Patents by Inventor Craig S. Larson

Craig S. Larson 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: 9435381
    Abstract: A metallic sleeve (20) may be pressed with relatively low axial forces onto a softer metallic shaft (12) to produce a permanent interference fit between the sleeve and the shaft even if subject to high torque loads. For this purpose, the sleeve incorporates a plurality of successively reduced diameter, axially spaced, arrays (52, 54, 56) of splines (50) within its interior, with a series of spaced circumferentially extending grooves (30, 32, 34) situated between the arrays. The arrays of splines define angled frontal cutting edges (60, 62, 64) adapted to cut into the metal shaft for rigid securement of sleeve to shaft. The spaced grooves are adapted to collect chip debris (36, 38, 40) during installation of the sleeve to the shaft, each groove providing a volumetric space to provide for the uniform distribution of chip debris within the interface of sleeve and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Larson
  • Publication number: 20150016873
    Abstract: A metallic sleeve (20) may be pressed with relatively low axial forces onto a softer metallic shaft (12) to produce a permanent interference fit between the sleeve and the shaft even if subject to high torque loads. For this purpose, the sleeve incorporates a plurality of successively reduced diameter, axially spaced, arrays (52, 54, 56) of splines (50) within its interior, with a series of spaced circumferentially extending grooves (30, 32, 34) situated between the arrays. The arrays of splines define angled frontal cutting edges (60, 62, 64) adapted to cut into the metal shaft for rigid securement of sleeve to shaft. The spaced grooves are adapted to collect chip debris (36, 38, 40) during installation of the sleeve to the shaft, each groove providing a volumetric space to provide for the uniform distribution of chip debris within the interface of sleeve and shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Craig S. Larson
  • Patent number: 8561772
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided that includes a first race, a second race having relative rotational movement with the first race, a locking mechanism to allow relative rotational movement between the races in one direction only and first and second backing plates connected with the first race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Papania, Craig S. Larson, Douglas J. Slager
  • Publication number: 20090277738
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided that includes a first race, a second race having relative rotational movement with the first race, a locking mechanism to allow relative rotational movement between the races in one direction only and first and second backing plates connected with the first race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: James R. Papania, Craig S. Larson, Douglas J. Slager
  • Patent number: 5176236
    Abstract: A groove pattern for the paper-based annular friction facing (38) on an alar plate (39) of a clutch plate (41) of a wet clutch to equalize the surface temperature of the friction facing and thus increase the thermal capacity of the clutch where there is continuous slippage. The groove pattern includes one or more continuous annular grooves (42,43,44,45) dividing the friction area into at least three annular bands (46,47,48,49,50), an inner band (46), at least one intermediate band (47,48,49), and an outer band (50), and a plurality of cross grooves (51,52) in each band which are angled with respect to a radius of the facing. The angled cross grooves extend at an acute angle (a,b) (10-60 degrees) to such radius. Slip of the friction pair of plates causes a viscous pumping action. The cross groove angle in each band of the facing is similar so as to keep all the grooves filled with cooling oil, and the cross-section of the cross grooves vary in their dimensions as between the bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive Transmission & Engine Components Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ghidorzi, Robert J. Fanella, Robert W. Hornick, Craig S. Larson
  • Patent number: 4997074
    Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch for a continuously variable transsion which is designed to reduce the centrifugal torque of the clutch with respect to the chain belt/sheave torque. This is accomplished by adjusting the diameters of the clutch piston to reduce the resultant clutch torque to a value lower than the chain belt/sheave torque. A pair of oil feed passages are positioned in the clutch assembly to feed oil through openings in the friction plate at all times during operation, even when rotation of the friction plate ceases. Further, an improved retractor spring is utilized in the clutch assembly with circumferentially extending tabs on its inner periphery which extend over the snap ring holding the spring onto the actuating piston to prevent release of the snap ring due to centrifugal force during operation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive Transmission & Engine Components Corporation
    Inventors: Craig S. Larson, Maria S. Vlamakis