Patents by Inventor Larry A. Pritchard

Larry A. Pritchard 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: 11525504
    Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for a transverse mounted motor for an electric powered automotive passenger vehicle including opposing wheel shafts for powering two parallel mounted wheels, the shafts rotating about a first axis, the shafts having at least one end torsionally connected with a differential, an electrical rotor torsionally connected with the wheel shafts via a planetary gear train, an electrical stator surrounding the rotor, a casing supporting the rotor and the wheel shafts, the casing encompassing the stator, the casing having a floor forming a lubricant reservoir, and a baffle located in the lubricant reservoir. The baffle forming a wall with a portal allowing flow through the formed wall, and wherein an increase of fluid pressure throttles flow through the formed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 11524566
    Abstract: A transfer case having, a transmission mount, an input shaft received through the transmission mount, an electric propulsion motor, a transfer case portion and a transmission portion. The transfer case portion has a transfer case portion input, a first transfer case portion output, a second transfer case portion output, and a power transfer mechanism, the first transfer case portion output being drivingly coupled to the transfer case input portion, the power transfer mechanism drivingly coupling the second transfer case portion output to the first transfer case output portion. the transmission portion has a first coupling, which is selectively operable for drivingly connecting the input shaft to the transfer case portion input, and a second coupling that is selectively operable for drivingly connecting a rotor of the electric propulsion motor to the transfer case portion input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Patent number: 11105330
    Abstract: A power transmitting component having a first shaft and a pump. The first shaft has a longitudinal bore, a pump mount and a feed conduit. The pump mount has a circumferentially extending surface, a drive portion and a channel that extends circumferentially about the first shaft. The channel is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the first shaft between the drive portion and the circumferentially extending surface. The feed conduit intersects and fluidly couples the longitudinal bore and the channel. The pump has a pump housing, a first rotor and a pump outlet. The pump housing is mounted about the circumferentially extending surface and is disposed circumferentially about the channel. The first rotor is coupled to the drive portion for rotation therewith. The pump outlet is coupled in fluid communication with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Sullivan, Pritish Khale, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 11085522
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer case is provided having a housing, a primary shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, a secondary shaft selectively driven by the primary shaft, a hub torsionally fixed with the primary shaft, a clutch housing selectively torsionally connected with the hub via a friction pack, an engagement wheel torsionally fixed with respect to the clutch housing and torsionally connected with the secondary shaft via a flexible torsional force member, the friction pack, upon engagement, causing the clutch housing to be selectively connected with the hub, a reservoir system fixed with respect to the housing capturing lubricant energized by result of the operation of the flexible torsional member, the reservoir system delivering splashed lubricant to a reservoir system, and an Archimedes' screw pump delivering lubricant from a sump adjacent to the secondary shaft to the secondary reservoir system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Patent number: 10988022
    Abstract: A dual drive gear of an actuation assembly for a transfer case includes an annular disk, a dual drive gear hub, and a sense plate. The annular disk has an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The outer periphery defines a plurality of teeth projecting radially outward. The dual drive gear hub is attached to the inner periphery of the annular disk and has an inner surface that defines a bore extending through a center of the dual drive gear. The dual drive gear hub includes a pair of curved walls projecting from a first axial end face of the annular disk. The sense plate projects from a second axial end face of the annular disk opposite of the first axial end face and includes a plurality of curved wall sections. The annular disk, the dual drive gear hub, and the sense plate are formed together as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Gurmeet Singh Bedi
  • Publication number: 20210114454
    Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for a transverse mounted motor for an electric powered automotive passenger vehicle including opposing wheel shafts for powering two parallel mounted wheels, the shafts rotating about a first axis, the shafts having at least one end torsionally connected with a differential, an electrical rotor torsionally connected with the wheel shafts via a planetary gear train, an electrical stator surrounding the rotor, a casing supporting the rotor and the wheel shafts, the casing encompassing the stator, the casing having a floor forming a lubricant reservoir, and a baffle located in the lubricant reservoir. The baffle forming a wall with a portal allowing flow through the formed wall, and wherein an increase of fluid pressure throttles flow through the formed wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10948028
