Patents by Inventor Dan Showalter

Dan Showalter 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: 9151345
    Abstract: A transmission clutch module including inner and outer races, a plurality of race engaging pawls and an actuator ring incorporates an actuator having a rotatable spool header adapted to rotate an attached actuator lever between at least two angular positions. The actuator lever moves the actuator ring to selectively block the pawls so inner and outer races may freewheel relative to one another in at least one operating mode. The actuator may be electric or hydraulic powered, and may be spring-biased to a default position in event of power failure. An elongated axially moveable plunger is secured to and supported within a piston at a first end, and has a radially extending pin at its second end. A fixed spool sleeve to which the spool header is supported includes a helical slot through which the pin extends. As the plunger moves reciprocally, the pin undergoes both translational and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20150060222
    Abstract: A transmission clutch module including inner and outer races, a plurality of race engaging pawls and an actuator ring incorporates an actuator having a rotatable spool header adapted to rotate an attached actuator lever between at least two angular positions. The actuator lever moves the actuator ring to selectively block the pawls so inner and outer races may freewheel relative to one another in at least one operating mode. The actuator may be electric or hydraulic powered, and may be spring-biased to a default position in event of power failure. An elongated axially moveable plunger is secured to and supported within a piston at a first end, and has a radially extending pin at its second end. A fixed spool sleeve to which the spool header is supported includes a helical slot through which the pin extends. As the plunger moves reciprocally, the pin undergoes both translational and rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20100316519
    Abstract: A pump having an actuator mounted on a rotatable shaft, and a pump mounted on the shaft, which is selectively engageable with the actuator. When the actuator is actuated, the pump will receive rotational force from the shaft, creating a pumping action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20060178242
    Abstract: A variable biasing differential provides an adjustable torque bias between two outputs. An input shaft provides drive torque to a carrier which receives a plurality of stub shafts and a like plurality of planet gears. A first set of planet gears drives a first sun gear and first output and a second set of planet gears, which, in turn, drives additional planet gears which drive a second sun gear and second output. Secured to both ends of the carrier are first and second ring gears which each mesh with an eccentric gear which in turn includes an eccentric second ring gear which meshes with an internal gear disposed about the first and second outputs. These gears are coupled to respective first and second friction clutches which can be independently activated to adjust the torque bias of the differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20060011441
    Abstract: A ball ramp actuator for friction clutch packs and the like includes a first circular member having a first plurality of gear teeth and a second circular member disposed adjacent the first circular member and having a second plurality of gear teeth distinct in number from the first plurality of gear teeth. On adjacent opposed faces of the circular members are oblique cams or ramped devices such as opposed recesses and load transferring members which drive the circular members apart upon relative rotation therebetween. Such relative rotation is achieved by a motor driving the rotatable members through a pinion. A friction clutch assembly, disposed adjacent the rotatable members transfers drive energy from an input to an output when the rotatable member differentially rotate and separate, causing compression of the friction clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20060011001
    Abstract: A differential drive actuator includes a first gear or circular member having a first plurality of teeth and a second gear or circular member disposed adjacent the first circular member and having a second plurality of teeth distinct in number from the first plurality of teeth. The circular members are commonly driven by a gear or pinion. Because of the distinct or disparate number of teeth on the two circular members, they will rotate at slightly different speeds. The circular members also include complementary cam faces, cam recesses and balls, a cam and cam follower or threaded members which, upon such different rotational speeds, cause the circular members to axially translate or separate. Such axial translation may be utilized to actuate or move valves, dampers, plates, clutches, steering mechanisms, shutters and a wide variety of devices controlled or adjusted by linear motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20050277509
    Abstract: A two-speed segmented transfer case includes an automatic transmission side, and a transfer case side. The transfer case side having a gear reduction set, and a shift sleeve for selecting between the high, or direct drive speed, and the low, or reduced gear speed. The transmission side includes a hydraulic clutch which is used to transfer power from the transmission, to the front wheels. The hydraulic clutch is operated and controlled by the use of automatic transmission fluid that comes from the vehicle transmission. When fully engaged, the hydraulic clutch causes the power coming into the transfer case to be split between the front and rear wheels. This configuration allows for the elimination of a separate actuation system that would normally control the engagement of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Showalter
  • Publication number: 20050197228
    Abstract: A variable biasing differential provides an adjustable torque bias between two outputs. An input shaft provides drive torque to a carrier which receives a plurality of stub shafts and a like plurality of planet gears. A first set of planet gears drives a first sun gear and first output and a second set of planet gears, which, in turn, drives additional planet gears which drive a second sun gear and second output. Secured to both ends of the carrier are first and second ring gears which each mesh with an eccentric gear which in turn includes an eccentric second ring gear which meshes with an internal gear disposed about the first and second outputs. These gears are coupled to respective first and second friction clutches which can be independently activated to adjust the torque bias of the differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventor: Dan Showalter