Patents by Inventor Shepard Lynn Hockaday

Shepard Lynn Hockaday 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: 7498712
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electrical component, e.g., brush, manufacture are provided that control grain orientation. The systems and methods utilize hot pressing techniques to enhance the properties and functionalities of the electrical components/brushes. An intermediate work product characterized by a grain orientation is initially formed through a conventional pressing technique. The conventionally-pressed intermediates are positioned within a cavity/die with the grain orientation in a predetermined orientation relative to the hot press force to be applied thereto. The hot pressed final product exhibits superior resistivity, strength and apparent density/durability. Surface features may be formed on the face(s) of the final work product during the hot pressing step that cannot be achieved in conventional processing techniques. Advantageous articles of manufacture, e.g., brushes and brush assemblies, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Systems Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Candace Stephenson Barefoot, George Dane Goodson, Timothy Glenn King, Ray John Matthews, John David Reece, Jr., Jeffrey Shaw Smith, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee
  • Publication number: 20080054753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electrical component, e.g., brush, manufacture are provided that control grain orientation. The systems and methods utilize hot pressing techniques to enhance the properties and functionalities of the electrical components/brushes. An intermediate work product characterized by a grain orientation is initially formed through a conventional pressing technique. The conventionally-pressed intermediates are positioned within a cavity/die with the grain orientation in a predetermined orientation relative to the hot press force to be applied thereto. The hot pressed final product exhibits superior resistivity, strength and apparent density/durability. Surface features may be formed on the face(s) of the final work product during the hot pressing step that cannot be achieved in conventional processing techniques. Advantageous articles of manufacture, e.g., brushes and brush assemblies, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Candace Stephenson Barefoot, George Dane Goodson, Timothy Glenn King, Ray John Matthews, John David Reece, Jeffrey Shaw Smith, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee
  • Publication number: 20080054708
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electrical component, e.g., brush, manufacture are provided that control grain orientation. The systems and methods utilize hot pressing techniques to enhance the properties and functionalities of the electrical components/brushes. An intermediate work product characterized by a grain orientation is initially formed through a conventional pressing technique. The conventionally-pressed intermediates are positioned within a cavity/die with the grain orientation in a predetermined orientation relative to the hot press force to be applied thereto. The hot pressed final product exhibits superior resistivity, strength and apparent density/durability. Surface features may be formed on the face(s) of the final work product during the hot pressing step that cannot be achieved in conventional processing techniques. Advantageous articles of manufacture, e.g., brushes and brush assemblies, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Candace Stephenson Barefoot, George Dane Goodson, Timothy Glenn King, Ray John Matthews, John David Reece, Jr., Jeffrey Shaw Smith, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee
  • Patent number: 6998754
    Abstract: Detailed are brush assemblies for electric motors. The assemblies may include retention springs or other mechanisms designed to bias brushes away from surfaces of commutators during assembly of the motors. Such retention mechanisms additionally may be fitted into cavities in associated cover plates following motor assembly. The cover plates further may include tabs which, in use of the motor, assist in supporting side surfaces of the brushes and in orienting the plate relative to a corresponding brush card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Systems Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Walter Nedriga, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee, Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Alvin Leon Farthing, Otway Archer Southall
  • Patent number: 6958563
    Abstract: Rotary switches, and in particular riser-style commutators, are detailed together with featured strips from which they are made. Segments formed from the strips may include anchor notches and slots for receiving reinforcing rings. The structure of the strip additionally permits electrical isolation of adjacent riser segments to occur through its coining rather than through slotting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Systems Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee, Winford Lee Stephens, Danny Earl Thornton, Robert Eugene Jenkins, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040139595
    Abstract: Rotary switches, and in particular riser-style commutators, are detailed together with featured strips from which they are made. Segments formed from the strips may include anchor notches and slots for receiving reinforcing rings. The structure of the strip additionally permits electrical isolation of adjacent riser segments to occur through its coining rather than through slotting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Shepard Lynn Hockaday, Pimol Ballard Vonkchalee, Winford Lee Stephens, Danny Earl Thornton, Robert Eugene Jenkins