Patents by Inventor Gregg W. Cullings

Gregg W. Cullings 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).

  • Wind turbine torque limiting clutch system
    Patent number: 8932017
    Abstract: A wind turbine power generating system includes a wind turbine connected to a speed increasing gearbox having an output shaft. An electrical generator having an input shaft is also provided. An asymmetrical coupling interconnects the input and output shafts. The coupling includes a first torque limiting clutch in series connection with a one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. A second torque limiting clutch is provided in parallel connection with the one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. The first and second torque limiting clutches have different characteristic slip torques. The interconnection of the clutches, and the implementation of the one-way clutch, provides for effective operation of the first and second torque limiting clutches in opposite rotational directions of the input and output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: EBO Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Heidenreich, Erik L. Olson, Gregg W. Cullings, David A. Peterman
  • WIND TURBINE TORQUE LIMITING CLUTCH SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120045335
    Abstract: A wind turbine power generating system includes a wind turbine connected to a speed increasing gearbox having an output shaft. An electrical generator having an input shaft is also provided. An asymmetrical coupling interconnects the input and output shafts. The coupling includes a first torque limiting clutch in series connection with a one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. A second torque limiting clutch is provided in parallel connection with the one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. The first and second torque limiting clutches have different characteristic slip torques. The interconnection of the clutches, and the implementation of the one-way clutch, provides for effective operation of the first and second torque limiting clutches in opposite rotational directions of the input and output shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: David C. Heidenreich, Erik L. Olson, Gregg W. Cullings, David A. Peterman