Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Katcher

Thomas E. Katcher 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: 10823227
    Abstract: A rotating machine includes a housing and a first bearing received in the housing. The rotating machine also includes a shaft supported by the first bearing. The shaft defines a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction. The rotating machine also includes at least one duct radially interior to the outer diameter of the shaft. The duct includes an inlet port and a radial outlet port that are in fluid communication with one another. The inlet port is configured to receive air and the radial outlet port is configured to discharge the air. The rotating machine also includes an air mover longitudinally disposed between the first bearing and the inlet port of the duct. The air mover creates an area of air pressure at the radial outlet port that is less than an air pressure at the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventors: Thomas E. Katcher, William Gademer, John Gregory Snelick
  • Publication number: 20190293123
    Abstract: A rotating machine includes a housing and a first bearing received in the housing. The rotating machine also includes a shaft supported by the first bearing. The shaft defines a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction. The rotating machine also includes at least one duct radially interior to the outer diameter of the shaft. The duct includes an inlet port and a radial outlet port that are in fluid communication with one another. The inlet port is configured to receive air and the radial outlet port is configured to discharge the air. The rotating machine also includes an air mover longitudinally disposed between the first bearing and the inlet port of the duct. The air mover creates an area of air pressure at the radial outlet port that is less than an air pressure at the inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas E. Katcher, William Gademer, John Gregory Snelick
  • Patent number: 10393187
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism includes a shaft that rotationally couples a prime mover and a driven element together. The disconnect mechanism also includes a first bearing that rotationally supports the shaft and a first seize ring rigidly attached to the shaft. The first seize ring coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The disconnect mechanism also includes a housing that retains the first bearing. The housing includes a first contact member that is fixed with relation to the shaft. The first contact member is concentrically spaced from the first seize ring during the normal operation of the shaft and selectively contacts the first seize ring when the centerline control of the shaft is not maintained. The disconnect mechanism also includes a torque activated disconnect element that rotationally decouples the prime mover and the driven element from one another when the first seize ring contacts the first contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventor: Thomas E. Katcher
  • Publication number: 20180038419
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism includes a shaft that rotationally couples a prime mover and a driven element together. The disconnect mechanism also includes a first bearing that rotationally supports the shaft and a first seize ring rigidly attached to the shaft. The first seize ring coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The disconnect mechanism also includes a housing that retains the first bearing. The housing includes a first contact member that is fixed with relation to the shaft. The first contact member is concentrically spaced from the first seize ring during the normal operation of the shaft and selectively contacts the first seize ring when the centerline control of the shaft is not maintained. The disconnect mechanism also includes a torque activated disconnect element that rotationally decouples the prime mover and the driven element from one another when the first seize ring contacts the first contact member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas E. Katcher
  • Patent number: 6177748
    Abstract: A core configuration for use with an electromagnetic machine including first and second pluralities of laminations, each of the first and second pluralities having different properties and/or operating characteristics, the first and second pluralities interleaved together to form a core having desired core properties which are a combination of the properties of the first and second pluralities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electronics Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Katcher, Thomas G. Rodano