Larry R Link

US Patent:

6358009, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/475925

Inventors:

Larry Ray Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Cooling Systems, LLC - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F04D 2900

US Classification:

416145, 416146 R, 416169 R, 416189, 416170 R, 416241 A, 416500

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are used to balance an open blade fan of the kind used with trucks, diesel engine driven generator sets, and the like. An apparatus is used to spin the fans and a vibration sensor senses vibrations and a light beam is used to indicate the location to attach a balancing weight. The fan is spun again and the vibrations measured and additional weights are attached at different specified locations until the measured vibrations are below a predetermined level. The fan includes a plastic body with integral, plastic fan blades which is attached to a central metal hub plate with configured weights attached to matching configured portions of the plastic body. The preferred weights are clips with barbs that pierce the plastic body. The metal hub plates are electrostatically painted to provide a uniformly thick coating with good adhesion. An ultraviolet light additive is provided in the plastic body with the fan blades being reinforced with glass particles and rendered UV resistant by the UV additive.

US Patent:

6468037, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Aug 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/632837

Inventors:

Larry R. Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Cooling Systems, LLC - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F01D 2512

US Classification:

416169A, 416234

Abstract:

The efficiency of a fan clutch is improved by having a central finned cover attached to the fan clutch at its rotational axis with fins or blades thereon to disperse air radially outwardly from a dead air bubble at the rotational axis of the fan. This is achieved by a cover having a disk-shaped body with fan fins extending from the rotational axis outwardly to the rim of the disk-shaped body to move air from the rotational axis to prevent the build-up of a negative pressure at the rotational axis and this air flow from the rotational axis into the clutch fan blades appreciably increases the total air flow by the fan clutch. The preferred fins are curved between their inner ends at the rotational axis and their outer ends which extend to the fan blades of the fan clutch. The fins may wrap around the rim of the disk-shaped body and the latter may have a curved outer, front surface.

US Patent:

63317435, Dec 18, 2001

Filed:

Aug 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/368131

Inventors:

Larry Ray Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Cooling Systems, LLC - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

H02K 710
H02K 1302

US Classification:

310103

Abstract:

A magnetic fan clutch having a magnetic field coupling which uses a light weight, strong plastic driving member and driven member to rotate fan blades which are also made of plastic. The fan clutch also uses a plastic mounting member for attaching to a vehicle. Plastic may be used for a vehicle or truck fan clutch because the magnetic coupling between the series of coils on the driving member and the magnetic elements on the driven member may be modulated to provide a slower torque transfer from zero to a full torque transfer over a longer controlled period of time such as over six seconds to eliminate the relatively sharp impact torque transfer pulse heretofore found in fan clutches. This slower and modulated torque transfer with slippage between the driving member and driven member during the torque transfer period reduces the fast acceleration and the resistant high inertia and torque loads of conventional fan clutches as typically found in vehicles or other heavy duty applications.

US Patent:

59472480, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Aug 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/920569

Inventors:

Larry Ray Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Cooling Systems, LLC - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F16D 1900
H02K 4900

US Classification:

192 841

Abstract:

A new and improved fan clutch system for use with an internal combustion engine which provides variable speed drive of the fan by the engine with the coupling between the fan and the engine being solely by a magnetic field. The variable speed drive provides true proportional control of the convective heat transfer from the radiator.

US Patent:

60710322, Jun 6, 2000

Filed:

Mar 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/034115

Inventors:

Larry R. Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Roller Bushing Corporation - Monee IL

International Classification:

F16C 1106

US Classification:

403158

Abstract:

A kingpin assembly for heavy duty vehicles having upper and lower yokes of a steering spindle knuckle straddling upper and lower sides of an end portion of an axle. The upper and lower steering spindle yokes have respective bores in registration with a bore in the axle end portion. A kingpin has a central portion fixedly secured within the axle bore, and has opposite, accurately machined and polished end portions disposed within respective upper and lower steering spindle yoke apertures. There is an annular gap between the peripheries of the kingpin end portions and the interior surfaces of the steering spindle yoke bores. An annular sleeve resides within the gap. A pair of roller bearings are mounted in spaced relation internally of the sleeve, with a grease reservoir being defined in the space between adjacent roller bearings. The roller bearings have an outer race mounted in a stationary position on the internal wall of the sleeve. Rolling elements are disposed between the kingpin end peripheries and the respective races for rolling surface contact with the peripheries of respective kingpin ends and races to provide low friction oscillatory movement of the steering spindle knuckle with respect to the axle end.

US Patent:

61291935, Oct 10, 2000

Filed:

Aug 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/140511

Inventors:

Larry Ray Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Cooling Systems, L.L.C. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F16D 1900
H02K 4900

US Classification:

192 841

Abstract:

A magnetic slip clutch system that can be used tin a number of different applications where a slip clutch is desired to be used; and particularly, to applications where the clutch is desired to be fully disengaged, i. e. , free-wheeling, fully engaged to transmit 100% of the power, or coupled in a modulated or slip manner for transmission of a variable amount of power. The torque transfer is modulated by controlling the electric power to the clutch.

US Patent:

62308661, May 15, 2001

Filed:

Aug 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379445

Inventors:

Larry Ray Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Metal & Plastics, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F16D 1900
H02K 4900

US Classification:

192 841

Abstract:

An electromagnetic coupler couples a first rotating element with a second element with a torque transfer between the first and second elements. The coupling is solely by a magnetic field which can be fully coupled, fully uncoupled or modulated to provide a variable transmission of power between the first and second elements. The electromagnetic coupler comprises a set radially disposed electromagnets and a concentric set of pole pieces separated by an air gap. The magnetic field between the electromagnets and the pole pieces is increased as the current through the electromagnets is increased. At low current, there is substantial slippage between the respective driving and driven elements. With full magnetic coupling, the electromagnets and pole pieces are fully coupled or without any slippage therebetween. When the magnetic field is eliminated, there is no torque transfer between the driving and driven elements.

US Patent:

57430438, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Jul 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/504428

Inventors:

Darin P. Habenicht - Momence IL
Larry R. Link - Frankfort IL

Assignee:

American Roller Bushing Corporation - Monee IL

International Classification:

A01C 104

US Classification:

47 56

Abstract:

An apparatus for removing substantially all of the soil from a section of grass sod by soaking the section of sod with water to loosen the soil and to remove an initial portion of the soil, then brushing the root and soil side of the grass sod to brush substantially all of the remaining soil off of the grass sod, and finally rinsing the sod to rinse off any remaining soil. The brush sweeping against the roots of the sod raises the root ends upwardly and scratches the roots, both of which stimulate the roots for improved growth into the recipient soil site.