Patents by Inventor John E. Rode

John E. Rode 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: 6352267
    Abstract: An adjustably sizable ring seal includes a monolithic ring having a first end portion and a second overlapping end portion. The first end portion has a first cross-section and the second end portion has an integrally formed reduced cross-section slidably receivable generally within the first cross-section and/or an integrally formed radially offset cross-section slidably receivable generally within the first cross-section so that the monolithic ring seal is circumferentially expandable and contractable in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Publication number: 20020015544
    Abstract: One or more force application members (e.g., a force transmission member and/or a hydraulic force application member) may be employed to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., a preload and/or a compression) to an adjustable spacer of a bearing assembly. The hydraulic force application member may provide a first stage of the adjustment to the spacer, and the force transmission member may be threadingly rotated to apply a second stage of the adjustment to the spacer. An additional force application member may (e.g., contemporaneously) oppose at least one of the force application members in the providing of the adjustment to the spacer. This opposing force may cause a gap between certain surfaces (e.g., in a press) until the adjustment to the spacer is completed. The closure of the gap may serve to indicate the completion of the desired adjustment to the spacer. A housing rotatable on a portion of the bearing assembly may be prevented from rotating at the closure of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Publication number: 20020006241
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an adjustable spacer is provided. A high-compression section is adapted to receive the spacer for a bearing assembly. A low-compression section is adapted to receive the bearing assembly. In one aspect, a transfer frame can serve as a mechanical interface between the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Also, the transfer frame can be adapted to transfer to the low-compression section a first travel indicative of a first compression of the spacer with the high-compression section. A sensor can be coupled with the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Further, the sensor can serve to limit the first compression according to a second travel indicative of a second compression of the bearing assembly with the low-compression section. Additionally, the first travel and the second travel are preferably related to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., preloading) to the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 6327773
    Abstract: One or more force application members (e.g., a force transmission member and/or a hydraulic force application member) may be employed to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., a preload and/or a compression) to an adjustable spacer of a bearing assembly. The hydraulic force application member may provide a first stage of the adjustment to the spacer, and the force transmission member may be threadingly rotated to apply a second stage of the adjustment to the spacer. An additional force application member may (e.g., contemporaneously) oppose at least one of the force application members in the providing of the adjustment to the spacer. This opposing force may cause a gap between certain surfaces (e.g., in a press) until the adjustment to the spacer is completed. The closure of the gap may serve to indicate the completion of the desired adjustment to the spacer. A housing rotatable on a portion of the bearing assembly may be prevented from rotating at the closure of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 6283639
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an adjustable spacer is provided. A high-compression section is adapted to receive the spacer for a bearing assembly. A low-compression section is adapted to receive the bearing assembly. In one aspect, a transfer frame can serve as a mechanical interface between the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Also, the transfer frame can be adapted to transfer to the low-compression section a first travel indicative of a first compression of the spacer with the high-compression section. A sensor can be coupled with the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Further, the sensor can serve to limit the first compression according to a second travel indicative of a second compression of the bearing assembly with the low-compression section. Additionally, the first travel and the second travel are preferably related to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., preloading) to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 6244751
    Abstract: A bearing assembly adjustable spacer may include an end portion, a deformable portion, a transversely inward face portion, and a transversely outward face portion. The end portion may be configured for generally axial abutment (e.g., with a shoulder portion) at a location about a spindle portion. The deformable portion may allow the spacer to be provided with a desired adjustment (e.g., a preload, an adjustment to an axial dimension of the spacer, and/or a compression of the deformable portion of the spacer). The inward face portion may be generally directed radially relative to an axis of the spacer. Further, the inward face portion may be configured for generally radial abutment (e.g., with a surface portion) at a location about a spindle portion. The outward face portion may have a generally axially curved portion. The curved portion may be largely directed obliquely away from the end portion of the spacer. Also, the curved portion may be configured to interface with a generally axially curved part (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 6004040
