Patents by Inventor John M. Kern

John M. Kern 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: 10183310
    Abstract: The articles of manufacture a roller with an offset handle that is part of paint brush and roller system. The roller has an offset handle in which the painter grips above the plane of the roller. The handle is removable from the roller and can be used with different sizes of brush heads. The handle is designed such that the ordination of the roller's painting surface can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: John M Kern
  • Patent number: 8198744
    Abstract: An electrical generator for extraction of electrical power from a gas turbine engine includes a rotor portion and a stator portion disposed within a booster cavity of the gas turbine engine. The rotor portion is rotatably supported about the stator portion. The stator portion rigidly is supported within the booster cavity. The rotor portion has a plurality of poles circumferentially arranged opposite the stator portion. The stator portion includes a plurality of coil portions disposed about an outer periphery of the stator portion adjacent to the stator portion. The stator and rotor portions are configured to generate electrical power when the rotor portion is rotated about the stator portion by a shaft of the gas turbine engine to induce electrical currents in the coil portions. The electrical generator extracts electric power from the turbine engine to supplement primary electrical generation sources of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Ronghai Qu, Craig Douglas Young
  • Patent number: 8063527
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes an electromagnetic machine for extracting power from the turbine engine. The electromagnetic machine includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotatably supported adjacent to a stator disposed between the inner and outer rotors. The stator has an inner set of windings disposed on an inner surface adjacent to the inner rotor, and an outer set of windings on an outer surface of the stator adjacent to the outer rotor. The inner stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings, and the outer stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, John M. Kern, Wei Wu, Juan M. De Bedout, Manoj R. Shah, Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie
  • Patent number: 7880355
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable transmission includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor. The inner rotor is independently rotatable within a center aperture of the outer rotor. The outer rotor is independently rotatable about the inner rotor. One of the rotors has a plurality of permanent magnets configured in pairs and facing an air gap disposed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. The other rotor has a plurality of slots spaced about a magnetically permeable core having embedded windings. The outer inner rotors are simultaneously rotatable in one direction. In response to rotation of the outer rotor portion and the inner rotor portion, a magnetic flux path is generated between the permanent magnet pairs, the air gap, the outer rotor core and the inner rotor portion core, to induce electrical power in the windings, which transfers power between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, John M. Kern
  • Publication number: 20100244446
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes an electromagnetic machine for extracting power from the turbine engine. The electromagnetic machine includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotatably supported adjacent to a stator disposed between the inner and outer rotors. The stator has an inner set of windings disposed on an inner surface adjacent to the inner rotor, and an outer set of windings on an outer surface of the stator adjacent to the outer rotor. The inner stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings, and the outer stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, John M. Kern, Juan De Bedout, Manoj Shah, Ayman El-Refaie
  • Patent number: 7791235
    Abstract: A system for transferring torque between a pair of independently, concurrently rotating shafts of a turbofan engine includes a magnetic gearbox. The magnetic gearbox has a first ring structure, a second ring structure and an intermediate ring structure. Each ring structure has an annular aperture therethrough and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein. The intermediate ring structure is disposed between the first and the second ring structures. Each ring structure is coaxially concentric with, and independently rotatable with respect to the remaining ring structures. The first and second ring structures are each coupled to separate ones of the rotating engine shafts, and the intermediate ring is operable to transfer torque between the pair of shafts. Preferably, the intermediate ring structure is coupled to a rotating machine. The rotating machine has a controller, and is operable for adjusting a ratio of torque transferred between the pair of shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Juan M. De Bedout, Kiyoung Chung, Michal-Wolfgang Waszak, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Peter D. Toot, Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 7750521
    Abstract: An electromagnetic machine for extracting power from a turbine engine includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotatably supported adjacent to a stator. The stator is disposed between the inner and outer rotors. The stator has an inner set of windings disposed on an inner surface adjacent to the inner rotor, and an outer set of windings on an outer surface of the stator adjacent to the outer rotor. A plurality of permanent magnets are disposed on an inner surface of the outer rotor element and on an outer surface of the inner rotor element. Air gaps are defined between the outer surface of the stator and the outer permanent magnets, and between the inner surface of the stator portion and the inner permanent magnets. The inner stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings, and the outer stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, John M. Kern, Wei Wu, Juan M. De Bedout, Manoj R. Shah, Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie
