Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Esterle

Thomas F. Esterle 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: 9797499
    Abstract: A method of mounting a motor to a gearbox includes positioning a coupling along an input shaft of the gearbox from a starting position to a first alignment position. In the starting position, the coupling drivingly engages a greater portion of the gearbox input shaft than in the first alignment position. In the first alignment position, the coupling operatively contacts the motor output shaft. Another step includes rotating the coupling so that the coupling aligns with the motor output shaft. Another step includes axially positioning the coupling at a second alignment position such that the coupling drivingly engages both the motor output and the gearbox input shafts. Another step includes positioning the motor to allow mounting of the motor on the gearbox with the coupling at a third alignment position drivingly engaging a greater portion of the motor output and the gearbox input shafts than in the second alignment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Esterle, Michael E. Konruff, Chuong Nguyen, Charles Richard Russell, Jack Dean Asher
  • Patent number: 9528594
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear box has a backing member. The backing member is configured to allow mounting of a plurality of lubrication components on the backing member. One of the lubrication components comprises a pump configured to pressurize lubricating oil for the lubrication system. The pump has a suction and discharge. The pump suction is removably connectable to the gear box and the pump discharge is removably connectable to piping that is configured to communicate with the gear box. The backing member has a lifting mount arranged along its length and width that corresponds to a center of gravity of the backing member with the lubrication components mounted thereto. The lubrication components are modular and may be replaced and installed as necessary on the backing member. Multiple like lubrication systems may be provided, and removed and installed on the gear box as needed for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Konruff, Chuong Nguyen, Charles Richard Russell, Jack Dean Asher, John William DeJong, II, Thomas F. Esterle
  • Publication number: 20160069446
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear box has a backing member. The backing member is configured to allow mounting of a plurality of lubrication components on the backing member. One of the lubrication components comprises a pump configured to pressurize lubricating oil for the lubrication system. The pump has a suction and discharge. The pump suction is removably connectable to the gear box and the pump discharge is removably connectable to piping that is configured to communicate with the gear box. The backing member has a lifting mount arranged along its length and width that corresponds to a center of gravity of the backing member with the lubrication components mounted thereto. The lubrication components are modular and may be replaced and installed as necessary on the backing member. Multiple like lubrication systems may be provided, and removed and installed on the gear box as needed for maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Michael E. Konruff, Chuong Nguyen, Charles Richard Russell, Jack Dean Asher, John William DeJong, II, Thomas F. Esterle
  • Publication number: 20160047458
    Abstract: A method of mounting a motor to a gearbox includes positioning a coupling along an input shaft of the gearbox from a starting position to a first alignment position. In the starting position, the coupling drivingly engages a greater portion of the gearbox input shaft than in the first alignment position. In the first alignment position, the coupling operatively contacts the motor output shaft. Another step includes rotating the coupling so that the coupling aligns with the motor output shaft. Another step includes axially positioning the coupling at a second alignment position such that the coupling drivingly engages both the motor output and the gearbox input shafts. Another step includes positioning the motor to allow mounting of the motor on the gearbox with the coupling at a third alignment position drivingly engaging a greater portion of the motor output and the gearbox input shafts than in the second alignment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas F. Esterle, Michael E. Konruff, Chuong Nguyen, Charles Richard Russell, Jack Dean Asher