Patents by Inventor Brent Michael Peura

Brent Michael Peura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9120374
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a cantilevered ring gear assembly configured on a housing cover. The housing cover is configured to mate to a main housing that may be configured in a vehicle drivetrain. The power transfer unit may include at least one engagement mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the cantilevered ring gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Hiromichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9028357
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a housing, an internal variable speed differential positioned within the housing, a first front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, a second front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, an input shaft interconnected to at least one of the first and second side shafts, and at least one shifting mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second shafts with at least one mode selection gear set. Engagement of the mode selection gear set transfers torque through the input shaft to selectively engage with a second gear set interconnected to a power transfer final drive unit assembly having an internal variable speed differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch
  • Publication number: 20120238395
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a housing, an internal variable speed differential positioned within the housing, a first front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, a second front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, an input shaft interconnected to at least one of the first and second side shafts, and at least one shifting mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second shafts with at least one mode selection gear set. Engagement of the mode selection gear set transfers torque through the input shaft to selectively engage with a second gear set interconnected to a power transfer final drive unit assembly having an internal variable speed differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch
  • Publication number: 20120204664
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a cantilevered ring gear assembly configured on a housing cover. The housing cover is configured to mate to a main housing that may be configured in a vehicle drivetrain. The power transfer unit may include at least one engagement mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the cantilevered ring gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Hiromichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8092334
    Abstract: A variable speed front differential assembly for a vehicle is provided including a first side shaft, a second side shaft, and an input shaft. An offset differential case houses a differential mechanism engaging the first side shaft and the second side shaft. A speed selection assembly is movable from a first speed position to a second speed position. A speed reduction assembly is mounted adjacent the offset differential case. The speed selection assembly directly engages the offset differential case housing when in the first speed position such that a 1:1 drive ratio is achieved. The speed selection assembly engages the offset differential case through the speed reduction assembly when in the second speed position such that an increased drive ratio is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Nobushi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20080227582
    Abstract: A variable speed front differential assembly for a vehicle is provided including a first side shaft, a second side shaft, and an input shaft. An offset differential case houses a differential mechanism engaging the first side shaft and the second side shaft. A speed selection assembly is movable from a first speed position to a second speed position. A speed reduction assembly is mounted adjacent the offset differential case. The speed selection assembly directly engages the offset differential case housing when in the first speed position such that a 1:1 drive ratio is achieved. The speed selection assembly engages the offset differential case through the speed reduction assembly when in the second speed position such that an increased drive ratio is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Brent Michael Peura
  • Publication number: 20080103018
    Abstract: The application aims at determining the locked or unlocked state of a differential (10). According to a first aspect, the determination is carried out on basis of a speed difference of output shafts (16, 18) using speed sensors (36, 38). Steering angle may be used as further input. In a second aspect, a sensing system (70) senses actuating pressure, voltage or current of an actuating mechanism (44). In a third aspect, the first and second aspects can be combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden