Patents by Inventor Gene A. Kovacs
Gene A. Kovacs 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).
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Patent number: 11885377Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current flow through the raceways of a bearing includes a mounting ring disposeable within a retention groove of an outer member or a bearing outer ring and is formed of an electrically conductive elastic material. The mounting ring has two circumferential ends spaced apart and is deflectable inwardly such that the two circumferential ends displace generally toward each other to reduce the outside diameter of the ring for installation into the retention groove. An arcuate conductor has an outer radial end attached to the mounting ring, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or the bearing inner ring and two circumferential ends spaced apart to define an arcuate gap when the conductor is installed about a shaft or a bearing inner ring. An electrically conductive path extends between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate conductor and the mounting ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Gene A Kovacs, John Castellano, Mathieu Hubert
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Publication number: 20230383793Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly for preventing current flow through the raceways of a bearing includes a mounting ring disposeable within a retention groove of an outer member or a bearing outer ring and is formed of an electrically conductive elastic material. The mounting ring has two circumferential ends spaced apart and is deflectable inwardly such that the two circumferential ends displace generally toward each other to reduce the outside diameter of the ring for installation into the retention groove. An arcuate conductor has an outer radial end attached to the mounting ring, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or the bearing inner ring and two circumferential ends spaced apart to define an arcuate gap when the conductor is installed about a shaft or a bearing inner ring. An electrically conductive path extends between the shaft and the outer member through the arcuate conductor and the mounting ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Gene A Kovacs, John Castellano, Mathieu Hubert
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Patent number: 11773908Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly prevents current flow through the raceways of a bearing disposed about a shaft and an outer ring disposed and within a bore of an outer member. An arcuate conductor has a centerline, an inner radial end engageable with the shaft or a bearing inner ring, an outer radial end and two circumferential ends spaced circumferentially apart such that an arcuate gap is defined between the two ends when the conductor is installed about the shaft or the bearing inner ring. The two circumferential ends define a gap angle about the centerline, the gap angle having a value of at least thirty degrees. At least one conductive coupler is configured to attach the conductor to the outer member, another member or the bearing outer ring such that an electrically conductive path extends through the conductor and the at least one coupler.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventor: Gene A Kovacs
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Patent number: 11549556Abstract: A combined insulator and conductor assembly is for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing and includes an annular insulator disposeable about the bearing outer ring. The insulator is configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and includes one or more axial mounting tabs. An electrical conductor has an outer radial end, an inner radial end and at least one retainer, the at least one retainer being engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator. Each retainer includes a radially-extending prong engageable with a separate tab. The conductor outer radial end or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer and inner ends is conductively engageable with the housing and the conductor inner radial end being conductively engageable with the shaft so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, David Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Patent number: 11512740Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposable about the bearing outer ring and configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and including a plurality of projections extending axially along and spaced circumferentially about a centerline. A conductor includes a conductive disk with an outer radial end engageable with the housing inner surface, an inner radial end defining a central opening for receiving the shaft and openings each receiving a separate one of the plurality of projections of the insulator such that the disk is axially displaceable relative to the insulator. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the conductive disk and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Patent number: 11486445Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposable about the bearing outer ring and configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and including projections extending axially along and spaced circumferentially about a centerline. A conductor preferably includes a conductive disk with an outer radial end engageable with the housing inner surface, an inner radial end defining a central opening for receiving the shaft and openings each receiving a separate one of the plurality of projections of the insulator such that the disk is axially fixed relative to the insulator. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the conductive disk and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A. Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Patent number: 11454285Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing. An annular insulator is disposeable about the bearing and configured to prevent electric current flow between an outer ring and the housing. An electrical conductor has retainer(s) releasably engaged with the insulator so as to couple the conductor with the bearing, an outer radial end and an inner radial end. The conductor outer radial end, or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer and inner ends, is conductively engageable with the housing and the conductor inner radial end is conductively engageable with the shaft so as to provide an electrically conductive path between the shaft and the housing. Preferably, the conductor includes a conductive disk having arcuate retainer clips engageable with an insulator groove of the insulator and a brush subassembly including conductive fibers engaged with the shaft outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Patent number: 11454284Abstract: A combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposeable about the bearing outer ring and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and formed of an electrically insulative material or having one or more insulative layers to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing. A conductive carrier includes a cylindrical portion having an inner surface disposed about the insulator outer surface and an outer surface disposeable against the housing inner surface and a disk portion extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical portion having an inner radial end spaced outwardly from the shaft. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the carrier disk portion and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the carrier, and thereafter to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, David Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Patent number: 11421739Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly is for a bearing disposed about a shaft and disposed within a housing. The conductive assembly includes an annular retainer coupleable with a bearing outer ring or with the bearing housing and having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two and preferably several conductors each have a radially outer end disposed within the retainer groove and a radially inner end contactable with the shaft. Each conductor is formed of a plurality of conductive fibers arranged to extend radially inwardly from the retainer inner end. The at least two conductors are spaced apart circumferentially about the centerline so as to define at least two axial passages between the retainer and the shaft. Preferably, the conductors are separated by spacers formed of conductive fibers each having a length shorter than the length of the fibers of the conductors.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Mathieu Hubert, Gene A. Kovacs, David Christopher Rybski
