Patents by Inventor Thomas Wilkins

Thomas Wilkins 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: 11936253
    Abstract: A system can include an axial field rotary energy device with an axis of rotation and a rotor coaxial with the axis and having a shaft, bearings, rotor disks that are coaxial and permanent magnets on each rotor disk. A printed circuit board (PCB) stator is located between the rotor disks to define an air gap on each side of the PCB stator. An enclosure has two enclosure sections with an inspection port. Bearing caps and bearings are mounted to the rotor. A variable frequency drive (VFD) assembly is coupled to the axial field rotary energy device. The VFD has a flexible conduit that extends between the VFD housing and the axial field rotary energy device. The flexible conduit can adapt to different sizes of axial field rotary energy devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: INFINITUM ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Paulo Guedes-Pinto, Shriram Pushparaj Patil, John Mitchell Wilson, Randal A. Lee, Zachary Thomas Radkey-Pechacek, Luke Robert Wilkin
  • Patent number: 10295044
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Thomas Wilkins, Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Brian Christian Orr, Andrew Brian Lovatt, William David Guarino
  • Patent number: 10132400
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine having a first locking feature defining first mating surfaces, and a differential coupled to a transfer case via a driveshaft. The differential includes a second locking feature defining second mating surfaces. The first and second locking features are engaged such that the first and second mating surfaces are disposed against each other connecting the engine and the differential. A fastener is disposed within the engine and the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Sipila, Mathew Leonard Hintzen, Charles Raymond Kvasnicka, Charles Krysztof, David Krenk, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10047800
    Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20180100574
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Marc Thomas WILKINS, Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Brian Christian ORR, Andrew Brian LOVATT, William David GUARINO
  • Patent number: 9810311
    Abstract: A vehicle axle includes a housing defining a sump, a gear assembly and a baffle. The gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the housing. The ring gear is configured to pump fluid throughout the housing. A pinion gear is meshed with the ring gear. The baffle is disposed within the sump and connected to the housing. The baffle has a first part being configured to control fluid flow across the ring gear and a second part attached to the first part. The second part is configured to control fluid flow across the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Michael Carter, Mark Steward, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20170276181
    Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Marc Thomas WILKINS
  • Publication number: 20170204961
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine having a first locking feature defining first mating surfaces, and a differential coupled to a transfer case via a driveshaft. The differential includes a second locking feature defining second mating surfaces. The first and second locking features are engaged such that the first and second mating surfaces are disposed against each other connecting the engine and the differential. A fastener is disposed within the engine and the differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Darren Sipila, Mathew Leonard Hintzen, Charles Raymond Kvasnicka, Charles Krysztof, David Krenk, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8272780
    Abstract: A system for testing electrical devices under varying thermal conditions is disclosed. The system includes a fixture that comprises two vertically arranged rails, into which horizontally arranged electrical devices are inserted. The rails are in contact with two thermal plates whose temperatures are controlled by controller or controllers. Target temperatures for the two thermal plates are communicated to the controller or controllers, and the electrical output of the electrical devices under test are monitored under varying thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rantec Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20080046887
    Abstract: A method and structure for determining a listing of host processors on a network to perform a parallel application, including determining a listing of all possible hosts on the network for performing the parallel application, determining for each of the possible hosts a current capacity and a current utilization, calculating for each of the possible hosts a difference between the current capacity and the current utilization, and selecting from the listing of all possible hosts a listing of hosts based on sorting the calculated differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Ditlow, Daria Dooling, David Moran, Thomas Wilkins, Ralph Williams
  • Publication number: 20080046892
    Abstract: A method and structure for determining a listing of host processors on a network to perform a parallel application, including determining a listing of all possible hosts on the network for performing the parallel application, determining for each of the possible hosts a current capacity and a current utilization, calculating for each of the possible hosts a difference between the current capacity and the current utilization, and selecting from the listing of all possible hosts a listing of hosts based on sorting the calculated differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Ditlow, Daria Dooling, David Moran, Thomas Wilkins, Ralph Williams
  • Patent number: 6924565
    Abstract: Real and reactive power control for wind turbine generator systems. The technique described herein provides the potential to utilize the total capacity of a wind turbine generator system (e.g., a wind farm) to provide dynamic VAR (reactive power support). The VAR support provided by individual wind turbine generators in a system can be dynamically varied to suit application parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wilkins, Nagwa M. Elkachouty, Reigh A. Walling, James P. Lyons, Robert W. Delmerico, Sumit Bose, Nicholas Wright Miller
  • Publication number: 20050040655
    Abstract: Real and reactive power control for wind turbine generator systems. The technique described herein provides the potential to utilize the total capacity of a wind turbine generator system (e.g., a wind farm) to provide dynamic VAR (reactive power support). The VAR support provided by individual wind turbine generators in a system can be dynamically varied to suit application parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Wilkins, Nagwa Elkachouty, Reigh Walling, James Lyons, Robert Delmerico, Sumit Bose, Nicholas Miller
  • Patent number: 6494929
    Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Stimvak Limited
    Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20010050001
    Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 4118819
    Abstract: A floor treating machine of the single rotary brush type having a handle and a motor both laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the brush in a direction to impart a tilting couple opposed to that arising from operator forces counteracting the reaction couple on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company Limited
    Inventors: Sidney Gordon, John Thomas Wilkins, Haydn Frank Mayo
  • Patent number: 4114711
    Abstract: A floor treating machine, particularly for scrubbing or polishing a floor is provided with a recording and replay device for the power supply to the traction motors so that it may be programmed to repeat a pattern of movement automatically. In order to provide constant and periodic checks on the accuracy of the repetition over long straight runs, there is provided a distance check device for comparing the distance run in operation with the distance run on recording, and means for correcting the path should discrepancies arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company Limited
    Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 4094034
    Abstract: A floor treatment machine of the rotary brush type in which, in operation, the weight of the machine is, to at least a significant extent, supported by the rotary brush or brushes, in which a brush mounting member is flexibly suspended between resilient elements for limited universal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company Limited
    Inventors: John Thomas Wilkins, Haydn Frank Mayo
  • Patent number: 4044848
    Abstract: This invention relates to floor treatment machines, e.g. for scrubbing and polishing floors comprising a pair of driving wheels with independent speed control, a pair of independently movable manually operable control members mounted side-by-side on the machine, with each of said control members being operably connected to an individual electrical component forming part of the speed control for one of the driving wheels, whereby synchronized movement of the control members provides equal adjustment of the wheel speeds, whereas differential movement of the control members provides a steering effect. When operated by a walking operator, such machines have been found to exhibit a tendency to hunt for a selected speed, and in order to avoid this damping means is provided between the operator's control and the electrical components to reduce the sensitivity of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company Limited
    Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 3952361
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a floor treating machine having laterally spaced drive wheels driven by separate electric traction motors under electronic control so as to be driven by separate train of pulses, comprising means for recording the trains of pulses to the traction motors and means for replaying the record to reproduce the trains of pulses whereby the machine will repeat the operation. When replaying the record it is normally necessary to provide course correction by means of sensing devices for sensing the presence of a wall or other physical obstruction and further sensing devices for sensing the presence of unscrubbed floor, and means for providing overriding control by signals from the sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company Limited
    Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins