George Patrick Gill

US Patent:

6666527, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Sep 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/955450

Inventors:

George Patrick Gill - Caledonia IL
David Leonard Swanson - Rockford IL

Assignee:

Dura Global Technologies Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

B60T 720

US Classification:

303 7, 188112 R

Abstract:

A trailer brake system includes a control sensor adapted to provide a signal when the braking system of the tow vehicle is actuated, at least one trailer brake actuated by pressurized brake fluid, a brake fluid reservoir, a brake fluid pump receiving fluid from the brake fluid reservoir, and a first solenoid valve connected to the brake fluid pump and directly connected to the trailer brake. A brake fluid accumulator receives pressurized brake fluid from the brake fluid pump and is connected to the first solenoid valve to quickly provide pressurized brake fluid to the trailer brake to increase the braking force. A second solenoid valve connects the trailer brake and the brake fluid reservoir so that brake fluid can be returned to the reservoir to reduce to reduce the fluid pressure and resulting braking force. A feedback pressure sensor is capable of generating a signal that represents braking force applied to the trailer brake. A controller is in communication with the control sensor, the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, and the feed back sensor and is adapted to selectively open the first valve to increase braking force applied to the trailer brake and to open the second solenoid valve to decrease braking force to the trailer brake.

US Patent:

7423392, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Feb 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/068634

Inventors:

George Patrick Gill - Caledonia IL, US

Assignee:

Atwood Mobile Products LLC - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H02P 1/00

US Classification:

318268, 254418, 254423, 254424, 254425, 318135

Abstract:

A trailer jack system includes an electric linear actuator having an electric motor, a source of electric power, and a controller that supplies a first voltage to the electric motor when the electric linear actuator is loaded and a second voltage to the electric motor when the electric linear actuator is unloaded. The electric linear actuator also includes a cylindrically shaped housing, a leg coaxially extending and retracting from the housing, and a support foot at a free end of the leg. The controller supplies the first voltage to the electric motor when a motor current of the electric motor is below a predetermined threshold value and supplies the second voltage to the electric motor when the motor current is above the predetermined threshold value. Preferably, the first voltage is about 24 volts and the second voltage is about 12 volts.

US Patent:

8393451, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Jan 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/348994

Inventors:

James A. Pardee - Janesville WI, US
Charles F. Magers - Fort Wayne IN, US
George P. Gill - Caledonia IL, US

Assignee:

Warner Electric Technology LLC - Braintree MA

International Classification:

F16D 67/06

US Classification:

192 18B, 192 8431, 192 845, 192 84961, 1921111

Abstract:

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

US Patent:

20100116616, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/268739

Inventors:

James A. Pardee - Janesville WI, US
Pankaj C. Modi - Rockford IL, US
Charles F. Magers - Fort Wayne IN, US
George P. Gill - Caledonia IL, US

International Classification:

F16D 27/10

US Classification:

192 84961

Abstract:

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in the clutch and/or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

US Patent:

20130048461, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594240

Inventors:

James A. Pardee - Janesville WI, US
George P. Gill - Caledonia IL, US

Assignee:

Warner Electric Technology LLC - Braintree MA

International Classification:

F16D 13/74

US Classification:

192 663

Abstract:

A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.

US Patent:

20130048463, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594233

Inventors:

James A. Pardee - Janesville WI, US
George P. Gill - Caledonia IL, US

Assignee:

Warner Electric Technology LLC - Braintree MA

International Classification:

F16D 13/52
F16D 13/02
F16D 13/46

US Classification:

192 6632, 192 663

Abstract:

A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.

US Patent:

20130048464, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594252

Inventors:

James A. Pardee - Janesville WI, US
George P. Gill - Caledonia IL, US

Assignee:

Warner Electric Technology LLC - Braintree MA

International Classification:

F16D 67/06

US Classification:

192 18 B

Abstract:

A rotational coupling device is provided with an integrated rotor and brake disc to simplify design of the device and remove liquids from the device when used in a wet environment. The rotor is configured for rotation about a rotating hub and includes a first member defining one pole of the rotor and a second member defining a second pole of the rotor and a braking surface. The second member is coupled to the first member, but axially movable relative to the first member. During clutch engagement, an electromagnetic circuit used to engage the clutch urges the second member into engagement with the first member for rotation. When the clutch is disengaged, the second member disengages from the first member to create a fluid flow path between the members and engages a brake plate to halt rotation of the rotor.

US Patent:

62642294, Jul 24, 2001

Filed:

Apr 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/542980

Inventors:

George Patrick Gill - Rockford IL
Rodney Lee Peterson - Rockford IL
Damon Dirk Shaw - Byron IL

Assignee:

Atwood Mobile Products, Inc. - Rockford IL

International Classification:

B62D 5306

US Classification:

2804412

Abstract:

A gooseneck trailer coupler is disclosed which secures a first structure such as a towing vehicle to a second structure such as a trailer. The coupler is provided with a mounting element extending from the first structure, a chuck having a top end and a base at a bottom end opposite the top end, with the chuck attached to the mounting element at the top end and adapted to receive a ball mounted to the second structure. A locking assembly is adapted to releasably secure the ball and the chuck, and comprises a ring gear mounted around the chuck and movable from a locking position where the chuck is secured with the ball and an unlocking position where the chuck is unlocked from the ball, wherein the ring gear translates from the base toward the top end of the chuck as the ring gear moves from the locking position to the unlocking position. The locking assembly can also comprise at least one jaw mounted in the chuck for engaging the ball when the ring gear is in the locked position. A novel release lever assembly is also disclosed which moves the ring gear.