Patents by Inventor W. Keller

W. Keller 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: 9725115
    Abstract: A zero turn radius vehicle with a single steered wheel is described. The vehicle may include a pair of power transfer mechanisms driving a pair of wheels, an operator control mechanism for controlling the steering, speed and direction of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the operator control mechanism. A steerable wheel is located adjacent the front of the vehicle frame, on a first side of the vehicle frame and an electric actuator is connected to the controller for steering the front steerable wheel. A second, non-steerable front caster wheel is located on a second side of the vehicle frame. The controller controls the pair of power transfer mechanisms and the electric actuator based on operator input to the operator control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9684019
    Abstract: A wire management method using a wire manager including current sensing features provides input for power measurement and management systems. The wire manager may be a single wire or single bundle retaining device with a current sensor such as a hall effect sensor integrated therein, or may be a multi-wire management housing with multiple current sensing devices disposed inside for measuring the current through multiple wires. The wires may be multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, and the wire manager may be adapted for mounting in such a panel or raceway. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 9588160
    Abstract: A wire manager including current sensing features provides input for power measurement and management systems. The wire manager may be a single wire or single bundle retaining device with a current sensor such as a hall effect sensor integrated therein, or may be a multi-wire management housing with multiple current sensing devices disposed inside for measuring the current through multiple wires. The wires may be multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, and the wire manager may be adapted for mounting in such a panel or raceway. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 9534615
    Abstract: A module for use in connection with a dual pump apparatus, where each pump is hydraulically connected to a separate hydraulic motor. The module may include motors and/or an engine for ease of installation in a vehicle, providing flexibility for different applications. Various brackets, stabilizers and other elements are provided to assist in securing the module to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9434413
    Abstract: A transaxle assembly is provided which is configured to be mounted to a frame of a vehicle. The transaxle assembly includes a transmission that has two separately attached pivotable knuckle assemblies. Each pivotable knuckle assembly can be independently steered and includes an axle driven by the transmission. Each axle drives a wheel of the vehicle. In another configuration, the two pivotable knuckle assemblies are joined by an integrally formed crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9415575
    Abstract: A laminate material may include a first flexible layer, and a self-healing composite layer in contact with the first flexible layer. The composite layer includes an elastomer matrix, a plurality of first capsules including a polymerizer, and a corresponding activator for the polymerizer. The laminate material may self-heal when subjected to a puncture or a tear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Brett A. Beiermann, Michael W. Keller, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos
  • Patent number: 9313947
    Abstract: A vehicle including a pump apparatus having a housing in which an end cap is disposed, and a mower deck is disclosed. Multiple hydraulic pumps driven by a prime mover are mounted on the end cap and connected to hydraulic ports formed in the end cap. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the prime mover and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto to drive the mower deck. The end cap may further include a charge pump mounting surface and a charge port for connecting a charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9221336
    Abstract: A power distribution assembly integrated into the lower engine housing of an internal combustion engine, the assembly having a drive train with a T-box output configuration and power take off driven by the crankshaft of the engine. The drive train may power the input shafts of a pair of independent, variable drive transmissions. In one embodiment, a single actuator engages a manual clutch/brake mechanism that controls the output shaft of the power take off. In other embodiments, an electric clutch affords control of the power take off mechanism. In further embodiments, a hydraulic clutch/brake assembly allows control of the power take off, and an additional hydraulic clutch assembly may be used to control the outputs of the T-box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Nathan W. Bonny, Raymond Hauser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9135577
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for statistical determination of power circuit connectivity based on signal detection in a circuit. Signal data from the circuit gathered and a determination is made as to whether a signal of interest is present in the gathered signal data from the circuit using a statistical analysis of the gathered signal data. The statistical analysis comprises using a mean current value and statistical deviation of the current value of the signal data over a predetermined period of time to compute a confidence range. The confidence range is compared to a first threshold and a second threshold. A determination is made that the signal is present in response to the confidence range being above the first threshold. A determination is made that the signal is not present in response to the confidence range being below the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wael R. El-Essawy, Alexandre P. Ferreira, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Sani R. Nassif, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 9126579
    Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Lonnie E. Holder, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 9097759
