Patents by Inventor Karel Fortl

Karel Fortl 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).

  • Publication number: 20240140579
    Abstract: The planetary gearset has different areas of use. Transmissions are intended for example for marine propulsion device. A main planetary gearset that connects the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into forward rotation. A complementary planetary gearset together with the main planetary gearset that connect the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into reverse rotation. A forward brake engages the main planetary gearset in a forward gear wherein the main planetary gearset drives the output shaft into the forward rotation. A reverse brake engages the complementary planetary gearset in a reverse gear wherein the complementary planetary gearset together with the main planetary gearset drive the output shaft into the reverse rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventor: Karel FORTL
  • Patent number: 10696370
    Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
  • Patent number: 10518860
    Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
  • Patent number: 10124874
    Abstract: Transmission systems and methods are for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor. An input shaft is driven into rotation at a non-zero first rotational speed by the internal combustion engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation at a non-zero second rotational speed. A planetary gearset transfers power from the input shaft to the output shaft. A band brake is on the planetary gearset. Actuation of the band brake effects a gear change in the planetary gearset. A band brake actuator actuates the band brake to effect the gear change. A controller controls the band brake actuator. Based upon one or more operational characteristics of the marine propulsion device the controller is programmed to control the band brake actuator so that the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Jason F. Pugh, Randall J. Poirier, Joseph S. VanSelous, Jiri Jager, Karel Fortl
  • Patent number: 9759321
    Abstract: A band brake actuator is for actuating a band brake on a planetary gearset. The band brake actuator comprises a actuator shaft; an output finger; and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly connects the actuator shaft to the output finger such that rotation of the actuator shaft in a first rotation direction causes the output finger to engage the band brake on the planetary gearset, and such that rotation of the actuator shaft in an opposite, second rotation direction causes the output finger to disengage the band brake from the planetary gearset. Engagement of the band brake and the planetary gearset shifts the planetary gearset into one of a forward and a reverse gear and wherein disengagement of the band brake and the planetary gearset shifts the planetary gearset into a neutral gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Karel Fortl, Jiri Jager, Pavel Korecek, Jaroslav Sluncik, Joseph S. VanSelous
  • Patent number: 9676463
    Abstract: A transmission is for a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor for propelling a marine vessel in water. An input shaft is driven into rotation by the engine. An output shaft drives the propulsor into rotation. A forward planetary gearset that connects the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into forward rotation. A reverse planetary gearset that connects the input shaft to the output shaft so as to drive the output shaft into reverse rotation. A forward brake engages the forward planetary gearset in a forward gear wherein the forward planetary gearset drives the output shaft into the forward rotation. A reverse brake engages the reverse planetary gearset in a reverse gear wherein the reverse planetary gearset drives the output shaft into the reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Karel Fortl, Jiri Jager