Patents by Inventor Richard A. Bakowski
Richard A. Bakowski 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).
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Publication number: 20140174430Abstract: A method of calibrating a mirror orientation system of a heliostat includes mounting an artificial light source to a heliostat mirror, providing an array of light sensors on a solar thermal tower and positioning the heliostat mirror at a first orientation. A control module is provided a signal indicative of a mirror drive mechanism position at the first mirror orientation. The control module correlates the signal indicative of the mechanism position with an energy distribution across the sensor array as the artificial light source is energized when the mirror is at the first orientation. The drive mechanism moves the mirror to a second orientation and directs artificial light on the sensor array. The drive mechanism position signal is correlated with an energy distribution across the sensor array based on the second mirror orientation. The heliostat is calibrated based on the energy distributions and the drive mechanism position signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Brian M. Fitzgerald, John D. Zalewski, Peter M. Jacobsen, Franz Faschinger, Richard A. Bakowski, Philipp Ebner, David W. Wenthen, Burke Smith
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Publication number: 20140174499Abstract: A heliostat for reflecting sunlight toward a target includes a first structure supporting a mirror including inner and outer tubes being rotatable relative to one another. A first actuator includes an electric motor driving a reduction gearset to rotate one of the first tubes and rotate the mirror about a first axis. A second structure also includes inner and outer rotatable tubes. A second actuator includes a second electric motor driving a reduction gearset to rotate the mirror about a second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Brian M. Fitzgerald, John D. Zalewski, Franz Faschinger, Richard A. Bakowski, Philipp Ebner, David W. Wenthen, Burke Smith, Peter M. Jacobsen
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Publication number: 20140106921Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a first input member, a first output member and a two-speed module selectively drivingly interconnecting the first input member and the first output member at one of two different drive ratios. A reduction unit includes a second input member being driven by the first output member and has a second output member being driven at a reduced speed relative to the second input member. A differential assembly has an input driven by said second output member. A first differential output drives a first output shaft, and a second differential output drives a second output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Noel R. Mack, John R. Forsyth, David W. Wenthen, Richard A. Bakowski, Mario Charles DeSantis, Kelly Rathnaw
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Patent number: 8556760Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a first input member, a first output member and a two-speed module selectively drivingly interconnecting the first input member and the first output member at one of two different drive ratios. A reduction unit includes a second input member being driven by the first output member and has a second output member being driven at a reduced speed relative to the second input member. A differential assembly has an input driven by said second output member. A first differential output drives a first output shaft, and a second differential output drives a second output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Inventors: Noel R. Mack, John R. Forsyth, David W. Wenthen, Richard A. Bakowski, Mario C. DeSantis, Kelly Rathnaw
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Publication number: 20110218070Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a first input member, a first output member and a two-speed module selectively drivingly interconnecting the first input member and the first output member at one of two different drive ratios. A reduction unit includes a second input member being driven by the first output member and has a second output member being driven at a reduced speed relative to the second input member. A differential assembly has an input driven by said second output member. A first differential output drives a first output shaft, and a second differential output drives a second output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INCInventors: Noel R. Mack, John R. Forsyth, David W. Wenthen, Richard A. Bakowski, Mario C. DeSantis, Kelly Rathnaw
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Publication number: 20100076655Abstract: A vehicle driveline component that includes an input member, at least one output member and a preloaded clutch that is disposed between the input member and the at least one output member. The preloaded clutch limits drive torque transmitted form the input member to each output member. The driveline component is selected from a group consisting of transfer cases, propshafts, viscous couplings and differentials. A related method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2007Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.Inventors: James S. Brissenden, Richard Bakowski
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Patent number: 5711740Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-speed gear reduction unit and a shift mechanism for establishing two distinct speed ratio drive connections between an input member and an output member. More specifically, the shift mechanism includes a clutch apparatus for stopping relative rotation between the input and output members prior to shifting the gear reduction unit from its neutral operating state into either of its high-range or low-range operating states. Thus, the present invention is adapted for use in the transfer case of a four-wheel drive vehicle for shifting between four-wheel high-range and low-range drive modes.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Bakowski
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Patent number: 5702321Abstract: A power transfer system is disclosed for a full-time four-wheel drive vehicle. The power transfer system includes a layshaft gear reduction unit that is operable for establishing high-range and low-range speed ratios, and a synchronized range shift mechanism that is adapted to permit the vehicle operator to shift on-the-fly for establishing full-time high-range and low-range four-wheel drive modes. The power transfer system includes an slip limiting/torque-biasing arrangement including an interaxle differential and a transfer clutch operable for controlling the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Bakowski, Richard E. Eastman
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Patent number: 5380255Abstract: The present invention provided a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transfer system includes a part-time transfer case having an input member rotatably driven by the vehicle's engine, first and second output members operable to rotatively drive respective front and rear axle assemblies, and an intermediate shaft through which power is selectively transferred from the input member to one or both of the first and second output members. In operation, driven rotation of the intermediate shaft causes power to be constantly delivered to the first output member and the front axle assembly for establishing a two-wheel drive mode of operation. Moreover, selective actuation of a mode shift arrangement functions to interconnect the second output member to the intermediate shaft for also delivering power to the rear axle assembly for establishing a four-wheel drive mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: James S. Brissenden, Richard A. Bakowski
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Patent number: 5267914Abstract: A power transmission device for converting a four wheel drive vehicle is disclosed. The device utilizes the existing highway gear ratios available on standard front wheel drive vehicles. By incorporating an additional gear ratio for both the front and rear wheels, the lower gear ratios desired by off-road users are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1993Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Eastman, Richard A. Bakowski
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Patent number: 5226339Abstract: A manual two-speed automotive transmission adapted to being driven by an electric motor. The transmission includes an input shaft assembly driven by the motor via its armature, a flywheel and a clutch, an input gear assembly axially aligned with and separated from the input shaft assembly, and a transfer shaft assembly parallel to the input assemblies. A two-gear speed reducer rotatably mounted on the transfer shaft assembly connects a fixed gear of the input shaft assembly to a fixed gear of the input gear assembly. Additional gears are rotatably mounted on the transfer shaft assembly and secured to the input gear assembly, such that a synchronizer assembly on the transfer shaft cooperates with the various gears to drive the transfer shaft and a final output gear mounted thereon at a low or high speed. Reverse is accomplished by reversing the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1992Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: John M. Donato, John C. McCoy, Robert S. McKee, Ralph D. Salle, Richard A. Bakowski