Patents by Inventor James L. Wenzel

James L. Wenzel 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: 4392835
    Abstract: A disconnect arrangement is useful for disconnecting high speed generators, such as those utilized in aircraft electrical systems, from a driving source, such as an aircraft engine. The disconnect coupling includes splined members at either end of a stub shaft which are coupled respectively to the generator and the engine. A carbide knife-edged plate is pivotable about one end of the plate and, in the normal or deactivated position, an extension of a solenoid armature prevents the knife-edge from contacting the stub shaft. When energized, the solenoid armature is retracted releasing its engagement with the knife-edged plate, and a spring forces the knife-edge to engage the stub shaft at a relatively thin-walled portion thereof. Friction generated causes localized heating and the relatively thin wall of the stub shaft becomes plastic, the stub shaft then separating into two portions effecting disconnection of the generator from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ehtisham U. A. Siddiqui, James L. Wenzel, John L. Butterfield