  • Patent number: 7622817
    Abstract: A system for generating supplemental electrical power from the low-pressure (LP) turbine spool of a turbofan engine includes a high-speed, high magnetic pole count, generator, a gearbox, a controller and a power converter. The LP turbine spool is mechanically coupled to the generator portion by the gearbox for driving the generator portion. The controller portion has a speed-sensing element for sensing the LP turbine speed. The controller portion disables the power converter when the generator exceeds a predetermined speed, and enables the power converter when the generator portion is less or equal to the predetermined speed. The effective load on the generator is reduced to approximately zero when the LP turbine spool exceeds the predetermined speed, permitting the generator to be electrically bound up to the predetermined speed and mechanically bound in excess of the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie, Wei Wu, John M. Kern
  • Patent number: 7514810
    Abstract: An inside out generator disposed aft of the low-pressure turbine spool to generate power for the electrical demands of an aircraft system. The low-pressure turbine discharge flow is used to drive the power turbine, which is coupled to the generator. The generator is able to extract power at idle conditions of the aircraft engine from ducting the discharge through the inside out generator. The system eliminates the placement of a generator in the hot gas path of the discharge, and enables the injection of power directly to the accessory gear box of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Kern, KiYoung Chung, Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, Craig D. Young, Peter D. Toot, Christopher Glynn, Tom Compton
  • Publication number: 20080174194
    Abstract: An electromagnetic machine for extracting power from a turbine engine includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotatably supported adjacent to a stator. The stator is disposed between the inner and outer rotors. The stator has an inner set of windings disposed on an inner surface adjacent to the inner rotor, and an outer set of windings on an outer surface of the stator adjacent to the outer rotor. A plurality of permanent magnets are disposed on an inner surface of the outer rotor element and on an outer surface of the inner rotor element. Air gaps are defined between the outer surface of the stator and the outer permanent magnets, and between the inner surface of the stator portion and the inner permanent magnets. The inner stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings. and the outer stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, John M. Kern, Juan De Bedout, Manoj Shah, Ayman El-Refaie
  • Patent number: 7396004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bar clamps, and more specifically, to attachments for extending the length of such clamps and enabling such clamps to be adaptable to a wider array of clamping needs. The accessories include an extension bar, a coupling that attaches one end of the extension bar to the clamp primary bar locking the bars in longitudinal alignment, and a stop that attaches to the primary bar or extension for fixing the location of a clamp jaw along the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: John M. Kern
  • Publication number: 20080149445
    Abstract: A system for transferring torque between a pair of independently, concurrently rotating shafts of a turbofan engine includes a magnetic gearbox. The magnetic gearbox has a first ring structure, a second ring structure and an intermediate ring structure. Each ring structure has an annular aperture therethrough and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein. The intermediate ring structure is disposed between the first and the second ring structures. Each ring structure is coaxially concentric with, and independently rotatable with respect to the remaining ring structures. The first and second ring structures are each coupled to separate ones of the rotating engine shafts, and the intermediate ring is operable to transfer torque between the pair of shafts. Preferably, the intermediate ring structure is coupled to a rotating machine. The rotating machine has a controller, and is operable for adjusting a ratio of torque transferred between the pair of shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Juan M. De Bedout, Kiyoung Chung, Michal-Wolfgang Waszak, Manoj R. Shah, Peter D. Toot, Ronhai Qu, Wei Wu
  • Publication number: 20080150287
    Abstract: An electrical generator for extraction of electrical power from a gas turbine engine includes a rotor portion and a stator portion disposed within a booster cavity of the gas turbine engine. The rotor portion is rotatably supported about the stator portion. The stator portion rigidly is supported within the booster cavity. The rotor portion has a plurality of poles circumferentially arranged opposite the stator portion. The stator portion includes a plurality of coil portions disposed about an outer periphery of the stator portion adjacent to the stator portion. The stator and rotor portions are configured to generate electrical power when the rotor portion is rotated about the stator portion by a shaft of the gas turbine engine to induce electrical currents in the coil portions. The electrical generator extracts electric power from the turbine engine to supplement primary electrical generation sources of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Ronghai Qu, Craig Douglas Young
  • Publication number: 20080143108
