Patents by Inventor Garen R. Maines

Garen R. Maines 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).

  • Ballscrew assembly with detection feature
    Patent number: 8596154
    Abstract: A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Cavalier, Garen R. Maines
  • BALLSCREW ASSEMBLY WITH DETECTION FEATURE
    Publication number: 20130000434
    Abstract: A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Cavalier, Garen R. Maines
  • Ballscrew assembly with detection feature
    Patent number: 8281678
    Abstract: A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Cavalier, Garen R. Maines
  • BALLSCREW ASSEMBLY WITH DETECTION FEATURE
    Publication number: 20100162837
    Abstract: A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Donald R. Cavalier, Garen R. Maines