Patents by Inventor Frederick Eberle

Frederick Eberle 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: 11421465
    Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes an output member configured to drive movement of the movable closure, a motor coupled through a gear reduction to drive the output member, and an integrated brake-clutch unit having an input configured to receive drive power from the electric motor. The brake-clutch unit provides independent braking and clutching between the electric motor and the output member via an electric brake actuator and an electric clutch actuator, respectively. Brake and clutch portions of the brake-clutch unit act on a rotor, and brake force can be maintained on the rotor without powering the brake actuator. A clutch disc is biased disengaged from the rotor. The integrated brake-clutch unit provides a drive state between the electric motor and the output member when the brake portion is released concurrently with the clutch portion establishing a power coupling between the clutch disc and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Sproule, Howard Kuhlman, Frederick Eberle, William Champ, Steven Buell, Jacob Fritschle, Daniel Sand, Paul Crociata, David Wilcox, Brian Schymik, Michael Zientak, Kimpon Ngem
  • Publication number: 20200340282
    Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes an output member configured to drive movement of the movable closure, a motor coupled through a gear reduction to drive the output member, and an integrated brake-clutch unit having an input configured to receive drive power from the electric motor. The brake-clutch unit provides independent braking and clutching between the electric motor and the output member via an electric brake actuator and an electric clutch actuator, respectively. Brake and clutch portions of the brake-clutch unit act on a rotor, and brake force can be maintained on the rotor without powering the brake actuator. A clutch disc is biased disengaged from the rotor. The integrated brake-clutch unit provides a drive state between the electric motor and the output member when the brake portion is released concurrently with the clutch portion establishing a power coupling between the clutch disc and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Sproule, Howard Kuhlman, Frederick Eberle, William Champ, Steven Buell, Jacob Fritschle, Daniel Sand, Paul Crociata, David Wilcox, Brian Schymik, Michael Zientak, Kimpon Ngem
  • Patent number: 6290234
    Abstract: A sealed, rotatable shaft assembly includes a housing that defines a bore that extends from an area exterior to the housing to an area interior to the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing about an axis of the bore. The shaft extends through the bore between the interior area and the exterior area. An annular lip seal is disposed in the bore and is attached to one of the shaft and the housing. The lip seal extends from the one of the shaft and the housing to the other of the shaft and the housing in a contact seal so that rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing wears the lip seal to form a zero-clearance non-contacting seal. A labyrinth seal stage extends between the shaft and the housing. The labyrinth seal stage is disposed outward of the lip seal, with respect to the interior area and in communication with the lip seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Eberle, William P. Pizzichil, Dennis Thompson