Patents by Inventor Paul Crociata

Paul Crociata 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).

  • Publication number: 20230203869
    Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes a shaft situated between an electric motor and an output member. A brake device along the shaft is actuable via an electric brake actuator to apply braking. An active brake clamp is movable by the electric brake actuator. An axially floating rotor is rotatable with the shaft and has a first axial side facing the active brake clamp a second axial side providing a second braking surface. A passive backing brake clamp is positioned adjacent the second braking surface. The axially floating rotor is biased away from the passive backing brake clamp by a first biasing member. Deflection of the first biasing member coupled with axial movement of the active brake clamp and the axially floating rotor enables braking by pinching action of the axially floating rotor between the active brake clamp and the passive backing brake clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory Sproule, Kimpon Ngem, Paul Crociata, Steven Buell, Howard Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 11421465
    Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes an output member configured to drive movement of the movable closure, a motor coupled through a gear reduction to drive the output member, and an integrated brake-clutch unit having an input configured to receive drive power from the electric motor. The brake-clutch unit provides independent braking and clutching between the electric motor and the output member via an electric brake actuator and an electric clutch actuator, respectively. Brake and clutch portions of the brake-clutch unit act on a rotor, and brake force can be maintained on the rotor without powering the brake actuator. A clutch disc is biased disengaged from the rotor. The integrated brake-clutch unit provides a drive state between the electric motor and the output member when the brake portion is released concurrently with the clutch portion establishing a power coupling between the clutch disc and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Sproule, Howard Kuhlman, Frederick Eberle, William Champ, Steven Buell, Jacob Fritschle, Daniel Sand, Paul Crociata, David Wilcox, Brian Schymik, Michael Zientak, Kimpon Ngem
  • Publication number: 20200340282
    Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes an output member configured to drive movement of the movable closure, a motor coupled through a gear reduction to drive the output member, and an integrated brake-clutch unit having an input configured to receive drive power from the electric motor. The brake-clutch unit provides independent braking and clutching between the electric motor and the output member via an electric brake actuator and an electric clutch actuator, respectively. Brake and clutch portions of the brake-clutch unit act on a rotor, and brake force can be maintained on the rotor without powering the brake actuator. A clutch disc is biased disengaged from the rotor. The integrated brake-clutch unit provides a drive state between the electric motor and the output member when the brake portion is released concurrently with the clutch portion establishing a power coupling between the clutch disc and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Sproule, Howard Kuhlman, Frederick Eberle, William Champ, Steven Buell, Jacob Fritschle, Daniel Sand, Paul Crociata, David Wilcox, Brian Schymik, Michael Zientak, Kimpon Ngem
  • Patent number: 8875442
    Abstract: An actuator for moving a closure between an open and a closed position. The actuator having a first mode, where the closure is free to move with respect to a closure frame, and a second mode where the actuator resists movement between the closure and the closure frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: John Sohn, Gary Bree, Paul Crociata
  • Publication number: 20110225889
    Abstract: An actuator for moving a closure between an open and a closed position. The actuator having a first mode, where the closure is free to move with respect to a closure frame, and a second mode where the actuator resists movement between the closure and the closure frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: John Sohn, Gary Bree, Paul Crociata