Patents by Inventor Michael D. Pepe

Michael D. Pepe 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).

  • Magnetically actuated personnel restraint system
    Patent number: 9937893
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle, includes a rotatable reel, a flexible tether, a first shaft and a conductor member. The flexible tether has a first end coupled to the reel and a second end. The tether is wound upon the rotatable reel and movable in both a winding direction and an unwinding direction. The first shaft is configured to be operably coupled to the rotatable reel, and includes a plurality of magnetic elements affixed thereto. The conductor member has a hollow interior. At least a portion of the first shaft and at least a portion of the plurality of magnetic elements are disposed within the hollow interior. Movement of the tether in the unwinding direction causes relative movement between the plurality of magnets and the conductor member. Eddy currents within the conduct member generate a retarding force on the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Wolf Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul P. Thogersen, Michael D. Pepe, James Casassa, William E. Dickinson, Stuart B. Nightenhelser
  • Magnetically Actuated Personnel Restraint System
    Publication number: 20120261502
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle, includes a rotatable reel, a flexible tether, a first shaft and a conductor member. The flexible tether has a first end coupled to the reel and a second end. The tether is wound upon the rotatable reel and movable in both a winding direction and an unwinding direction. The first shaft is configured to be operably coupled to the rotatable reel, and includes a plurality of magnetic elements affixed thereto. The conductor member has a hollow interior. At least a portion of the first shaft and at least a portion of the plurality of magnetic elements are disposed within the hollow interior. Movement of the tether in the unwinding direction causes relative movement between the plurality of magnets and the conductor member. Eddy currents within the conduct member generate a retarding force on the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: WOLF TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul P. Thogersen, Michael D. Pepe, James Casassa, William E. Dickinson, Stuart B. Nightenhelser