Patents by Inventor David W. Wenthen
David W. Wenthen 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: 8517882Abstract: A transmission to transfer power from an electric motor to first and second axles of a vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the electric motor and a first planetary gear set. A second planetary gear set has a first member driven by the first planetary gear set, a second member restricted from rotation and a third member. A differential assembly has a first side gear adapted to drive the first axle, a second side gear adapted to drive the second axle and a pair of pinion gears meshed with the first and second side gears. A first clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the first member and the differential assembly. A second clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the third member and the differential assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventor: David W. Wenthen
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Patent number: 8414438Abstract: A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft, an output shaft and an epicyclic gearset. The gearset includes a ring gear being driven by the first input shaft, pinion gears being driven by the ring gear, a sun gear driven by the second input shaft and driving the pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventor: David W. Wenthen
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Patent number: 8316738Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power source and first and second drivelines includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to the second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes do not extend parallel to each other. A transfer unit includes a first cylindrically-shaped gear rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a second conically-shaped gear fixed for rotation with the second output shaft. The first and second gears are in constant meshed engagement with each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: William A. Hellinger, John D. Zalewski, David W. Wenthen, Brian M. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 8151662Abstract: A dual transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first input clutch adapted to drivingly couple a power source to the first input shaft and a second input clutch adapted to drivingly couple the power source to the second input shaft. First, third and fifth drive gears are driven by the first input shaft. Second, fourth and sixth drive gears are driven by the second input shaft. First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth driven gears selectively drive a countershaft. The first through sixth drive gears are in meshed engagement with the corresponding first through sixth driven gears. First through sixth synchronizer clutches are individually associated with the respective first through sixth drive or driven gears to provide first through sixth gear drive ratios to the countershaft. Each synchronizer clutch is selectively actuated by an associated first through sixth electric actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Fitzgerald, David W. Wenthen
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Patent number: 8123647Abstract: A transaxle transfers torque to first and second axle shafts. The transaxle includes a main shaft, a planetary gearset, a first clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a first member of the planetary gearset and a second clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a second member of the planetary gearset. An input shaft is fixed for rotation with the first member of the planetary gearset. A countershaft is selectively driven by first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets associated with the input shaft. A final drive unit provides multiplied torque to a differential assembly adapted to drive the first and second axle shafts. Actuation of the first and second clutches selectively provides first through eighth discrete forward drive ratios such that each of the first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets transfers torque during provision of two of the first through eighth forward drive ratios.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventor: David W. Wenthen
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Publication number: 20110218070Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a first input member, a first output member and a two-speed module selectively drivingly interconnecting the first input member and the first output member at one of two different drive ratios. A reduction unit includes a second input member being driven by the first output member and has a second output member being driven at a reduced speed relative to the second input member. A differential assembly has an input driven by said second output member. A first differential output drives a first output shaft, and a second differential output drives a second output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INCInventors: Noel R. Mack, John R. Forsyth, David W. Wenthen, Richard A. Bakowski, Mario C. DeSantis, Kelly Rathnaw
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Patent number: 7992668Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Burke Smith, William A. Hellinger, Carl F. Stephens, David W. Wenthen
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Publication number: 20110111919Abstract: A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft and an output shaft. A compound planetary gearset includes a sun gear driven by the first input shaft, first pinion gears being driven by the sun gear, a ring gear fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and being meshed with second pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventor: David W. WENTHEN
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Publication number: 20110111903Abstract: A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft, an output shaft and an epicyclic gearset. The gearset includes a ring gear being driven by the first input shaft, pinion gears being driven by the ring gear, a sun gear driven by the second input shaft and driving the pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventor: David W. Wenthen
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Publication number: 20100314189Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Burke SMITH, William Hellinger, Carl F. Stephens, David W. Wenthen
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Publication number: 20100313706Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power source and first and second drivelines includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to the second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes do not extend parallel to each other. A transfer unit includes a first cylindrically-shaped gear rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a second conically-shaped gear fixed for rotation with the second output shaft. The first and second gears are in constant meshed engagement with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: William A. Hellinger, John D. Zalewski, David W. Wenthen, Brian M. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20100285914Abstract: A transmission to transfer power from an electric motor to first and second axles of a vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by the electric motor and a first planetary gear set. A second planetary gear set has a first member driven by the first planetary gear set, a second member restricted from rotation and a third member. A differential assembly has a first side gear adapted to drive the first axle, a second side gear adapted to drive the second axle and a pair of pinion gears meshed with the first and second side gears. A first clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the first member and the differential assembly. A second clutch is operable to drivingly interconnect the third member and the differential assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventor: David W. Wenthen
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Publication number: 20100004088Abstract: A transaxle transfers torque to first and second axle shafts. The transaxle includes a main shaft, a planetary gearset, a first clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a first member of the planetary gearset and a second clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a second member of the planetary gearset. An input shaft is fixed for rotation with the first member of the planetary gearset. A countershaft is selectively driven by first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets associated with the input shaft. A final drive unit provides multiplied torque to a differential assembly adapted to drive the first and second axle shafts. Actuation of the first and second clutches selectively provides first through eighth discrete forward drive ratios such that each of the first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets transfers torque during provision of two of the first through eighth forward drive ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: David W. WENTHEN
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Publication number: 20090241728Abstract: A dual transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first input clutch adapted to drivingly couple a power source to the first input shaft and a second input clutch adapted to drivingly couple the power source to the second input shaft. First, third and fifth drive gears are driven by the first input shaft. Second, fourth and sixth drive gears are driven by the second input shaft. First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth driven gears selectively drive a countershaft. The first through sixth drive gears are in meshed engagement with the corresponding first through sixth driven gears. First through sixth synchronizer clutches are individually associated with the respective first through sixth drive or driven gears to provide first through sixth gear drive ratios to the countershaft. Each synchronizer clutch is selectively actuated by an associated first through sixth electric actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Brian M. Fitzgerald, David W. Wenthen