    Abstract: In one aspect, an adjustment system includes a first gage part adjustably engaged (e.g., mated and/or threaded) with a second gage part. The gage parts may be employed in a (e.g., pressing) process of direct installation of bearings (e.g., tapered roller bearings) on a final assembly spindle (e.g., a motor, pump and/or speed reducer shaft). Also, the gage part(s) may be employed in providing adjustment(s) (e.g., a preload and/or an endplay setting) for an adjustable spacer during the same process of direct installation of the bearings. The gage parts may have various interface(s) with the bearing(s), retainer(s), and/or housing portion(s), rotationally supported with respect to the spindle with the bearings. Further, the gage part(s) may serve to protect the bearing(s) from path(s) of compression employed in the adjustment(s). In another aspect, the gage part(s) may be employed in providing a desired adjustment for a gear mounted on the spindle. For the desired gear adjustment (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5785434
    Abstract: An adjustable spacer of the type shaped as a ring for mounting between a pair of tapered bearings mounted on an axle or spindle to allow a load to be axially placed on the bearings is disclosed. The adjustable spacer may include an extension located at a radius from an imaginary axis of the spacer, a contact means oriented radially outward from the extension, and a compressible area located between the contact means and the extension wherein the compressible area deforms when a predetermined load is applied to the ring in the axial direction. The adjustable spacer may be configured to be used with an adapter sleeve for use on axles or spindles of multiple radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5699706
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a non-metallic magnetic component from a strip of non-metallic magnetic material useable on a rotor or the like includes a pair of blocks placeable in juxtaposed position to form a support frame having a predetermined length. Each of the strip of non-metallic magnetic material is placed on the support frame and secured by, for example, wedges to each of the blocks. The block is moved by, for example, a cam to extend the length of the support frame so that the length of a strip of non-metallic magnetic material placed on the support frame and secured to the blocks may be stretch to a desired length and cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5589664
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing electrical components for sensing or measuring magnetic fields includes a tubular member made of a ferrous material such as austenitic stainless steel or aluminum. The tubular member is capable of receiving electric components therein for measuring magnetic fields. A cap made of a non-ferrous metal is affixed to one end of the tubular member and the electrical components are placed within the tubular member in close proximity with the inner surface of the cap. The tubular member is positioned in proximity to a rotor shaft or the like to enable the electrical components therein to measure magnetic fields to sense the rate and/or direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5569967
    Abstract: A magnetic gear configuration utilizing non-metallic magnetic material about a circumference of a rotatable member is disclosed. A plurality of magnetic units may be spaced around the circumference of the rotatable member. Each magnetic unit may extend along a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the rotatable member and each magnetic unit may be inversely aligned to its adjacent magnetic unit. The magnetic units may be equidistantly spaced from one another and each magnetic unit contains a north and south pole. Gear train configurations may be constructed by utilizing gears having similarly spaced magnetic units where inversely aligned magnetic units attract one another to facilitate gear rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5549397
    Abstract: An adjustable spacer of the type shaped as a ring for mounting between a pair of tapered bearings mounted on an axle or spindle to allow a load to be axially placed on the bearings is disclosed. The adjustable spacer may include an extension located at a radius from an imaginary axis of the spacer, a contact means oriented radially outward from the extension, and a compressible area located between the contact means and the extension wherein the compressible area deforms when a predetermined load is applied to the ring in the axial direction. The adjustable spacer may be configured to be used with an adapter sleeve for use on axles or spindles of multiple radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5535517
    Abstract: A bearing setting procedure for a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle or an axle. Mounted on the spindle or axle are two bearings, each having an inner bearing race. Interposed between the inner bearing races is an adjustable spacer. A mechanism is employed for adjusting the bearings and collapsing the spacer such that a desired bearing tension is provided. In particular, the mechanism includes a piston extension which engages one of the inner bearing races when hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston extension. By applying the pressure, one of the inner bearing races moves closer to the other causing the adjustable spacer to collapse such that a desired bearing tension is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5435576
