Patents by Inventor George P. Gill

George P. Gill 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: 9709111
    Abstract: A rotational coupling includes a coupling disc configured to be disposed about a shaft having a rotational axis. An electromagnet assembly on one side of the coupling disc includes a housing and a conductor within the housing. An armature is disposed on an opposite side of the coupling disc opposite the conductor and the coupling disc, electromagnet assembly and armature form an electromagnetic circuit when current is supplied to the conductor to urge the armature towards engagement with the coupling disc. An anti-rotation mechanism for the electromagnet assembly includes one or more coupling permanent magnets and one or more fixed permanent magnets configured to be mounted to an outer surface of the housing of the electromagnet assembly and a fixed support structure, respectively. The coupling and fixed permanent magnets are arranged to inhibit movement of the coupling permanent magnets and electromagnet assembly in either rotational direction about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck, Michael Humy
  • Patent number: 8978854
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided with an integrated rotor and brake disc to simplify design of the device and remove liquids from the device when used in a wet environment. The rotor is configured for rotation about a rotating hub and includes a first member defining one pole of the rotor and a second member defining a second pole of the rotor and a braking surface. The second member is coupled to the first member, but axially movable relative to the first member. During clutch engagement, an electromagnetic circuit used to engage the clutch urges the second member into engagement with the first member for rotation. When the clutch is disengaged, the second member disengages from the first member to create a fluid flow path between the members and engages a brake plate to halt rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: 8967355
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: 8887890
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck
  • Patent number: 8881882
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: 8393451
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, Charles F. Magers, George P. Gill
  • Publication number: 20130048461
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Publication number: 20130048462
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith in the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck
  • Publication number: 20130048463
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Publication number: 20130048464
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided with an integrated rotor and brake disc to simplify design of the device and remove liquids from the device when used in a wet environment. The rotor is configured for rotation about a rotating hub and includes a first member defining one pole of the rotor and a second member defining a second pole of the rotor and a braking surface. The second member is coupled to the first member, but axially movable relative to the first member. During clutch engagement, an electromagnetic circuit used to engage the clutch urges the second member into engagement with the first member for rotation. When the clutch is disengaged, the second member disengages from the first member to create a fluid flow path between the members and engages a brake plate to halt rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, George P. Gill
  • Publication number: 20120175214
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, Charles F. Magers, George P. Gill
  • Publication number: 20100116616
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in the clutch and/or brake engagement surfaces of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, Pankaj C. Modi, Charles F. Magers, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: 5788258
    Abstract: A folding ball hitch having a recessed safety chain latching mechanism is of the type normally mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. The ball is foldable from an upright or active position to a down or stowed position in which the ball does not interfere with the usage of the bed when the truck is not towing a trailer. To accommodate the safety chains of a trailer, the present invention provides a sliding rod mounted below the mounting plate of the hitch. Chain link sized slots are formed in the mounting plate. The end links of the safety chains can be inserted into the slots and the rod can be slid from one side to the other to securely lock the chains in respective slots. The rod is biased toward a latching position wherein the rod can be manually translated to open the slot for allowing insertion of a link of the safety chain, following which the rod can be returned to its center position in which the link is secured and any chain forces are transferred by the rod directly to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Gill, David L. Swanson, Donald R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4724616
    Abstract: The panel punch includes a main punch configured to punch a trapezoidal opening in an electrical panel to receive an electrical chassis connector and a secondary punch integral with the main punch and extending from opposite ends thereof configured to punch a U-shaped slot in the panel extending from the ends of the trapezoidal opening to receive mounting screws for physically attaching the electrical connector to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventors: Larry G. Adleman, George P. Gill
  • Patent number: D307965
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Eley, Jeffrey J. Plummer, George P. Gill