Patents by Inventor John R. Antchak

John R. Antchak 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: 11708886
    Abstract: A decoupler pulley is provided for automotive belt-driven accessory drives, which utilizes a single torsion coil spring that provides torsional resiliency and overrunning functionality. As the torsion spring expands it increasingly pinches a bushing disposed between a radially expansible hub and pulley to thereby provide proportional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Ali Sabti, John R. Antchak, Warren Williams, Daniel Thornton
  • Patent number: 11629762
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Publication number: 20230036580
    Abstract: A lawn maintenance device that is calibrated in the field by a user through a mobile software app to irrigate and/or fertigate one or more arbitrary geometrical areas defined by the user. The device includes a motorized rotary drive mechanism for controlling the rotational angle of a pivotable nozzle and a flow control valve for controlling water jet throw distance. At least one container is integrated into the device for dispensing fertilizer, herbicide and other such concentrated lawn or garden solutions. The device communicates with and is controlled by a web server which dynamically computes a watering path and triggers the device to commence irrigation over the computed path based on prevailing local environmental conditions and/or user settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ali SABTI, John R Antchak, Alexander PORAT
  • Patent number: 11105339
    Abstract: In an aspect, a pump is provided and includes a pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet. An impeller is rotatably supported in the pump housing for rotation about an impeller axis, and has an impeller inlet configured for drawing in liquid during rotation of the impeller, and an impeller outlet configured for discharging liquid in a generally radial direction. A diverter is pivotally connected in an impeller outlet receiving chamber in the pump housing. The diverter is movable between a first position in which it provides a first restriction to flow out from the pump housing and a second position in which it provides a second restriction to flow out from the pump housing that is greater than the first restriction. In the first position, the diverter forms at least a portion of a volute around at least a portion of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Zhengjie Jia, John R. Antchak
  • Publication number: 20210122357
    Abstract: In an aspect, a drive arrangement for a vehicle is provided, comprising: an engine having a crankshaft; a crankshaft pulley; a one-way clutch between the crankshaft pulley and the crankshaft; a belt by the crankshaft pulley; and an electric motor having a pulley engaged with the belt. When the electric motor drives the belt in a first direction, the one-way clutch permits the belt to overrun the crankshaft pulley. The crankshaft defines an axis. The electric motor pulley is on a first axial side of the engine. A transmission is on a second axial side and is operatively connected to drive a vehicle wheel. The transmission has an input shaft. A first rotary drive member is on the input shaft; and a motor-transmission drive shaft is drivable by the motor and has a second rotary drive member thereon, which is operatively connected with the first transmission rotary drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jun XU, Andrew M. BOYES, John R. ANTCHAK
  • Patent number: 10975939
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Ryeland, Ron Farewell, Andrew M. Boyes, Thelma Neudorf, Jason R. Desouza-Coelho, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 10876605
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Geoffrey W. Ryeland, Ron Farewell
  • Publication number: 20200355256
    Abstract: A decoupler pulley is provided for automotive belt-driven accessory drives, which utilizes a single torsion coil spring that provides torsional resiliency and overrunning functionality. As the torsion spring expands it increasingly pinches a bushing disposed between a radially expansible hub and pulley to thereby provide proportional damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Ali SABTI, John R. ANTCHAK, Warren WILLIAMS, Daniel THORNTON
  • Publication number: 20200166084
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 10663008
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams, James W. Dell
  • Patent number: 10590994
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to 5 couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member 10 positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Publication number: 20190331131
    Abstract: In an aspect, a pump is provided and includes a pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet. An impeller is rotatably supported in the pump housing for rotation about an impeller axis, and has an impeller inlet configured for drawing in liquid during rotation of the impeller, and an impeller outlet configured for discharging liquid in a generally radial direction. A diverter is pivotally connected in an impeller outlet receiving chamber in the pump housing. The diverter is movable between a first position in which it provides a first restriction to flow out from the pump housing and a second position in which it provides a second restriction to flow out from the pump housing that is greater than the first restriction. In the first position, the diverter forms at least a portion of a volute around at least a portion of the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Zhengjie JIA, John R. ANTCHAK
  • Patent number: 10415649
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 9989129
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes
  • Patent number: 9989103
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Warren Williams, James W Dell
  • Patent number: 9982721
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Patrick Marion, Lucas Wilson, Justin Boudreau, Gary J. Spicer
  • Publication number: 20180142738
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Warren J. WILLIAMS, James W. DELL
  • Publication number: 20180058507
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Jun XU, Patrick D. MARION, Lucas E. WILSON, Justin BOUDREAU, Gary J. SPICER
  • Publication number: 20180017143
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Geoffrey W. RYELAND, Ron FAREWELL
  • Patent number: RE47406
    Abstract: A method for producing an over-running decoupler that is configured to transmit rotary power between a rotary member and a hub. The over-running decoupler includes a one-way clutch having a clutch spring, a carrier that is coupled to the clutch spring and at least one spring that resiliently couples the carrier to the hub. The method includes: establishing a desired fatigue life of the at least one spring; establishing a design deflection of the at least one spring during resonance, wherein deflection of the at least one spring at the design deflection during resonance does not reduce a fatigue life of the at least one spring below the desired fatigue life; and preventing resonance in the over-running decoupler by controlling a maximum deflection of the at least one spring such that the maximum deflection is less than or equal to the design deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu