotates around a moveable pulley axis that can be adjusted to change the distance between the fixed pulley axis and the moveable pulley axis to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Eric R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20160312510
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive mechanism for a vehicle lift gate. The drive mechanism includes a housing including a first end securable to a vehicle frame and an opposite second end securable to a lift gate. The drive mechanism further includes a spring disposed for movement within the housing along the axis between the first and second ends and biasing the first end axially relative to the second end. A damper extends around the housing for absorbing energy released by rapid axial movement of the spring relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Hamminga, Phillip Metz, Howard W. Kuhlman, David P. Wilcox, Mark Adams, Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9476245
    Abstract: A door cable pulley system for use with a motor vehicle having a closure movable between an open and closed position. The door cable pulley system includes a first tension pulley, a second tension pulley, a cable drum driven by a motor, and a pair of drive cables. The first drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the first drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the first tension pulley, and exits the body through the second exit opening. The second drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the second drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the second tension pulley, and exits the body through the first exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20160060942
    Abstract: A door cable pulley system for use with a motor vehicle having a closure movable between an open and closed position. The door cable pulley system includes a first tension pulley, a second tension pulley, a cable drum driven by a motor, and a pair of drive cables. The first drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the first drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the first tension pulley, and exits the body through the second exit opening. The second drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the second drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the second tension pulley, and exits the body through the first exit opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9234378
    Abstract: A power tailgate system for a vehicle includes an actuator for moving a tailgate of the vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The power tailgate system also includes a spring spaced apart from the actuator for counter-balancing a weight of the tailgate and a coupler assembly for removably coupling the tailgate to the power tailgate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20150361710
    Abstract: The tailgate drive includes a motor assembly in operable communication with a pickup tailgate that is adjustable between a manual mode of operation and an automatic mode of operation, where the motor assembly permits free rotation of the tailgate between the open and closed positions during manual mode of operation and wherein the motor assembly drives the tailgate body between the open and closed position during the automatic mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140324251
    Abstract: A power tailgate system for a vehicle includes an actuator for moving a tailgate of the vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The power tailgate system also includes a spring spaced apart from the actuator for counter-balancing a weight of the tailgate and a coupler assembly for removably coupling the tailgate to the power tailgate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120315590
    Abstract: A method of operating a mineral processing kiln includes introducing a quantity of a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) reducing agent into the kiln. The SNCR reducing agent may be a solid, liquid, or a gas. A mineral processing kiln modified for the implementation of SNCR is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Kenneth J. Derksen, Kevin Blankenship, Walter Parker, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt
  • Patent number: 8267685
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Cadence Environment Energy, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt, Peter F. Way
  • Publication number: 20110245001
    Abstract: A drive unit comprising a guide channel that has a first pulley at one end that rotates about a fixed pulley axis. The drive unit also includes a flexible drive member having a plurality of spaced windows, an attachment assembly moveably attached to the guide channel, and an adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the guide channel that has a second pulley that rotates around a moveable pulley axis that can be adjusted to change the distance between the fixed pulley axis and the moveable pulley axis to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson, Lloyd W. Rogers, JR., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7959435
    Abstract: A method of operating a mineral processing kiln includes introducing a quantity of a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) reducing agent into the kiln. The SNCR reducing agent may be a solid, liquid, or a gas. A mineral processing kiln modified for the implementation of SNCR is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Kenneth J. Derksen, Kevin Blankenship, Walter Parker, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt
  • Publication number: 20110008140
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards systems and methods for providing improved access to vehicles for physically challenged individuals. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair access system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a first track and a second track, the first and second tracks being located on opposite sides of the frame assembly. The system also includes a ramp formed of a porous structural member disposed between a first skin member and a second skin member. The ramp has a first edge portion with one or more rollers attached thereto and a second edge portion having one or more rollers attached thereto. The one or more rollers on the first and second edge portions travel within the first and second tracks, respectively, of the frame assembly. The system further includes a drive motor engaging a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Daniel R. Sand
  • Patent number: 7785220
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090191497
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt
  • Publication number: 20090191498
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt, Peter F. Way
  • Patent number: 7488172
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignees: Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt
  • Patent number: 7229281
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignees: Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Hansen, Ralph A. Supelak, James R. Tutt
  • Patent number: 7173719
    Abstract: This invention comprises a converged printer architecture for controlling both electro-photographic (EP) processing and raster image processing (RIP) of data for laser modulation over a video line. By converging EP process control with image processing control, significant advantages in cost, image quality, and output stability are achieved. A digital signal processor (DSP) serves as the central processing resource of the architecture. The DSP is well suited for the dual role of image processing and real-time feedback process control. The DSP can operate in open loop motor/motion control, print process control, and in closed loop feedback control including image processing adaptations for quality and stability enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James Glenn Bearss, Eric R. Hansen, Herman W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6754733
    Abstract: A printer controller for processing print data includes a data processor, direct memory access controller, first and second memories with corresponding first and second transfer data busses. A bus switch selectively connects the first and second data transfer busses. When uncoupled, the data processor accessed the said first memory via the first data transfer bus and the direct memory access controller may independently accesses the second memory via the second data transfer bus. When connected, either the data processor or the direct memory access controller may access either memory to the exclusion of the other. This permits better allocation of data transfer bandwidth in the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen