Patents by Inventor Christopher Anthony Chirco

Christopher Anthony Chirco 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: 11130402
    Abstract: A transfer case is disclosed that includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, a gear reduction mechanism that selectively couples the input shaft to the primary output shaft in a high range and a low range, a secondary torque transfer mechanism that operates to selectively couple the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft to engage a four-wheel drive mode, and an actuation mechanism that operates the gear reduction mechanism and the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a gear plate with an integral target pattern that is rotatable through a plurality of positions corresponding to states of the gear reduction mechanism and the secondary torque transfer, as well as a sensor that is adapted and positioned to read the target pattern to in each of the positions of the gear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Anthony Chirco
  • Publication number: 20200001712
    Abstract: A transfer case is disclosed that includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, a gear reduction mechanism that selectively couples the input shaft to the primary output shaft in a high range and a low range, a secondary torque transfer mechanism that operates to selectively couple the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft to engage a four-wheel drive mode, and an actuation mechanism that operates the gear reduction mechanism and the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a gear plate with an integral target pattern that is rotatable through a plurality of positions corresponding to states of the gear reduction mechanism and the secondary torque transfer, as well as a sensor that is adapted and positioned to read the target pattern to in each of the positions of the gear plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher Anthony Chirco
  • Patent number: 10280986
    Abstract: An actuator for a transfer case includes an actuator member, a face cam mechanism, and a motor. The actuator member includes a circumferential flange and an annular body extending from an inner periphery of the circumferential flange. The annular body includes a circumferential slot opposite the flange defined between two end walls formed by the annular body. One of the end walls includes a bearing member coupled thereto. The face cam mechanism includes a follower coupled to a cam member. The cam member is configured to displace axially when rotated. The follower is disposed within the slot. In a first range of motion, the annular member is rotated independent of the face cam mechanism. In a second range of motion, the bearing member engages the follower to rotate the second cam member relative to the first cam member, and the follower moves axially along the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Paul Matthew Riggs, Christopher Anthony Chirco
  • Patent number: 9964160
    Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and an actuator. The primary output shaft is coupled to the input shaft with a gear reduction mechanism. The secondary output shaft is selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuator includes a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism, and a driver gear assembly. The first actuation mechanism is configured to operate the gear reduction mechanism. The second actuation mechanism is configured to operate the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The drive gear assembly includes a gear plate member, a sense plate member configured to engage the first actuation mechanism, and a hub member configured to engage the second actuation. The sense plate member and the hub member are independently coupled to the gear plate member to rotate in unison with the gear plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Christopher Anthony Chirco, Travis J. Wentz, Paul Matthew Riggs
  • Publication number: 20170234373
    Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and an actuator. The primary output shaft is coupled to the input shaft with a gear reduction mechanism. The secondary output shaft is selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuator includes a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism, and a driver gear assembly. The first actuation mechanism is configured to operate the gear reduction mechanism. The second actuation mechanism is configured to operate the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The drive gear assembly includes a gear plate member, a sense plate member configured to engage the first actuation mechanism, and a hub member configured to engage the second actuation. The sense plate member and the hub member are independently coupled to the gear plate member to rotate in unison with the gear plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Christopher Anthony Chirco, Travis J. Wentz, Paul Matthew Riggs
  • Publication number: 20170234374
    Abstract: An actuator for a transfer case includes an actuator member, a face cam mechanism, and a motor. The actuator member includes a circumferential flange and an annular body extending from an inner periphery of the circumferential flange. The annular body includes a circumferential slot opposite the flange defined between two end walls formed by the annular body. One of the end walls includes a bearing member coupled thereto. The face cam mechanism includes a follower coupled to a cam member. The cam member is configured to displace axially when rotated. The follower is disposed within the slot. In a first range of motion, the annular member is rotated independent of the face cam mechanism. In a second range of motion, the bearing member engages the follower to rotate the second cam member relative to the first cam member, and the follower moves axially along the bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Paul Matthew Riggs, Christopher Anthony Chirco