Patents by Inventor Roderic A. Schlabach
Roderic A. Schlabach 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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Patent number: 8360720Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Lucid Energy, Inc.Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Rydell Cosby, Edward J. Kurth, Igor Palley, Greg Smith
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Patent number: 8011270Abstract: A pedal assembly including a pedal support and a pedal member rotatably coupled to the pedal support to allow pivotal movement of the pedal member about a pivot axis. The pedal assembly further includes a friction member having a bearing surface, and a clamp member engaged with the pedal member and having an engagement surface abutting the bearing surface of the friction member to define at least two separate and distinct surface contact regions. The pedal assembly also includes a biasing member arranged to bias the clamp member to provide frictional engagement along the separate and distinct surface contact regions to resist pivotal movement of the pedal member. In one embodiment, the clamp member is engaged with the pedal member by a sliding pivot configured to allow the clamp member to be pivotally and slidably displaced relative to the pedal member during pivotal movement of the pedal member.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Wabash Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Vorndran
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Publication number: 20110204640Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicants: NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY, LUCID ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLPInventors: Roderic A. SCHLABACH, Mark Rydell COSBY, Edward KURTH, Igor PALLEY, Greg SMITH
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Patent number: 7959411Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignees: Northwest Pipe Company, Lucid Energy Technologies, LLPInventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Rydell Cosby, Edward Kurth, Igor Palley, Greg Smith
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Publication number: 20100253081Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Rydell Cosby, Edward Kurth, Igor Palley, Greg Smith
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Publication number: 20100253083Abstract: A helical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce work or electricity. The twisted blades of the turbine define a right circular cylinder when the shaft mounting them rotates under the influence of fluid flow through the pipe. In one embodiment, baffles are provided at least upstream of the cylindrical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the cylindrical turbine. The twisted blades of the helical turbine are airfoil in cross section, as are the radial struts or spokes that mount the twisted blades to the rotatable shaft, thereby to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Rydell Cosby, Edward Kurth, Igor Palley, Greg Smith
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Patent number: 7503236Abstract: A pedal assembly for use in association with a vehicle includes a pedal support adapted for mounting to the vehicle. The pedal support includes a pivot shaft extending along a pivot axis and having an outer bearing surface. A pedal arm is rotatably engaged to the pivot shaft to allow pivotal movement of the pedal arm about the pivot axis. A clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the pedal arm and has a compression surface. A biasing member is engaged between the pedal support and the clamp arm and is arranged to apply a biasing force to the clamp arm to pivot the clamp arm relative to the pedal arm and toward the pivot shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Wabash Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Roderic A. Schlabach
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Publication number: 20080149411Abstract: A pedal assembly including a pedal support and a pedal member rotatably coupled to the pedal support to allow pivotal movement of the pedal member about a pivot axis. The pedal assembly further includes a friction member having a bearing surface, and a clamp member engaged with the pedal member and having an engagement surface abutting the bearing surface of the friction member to define at least two separate and distinct surface contact regions. The pedal assembly also includes a biasing member arranged to bias the clamp member to provide frictional engagement along the separate and distinct surface contact regions to resist pivotal movement of the pedal member. In one embodiment, the clamp member is engaged with the pedal member by a sliding pivot configured to allow the clamp member to be pivotally and slidably displaced relative to the pedal member during pivotal movement of the pedal member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Mark Vorndran
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Publication number: 20070193396Abstract: A pedal assembly for use in association with a vehicle includes a pedal support adapted for mounting to the vehicle. The pedal support includes a pivot shaft extending along a pivot axis and having an outer bearing surface. A pedal arm is rotatably engaged to the pivot shaft to allow pivotal movement of the pedal arm about the pivot axis. A clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the pedal arm and has a compression surface. A biasing member is engaged between the pedal support and the clamp arm and is arranged to apply a biasing force to the clamp arm to pivot the clamp arm relative to the pedal arm and toward the pivot shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Inventor: Roderic Schlabach
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Publication number: 20060185469Abstract: A pedal assembly that provides a repeatable response force between different pedal assemblies by providing at least one of a wear surface or a pivotal shoe on a brake pad that will contact a portion of the pedal arm. The pedal assembly includes a housing, an elongated pedal arm having a rotatable drum defining a braking surface and rotatably mounted in the housing, the pedal arm being movable between an idle, first position and a second position, a brake pad assembly having a pivoting base and a contact portion pivotally mounted to the base, the contact portion having a contact surface adapted to frictionally engage the braking surface, and a biasing device operably coupled to the pedal arm and the brake pad assembly for urging the contact surface into frictional engagement with the braking surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventor: Roderic Schlabach
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Publication number: 20050258715Abstract: A piezoelectric bending actuator that is insensitive to temperature changes. The actuator includes a pair of piezoelectric layers. One of the layers bends in response to an applied voltage and the other piezoelectric layer flattens in response to an applied voltage. The piezoelectric layers are mounted adjacent to each other. The piezoelectric layers move opposite to each other in response to a change in temperature such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures. The piezoelectric layers are held in compression between a ring and a retainer. Compressing the piezoelectric layers allows the bending actuator to have a high stroke with improved durability because the discs are kept in compression.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventor: Roderic Schlabach
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Patent number: 6546816Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: Roderic A. Schlabach
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Publication number: 20030041677Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventor: Roderic A. Schlabach
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Patent number: 6510750Abstract: A sensor for measuring torque and position of a shaft having an internal torsion bar. The sensor has a torque sensor, located in the housing and connected to the shaft. The torque sensor has a rotor in electrical contact with a first and second resistive track disposed on an opposed disc. A position sensor is located in the housing and is connected to the shaft. The position sensor has a third contactor mounted to the housing in electrical contact with a third resistive track located on the disc. Several electrical terminals are located in the housing and are electrically communicated with the contactors to provide an electrical signal indicative of the torque and position of the shaft to an external electrical circuit. A slip ring is attached between the rotor and the housing. The slip ring has a fourth and fifth contactor in contact with the torque sensor. The slip ring is adapted to electrically connect the torque sensor to the electrical terminals.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Jeffery Hershberger, John T. Lewis, Steven R. Mitchell, James E. White
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Publication number: 20010048301Abstract: A sensor for measuring torque and position of a shaft having an internal torsion bar. The sensor has a torque sensor, located in the housing and connected to the shaft. The torque sensor has a rotor in electrical contact with a first and second resistive track disposed on an opposed disc. A position sensor is located in the housing and is connected to the shaft. The position sensor has a third contactor mounted to the housing in electrical contact with a third resistive track located on the disc. Several electrical terminals are located in the housing and are electrically communicated with the contactors to provide an electrical signal indicative of the torque and position of the shaft to an external electrical circuit. A slip ring is attached between the rotor and the housing. The slip ring has a fourth and fifth contactor in contact with the torque sensor. The slip ring is adapted to electrically connect the torque sensor to the electrical terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Roderic A. Schlabach, Jeffery Hershberger, John T. Lewis, Steven R. Mitchell, James E. White