Patents by Inventor Mike J. Trinkner

Mike J. Trinkner 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: 9065305
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a welding generator having a rotor and a stator, an engine coupled to the generator wherein the rotor comprises a mass configured to provide a substantial amount of inertia to smooth operation of the engine. A system, in another embodiment, may include an engine and an electromechanical device coupled to the engine, wherein the electromechanical device comprises a rotor having a mass effective to absorb energy from the engine during firing portions and return energy to the engine during non-firing portions of a cycle of the engine. A method is provided for removing a flywheel that substantially provides inertia to an engine of a welding system and providing inertia to smooth operation of the engine without or independent of the flywheel. Another method is provided that includes substantially providing inertia to an engine via a rotor of a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mike J. Trinkner
  • Publication number: 20090234533
    Abstract: An engine oil change notification system is disclosed for an engine-driven electrical generator (e.g., welder/generator). The system may include an engine, an electrical generator, and an oil system configured to provide oil for lubrication of the engine. The system may further include a plurality of sensors coupled to the engine, the generator, and the oil system. The plurality of sensors may be configured to detect and measure operating parameters that are indicative of the quality of oil. The system may also include a processor configured to process the signals received from the plurality of sensors. Further, the processor may time stamp the signals and store data in a memory. The memory may include criteria data for determining the quality of the oil. Finally, the system may include a control panel that is coupled to the processor and configured to communicate the quality of the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mike J. Trinkner
  • Publication number: 20090101630
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a welding generator having a rotor and a stator, an engine coupled to the generator wherein the rotor comprises a mass configured to provide a substantial amount of inertia to smooth operation of the engine. A system, in another embodiment, may include an engine and an electromechanical device coupled to the engine, wherein the electromechanical device comprises a rotor having a mass effective to absorb energy from the engine during firing portions and return energy to the engine during non-firing portions of a cycle of the engine. A method is provided for removing a flywheel that substantially provides inertia to an engine of a welding system and providing inertia to smooth operation of the engine without or independent of the flywheel. Another method is provided that includes substantially providing inertia to an engine via a rotor of a generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mike J. Trinkner