Patents by Inventor Henry W. Wallace

Henry W. Wallace 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: 5354245
    Abstract: A transmission (26) of continuously-engaged gear teeth of standard gear design is provided for infinitely or steplessly varying the ratio of output angular velocity to torque across a range which can include zero output angular velocity. In one embodiment, the transmission comprises a planetary gear assembly including planetary gear (28), intermediary gear (30) and sun gear (32). The transmission ratio of the transmission (26) is varied by changing the orientation of the planetary gear (28) relative to the orbital plane thereof. The gears can remain continuously engaged as the transmission ratio is varied for more efficiently matching the power source torque and angular velocity properties to those of a load, as well as reducing or substantially eliminating the need for a clutch mechanism. Novel mechanisms are provided for varying the orientation of the planetary gear (28) and for interconnecting the planetary shaft (110) to the orbital shaft (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Wallace Associated Research
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5273497
    Abstract: A transmission (26) of continuously-engaged gear teeth of standard gear design is provided for infinitely or steplessly varying the ratio of output angular velocity to torque across a range which can include zero output angular velocity. In one embodiment, the transmission comprises a planetary gear assembly including planetary gear (28), intermediary gear (30) and sun gear (32). The transmission ratio of the transmission (26) is varied by changing the orientation of the planetary gear (28) relative to the orbital plane thereof. The gears can remain continuously engaged as the transmission ratio is varied for more efficiently matching the power source torque and angular velocity properties to those of a load, as well as reducing or substantially eliminating the need for a clutch mechanism. Novel mechanisms are provided for varying the orientation of the planetary gear (28) and for interconnecting the planetary shaft (110) to the orbital shaft (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Wallace Associated Research
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4742722
    Abstract: A transmission unit is provided for converting torque to angular velocity and angular velocity to torque using angular momentum. The conversion is automatically accomplished in a stepless fashion using inertial masses which, preferably, move along spherical paths. The transmission unit apparatus is coupled to a source of power. When the transmission unit is driven by the source of power about a primary axis, the radii-of-gyration of the inertial masses cyclically change to supply torque impulses of angular momentum change to an output shaft load. The torque impulses of angular momentum change, in conjunction with the concomitant, inherent, time-rate-of-change of rotational kinetic energy, automatically convert to torque/angular velocity ratios. The magnitude of the output torque and the magnitude of the output angular velocity depend upon the power source characteristics but, more particularly, upon the output load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Wallace Associated Research
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4608875
    Abstract: A transmission unit is provided for converting torque to angular velocity and angular velocity to torque using angular momentum. The conversion is automatically accomplished in a stepless fashion using inertial masses which, preferably, move along spherical paths. The transmission unit apparatus is coupled to a source of power. When the transmission unit is driven by the source of power about a primary axis, the radii-of-gyration of the inertial masses cyclically change to supply torque impulses of angular momentum change to an output shaft load. The torque impulses of angular momentum change, in conjunction with the concomitant, inherent, time-rate-of-change of rotational kinetic energy, automatically convert to torque/angular velocity ratios. The magnitude of the output torque and the magnitude of the output angular velocity depend upon the power source characteristics but, more particularly, upon the output load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Wallace Associated Research
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4034955
    Abstract: A centrifugal casting mold and mold clamping system adaptable to mass-production technology including a tapered multiple part mold and similarly tapered sleeve within which the assembled mold is insertable for resin filling and centrifuging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4002418
    Abstract: A centrifugal casting mold and mold clamping system adaptable to mass-production technology including a tapered multiple part mold and similarly tapered sleeve within which the assembled mold is insertable for resin filling and centrifuging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Henry W. Wallace