Michael J Jenkins

US Patent:

6846127, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Nov 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/703236

Inventors:

Michael Braun - Oconomowoc WI, US
Michael Jenkins - Slinger WI, US
Gregory Kruepke - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

Wacker Corporation - Menomonee Falls WI

International Classification:

E01C 1922

US Classification:

404112

Abstract:

A control module for a walk behind trowel configured to detect and to prevent an uncontrolled or undesirable motion of the trowel. The trowel includes an engine configured to drive rotation of a rotor. The control module includes a gyroscope and a controller. The gyroscope is configured to provide an electrical signal representative of an angular rate of motion of a reference structure on the walk behind trowel. The controller is configured to receive the electrical signal from the gyroscope and to determine when a change in the angular rate of motion of the trowel exceeds a threshold value, and in response, to prevent the engine from driving the rotor to rotate.

US Patent:

6883999, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Nov 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/704503

Inventors:

Michael Jenkins - Slinger WI, US
Gregory Kruepke - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

Wacker Corporation - Menomonee Falls WI

International Classification:

E01C019/22

US Classification:

404112, 192129 R

Abstract:

A brake of a concrete finishing trowel responds automatically to the cessation of drive torque delivery to the rotor to actively brake the trowel's drive train, hence inhibiting or preventing frame rotation. The brake preferably takes advantages of inherent characteristics of an inclined gear, such as a worm of a gearbox, to permit an internal component of the gearbox to shift automatically upon the cessation of drive torque therethrough from a brake released position to a brake engaged position. In the case of a worm gear-based gearbox, the worm is configured such that reaction forces that are normally generated by the delivery of drive torque therethrough shift the worm to release the brake during normal trowel operation. These forces are eliminated in the absence of drive torque transfer, permitting the worm to shift to a brake engaged position.

US Patent:

7381009, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Nov 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/704486

Inventors:

Michael Jenkins - Slinger WI, US
Gregory Kruepke - Waukesha WI, US
Michael Ochalek - Mequon WI, US

Assignee:

Wacker Corporation - Menomonee Falls WI

International Classification:

E01C 19/22

US Classification:

4048941

Abstract:

A starter module configured to limit an engine speed of an engine for a walk behind trowel at time of startup. The walk behind trowel includes a rotor driven by the engine, a throttle to command an operating state of the walk behind trowel, and a clutch operable to selectively couple an output of the engine to the rotor. The starter module includes a sensor operable to provide a signal representative of an operating state of the trowel upon engine start-up. The starter module further includes a controller configured to receive the signal representative of the operating state of the walk behind trowel, and to prevent the clutch from engaging the engine output to drive the rotor if the detected operating state is outside of a designated range for idling operation of the engine.

US Patent:

54821355, Jan 9, 1996

Filed:

Jun 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/085218

Inventors:

David L. Phillips - Mayville WI
Michael J. Jenkins - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B60K 700

US Classification:

180308

Abstract:

A hydraulic mechanism for driving a vehicle, and having right and left laterally spaced hydraulic motors which drive respective ground engaging wheels, an axle structure extending laterally between the right and left hydraulic motors for receiving operating loads from the ground engaging wheels, the right and left hydraulic motors being coupled with the axle structure for generally enclosing and sealing the axle structure, said generally sealed axle structure being adapted for containing hydraulic fluid and serving as a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump which drives the hydraulic motors, said pump being in operative fluid communication with the interior of the axle structure for drawing fluid therefrom, the pump being positioned outside the axle structure. The motors include input and output ports which are positioned within the axle structure, and hydraulic lines extend between the pump and the input and output ports. Portions of said hydraulic lines extend within the interior of the axle structure, and the interior lines include rigid and non-rigid lines which facilitate assembly and disassembly of the mechanism.

US Patent:

49148982, Apr 10, 1990

Filed:

Apr 27, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/344193

Inventors:

Michael J. Jenkins - Milwaukee WI
Jack E. Arfstrom - Beaver Dam WI

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D 3526

US Classification:

56 152

Abstract:

A V-belt guide is provided for the drive belt of a vehicle-implement combination wherein the implement is capable of vertical up and down floating movement relative to the vehicle. The guide is positioned above the strands of the belt, just ahead of the drive pulley, and serves to restrict the angle at which the belt strands can enter into and exit from the drive pulley. The guide takes the form of a plate having a gently curving surface around which the belt is guided into or out of the drive pulley. Vertically projecting members are attached to the guide plate and restrict excessive lateral movement of the belt strands.

US Patent:

55096972, Apr 23, 1996

Filed:

Jan 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/376161

Inventors:

David L. Phillips - Mayville WI
Michael J. Jenkins - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

F16L 304

US Classification:

285158

Abstract:

A hydraulic mechanism for driving a vehicle, and having right and left laterally spaced hydraulic motors which drive respective ground engaging wheels, an axle structure extending laterally between the right and left hydraulic motors for receiving operating loads from the ground engaging wheels, the right and left hydraulic motors being coupled with the axle structure for generally enclosing and sealing the axle structure, said generally sealed axle structure being adapted for containing hydraulic fluid and serving as a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump which drives the hydraulic motors, said pump being in operative fluid communication with the interior of the axle structure for drawing fluid therefrom, the pump being positioned outside the axle structure. The motors include input and output ports which are positioned within the axle structure, and hydraulic lines extend between the pump and the input and output ports. Portions of said hydraulic lines extend within the interior of the axle structure, and the interior lines include rigid and non-rigid lines which facilitate assembly and disassembly of the mechanism.