    Abstract: A gas pressure differential sealing ring for forming a seal between a pair of annular surfaces which are rotatable with respect to one another about a common axis to be used, for example, in the compressor portion of a turbojet engine, is disclosed. The sealing ring has a metallic annulus with a central axis and a generally uniform M-shaped cross sectional configuration. One of the surfaces against which it is to seal is substantially flat and generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis while the other is frustoconical. The annulus is formed of a strip of metal of generally uniform thickness to have a uniform serpentine cross-sectional configuration. The annulus is interrupted by a gap creating a pair of closely adjacent ends facing one another, each of the same serpentine shape as the uniform cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5402560
    Abstract: A bearing setting apparatus for a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle or an axle. Mounted on the spindle or axle are two bearings, each having an inner bearing race. Interposed between the inner bearing races is an adjustable spacer. A mechanism is employed for adjusting the bearings and collapsing the spacer such that a desired bearing tension is provided. In particular, the mechanism includes a piston extension which engages one of the inner bearing races when hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston extension. By applying the pressure, one of the inner bearing races moves closer to the other causing the adjustable spacer to collapse such that a desired bearing tension is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5329196
    Abstract: A system of manufacturing a metal wrapped non-metallic magnetic component useable about a rotor or the like comprises welding the ends of a strip of sheet metal to form a cylinder. If necessary, the cylinder may be cut about its entire circumference at two axial locations thereby isolating a central portion of the cylinder having exposed a first axial end and a second axial end. The cylinder is then form rolled to deform the first and second axial ends radially inward to form a channel located along the inner diameter. The magnetic material may then be inserted within the channel between a deformed first and second axial ends of the central cylindrical portion. The central cylindrical portion may then be form rolled such that the flanges are folded about the ends of the magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5224259
    Abstract: A system of manufacturing a metal wrapped non-metallic magnetic component useable about a rotor or the like comprises welding the ends of a strip of sheet metal to form a cylinder. If necessary, the cylinder may be cut about its entire circumference at two axial locations thereby isolating a central portion of the cylinder having exposed a first axial end and a second axial end. The cylinder is then form rolled to deform the first and second axial ends radially inward to form a channel located along the inner diameter. The magnetic material may then be inserted within the channel between a deformed first and second axial ends of the central cylindrical portion. The central cylindrical portion may then be form rolled such that the flanges are folded about the ends of the magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 4611935
    Abstract: A scheme for accurately and quickly axially positioning a rotatable member such as the axles of a differential or a shaft supported impeller of a centrifugal pump within a housing or similar support for rotation therein with predetermined axial bearing clearance which is independent of the dimensional variations of the member and support is disclosed wherein a deformable spacing element is associated with each thrust carrying bearing with the adjacent bearing and spacing element being held axially captive between the shaft and a corresponding disc which is slidable relative to the housing and with one disc axially aligned and limited in sliding movement in one common direction opposite the direction from which the rotatable member is positioned by engagement with the housing. Typically there are two discs, one limited in movement toward the interior of the housing and the other limited in movement by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Temper-Ring Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 4492018
    Abstract: A scheme for accurately and quickly axially positioning a rotatable member such as the axles of a differential or a shaft supported impeller of a centrifugal pump within a housing or similar support for rotation therein with predetermined axial bearing clearance which is independent of the dimensional variations of the member and support is disclosed wherein a deformable spacing element is associated with each thrust carrying bearing with the adjacent bearing and spacing element being held axially captive between the shaft and a corresponding disc which is slidable relative to the housing and with one disc axially aligned and limited in sliding movement on one common direction opposite the direction from which the rotatable member is positioned by engagement with the housing. Typically there are two discs, one limited in movement toward the interior of the housing and the other limited in movement by the means of encapturing the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Temper-Ring Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 4214465
    Abstract: A plastic deformation is imparted to each of a sequence of load determining elements with the amount of deformation matching each element to a corresponding one of a sequence of element receiving workpieces to compensate for dimensional variation between the workpieces. A first fixture portion is abutted to a first workpiece portion and a second fixture portion is abutted to a second workpiece portion to provide a dimension defining separation between the fixture portions which is a function of a variable dimension of the abutted workpiece. The load determining or spacing element is then deformed the amount required for the particular abutted workpiece and the sequence of steps repeated to provide a plurality of matched elements and workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode