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).
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Patent number: 9249873Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9200720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 9174632Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Charles G. Stuart
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Publication number: 20150198262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
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Publication number: 20150133266Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Charles G. Stuart
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Publication number: 20150057125Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 8961369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
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Publication number: 20140069764Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
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Patent number: 8597145Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Charles G. Stuart
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Patent number: 8550953Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, Charles G. Stuart
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Publication number: 20130029797Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, Charles G. Stuart
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Patent number: 8083041Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
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Publication number: 20080287250Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
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Publication number: 20080214355Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Russell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: D749657Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Zugang Huang, Charles G. Stuart