Patents by Inventor Michael VanSickler

Michael VanSickler 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: 8776971
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter. The stator has a segment radially disposed between stator blades and a stator axis. The one-way clutch has a plate connected to a hub. The segment forms a portion of the clutch and the stator is axially displaceable to control operation of the clutch. A displacement element urges the stator in a first axial direction. The stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, in response to pressure from fluid in the torque converter. In some aspects, the displacement element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring and a wave spring. In some aspects, the one-way clutch is arranged to disengage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the first direction and to engage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Michael Vansickle, Christian Huegel, Yannick Strub, J. Kevin Brown, Peter Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8484960
    Abstract: A torque converter for connecting to an input shaft of a transmission including a housing, a turbine housed in the housing, a turbine hub connected to the turbine, the input shaft of the transmission being located within the turbine hub, a piston plate connected to the housing so as to be radially fixed with respect to the housing, and a bushing connected to the piston plate and the turbine hub, the piston plate via the bushing and the turbine hub centering the turbine and the input shaft of the transmission. The bushing may have a radial flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Vansickle
  • Patent number: 8056330
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a plurality of blades and a core ring supporting the plurality of blades. The core ring includes at least two segments, each segment having two circumferential ends. A core ring and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Kevin Parks, Michael Vansickle
  • Publication number: 20090013683
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a plurality of blades and a core ring supporting the plurality of blades. The core ring includes at least two segments, each segment having two circumferential ends. A core ring and method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Kevin Parks, Michael Vansickle
  • Publication number: 20090013682
    Abstract: A torque converter for connecting to an input shaft of a transmission including a housing, a turbine housed in the housing, a turbine hub connected to the turbine, the input shaft of the transmission being located within the turbine hub, a piston plate connected to the housing so as to be radially fixed with respect to the housing, and a bushing connected to the piston plate and the turbine hub, the piston plate via the bushing and the turbine hub centering the turbine and the input shaft of the transmission. The bushing may have a radial flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Michael Vansickle
  • Publication number: 20070220874
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter. The stator has a segment radially disposed between stator blades and a stator axis. The one-way clutch has a plate connected to a hub. The segment forms a portion of the clutch and the stator is axially displaceable to control operation of the clutch. A displacement element urges the stator in a first axial direction. The stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, in response to pressure from fluid in the torque converter. In some aspects, the displacement element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring and a wave spring. In some aspects, the one-way clutch is arranged to disengage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the first direction and to engage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Michael Vansickle, Christian Huegel, Yannick Strub, J. Kevin Brown, Peter Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20060180659
    Abstract: An apparatus and system is disclosed for an improved patient information management system in a medical setting. The present invention relates to a remote patient information system comprising workstations, handheld computers, and wireless portable printers or portable-computing and labeling systems that facilitate the fulfillment of orders for patient specimen collection performed manually in hospital environments by providing advanced label printing capability, by providing capability to chose a printer in order to print data sent wirelessly by a handheld device, by highlighting orders on the handheld device for which a response is past due, by alerting the user of the handheld device that an order requiring a timed test is overdue, by displaying a warning on the handheld device to ensure the user is processing the proper patient when the user is processing multiple patients, and by providing capability to configure which patient information parameters will be updated by data from other systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Cathy Loffredo, Michael VanSickler, Christopher Godschall, Victor Kaitell
  • Publication number: 20050144044
    Abstract: A handheld or portable computing device is provided and capable of providing efficient maintenance of information maintained or stored within a healthcare information system such as an LIS (laboratory information system). Periodically updating information with the server allows the user to perform many specimen collection related tasks efficiently. The handheld device and related system provide improved monitoring of diagnostic sample collection errors and further provides efficient network management of accessing and updating the information on a server through communications with the network such as ping synchronization communications and use of a valid data timer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Godschall, Michael VanSickler, Victor Kaitell