Patents by Inventor Diane K. Ducklow

Diane K. Ducklow 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).

  • Publication number: 20040020700
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 6631779
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Publication number: 20010042652
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundguist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 6263995
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Borg Warner Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 6062330
    Abstract: An on demand venicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 5609219
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 5605201
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary drive shafts, differentials and axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch comprising a primary, cone clutch assembly which functions as a pilot device to actuate a secondary, disc pack clutch assembly. The electromagnetic clutch is controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shaft overruns, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward D. McGinn, Todd L. Perttola, Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 5492194
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary drive shafts, differentials and axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch comprising a primary, cone clutch assembly which functions as a pilot device to actuate a secondary, disc pack clutch assembly. The electromagnetic clutch is controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shaft overruns, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward D. McGinn, Todd L. Perttola, Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow
  • Patent number: 5485894
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 5407024
    Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Alan L. Miller, Drew A. Sundquist, Roger T. Simpson, Diane K. Ducklow, Joseph W. Beckerman, Dan J. Showalter