Patents by Inventor Michael S. Powell

Michael S. Powell 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: 9067336
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 9067291
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 8910607
    Abstract: A starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a starter motor and a motion control mechanism. The starter motor includes a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine. The starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation. The motion control mechanism includes a mechanism pinion gear that is configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine. The mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 8701851
    Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Partridge, Robert A. Muchmore, Paul A. Piorkowski, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120234279
    Abstract: A starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a starter motor and a motion control mechanism. The starter motor includes a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine. The starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation. The motion control mechanism includes a mechanism pinion gear that is configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine. The mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 8256562
    Abstract: A powertrain for a motor vehicle includes an engine disposed in a front of the motor vehicle and having an output member, an automatic transmission disposed in a rear of the motor vehicle and having an input member, a torque converter connected to the input member of the automatic transmission, and a shaft disposed along a length of the motor vehicle and connected to the torque converter. A first damper is connected to the output member of the engine and is connected to the shaft. The first damper has a first spring set interconnected to the output member of the engine and a second spring set interconnected to the first spring set and to the shaft. The first damper is operable to isolate torsional vibration between the engine and the shaft and isolate the shaft from torsional resonant behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Randall S. Beikmann, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 8245591
    Abstract: A scissor gear assembly may include first and second gears, a friction plate, and a biasing member. The first gear may have a first number (n) of gear teeth extending from a perimeter thereof. The second gear may have a second number (m) of gear teeth extending from a perimeter thereof and may be concentrically mounted relative to the first gear and rotatable relative to the first gear. The second number (m) of gear teeth may be greater than the first number (n) of gear teeth. The friction plate may be rotationally fixed relative to the first gear. The biasing member may have a first end axially fixed relative to the first gear and a second end axially biasing the second gear and the friction plate into engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Young-Long Chen, Arvo J. Siismets, Scott R. Zechiel, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120085198
    Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Partridge, Robert A. Muchmore, Paul A. Piorkowski, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20110048836
    Abstract: A powertrain for a motor vehicle includes an engine disposed in a front of the motor vehicle and having an output member, an automatic transmission disposed in a rear of the motor vehicle and having an input member, a torque converter connected to the input member of the automatic transmission, and a shaft disposed along a length of the motor vehicle and connected to the torque converter. A first damper is connected to the output member of the engine and is connected to the shaft. The first damper has a first spring set interconnected to the output member of the engine and a second spring set interconnected to the first spring set and to the shaft. The first damper is operable to isolate torsional vibration between the engine and the shaft and isolate the shaft from torsional resonant behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Randall S. Beikmann, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20110030489
    Abstract: A scissor gear assembly may include first and second gears, a friction plate, and a biasing member. The first gear may have a first number (n) of gear teeth extending from a perimeter thereof. The second gear may have a second number (m) of gear teeth extending from a perimeter thereof and may be concentrically mounted relative to the first gear and rotatable relative to the first gear. The second number (m) of gear teeth may be greater than the first number (n) of gear teeth. The friction plate may be rotationally fixed relative to the first gear. The biasing member may have a first end axially fixed relative to the first gear and a second end axially biasing the second gear and the friction plate into engagement with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Young-Long Chen, Arvo J. Siismets, Scott R. Zechiel, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20110017036
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7228773
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7171880
    Abstract: A sawdust collection cup of a dust collection system for use with a panel saw is disposed proximal a bottom of a vertically disposed channel member. The sawdust collection cup has an open top, a front portion disposed for receiving sawdust from in front of a workpiece, and a rear portion aligned with the channel member that functions as a catch basin for sawdust ejected into the channel member for receiving sawdust from the rear side of the workpiece. The sawdust collection cup further defines an outlet for connecting to a dust collection hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7044039
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 4897009
    Abstract: Drill pipe handling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of lengths of drill pipe and delivering each pipe into position for its removal by drilling apparatus which is operable to drill the pipe into the ground at an angle off vertical, having a brake for preventing rotation of the magazine such as might otherwise occur due to the magazine being in an unbalanced condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Peabody Coal Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell