Patents by Inventor Charles G. Stuart

Charles G. Stuart 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: 9249873
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pump, Charles G. Stuart, John C. Hibbler, James P. Downs, Shawn S. Proctor, Robert J. DeGowske, Adrian M. Lenczewski, Firoz Ali S. Jafri, Paul J. Valente, Brian McCormick, Thomas C. Bowen, Paul W. Kornosky
  • Patent number: 9200720
    Abstract: A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body, a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a valve seat in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9174632
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a friction clutch, a reservoir, a hydraulic ram to actuate the clutch, a motor, and first and second pumps simultaneously driven by the motor. The first pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ram. The first pump is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram when the motor rotates in a first direction. The second pump is coupled to the reservoir and provides hydraulic fluid to the ram when the output shaft rotates in the first direction and a pressure differential between the ram and the second pump is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure differential. The second pump has a displacement greater than the first pump and is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram at a lower pressure and higher flow rate than the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Charles G. Stuart
  • Publication number: 20150198262
    Abstract: A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body, a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a valve seat in the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150133266
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a friction clutch, a reservoir, a hydraulic ram to actuate the clutch, a motor, and first and second pumps simultaneously driven by the motor. The first pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ram. The first pump is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram when the motor rotates in a first direction. The second pump is coupled to the reservoir and provides hydraulic fluid to the ram when the output shaft rotates in the first direction and a pressure differential between the ram and the second pump is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure differential. The second pump has a displacement greater than the first pump and is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram at a lower pressure and higher flow rate than the first pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Charles G. Stuart
  • Publication number: 20150057125
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pump, Charles G. Stuart, John C. Hibbler, James P. Downs, Shawn S. Proctor, Robert J. DeGowske, Adrian M. Lenczewski, Firoz Ali S. Jafri, Paul J. Valente, Brian McCormick, Thomas C. Bowen, Paul W. Kornosky
  • Patent number: 8961369
    Abstract: An axle assembly comprises a power transmission device including a housing having a cylindrically shaped sidewall. The power transmission device selectively communicates rotatable motion from an input member to an output member. A frictional clutch is disposed in the housing and includes a drum. A first and a second axle shaft selectively drive a first and a second drive wheel, respectively. A differential selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts. An electric motor comprising a coil and a plurality of magnets is provided on the axle assembly. In one example, the coil is disposed on the housing and the magnets are disposed on the drum. The coil is configured to selectively energize to provide one of a positive or negative torque input to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
  • Publication number: 20140069764
    Abstract: An axle assembly comprises a power transmission device including a housing having a cylindrically shaped sidewall. The power transmission device selectively communicates rotatable motion from an input member to an output member. A frictional clutch is disposed in the housing and includes a drum. A first and a second axle shaft selectively drive a first and a second drive wheel, respectively. A differential selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts. An electric motor comprising a coil and a plurality of magnets is provided on the axle assembly. In one example, the coil is disposed on the housing and the magnets are disposed on the drum. The coil is configured to selectively energize to provide one of a positive or negative torque input to the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
  • Patent number: 8597145
    Abstract: An axle assembly comprises a power transmission device including a housing having a cylindrically shaped sidewall. The power transmission device selectively communicates rotatable motion from an input member to an output member. A frictional clutch is disposed in the housing and includes a drum. A first and a second axle shaft selectively drive a first and a second drive wheel, respectively. A differential selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts. An electric motor comprising a coil and a plurality of magnets is provided on the axle assembly. In one example, the coil is disposed on the housing and the magnets are disposed on the drum. The coil is configured to selectively energize to provide one of a positive or negative torque input to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
  • Patent number: 8550953
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle drivetrain includes a torque transfer device having a first actuator that actuates to selectively communicate rotatable motion from an input member to an output member. A limited slip differential selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts. A motor drives a first and a second output shaft. A first pump is rotatably driven by the first output shaft. The first pump selectively supplies the hydraulic fluid to the first actuator. A second pump is rotatably driven by the second output shaft. The second pump selectively supplies the hydraulic fluid to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, Charles G. Stuart
  • Publication number: 20130029797
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle drivetrain includes a torque transfer device having a first actuator that actuates to selectively communicate rotatable motion from an input member to an output member. A limited slip differential selectively transfers drive torque from the output member to at least one of the first and second axle shafts. A motor drives a first and a second output shaft. A first pump is rotatably driven by the first output shaft. The first pump selectively supplies the hydraulic fluid to the first actuator. A second pump is rotatably driven by the second output shaft. The second pump selectively supplies the hydraulic fluid to the second actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, Charles G. Stuart
  • Patent number: 8083041
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes an actuator having an electric motor driving a pump to supply pressurized fluid to a piston acting on a friction clutch to transfer torque between rotatable input and output members. In one instance, a valve between the pump outlet and the piston selectively traps pressurized fluid acting on the piston without continued energization of the electric motor. A gerotor may be formed from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a housing formed from a material having a second lower coefficient of thermal expansion to vary pump component clearances as the viscosity of the pumped fluid changes with changes in temperature. A method of controlling the power transmission device includes defining a correlation between pump speed, fluid temperature and fluid pressure, determining fluid temperature, determining pump speed, and rotating the pump to transfer a predetermined quantity of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20080287250
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a friction clutch operable to selectively transfer torque between an input member and an output member. An actuator is operable to provide an actuating force to the friction clutch. The actuator includes an electric motor having an output shaft drivingly coupled to a pump. The pump is operable to provide pressurized fluid to a piston acting on the friction clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20080214355
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes an actuator having an electric motor driving a pump to supply pressurized fluid to a piston acting on a friction clutch to transfer torque between rotatable input and output members. In one instance, a valve between the pump outlet and the piston selectively traps pressurized fluid acting on the piston without continued energization of the electric motor. A gerotor may be formed from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a housing formed from a material having a second lower coefficient of thermal expansion to vary pump component clearances as the viscosity of the pumped fluid changes with changes in temperature. A method of controlling the power transmission device includes defining a correlation between pump speed, fluid temperature and fluid pressure, determining fluid temperature, determining pump speed, and rotating the pump to transfer a predetermined quantity of torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: D749657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Zugang Huang, Charles G. Stuart