Patents by Inventor Donald Joseph Kurecka

Donald Joseph Kurecka 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: 6907774
    Abstract: A method for evaluating energy transmission from an axle through a vehicle suspension system. The methodology employs a torsional actuator to apply input energy to the vehicle in a manner that mimics the energy that is generated by the axle during the operation of the vehicle so that both the driving load and the vibration induced by gearset motion variation are simulated. Since the energy input can be quantified and monitored, the same amount of torque can be applied during each test to permit the technician to fully comprehend differences in the designs of several axles on the transmission of noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Kurecka, Mark Norman Ranek, David Paul Schankin, Zhaohui Sun
  • Patent number: 6802206
    Abstract: A method for evaluating energy transmission from an axle through a vehicle suspension system. The methodology employs a torsional actuator to apply input energy to the vehicle in a manner that mimics the energy that is generated by the axle during the operation of the vehicle so that both the driving load and the vibration induced by gearset motion variation are simulated. Since the energy input can be quantified and monitored, the same amount of torque can be applied during each test to permit the technician to fully comprehend differences in the designs of several axles on the transmission of noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Kurecka, Mark Norman Ranek, David Paul Schankin, Zhaohui Sun
  • Publication number: 20040069053
    Abstract: A method for evaluating energy transmission from an axle through a vehicle suspension system. The methodology employs a torsional actuator to apply input energy to the vehicle in a manner that mimics the energy that is generated by the axle during the operation of the vehicle so that both the driving load and the vibration induced by gearset motion variation are simulated. Since the energy input can be quantified and monitored, the same amount of torque can be applied during each test to permit the technician to fully comprehend differences in the designs of several axles on the transmission of noise and vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Kurecka, Mark Norman Ranek, David Paul Schankin, Zhaohui Sun
  • Patent number: 6554714
    Abstract: The invention provides a tube assembly containing an extruded torque tube (12) and two yokes (14) welded to either end of the tube. The tube is made from a base material metal and boron carbide particles in a ratio of approximately between 2:1 to 10:1 by weight. In another embodiment, a driveshaft assembly includes the above tube assembly with a front universal joint (24) and slip yoke (26) attached to a front end, and a rear universal joint (22) attached to a rear end. An axle yoke (28) is coupled at the rear universal joint (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Kurecka, Karthik Sivakumar
  • Publication number: 20030013535
    Abstract: The invention provides a tube assembly containing an extruded torque tube (12) and two yokes (14) welded to either end of the tube. The tube is made from a base material metal and boron carbide particles in a ratio of approximately between 2:1 to 10:1 by weight. In another embodiment, a driveshaft assembly includes the above tube assembly with a front universal joint (24) and slip yoke (26) attached to a front end, and a rear universal joint (22) attached to a rear end. An axle yoke (28) is coupled at the rear universal joint (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Kurecka, Karthik Sivakumar