    Abstract: A driveline component with a shaft, a friction clutch and a centrifugal valve. The shaft has a supply passage and a feed passage that intersects the supply passage. The centrifugal valve has a valve seat, which is formed on the shaft and intersects the feed passage, a valve element and a flyweight that is pivotally coupled to the shaft. The valve element is received in the valve seat and is movable between a first position, in which the valve element is abutted against the valve seat, and a second position in which the valve element is displaced from the valve seat. The flyweight has a weight and a cam and is configured so that radially outward rotation of the weight in response to centrifugal force causes the cam to drive the valve element toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Robert F. Keller, Christopher Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20210046816
    Abstract: A transfer case having, a transmission mount, an input shaft received through the transmission mount, an electric propulsion motor, a transfer case portion and a transmission portion. The transfer case portion has a transfer case portion input, a first transfer case portion output, a second transfer case portion output, and a power transfer mechanism, the first transfer case portion output being drivingly coupled to the transfer case input portion, the power transfer mechanism drivingly coupling the second transfer case portion output to the first transfer case output portion. the transmission portion has a first coupling, which is selectively operable for drivingly connecting the input shaft to the transfer case portion input, and a second coupling that is selectively operable for drivingly connecting a rotor of the electric propulsion motor to the transfer case portion input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Philip J. FRANCIS
  • Patent number: 10851846
    Abstract: A power transmitting component that includes a clutch, a valve and a ball ramp mechanism. The clutch has a hub, a housing, a clutch pack and an apply plate. The clutch pack has sets of friction plates that are mounted to the hub and the housing. The valve includes a valve element, which is received in a bore in the hub, an inlet and an outlet. The ball ramp mechanism has first and second ball ramp rings and is operable for selectively translating the apply plate to compress the friction plates against the housing as well as for translating the valve element to open the valve. The second ball ramp ring is coupled to the hub for rotation therewith. The first ball ramp ring is rotatable relative to the second ball ramp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Christopher Sullivan, Aaron Stinson
  • Patent number: 10823276
    Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for a transverse mounted motor for an electric powered automotive passenger vehicle including opposing wheel shafts for powering two parallel mounted wheels, the shafts rotating about a first axis, the shafts having at least one end torsionally connected with a differential, an electrical rotor torsionally connected with the wheel shafts via a planetary gear train, an electrical stator surrounding the rotor, a casing supporting the rotor and the wheel shafts, the casing encompassing the stator, the casing having a floor forming a lubricant reservoir, and a baffle located in the lubricant reservoir, the baffle having barriers generally transverse to the first axis and at least one of the barriers having a lower window allowing fluid communication underneath the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BORGWARNER Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20200325943
    Abstract: A driveline component with a shaft, a friction clutch and a centrifugal valve. The shaft has a supply passage and a feed passage that intersects the supply passage. The centrifugal valve has a valve seat, which is formed on the shaft and intersects the feed passage, a valve element and a flyweight that is pivotally coupled to the shaft. The valve element is received in the valve seat and is movable between a first position, in which the valve element is abutted against the valve seat, and a second position in which the valve element is displaced from the valve seat. The flyweight has a weight and a cam and is configured so that radially outward rotation of the weight in response to centrifugal force causes the cam to drive the valve element toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Robert F. KELLER, Christopher SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 10780773
    Abstract: A driveline comprising an electrical machine, a chain drive, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a range selector, a differential, and an axle assembly, wherein the electrical machine is constructed and arranged to selectively transmit power to the differential through the chain drive, the first planetary gear set, the range selector, and the second planetary gear set or to selectively receive power through the chain drive, the first planetary gear set, the range selector, the second planetary gear set, and the differential, and wherein the range selector is configured to selectively shift the driveline into a high range, a low range, and a neutral mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip John Francis
  • Patent number: 10766349
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a transfer case. The transfer case includes a primary output shaft, an electric motor, and a planetary gear set. The primary output shaft receives engine torque from the internal combustion engine. The electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The planetary gear set includes a sun gear rotatably fixed to the rotor, a ring gear, planet gears arranged radially between and engaging the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gears and rotatably fixed to the primary output shaft. The ring gear is selectively groundable for selectively transferring torque between the electric motor and the primary output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10766362
