Nathan W Bonny

US Patent:

7503174, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/954560

Inventors:

Bruce E. Reid - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US
Scott W. Keller - Charleston IL, US
Danny Ray Harrison - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16H 61/42
B60K 17/10

US Classification:

60487

Abstract:

A drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The drive apparatus comprises an input, a variable drive system, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The variable drive system is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the variable drive system. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the variable drive system.

US Patent:

7908850, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/404594

Inventors:

Bruce E. Reid - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US
Scott W. Keller - Charleston IL, US
Danny Ray Harrison - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16H 61/42
F16H 61/40

US Classification:

60399, 60487

Abstract:

A drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The drive apparatus comprises an input, a variable drive system, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The variable drive system is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the variable drive system. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the variable drive system.

US Patent:

8109747, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/336183

Inventors:

Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F03C 2/00
F03C 4/00
F04C 18/00

US Classification:

418171, 418 3, 418 5, 418 9, 417205, 60487

Abstract:

A variable output assembly including a hydraulic pump disposed on a pump running surface located on a center section, end cap or other hydraulic mounting member. The pump may be a gerotor or other rotatable pump body. A support member is disposed between the pump running surface and the pump and includes a pump support surface having openings to permit fluid communication between the support member and the pump running surface. A motor assembly may be hydraulically connected to the pump running surface by a first porting system, and a sump is hydraulically connected to the pump running surface by a second porting system. The support member is movable between neutral and a plurality of positions corresponding to forward and reverse directions of the output. In forward and reverse positions, the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and the motor through the support surface openings and the first porting system, and in the neutral position the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and the sump through the support surface openings and the second porting system.

US Patent:

8393236, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Jun 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/825038

Inventors:

Raymond Hauser - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US
Michael L. Bennett - Sullivan IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16H 37/00

US Classification:

74 154, 74 11, 74 1586

Abstract:

A modular drive system for a zero turn radius vehicle having a central gear box with a vertical input shaft, a central drive train that powers a variety of left and right side drive mechanisms, and a power take off mechanism having a clutch and brake assembly. The vertical input shaft is a through-shaft design that allows the central gear box to be mounted with either end of the through-shaft oriented in an upward direction. A screw-on filter acts in conjunction with a charge pump to remove debris from the central gear box's hydraulic fluid.

US Patent:

8459137, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Apr 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/082273

Inventors:

Kenneth Michael McCoy - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US
Michael L. Bennett - Sullivan IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

B60K 20/00

US Classification:

7447329, 744731, 7447314

Abstract:

An integrated assembly useful for controlling a variable speed drive having a housing and a control shaft projecting therefrom. The control assembly consists of a control arm fixed on the control shaft to effect its rotation; a return to neutral mechanism disposed about the control shaft to bias the control shaft to a neutral position; and a rotary, viscous fluid damper integrated with the return to neutral mechanism, the damper having a rotor engaged to the control shaft and a stator fixed to the housing of the variable speed drive to moderate, or slow the rotational movement of the control shaft under the influence of inputs from the control arm and the return to neutral mechanism. The neutral arm of the return to neutral mechanism is integrally formed with the external case of the rotary, viscous fluid damper, creating a compact control mechanism.

US Patent:

8464610, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

Jul 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/533871

Inventors:

Thomas J. Langenfeld - Sullivan IL, US
Michael L. Bennett - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16H 57/02
F16H 57/04
F16H 61/00

US Classification:

74606R

Abstract:

A drive device comprising improved components is described. The drive device may be of various known types that require the use of a steering clutch and a reduction gear set. The drive device may be applied to, but is not limited to, a walk-behind vehicle that may include a snow thrower or blower.

US Patent:

8534060, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jul 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/533786

Inventors:

Michael L. Bennett - Sullivan IL, US
Thomas J. Langenfeld - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60458, 60487

Abstract:

A drive device comprising improved components is described. The drive device may be of various known types that require the use of a steering clutch, axle support housings, and a vent that may either seal an internal sump or open the sump to an external atmosphere. The drive device is shown with a walk-behind vehicle that may include a snow thrower or blower.

US Patent:

7313914, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

Mar 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/372915

Inventors:

Bruce E. Reid - Sullivan IL, US
Nathan W. Bonny - Shelbyville IL, US
Scott W. Keller - Charleston IL, US
Danny Ray Harrison - Shelbyville IL, US

Assignee:

Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership - Sullivan IL

International Classification:

F16H 61/42
B60K 17/10

US Classification:

60487

Abstract:

A hydraulic drive apparatus having an actuator assembly mounted on a control device is disclosed. The hydraulic drive apparatus comprises an input, a hydraulic pump, a control device, and an actuator assembly. The hydraulic drive apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that comprises an operating system. A prime mover drives the input, which subsequently drives one or more axle shafts. The transmission is capable of operation in forward and reverse directions. The control device determines the direction of operation and speed of the transmission. The actuator assembly is mounted to a component of the control device. The actuator assembly determines the state of operation of the output device with respect to the forward or reverse operation of the transmission.