    Abstract: A system for generating supplemental electrical power from the low-pressure (LP) turbine spool of a turbofan engine includes a high-speed, high magnetic pole count, generator, a gearbox, a controller and a power converter. The LP turbine spool is mechanically coupled to the generator portion by the gearbox for driving the generator portion. The controller portion has a speed-sensing element for sensing the LP turbine speed. The controller portion disables the power converter when the generator exceeds a predetermined speed, and enables the power converter when the generator portion is less or equal to the predetermined speed. The effective load on the generator is reduced to approximately zero when the LP turbine spool exceeds the predetermined speed, permitting the generator to be electrically bound up to the predetermined speed and mechanically bound in excess of the predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ayman Mohamed Fawzi EL-Refaie, Wei Wu, John M. Kern
  • Publication number: 20080143115
    Abstract: An inside out generator disposed aft of the low-pressure turbine spool to generate power for the electrical demands of an aircraft system. The low-pressure turbine discharge flow is used to drive the power turbine, which is coupled to the generator. The generator is able to extract power at idle conditions of the aircraft engine from ducting the discharge through the inside out generator. The system eliminates the placement of a generator in the hot gas path of the discharge, and enables the injection of power directly to the accessory gear box of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Kern, KiYoung Chung, Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, Craig D. Young, Peter D. Toot, Christopher Glynn, Tom Compton
  • Publication number: 20080136189
    Abstract: An electromagnetically variable transmission includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor. The inner rotor is independently rotatable within a center aperture of the outer rotor. The outer rotor is independently rotatable about the inner rotor. One of the rotors has a plurality of permanent magnets configured in pairs and facing an air gap disposed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. The other rotor has a plurality of slots spaced about a magnetically permeable core having embedded windings. The outer inner rotors are simultaneously rotatable in one direction. In response to rotation of the outer rotor portion and the inner rotor portion, a magnetic flux path is generated between the permanent magnet pairs, the air gap, the outer rotor core and the inner rotor portion core, to induce electrical power in the windings, which transfers power between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, Wei Wu, John M. Kern
  • Patent number: 4947700
    Abstract: This invention relates to a unique transmission system for applying torque from an engine flywheel to the drive train of an automotive vehicle including a long travel viscous damped torsional damper driven by the flywheel and coupled to a continuously variable transmission which in turn is coupled to a wet drive clutch, the output of which is connected to an output counter shaft for the automotive drive train. An important part of the unique combination is the long travel viscous damped torsional damper of the invention which includes an enclosed, effectively sealed housing contains input and output members coupled through a plurality of series parallel spring sets and immersed in a viscous medium to provide effective viscous damping matched to the effective spring rate of the mechanical damping system to accommodate both transient and steady-state vibrational torques. The damper is especially useful with the continuously variable transmission but is useful in other applications as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Donald E. Freyburger, Karl F. Schneider, Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4622025
    Abstract: A metal chain-belt especially usable to drivingly connect the pulleys of a pulley transmission, and constructed of a carrier which may comprise a plurality of sets of links interleaved with those of adjacent sets, with the sets being joined by pivot means. Drive blocks encircle the carrier. The blocks each have side edges adapted to drivingly engage the flanges of the pulleys. These side edges are crowned to improve the life and performance of the chain-belt assembly. The radius of curvature of the crowned side edges is far in excess of the width of a drive block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Kern, George A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 4464152
    Abstract: A chain-belt adapted for use in a pulley drive system and comprising a plurality of connected ranks or sets of interleaved links having generally trapezoidal load blocks between adjacent pivot means which join the adjacent ranks or sets of links together to permit articulation of the chain belt. The load blocks are of generally laminated construction of a plurality of plates and resilient means are located between adjacent plates in at least some of the load blocks. Preferably an elastomeric material such as rubber is chosen as the resilient means and each load block incorporates the resilient means.The structure is effective to reduce noise generated upon engagement and disengagement of the chain-belt with the pulley flanges when compared to a chain-belt of connected ranks of links and with laminated load blocks therein but without the resilient means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Kern
  • Patent number: 4395248
    Abstract: A multi-part sprocket and a multi-speed transmission comprising at least a pair of the sprockets, the sprockets each comprising an external toothed drive member surrounded by a two part externally toothed ring member, one part of which is axially movable with respect to the other with both parts having internal teeth meshing with the external teeth of the drive member. Another similar two part member surrounds the first; the similar member having external and internal teeth.A chain connects a pair of sprockets, the chain meshing the external teeth. The speed ratio between the sprocket can be changed by axially moving parts of the ring member. The ring members have beveled surfaces facing one another to guide the chain during a speed ratio change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Kern