Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Muehlbauer

Gerald R. Muehlbauer 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: 9685843
    Abstract: A grounding device for an electric machine, having a rotating component and a stationary component, includes a core fabricated from a non-conductive material and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the core and extending therefrom. The plurality of conductive fibers are configured to electrically couple the rotating component with the stationary component such that an electrostatic charge on the rotating component is directed through the plurality of conductive fibers to the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Post, Shirish M. Vatkar, Joseph A. Henry, Michael David Smith, Gerald R. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 9160216
    Abstract: In one aspect, a grounding device for an electric machine having a rotatable shaft is provided. The grounding device includes a wire core having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the wire core and extending therefrom. The wire core is configured to couple to the electric machine with at least a portion of the plurality of conductive fibers contacting the shaft such that an electrostatic charge on the shaft is directed through the grounding device to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 9030067
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for an electric motor is provided that includes a bearing having an inner race and an outer race, and a bearing float sleeve having an outer race engaging member. The outer race engaging member includes an outer surface sized for slip fit engagement with a bearing seat formed in a motor end member such that the bearing float sleeve can be displaced axially in relation to the bearing seat and an inner surface configured for engagement with the bearing outer race such that the bearing outer race is in a fixed rotational position with respect to the bearing float sleeve. The bearing float sleeve includes at least one feature operational to maintain a fixed rotational position of the bearing float sleeve with respect to the motor end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: John Raczek, Scott Wright, Mark Bartz, C. Scott Eagleton, Jeffrey P. Nelessen, Gerald R. Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20140265746
    Abstract: In one aspect, a grounding device for an electric machine having a rotatable shaft is provided. The grounding device includes a wire core having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the wire core and extending therefrom. The wire core is configured to couple to the electric machine with at least a portion of the plurality of conductive fibers contacting the shaft such that an electrostatic charge on the shaft is directed through the grounding device to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20110285251
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for an electric motor is provided that includes a bearing having an inner race and an outer race, and a bearing float sleeve having an outer race engaging member. The outer race engaging member includes an outer surface configured for engagement with a bearing seat formed in a motor end member and an inner surface configured for engagement with the bearing outer race such that the bearing outer race is in a fixed rotational position with respect to the bearing float sleeve. The bearing float sleeve includes at least one feature operational to maintain a fixed rotational position of the bearing float sleeve with respect to the motor end member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: John Raczek, Scott Wright, Mark Bartz, C. Scott Eagleton, Jeffrey P. Nelessen, Gerald R. Muehlbauer