Patents by Inventor Matthew E. Bell

Matthew E. Bell 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).

  • Systems and methods for selectively disengaging a clutch to protect engines from damage
    Patent number: 8522942
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to methods and devices for use with vehicles that include a clutch, a transmission, a slave cylinder, a master cylinder and an engine. In accordance with an embodiment, a device includes a primary piston configured to urge hydraulic fluid into a slave cylinder, when the primary piston is moved from a first position to a second position, to thereby disengage the clutch from the transmission. The primary piston is normally movable from the first position to the second position by hydraulic actuation of a master cylinder. A secondary piston is configured to selectively apply force to the primary piston, to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position, when the secondary piston is selectively actuated. The secondary piston can be selectively actuated by a secondary fluid, such as a compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew E. Bell, David B. Bell
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY DISENGAGING A CLUTCH TO PROTECT ENGINES FROM DAMAGE
    Publication number: 20120031086
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to methods and devices for use with vehicles that include a clutch, a transmission, a slave cylinder, a master cylinder and an engine. In accordance with an embodiment, a device includes a primary piston configured to urge hydraulic fluid into a slave cylinder, when the primary piston is moved from a first position to a second position, to thereby disengage the clutch from the transmission. The primary piston is normally movable from the first position to the second position by hydraulic actuation of a master cylinder. A secondary piston is configured to selectively apply force to the primary piston, to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position, when the secondary piston is selectively actuated. The secondary piston can be selectively actuated by a secondary fluid, such as a compressed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew E. Bell, David B. Bell