The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2005
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2003
Chris A. Nelson, Bloomington, MN (US);
Chris A. Nelson, Bloomington, MN (US);
Horton, Inc., Roseville, MN (US);
Abstract
A rotational control apparatus includes a first rotatable assembly and a second rotatable assembly. The first assembly is rotatably mounted to a first support mount. The second assembly is rotatably mounted to the first assembly and is axially moveable relative to the first assembly. The first and second assemblies have respective coaxial surfaces adjacent to and spaced from one another and further have respective axial surfaces that frictionally engage one another when the second assembly is in a first axial position and disengage when the second assembly is in a second axial position. The second assembly is capable of rotation independent of the first assembly when the second assembly is in the second axial position. The rotational control apparatus includes an eddy current drive comprised of a first eddy current coupling assembly associated with the coaxial surface of the first assembly and a second eddy current coupling assembly associated with the coaxial surface of the second assembly, the second eddy current coupling assembly adjacent the first eddy current coupling assembly with an air gap therebetween.