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).
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Patent number: 8863925Abstract: A decoupler assembly with an input hub, an output member, and a one-way clutch. In one form, the decoupler assembly includes an annular bearing mount with a needle bearing disposed between the bearing mount and the input hub to support the output member for rotation on the input hub. In another form the decoupler assembly further comprises a torsional vibration damper that is received within an internal cavity that is bounded on opposite axial ends by the output member and a cover that is coupled to the output member.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu
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Publication number: 20140309882Abstract: In one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren J. Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Patent number: 8851258Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Jacek S. Komorowski, Scott Parsons, John R. Antchak, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, John Danciu, Warren Williams, Pierre A. Mevissen
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Patent number: 8789670Abstract: A decoupler having a hub, a drive member and an isolator. The drive member is disposed about the hub for rotation about a rotational axis and includes an inner clutch surface. The isolator couples the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier, a plurality of arcuate springs, and a wrap spring. The carrier is received between the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier member, which defines a pair of apertures, and a pair of reaction blocks that are mounted in the apertures. The arcuate springs are mounted in the carrier member and are disposed between the hub and an associated one of the reaction blocks. The wrap spring has an end and a plurality of helical coils that are engaged to the inner clutch surface of the drive member. The end has an end face that is abutted against one of the reaction blocks.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Harvey J. Dix, Scott Parsons
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Publication number: 20130319814Abstract: A clutched device that includes a driving member, a driven member and a clutch assembly that is disposed between the driving and driven members. The clutch assembly includes a carrier, a wrap spring and a spacer. The carrier is configured to coupled the wrap spring to one of the driving and driven members to permit the transmission of rotary power there between. The spacer is configured to limit elongation of the wrap spring in an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Warren J. Williams
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Patent number: 8534438Abstract: A decoupler with driven and driving members, a clutch, a torsional vibration damper and a lubricant. The clutch is received in a bore in the driven member and includes a carrier, a wrap spring and at least one spring. The wrap spring is formed of spring wire and has a plurality of coils disposed between a first end, which is received in a groove in the carrier, and a second end. The portion of the wrap spring outside the carrier has an outer circumferential spring surface that is abutted against the inner circumferential surface of the bore. The at least one spring is disposed between the carrier and the driving member to transmit rotary power from the driving member to the carrier. The torsional vibration damper is coupled to the driving member for rotation therewith. The lubricant is disposed on the remaining portion of the wrap spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Bert Mevissen, Christian Jansen
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Publication number: 20130217524Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Patrick Marion, Lucas Wilson, Justin Boudreau, Gary J. Spicer
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Patent number: 8485925Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald John Hamers, Feng Liu
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Publication number: 20130172137Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer, Warren Williams, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Andrew M. Boyes, Gerald J. Hamers, Ron Farewell
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Publication number: 20130098727Abstract: 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 rated torque for the decoupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Warren Williams, John R. Antchak
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Publication number: 20130098733Abstract: A decoupler assembly with an input hub, an output member, and a one-way clutch. In one form, the decoupler assembly includes an annular bearing mount with a needle bearing disposed between the bearing mount and the input hub to support the output member for rotation on the input hub. In another form the decoupler assembly further comprises a torsional vibration damper that is received within an internal cavity that is bounded on opposite axial ends by the output member and a cover that is coupled to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu
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Publication number: 20130087428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Warren Williams, James W. Dell
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Publication number: 20130081588Abstract: An engine starter apparatus having a clutch assembly and a ring gear or pulley. The clutch assembly has a plate structure, a drive hub and a clutch element for selectively coupling the drive hub to the plate structure. The ring gear or pulley is coupled to the plate structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Warren Williams
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Patent number: 8387767Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Jacek S. Komorowski, Scott Parsons, John R. Antchak, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, John Danciu, Warren Williams, Pierre A. Mevissen
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Publication number: 20130008758Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Jacek S. Komorowski, Scott Parsons, John R. Antchak, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, John Danciu, Warren Williams, Pierre A. Mevissen
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Publication number: 20120299415Abstract: An accessory that include a machine, an input shaft, a drive member and a decoupler. The machine has a housing and a rotor that is supported for rotation in the housing. The machine effects work in response to driving rotation of the rotor. The input shaft is at least partly received in the housing. The drive member is coupled to the input shaft for common rotation and is configured to drivingly engage an endless power transmitting element to transmit rotary power between the endless power transmitting element and the input shaft. The decoupler is spaced axially apart from the drive member and couples the input shaft and the rotor in a mode that permits rotary power to be transmitted from the input shaft to the rotor in a predetermined rotational direction except when the input shaft decelerates relative to the rotor beyond a predetermined extent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: John R. Antchak, Gary J. Spicer
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Publication number: 20120115657Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald J. Hamers, Feng Liu
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Patent number: 8142314Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Gerald J. Hamers, Feng Liu
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Patent number: 8132657Abstract: A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
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Patent number: RE45156Abstract: A decoupler having an output member, a one-way clutch, a spring and a spring limiter. The spring is disposed between an output portion of the one-way clutch and the output member to bias the output portion in a predetermined rotational direction relative to the output member. The spring limiter can be configured to lock an output of the one-way clutch to the output member to transmit rotary power between the one-way clutch and the output member without stressing the spring beyond a predetermined point and/or to limit rotational movement of the output portion and an associated end of the spring relative to the output member in the predetermined rotational direction. A method for operating a decoupler is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Christian Jansen, John R. Antchak