    Abstract: A transfer case comprises a primary output shaft, and a secondary output shaft selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a plate clutch to transfer torque therebetween. The plate clutch includes a housing, a plurality of interleaved plates that are engaged alternatingly with the primary output shaft and the housing to rotate therewith, and an apply plate non-selectively coupled to the primary output shaft to rotate therewith. The apply plate is moveable axially along the primary output shaft into a first configuration in which the apply plate is positively coupled to the housing to rotate therewith, a second configuration in which the apply plate rotates independent of the housing, and a third configuration in which the apply plate compresses the interleaved plates to form a friction coupling between the primary output shaft and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves, Philip J. Francis, Joseph D. Mastie
  • Publication number: 20200254872
    Abstract: A dual drive gear of an actuation assembly for a transfer case includes an annular disk, a dual drive gear hub, and a sense plate. The annular disk has an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The outer periphery defines a plurality of teeth projecting radially outward. The dual drive gear hub is attached to the inner periphery of the annular disk and has an inner surface that defines a bore extending through a center of the dual drive gear. The dual drive gear hub includes a pair of curved walls projecting from a first axial end face of the annular disk. The sense plate projects from a second axial end face of the annular disk opposite of the first axial end face and includes a plurality of curved wall sections. The annular disk, the dual drive gear hub, and the sense plate are formed together as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Gurmeet Singh BEDI
  • Patent number: 10711893
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an output shaft having a radial flange comprising a plurality of teeth; a range shifter operatively connected to the output shaft constructed and arranged to selectively shift a vehicle between a low range, high range, and neutral mode; a mode shifter operatively connected to the output shaft constructed and arranged to shift the vehicle between a four-wheel and two-wheel drive mode; a dual drive gear operatively attached to the output shaft between the range shifter and the mode shifter constructed and arranged so that rotation of the dual drive gear drives the range shifter and the mode shifter; and at least one plunger radially displaced around the output shaft which is actuated by the dual drive gear to engage a slot between the plurality of teeth on the output shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft during a range shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Joseph D. Mastie
  • Patent number: 10648517
    Abstract: A product comprising: an axle shaft and an input shaft, wherein the axle shaft is coaxial with the input shaft; a clutch operatively connected to the axle shaft and the input shaft constructed and arranged to selectively couple and decouple the input shaft and the axle shaft; an actuator operatively connected to the clutch to drive the clutch; and a synchronizer operatively connected to the clutch to synchronize the coupling of the input shaft and the axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Mastie, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10630140
    Abstract: A drive system for powering the wheels of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The drive system includes an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, and one or more planetary gear sets operably connected to the electric motor and the wheels. The drive system includes one or more configurations that reduce packaging space, reduce the weight of the drive system, and/or provide cooling functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20200072217
    Abstract: A power transmitting component having a first shaft and a pump. The first shaft has a longitudinal bore, a pump mount and a feed conduit. The pump mount has a circumferentially extending surface, a drive portion and a channel that extends circumferentially about the first shaft. The channel is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the first shaft between the drive portion and the circumferentially extending surface. The feed conduit intersects and fluidly couples the longitudinal bore and the channel. The pump has a pump housing, a first rotor and a pump outlet. The pump housing is mounted about the circumferentially extending surface and is disposed circumferentially about the channel. The first rotor is coupled to the drive portion for rotation therewith. The pump outlet is coupled in fluid communication with the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher SULLIVAN, Pritish KHALE, Larry A. PRITCHARD
  • Patent number: 10578169
    Abstract: A synchronizer is provided for torsionally connecting a gear to an axially aligned shaft. The synchronizer includes a hub connected with the shaft, a sleeve having an inner diameter with spline teeth for torsional connection with the hub being axially movable upon the hub, a blocking ring torsionally connected on the hub having an angular lost motion relationship with the sleeve, the blocking ring having at least a first annular conical friction surface orientated radially inward and axially toward the hub and a second annular conical friction surface oriented radially inward and axially outward from the hub, the blocking ring having blocking cogs preventing axial movement of the sleeve toward the gear when the gear is in a non-synchronous condition, and an engagement ring for fixed connection with the gear, the engagement ring having a complementary annular conical friction surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard