Patents by Inventor Kirt Stephens

Kirt Stephens 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: 10734147
    Abstract: An alignment member for a solenoid is provided. The solenoid includes a housing, a solenoid coil arranged within the housing, a first pole piece arranged within the housing, a second pole piece arranged at least partially within the housing, and a disk. The alignment member includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion that defines a center portion diameter that is less than a diameter defined by the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: HUSCO AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitz, Austin Schmitt, Kirt Stephens, Kevin Rode
  • Publication number: 20190186553
    Abstract: Systems and method for a two-way clutch are provided. In some configurations, the two-way clutch includes a driven member having a first mating surface, a drive member having a second mating surface, and a locking mechanism arranged between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The locking mechanism is operable to contact the first mating surface and the second mating surface, in response to an outside force applied to the drive member that loads the locking mechanism. The two-way clutch further includes an engaging member. The engaging member provides a predetermined interference on the locking mechanism to hold the locking mechanism off of at least one of the first mating surface and the second mating surface, when the locking mechanism is in an unloaded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Matt Pellmann, Brian Heidemann, Kirt Stephens
  • Publication number: 20190186651
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an armature and an anti-saturation and damping shim. The armature is slidably actuatable and includes a central aperture providing fluid communication longitudinally along the armature. The anti-saturation and damping shim is configured to both dampen the actuation of the armature within an electromagnetic actuator and prevent the armature from making unwanted contact with other magnetic objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Matt Pellmann, Brian Heidemann, Kirt Stephens
  • Publication number: 20170221621
    Abstract: An alignment member for a solenoid is provided. The solenoid includes a housing, a solenoid coil arranged within the housing, a first pole piece arranged within the housing, a second pole piece arranged at least partially within the housing, and a disk. The alignment member includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion that defines a center portion diameter that is less than a diameter defined by the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: MATTHEW SCHMITZ, AUSTIN SCHMITT, KIRT STEPHENS, KEVIN RODE
  • Patent number: 9659698
    Abstract: An electromechanical solenoid has a solenoid assembly including a solenoid coil with a coil aperture formed therein. A pole piece assembly is positioned at least partially within the coil aperture, the pole piece assembly including a first pole piece and a second pole piece positioned at least partially within an hour-glass shaped alignment member. The first pole piece has a first bore and a first outer tapered surface extending away from the first bore, and the second pole piece has a second bore and a second outer tapered surface extending away from the second bore. An armature is moveable within the first bore and the second bore in response to a magnetic field produced by the solenoid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HUSCO AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitz, Austin Schmitt, Kirt Stephens, Kevin Rode
  • Publication number: 20150340144
    Abstract: An electromechanical solenoid has a solenoid assembly including a solenoid coil with a coil aperture formed therein. A pole piece assembly is positioned at least partially within the coil aperture, the pole piece assembly including a first pole piece and a second pole piece positioned at least partially within an hour-glass shaped alignment member. The first pole piece has a first bore and a first outer tapered surface extending away from the first bore, and the second pole piece has a second bore and a second outer tapered surface extending away from the second bore. An armature is moveable within the first bore and the second bore in response to a magnetic field produced by the solenoid coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitz, Austin Schmitt, Kirt Stephens, Kevin Rode