Patents by Inventor Eric James LaMothe

Eric James LaMothe 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: 8721461
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint may include a joint chamber and a cover defining a bore and configured to seal the joint chamber and prevent lubricant from leaving the joint chamber. A vent valve may be disposed within the bore and define at least one opening. The opening may be a one-way valve configured to exhaust gas from the joint chamber and while maintaining lubricant within the joint chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James LaMothe, Michael James Miller
  • Publication number: 20140024466
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint may include a joint chamber and a cover defining a bore and configured to seal the joint chamber and prevent lubricant from leaving the joint chamber. A vent valve may be disposed within the bore and define at least one opening. The opening may be a one-way valve configured to exhaust gas from the joint chamber and while maintaining lubricant within the joint chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Eric James LaMothe, Michael James Miller
  • Patent number: 8535191
    Abstract: A differential flange assembly is disclosed herein that includes a flange member and a washer member. The flange member is defined by an engagement face and having an aperture therethrough. At least one slot is formed on the engagement face so as to extend radially outward from the aperture. The washer member has at least one tab extending from a peripheral edge of the washer member and at least one opening. The tab is configured to be seated within the slot to mate the washer member to the engagement face of the flange member. The interaction of the slot of the flange member and the tab of the washer member prevent rotation of the washer member with respect to the flange member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan, Eric James LaMothe
  • Patent number: 8197346
    Abstract: A vent valve for a constant velocity joint is disclosed. The vent valve may generally include a body disposed in a bore of the cover which is axially movable in the bore and allows fluid flow through the bore, a first umbrella portion associated with a side of the body which defines a first gap between a first surface of the cover and the first umbrella portion, and a second umbrella portion associated with an opposite side of the body which defines a second gap between a second surface of the cover and the second umbrella portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Miller, Eric James LaMothe, Richard A. Compau
  • Patent number: 7997988
    Abstract: A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part, and inner joint part, a cage and a plurality of balls. The outer joint part includes outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes inner ball tracks and a rotational axis, wherein the inner joint part has a face spline oriented about the rotational axis. The plurality of balls are provided in the cage and engage the inner and outer ball tracks of the respective inner and outer joint parts, thereby allowing torque transmission by way of the face splines. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Wormsbaecher, Eric James LaMothe
  • Publication number: 20100285891
    Abstract: A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part, and inner joint part, a cage and a plurality of balls. The outer joint part includes outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes inner ball tracks and a rotational axis, wherein the inner joint part has a face spline oriented about the rotational axis. The plurality of balls are provided in the cage and engage the inner and outer ball tracks of the respective inner and outer joint parts, thereby allowing torque transmission by way of the face splines. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hans Wormsbaecher, Eric James LaMothe
  • Publication number: 20100120542
    Abstract: A vent valve for a constant velocity joint is disclosed. The vent valve may generally include a body disposed in a bore of the cover which is axially movable in the bore and allows fluid flow through the bore, a first umbrella portion associated with a side of the body which defines a first gap between a first surface of the cover and the first umbrella portion, and a second umbrella portion associated with an opposite side of the body which defines a second gap between a second surface of the cover and the second umbrella portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael James Miller, Eric James LaMothe, Richard A. Compau