Patents by Inventor Mark J. Robuck

Mark J. Robuck 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: 11939984
    Abstract: Compressors having multi-speed gearboxes are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a fluid channel to convey a fluid, a compressor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, a gearbox operatively coupled to the compressor, the gearbox to control the compressor using a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio to vary a flow rate of fluid in the fluid channel, and clutches to vary the gearbox between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Scott H. Bouwer, John C. Walters, Steve G. Mackin
  • Publication number: 20230038989
    Abstract: An example transmission comprising a lubricant feed passageway to receive lubricant; an input shaft having a cavity that defines a shaft collection trough to receive the lubricant from the lubricant feed passageway, the input shaft defining a radial passageway to enable the lubricant to flow from the shaft collection trough to an exterior surface of the input shaft; and a carrier to receive at least a portion of the input shaft, the carrier defining a carrier collection trough and channels formed in the carrier to distribute the lubricant to at least one of rotating components or non-rotating components in the carrier, the carrier collection trough to receive the lubricant from the shaft collection trough via the radial passageway in response to the input shaft rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: John C. Walters, Mark J. Robuck, Todd T. Harder, Eric A. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20220349410
    Abstract: Compressors having multi-speed gearboxes are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a fluid channel to convey a fluid, a compressor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, a gearbox operatively coupled to the compressor, the gearbox to control the compressor using a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio to vary a flow rate of fluid in the fluid channel, and clutches to vary the gearbox between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Scott H. Bouwer, John C. Walters, Steve G. Mackin
  • Patent number: 11203424
    Abstract: A mechanical power transmission that pivots about an axis to vary an angle between an input shaft and an output shaft. The mechanical power transmission includes an input gear having an input shaft that couples to a drive shaft, an output gear having an output shaft that couples to a tail rotor, a first intermediate gear rotationally coupled to the input gear, and a second intermediate gear rotationally coupled to the output gear. The mechanical power transmission further comprises a shaft that mechanically couples the first intermediate gear with the second intermediate gear, where a centerline of the shaft is coincident with the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick Darmstadt, Yiyi Zhang, Mark J. Robuck
  • Publication number: 20200290734
    Abstract: A mechanical power transmission is described that pivots about an axis to vary an angle between an input shaft and an output shaft. In one embodiment, the mechanical power transmission includes an input gear having an input shaft that couples to a drive shaft, an output gear having an output shaft that couples to a tail rotor, a first intermediate gear rotationally coupled to the input gear, and a second intermediate gear rotationally coupled to the output gear. The mechanical power transmission further comprises a shaft that mechanically couples the first intermediate gear with the second intermediate gear, where a centerline of the shaft is coincident with the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick Darmstadt, Yiyi Zhang, Mark J. Robuck
  • Patent number: 10655728
    Abstract: Reversely identical transmissions for a tiltrotor aircraft include reconfigurable gearbox lubrication systems to accommodate operation in either direction of propeller rotation, using common parts. In a typical installation, at least two separate winged tiltrotor transmissions operate with opposing propeller rotations. Common parts of the two transmissions include cast housings, rotor shafts, pinion gears, lubrication sump tanks, lubrication pumps, and lubrication filter manifolds including filters having reversible orientations. Either transmission configuration can be utilized on either the left or right side of a tiltrotor aircraft by swapping the lubrication sump tank and lubrication filter manifold locations on the gearbox. In addition, a plug is used to manually reconfigure an opposite lubrication oil path to accommodate first and second rotational directions of the lubrication pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Evan J. Filter, Mark J. Robuck
  • Patent number: 9938004
    Abstract: A transmission includes a first pericyclic motion converter having a first aperture to receive at least a portion of an output shaft and a second pericyclic motion converter having a second aperture to receive at least a portion of the output shaft. A first bearing is positioned between an inner surface of the first pericyclic motion converter defined by the first aperture and an outer surface of the output shaft. A second bearing is positioned between an inner surface of the second pericyclic motion converter defined by the second aperture and the outer surface of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Eric Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9765853
    Abstract: An example transmission includes a first pericyclic motion converter to wobble at an angle relative to a first reaction control member and a first output shaft gear. The first pericyclic motion converter having gear teeth to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the first reaction control member to provide a first gear mesh and to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the first output shaft gear to provide a second gear mesh. A second pericyclic motion converter wobbles at an angle relative to a second reaction control member and a second output shaft gear. The second pericyclic motion converter having gear teeth to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the second reaction control member to provide a third gear mesh and engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the second output shaft gear to provide a fourth gear mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Eric Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20170152935
    Abstract: Reversely identical transmissions for a tiltrotor aircraft may include reconfigurable gearbox lubrication systems to accommodate operation in either direction of propeller rotation, using common parts. In a typical installation, at least two separate winged tiltrotor transmissions may operate with opposing propeller rotations. Common parts of the two transmissions may include cast housings, rotor shafts, pinion gears, lubrication sump tanks, lubrication pumps, and lubrication filter manifolds including filters having reversible orientations. Either transmission configuration may be utilized on either the left or right side of a tiltrotor aircraft by swapping the lubrication sump tank and lubrication filter manifold locations on the gearbox. In addition, a plug may be used to manually reconfigure an opposite lubrication oil path to accommodate first and second rotational directions of the lubrication pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Evan J. Filter, Mark J. Robuck
  • Publication number: 20160341282
    Abstract: Power transmissions are disclosed. An example transmission includes a first pericyclic motion converter to wobble at an angle relative to a first reaction control member and a first output shaft gear. The first pericyclic motion converter having gear teeth to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the first reaction control member to provide a first gear mesh and to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the first output shaft gear to provide a second gear mesh. A second pericyclic motion converter wobbles at an angle relative to a second reaction control member and a second output shaft gear. The second pericyclic motion converter having gear teeth to engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the second reaction control member to provide a third gear mesh and engage a portion of gear teeth at a circumference of the second output shaft gear to provide a fourth gear mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Eric Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20160341283
    Abstract: Power transmissions are disclosed. An example transmission includes a first pericyclic motion converter having a first aperture to receive at least a portion of an output shaft and a second pericyclic motion converter having a second aperture to receive at least a portion of the output shaft. A first bearing is positioned between an inner surface of the first pericyclic motion converter defined by the first aperture and an outer surface of the output shaft. A second bearing is positioned between an inner surface of the second pericyclic motion converter defined by the second aperture and the outer surface of the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mark J. Robuck, Eric Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7309166
    Abstract: A hub joint for supporting bearings adapted to rotatably receive a shaft. The joint includes an upper annular portion having a radially inner boundary and an upper bearing mount attached to the inner boundary of the upper annular portion. The upper bearing mount has a radially inner surface forming a conical upper bearing seat. The joint further comprises a lower bearing mount attached to and positioned below the upper bearing mount. The lower bearing mount has a radially inner surface forming a conical lower bearing seat. The joint also comprises a lower annular portion having a radially inner boundary attached to the lower bearing mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter Holemans, Mark J. Robuck, Pierre J. Minguet
  • Patent number: 6966865
    Abstract: A high ratio, double helical epicyclic gear transmission that is primarily intended for use in rotary wing aircraft employs double helical planet gears to obtain a reduction in size of the transmission, to improve the safety of the transmission, and to reduce the noise created by operation of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond J. Drago, Joseph W. Lenski Jr., Mark J. Robuck