Patents by Inventor Brian K. Stefina

Brian K. Stefina 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: 9261189
    Abstract: A gearshift interlock is provided including a first shift block operatively associated with at least one first synchronized gear. The first shift block has a detent and is movable between neutral and actuated positions. A second shift block is operatively associated with at least one second synchronized gear. The second shift block has a detent and is movable between neutral and actuated positions. A lockout member is provided wherein movement of one of the shift blocks from its neutral position toward its actuated position causes the shift block to urge the lockout member to engage the detent of the other one of the shift blocks. At least an outer surface of the lockout member has a hardness within a predetermined range, and each of the first and second shift blocks is hardened so as to impart a hardness within the predetermined range to at least a portion of the shift block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 8632049
    Abstract: A plug for closing off a bore of a hydraulic spool type valve is provided. The plug includes a polymeric body having a plurality of integral projecting studs which have a snap fit engagement with an inward radial protrusion of the bore within the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 8578764
    Abstract: A sensor target assembly is provided for a body having an axial bore. The sensor target assembly includes a polymeric alignment positioning cylinder for insertion into the bore. Target material is provided which is mounted to the alignment positioning cylinder. The alignment cylinder can optionally have annular barbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20110203361
    Abstract: A sensor target assembly is provided for a body having an axial bore. The sensor target assembly includes a polymeric alignment positioning cylinder for insertion into the bore. Target material is provided which is mounted to the alignment positioning cylinder. The alignment cylinder can optionally have annular barbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 7891372
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an anti-contamination arrangement for a valve having a valve housing, a bushing positioned in the valve housing, a valve member including a valve shaft and a valving portion operable for engaging a valve seat, slidably disposed through the bushing, and a supply port operably associated with the valve member. The valve also includes a control chamber controlled by the valving portion, and a valve seat positioned between the supply port and the control chamber. The valve member is operably associated with the valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid from the supply port to the control chamber upon the movement of the valve member in relation to the valve seat. There is also an anti-contamination arrangement positioned between the bushing and the valve shaft for collecting and removing contamination from the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20100230628
    Abstract: A plug for closing off a bore of a hydraulic spool type valve is provided. The plug includes a polymeric body having a plurality of integral projecting studs which have a snap fit engagement with an inward radial protrusion of the bore within the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20100186532
    Abstract: A gearshift interlock is provided including a first shift block operatively associated with at least one first synchronized gear. The first shift block has a detent and is movable between neutral and actuated positions. A second shift block is operatively associated with at least one second synchronized gear. The second shift block has a detent and is movable between neutral and actuated positions. A lockout member is provided wherein movement of one of the shift blocks from its neutral position toward its actuated position causes the shift block to urge the lockout member to engage the detent of the other one of the shift blocks. At least an outer surface of the lockout member has a hardness within a predetermined range, and each of the first and second shift blocks is hardened so as to impart a hardness within the predetermined range to at least a portion of the shift block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20090294722
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an anti-contamination arrangement for a valve having a valve housing, a bushing positioned in the valve housing, a valve member including a valve shaft and a valving portion operable for engaging a valve seat, slidably disposed through the bushing, and a supply port operably associated with the valve member. The valve also includes a control chamber controlled by the valving portion, and a valve seat positioned between the supply port and the control chamber. The valve member is operably associated with the valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid from the supply port to the control chamber upon the movement of the valve member in relation to the valve seat. There is also an anti-contamination arrangement positioned between the bushing and the valve shaft for collecting and removing contamination from the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 7127961
    Abstract: An integrated control module for a dual clutch transmission that includes a valve body having an inlet, a plurality of outlets with a plurality of internal hydraulic passages disposed therebetween, and a hydraulic control assembly mounted to the valve body. The hydraulic control assembly is adapted to operatively control the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the inlet through the plurality of internal hydraulic passages to the plurality of outlets. The hydraulic control assembly includes at least one assembly from a group including, a shift actuation control assembly adapted to actuate the synchronizers of the transmission, a clutch actuation control assembly adapted to allow the selective and independent engagement and disengagement of each clutch, and a clutch cooling fluid control assembly adapted to control the cooling fluid provided to the clutches of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Braford, Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 7073407
    Abstract: An integrated control module for a dual clutch transmission having an integrated shift actuator position sensor assembly that includes a valve body having a plurality of raised portions juxtaposed to each other with a plurality of shift actuator bores piston bores formed therein. A plurality of shift actuators are adapted to operatively move the synchronizers of said transmission to affect gear changes, and include a plurality of shift actuator pistons slidingly disposed within the shift actuator bores. A hydraulic control assembly is adapted to control the operative hydraulic functions of the transmission. A transmission control assembly in electrical communication with the hydraulic control assembly and with a higher level vehicle control system provides the requisite signals to control the hydraulic control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 6905009
    Abstract: A bi-directional clutch assembly of the present invention is provided that comprises an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism disposed between said inner race and said outer race. The engagement mechanism is operable to move between a disengaged position wherein the inner and outer races may freely rotate relative to one another and an engaged position wherein the inner and outer races are locked so as to translate torque therebetween. The present invention also includes at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the engagement mechanism and responsive to a first momentary control force to selectively move the engagement mechanism to the engaged position and to hold the engagement mechanism in the engaged position after the first control force has been terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde A. Reed, Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 6883655
    Abstract: A variable torsional damper rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission. The variable torsional damper includes a torque input member operatively connected for rotation with the power take off of a prime mover, an output member operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping members interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members act to translate torque between the input member and the output member to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A magneto-rheological damper assembly is disposed in parallel with the damping members and is adapted to operatively vary the hysteresis between the input member and the output member of the variable torsional damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Stefina, William Vukovich
  • Publication number: 20040238306
    Abstract: A bi-directional clutch assembly of the present invention is provided that comprises an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism disposed between said inner race and said outer race. The engagement mechanism is operable to move between a disengaged position wherein the inner and outer races may freely rotate relative to one another and an engaged position wherein the inner and outer races are locked so as to translate torque therebetween. The present invention also includes at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the engagement mechanism and responsive to a first momentary control force to selectively move the engagement mechanism to the engaged position and to hold the engagement mechanism in the engaged position after the first control force has been terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Clyde A. Reed, Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 6814200
    Abstract: A clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism supported therebetween. The engagement mechanism includes a plurality of pockets and a corresponding plurality of pawls. Each pocket defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a ledge formed proximate the trailing edge and projecting toward the leading edge of the pocket. The pawls are moveably supported in a corresponding pocket between an engaged position that provides torque translation between the inner and outer races in one rotational direction and a disengaged position the interrupts torque translation between the inner and outer races in the one rotational direction. The ledge on each pocket acts to support the pawl so as to inhibit skewing as the pawls are moved between their engaged and disengaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20040016616
    Abstract: A clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism supported therebetween. The engagement mechanism includes a plurality of pockets and a corresponding plurality of pawls. Each pocket defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a ledge formed proximate the trailing edge and projecting toward the leading edge of the pocket. The pawls are moveably supported in a corresponding pocket between an engaged position that provides torque translation between the inner and outer races in one rotational direction and a disengaged position the interrupts torque translation between the inner and outer races in the one rotational direction. The ledge on each pocket acts to support the pawl so as to inhibit skewing as the pawls are moved between their engaged and disengaged positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina