Patents by Inventor Max J. Teasdale

Max J. Teasdale 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).

  • Clutch assembly with a planetary gear set
    Patent number: 6102827
    Abstract: A clutch includes a stationary housing member, a rotating member supported for rotation with respect to the stationary housing member, and a planetary gear assembly operably interconnecting the rotating member to an output shaft. The planetary gear assembly reduces the magnitude of speed transmitted to the output shaft. An actuating mechanism is used to switch the rotating member between a disengaged position where the rotating member rotates freely with respect to the stationary housing member and an engaged position where the rotating member is grounded to the stationary housing member. The actuating mechanism includes a magneto rheological fluid and a plurality of actuation coils. An electric current is supplied to the creating a magnetic flux. When a current is applied to the coils, the rotating member is placed in the engaged position and when there is no current in the coils, the rotating member is in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Max J. Teasdale, Kent C. Bates, Jose M. Salazar-Vior