Donald D Wilkes

US Patent:

42471273, Jan 27, 1981

Filed:

Oct 23, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/953843

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B62D 5700

US Classification:

280 285

Abstract:

A wheelchair and rolling suspension system are supported by a pair of inclined, nested circular hoops. The hoops may be manually driven by lever arms accessable to the chair occupant. Moreover, the drive system permits the chair to negotiate straight lines, gradual and sharp curves, as well as to rotate about a vertical axis. The wheelchair is a two-wheel system having self-righting characteristics and is collapsible for storage and transportation. A seat assembly is articulatable between a vertically upright position and a fully reclined position. In addition, the wheelchair can function as a rocking chair.

US Patent:

49643142, Oct 23, 1990

Filed:

Mar 13, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/322010

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F18H 116

US Classification:

744248C

Abstract:

An apparatus for converting rotary motion to linear motion includes a centrally located screw member and a concentrically positioned outer member that surrounds the screw member but is spaced therefrom in order to define an annular space between the outer member and the screw member. A plurality of planet assemblies are positioned around the screw member and within the annular space. Each planet assembly is comprised of a roller that has a plurality of annular grooves extending circumferentially around its exterior surface. Each pair of adjacent grooves define a ridge therebetween whereby each roller has a plurality of spaced annular ridges extending circumferentially around its exterior surface. The ridges on the rollers engage the helical thread on the screw member as well as annular grooves on the inner surface of the outer member. The outer diameter of the planet assemblies is at least equal to the outside diameter of the screw member.

US Patent:

39602478, Jun 1, 1976

Filed:

Jun 20, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/588626

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Hosmer/Dorrance Corporation - Campbell CA

International Classification:

F16F 706

US Classification:

188 1B

Abstract:

A damping apparatus for retarding motion of a movable body is disclosed. The apparatus has a damper unit with at least two rollers having resilient peripheral surfaces. The rollers are free wheeling relative to one another and roll along a guide in contact with opposite guide surfaces. The damper unit further includes a carrier rotatably carrying the rollers. The carrier is operably connectable to the movable body such that a force is applied to the carrier in response to motion of the body to urge the rollers against the guide surfaces at an intensity which progresses in relation to the magnitude of the applied force to resiliently compress the resilient peripheral surfaces against the guide surfaces as the rollers rotationally travel therealong, to retard motion of the body.

US Patent:

40054969, Feb 1, 1977

Filed:

Jun 13, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/586544

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Hosmer/Dorrance Corporation - Campbell CA

International Classification:

A61F 104
A61F 108

US Classification:

3 27

Abstract:

A prosthetic knee joint having a femoral member and a tibial member each of which is provided with a bearing surface. The bearing surface of the tibial member supports the bearing surface associated with the femoral member such that flexion between the tibial member and the femoral member causes the respective bearing surfaces to roll relative to one another. Rollers, cam surfaces and guide slots are provided to ensure the retention of the proper relationship for this rolling contact between the tibial bearing surface and the femoral bearing surface. The knee joint includes a mechanical brake which produces a brake force that increased with flexure between the tibial member and the femoral member. The brake includes a resilient deformable element which transmits a brake applying force to a brake shoe which is operable along an axis generally perpendicular to the direction in which the force is applied. Hyperextension of the knee joint is mechanically limited and a torsion rod accommodates torsional motion between the knee joint and a lower leg to which it may be attached.

US Patent:

42443482, Jan 13, 1981

Filed:

Sep 10, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/074360

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B28D 132

US Classification:

125 23R

Abstract:

A process for cleaving boules of single crystal materials such as silicon or germanium into thin wafers. The process comprises creating an inward-directed radial stress concentration completely around a boule which intersects its crystallographic plane of minimum bond strength; and subsequently, triggering the cleavage of a thin wafer from the boule via a shock wave applied normal to its crystallographic plane of minimum bond strength.

US Patent:

42615895, Apr 14, 1981

Filed:

Dec 13, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/969087

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B62D 5700

US Classification:

280 285

Abstract:

A self-righting rolling suspension system is disclosed which has two ground contact zones and has self-righting stability in perpendicular planes, one of which includes the contact zones and one of which is perpendicular thereto. The system includes rolling support members that may be discs, annuli, cones or similar bodies of revolution. With the preferred orientation of the rolling supports, an effective radius several times the actual radius of the rolling support results. A self-adjusting differential is also obtained from one application of the principles. Shock absorbing and braking assemblies can also be incorporated in the system.

US Patent:

43244149, Apr 13, 1982

Filed:

Jul 29, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/173440

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B62M 106
B62M 116
B62M 306

US Classification:

280242WC

Abstract:

A wheelchair and rolling suspension system are supported by a pair of inclined, nested circular hoops. The hoops may be manually driven by lever arms accessable to the chair occupant. Moreover, the drive system permits the chair to negotiate straight lines, gradual and sharp curves, as well as to rotate about a vertical axis. The wheelchair is a two-wheel system having self-righting characteristics and is collapsible for storage and transportation. A seat assembly is articulatable between a vertically upright position and a fully reclined position. In addition, the wheelchair can function as a rocking chair.

US Patent:

56327030, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Aug 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/511599

Inventors:

Donald F. Wilkes - Albuquerque NM
James W. Purvis - Albuquerque NM
A. Keith Miller - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

F16H 926
F16H 3702

US Classification:

475211

Abstract:

An infinitely variable transmission is capable of operating between a maximum speed in one direction and a minimum speed in an opposite direction, including a zero output angular velocity, while being supplied with energy at a constant angular velocity. Input energy is divided between a first power path carrying an orbital set of elements and a second path that includes a variable speed adjustment mechanism. The second power path also connects with the orbital set of elements in such a way as to vary the rate of angular rotation thereof. The combined effects of power from the first and second power paths are combined and delivered to an output element by the orbital element set. The transmission can be designed to operate over a preselected ratio of forward to reverse output speeds.