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Publication number: 20210364040Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing. An annular insulator is disposeable about the bearing and configured to prevent electric current flow between an outer ring and the housing. An electrical conductor has retainer(s) releasably engaged with the insulator so as to couple the conductor with the bearing, an outer radial end and an inner radial end. The conductor outer radial end, or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer and inner ends, is conductively engageable with the housing and the conductor inner radial end is conductively engageable with the shaft so as to provide an electrically conductive path between the shaft and the housing. Preferably, the conductor includes a conductive disk having arcuate retainer clips engageable with an insulator groove of the insulator and a brush subassembly including conductive fibers engaged with the shaft outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Publication number: 20210364041Abstract: A combined insulator and conductor assembly is for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing and includes an annular insulator disposeable about the bearing outer ring. The insulator is configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and includes one or more axial mounting tabs. An electrical conductor has an outer radial end, an inner radial end and at least one retainer, the at least one retainer being engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor with the insulator. Each retainer includes a radially-extending prong engageable with a separate tab. The conductor outer radial end or/and a portion of the conductor between the outer and inner ends is conductively engageable with the housing and the conductor inner radial end being conductively engageable with the shaft so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Publication number: 20210310517Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposable about the bearing outer ring and configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and including projections extending axially along and spaced circumferentially about a centerline. A conductor preferably includes a conductive disk with an outer radial end engageable with the housing inner surface, an inner radial end defining a central opening for receiving the shaft and openings each receiving a separate one of the plurality of projections of the insulator such that the disk is axially fixed relative to the insulator. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the conductive disk and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene A. Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Publication number: 20210310518Abstract: A combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposable about the bearing outer ring and configured to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing and including a plurality of projections extending axially along and spaced circumferentially about a centerline. A conductor includes a conductive disk with an outer radial end engageable with the housing inner surface, an inner radial end defining a central opening for receiving the shaft and openings each receiving a separate one of the plurality of projections of the insulator such that the disk is axially displaceable relative to the insulator. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the conductive disk and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface so as to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, Dave Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Publication number: 20210310520Abstract: A combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing includes an annular insulator disposeable about the bearing outer ring and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and formed of an electrically insulative material or having one or more insulative layers to prevent electric current flow between the outer ring and the housing. A conductive carrier includes a cylindrical portion having an inner surface disposed about the insulator outer surface and an outer surface disposeable against the housing inner surface and a disk portion extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical portion having an inner radial end spaced outwardly from the shaft. An annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled with the carrier disk portion and includes a plurality of electrically conductive fibers contactable with the shaft outer surface to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the carrier, and thereafter to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Berruet, Paul Feliciano, Mathieu Hubert, Tommy Jullien, Gene Kovacs, Thomas Perrotin, David Christopher Rybski, Anthony Simonin, Collin Snyder
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Publication number: 20210293279Abstract: An electrically conductive assembly is for a bearing disposed about a shaft and disposed within a housing. The conductive assembly includes an annular retainer coupleable with a bearing outer ring or with the bearing housing and having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two and preferably several conductors each have a radially outer end disposed within the retainer groove and a radially inner end contactable with the shaft. Each conductor is formed of a plurality of conductive fibers arranged to extend radially inwardly from the retainer inner end. The at least two conductors are spaced apart circumferentially about the centerline so as to define at least two axial passages between the retainer and the shaft. Preferably, the conductors are separated by spacers formed of conductive fibers each having a length shorter than the length of the fibers of the conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Gene A. Kovacs, David Christopher Rybski
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Patent number: 11001099Abstract: A vehicle wheel hub assembly includes an outer member configured to be mounted to a non-rotatable portion of the vehicle and an inner member rotatably supported in the outer member by a bearing. An annular target body is coupled to the inner member. A first magnetic target track is disposed on the annular target body, and a first sensor is located adjacent to the first magnetic target track and configured to sense angular displacement of the first magnetic target track and to produce a first output signal. A second magnetic target track is disposed on the annular target body, and the second magnetic target track is spaced from the first magnetic target track. A second sensor is located adjacent to the second magnetic target track for sensing angular displacement of the second target track and is configured to produce a second output signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Mathieu Hubert, Gene Kovacs, Michele Musso, Lokesh Nagarajan, David Christopher Rybski
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Publication number: 20190126677Abstract: A vehicle wheel hub assembly includes an outer member configured to be mounted to a non-rotatable portion of the vehicle and an inner member rotatably supported in the outer member by a bearing. An annular target body is coupled to the inner member. A first magnetic target track is disposed on the annular target body, and a first sensor is located adjacent to the first magnetic target track and configured to sense angular displacement of the first magnetic target track and to produce a first output signal. A second magnetic target track is disposed on the annular target body, and the second magnetic target track is spaced from the first magnetic target track. A second sensor is located adjacent to the second magnetic target track for sensing angular displacement of the second target track and is configured to produce a second output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Gene Kovacs, Michele Musso, Lokesh Nagarajan, David Christopher Rybski