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an energy storage device configured to store energy during an unclamped inductive switching test of a target device, and a switch device configured to shunt at least a portion of energy away from the target device in response to the target device changing from a breakdown state to a failure state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Daren W. Keller, John T. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20150162299
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wire bonder system including a wire bonding device, a measuring device and a rejection device. The wire bonding device is configured to attach wire bond type electrical interconnect to an electronic assembly. A wire bond is formed between a first semiconductor device and a second electronic device to form at least a portion of the electronic assembly. The measuring device is configured to perform a three dimensional measurement associated with a wire bond, and the rejection device is configured to identify an electronic assembly for rejection according to the three dimensional wire bond measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: Daren W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8955296
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Bruce E. Reid, Donald Rousser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8914495
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for automatically detecting and locating equipment within an intelligent equipment rack. The intelligent equipment rack comprises a rack controller that determines whether a signal has been received indicating that a rack space in a plurality of rack spaces in the intelligent equipment rack has been occupied by a piece of electronic equipment. Responsive to receiving the signal indicating that the rack space has been occupied by the piece of electronic equipment, the rack controller updates a rack information table in the memory with occupation information related to the rack space occupied by the piece of electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rajarshi Das, Wael R. El-Essawy, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Jeffrey O. Kephart, Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 8909954
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically changing power caps for a set of powered elements. Current being consumed by the set of powered elements P on a branch circuit is measured and available current on the branch circuit is determined. A new total power cap for a current time period t is identified based on a current total power cap and the measured current. A difference in total power caps (?TPC) is determined and, for each powered element p in the set of powered elements P at the current time period, a new power cap PC (p,t) is determined based on the previous power cap PC(p,t?1) and the difference of the total power caps to the set of powered elements P. A power cap of each powered element p is then dynamically set to the new power cap PC (p,t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Thomas M. Brey, Wael R. El-Essawy, Alexandre P. Ferreira, Thomas W. Keller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8903551
    Abstract: Data center environmental sensing is provided by a measurement system that detects environmental events from inputs received from a plurality of movable sensors. The sensors are moved in response to detection of an event to a region of the data center associated with the event, providing increased spatial resolution of the measurement in the region of the event. Events such as leakage between hot and cold aisles of a data center can be detected by the system, which may use one or more movable devices that can be moved around, between and over equipment, to carry multiple sensors toward the source of the event, providing both diagnostic and detailed environmental information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wael El-Essawy, Heather L. Hanson, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 8857554
    Abstract: A transaxle assembly is provided which is configured to be mounted to a frame of a vehicle. The transaxle assembly includes a transmission that has two separately attached pivotable knuckle assemblies. Each pivotable knuckle assembly can be independently steered and includes an axle driven by the transmission. Each axle drives a wheel of the vehicle. In another configuration, the two pivotable knuckle assemblies are joined by an integrally formed crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8857578
    Abstract: A magnetic brake has an outer stator surrounding an inner stator with a circumferential slot between the outer stator and the inner stator. A coil is provided in the inner stator adjacent to the circumferential slot. A drag plate is attached to a rotatable shaft extending centrally through the inner stator. A drag ring joined to the drag plate extend into the circumferential slot. The drag ring may be an annular cylindrical ring section separate from the drag plate. Vent holes pass through the inner stator adjacent and parallel to the shaft. The magnetic brake uses both hysteresis and eddy current braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Technical Film Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim M. Bogdanowicz, Bruce W. Keller, Manfred G. Michelson, Markus G. Michelson
  • Publication number: 20140278770
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for generating economic model based on business transaction messages. The method comprising obtaining business transactions from a business collaboration network, wherein each business transaction is a business-to-business transaction; and automatically generating, by a processor, based on the business transactions, an economic simulator capable of simulating economic activity within the business collaboration network, wherein the economic activity is associated with a business transaction that is transmitted via the business collaboration network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Eric Hardy, Steven W. Keller, Seema Nagar, Amit Anil Nanavati, Ramasuri Narayanam, Yehuda Naveh, Amir Ronen
  • Patent number: D769396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SAFETY HARBOR FIREARMS INC.
    Inventor: Walter W. Keller, II