Patents by Inventor Mircea Gradu
Mircea Gradu 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: 9895970Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G Reed, Jr., Joseph E Kubina, Michael P Kirk, Donald F Schmanski, Kenneth M Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 9731598Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G. Reed, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20150202959Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Richard G. Richard, JR., Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 8880308Abstract: A method and system of improving shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. One or more accelerometers in the vehicle are used to sense one or more longitudinal acceleration values. The longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom are compared with predetermined stored values. Shift event behavior is changed in response to differences between the one or more longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom and the predetermined stored values.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Hussein Dourra, Mircea Gradu, Michael Hall
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Publication number: 20130151093Abstract: A method and system of improving shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. One or more accelerometers in the vehicle are used to sense one or more longitudinal acceleration values. The longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom are compared with predetermined stored values. Shift event behavior is changed in response to differences between the one or more longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom and the predetermined stored values.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventors: Hussein Dourra, Mircea Gradu, Michael Hall
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Patent number: 8444517Abstract: A multi-speed hybrid transmission includes a main gearset connected to a vehicle gas combustible engine and providing torque to an output shaft. The transmission also includes an electric drive unit comprising an electric motor that is selectably connectable to the output shaft to provide additional torque to the output shaft. When connected to the output shaft, the electric drive unit improves vehicle performance under certain driving conditions (e.g., high boost in low gear or in upper gears) while also improving fuel efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Mircea Gradu, Berthold Martin
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Publication number: 20120108379Abstract: A multi-speed hybrid transmission includes a main gearset connected to a vehicle gas combustible engine and providing torque to an output shaft. The transmission also includes an electric drive unit comprising an electric motor that is selectably connectable to the output shaft to provide additional torque to the output shaft. When connected to the output shaft, the electric drive unit improves vehicle performance under certain driving conditions (e.g., high boost in low gear or in upper gears) while also improving fuel efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: MIRCEA GRADU, BERTHOLD MARTIN
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Publication number: 20120083380Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: RICHARD G. REED, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 7699405Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a vehicle includes an axle tube and a housing secured to the end of the axle tube. A hub includes a drive flange located axially outward from the housing and a spindle projecting from the drive flange into the housing. The hub spindle has a substantially solid body with drive splines about an external surface of the spindle. Rolling elements are located between the hub spindle and the housing for enabling the hub to rotate about an axis. The hub includes an inner race defining an inner raceway located around and carried by the hub spindle for engagement with the rolling elements. An axle shaft is positioned within the axle tube and includes splines that are coupled to the external drive splines of the hub. The axle shaft includes a substantially hollow end positioned within the housing having the shaft splines positioned within an inner surface of the hollow end of the axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventors: Mircea Gradu, Scott A Warren, Steven A Roman
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Patent number: 7670059Abstract: A corner module for an automotive vehicle includes a suspension upright, a wheel end, and a CV joint. The wheel end has a housing that is secured to the suspension upright and a hub that is provided with a flange to which a road wheel is attached and also spindle that projects from the flange into the housing. In addition, the wheel end has a tapered roller bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. The CV joint drives the hub through a coupler ring or an inboard bearing cone that fits around and is engaged with the hub spindle, all through mating splines. The CV joint may have a stub shaft that projects from the bell through the hub spindle to clamp the CV joint and hub spindle together. Torque is transferred to the hub spindle at a large diameter through the bell of the CV joint. When present, the stub shaft serves merely to hold the CV joint and hub spindle together and thus may exist at a small diameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventors: Mircea Gradu, John D. Dougherty, Christopher W. Henson
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Publication number: 20090080824Abstract: A roller bearing for use in transmission cases (1) made from aluminum alloy or other lightweight materials where the transmission contains a steel shaft (2) which is supported in the case on two directly mounted tapered roller bearings (8,9) so that the two bearings (8,9) confine the shaft (2) both radially and axially. To compensate for the differences in expansion and contraction between the case and the steel shaft (2) as the transmission or transaxle experiences variations in temperature, a race (20) of at least one of the bearings is fitted with a compensating ring (34) having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the case (1) or shaft (2). As a consequence, the bearings operate at a generally uniform setting over a wide range of temperature variations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2005Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: THE TIMKEN COMPANYInventors: Mark A. Joki, Mircea Gradu, Russell F. Folger, David D. Crichton, IV
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Publication number: 20090078525Abstract: A travel limiter associated with a wheel end adapted to selectively engage and disengage a drive shaft via a sliding clutch ring. The travel limiter operatively disposed on a coupler of the wheel end and configured to limit axial displacement of the sliding clutch ring towards the wheel assembly when engaging the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: THE TIMKEN COMPANYInventors: Jeffrey W. Schumacher, Steven P. Russell, Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20090051214Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a vehicle includes an axle tube and a housing secured to the end of the axle tube. A hub includes a drive flange located beyond the housing and a spindle projecting from the drive flange into the housing. The hub spindle has a substantially solid body with drive splines about an external surface of the spindle. Rolling elements are located between the hub spindle and the housing for enabling the hub to rotate about an axis. An axle shaft is positioned within the axle tube and includes splines that are coupled to the external drive splines of the hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Mircea Gradu, Scott A. Warren, Steven A. Roman
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Publication number: 20090039700Abstract: A solid axle for the driving wheels of an automotive vehicle has axle tubes through which axle shafts extend. Each tube at its outboard end is fitted with a wheel end, including a housing that is secured firmly to the tube, a hub having a drive flange located beyond the housing and a spindle that projects into the housing, and an antifriction bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. Each axle shaft at its outboard end has a drive spindle that emerges from shoulder. The drive spindle projects through the hub at the end of its axle shaft and beyond the hub is deformed outwardly over a surface of the hub in the provision of a formed end, so that the hub is captured between the shoulder and the formed end, thus unifying the axle shaft and wheel end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventors: Mircea Gradu, Stuart W.J. Hamilton, Steven A. Roman, Praveen M. Pauskar
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Publication number: 20080298732Abstract: An antifriction bearing A capable of transferring radial loads as well as thrust in both axial directions. The bearing A comprises an outer race (2) having a primary raceway (20) and a back face (22), the back face (22) further having a reverse thrust raceway (26) beyond the small end of the primary raceway (20). The bearing A also comprises an inner race (4) having another primary raceway (30). Rolling elements (6) are arranged in a single row between the primary raceways (20, 30) of the races (2, 4). A backing plate is carried by the inner race (4) and presented opposite the back face (2)2 of the outer race (2). An antifriction device (10) is located between the reverse thrust raceway (42) of the backing plate (8) and the reverse thrust raceway (26) of the outer race (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventors: Mircea Gradu, Timothy L. Schlernitzauer, Steven A. Roman
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Publication number: 20080252030Abstract: A corner module for an automotive vehicle includes a suspension upright, a wheel end, and a CV joint. The wheel end has a housing that is secured to the suspension upright and a hub that is provided with a flange to which a road wheel is attached and also spindle that projects from the flange into the housing. In addition, the wheel end has a tapered roller bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. The CV joint drives the hub through a coupler ring or an inboard bearing cone that fits around and is engaged with the hub spindle, all through mating splines. The CV joint may have a stub shaft that projects from the bell through the hub spindle to clamp the CV joint and hub spindle together. Torque is transferred to the hub spindle at a large diameter through the bell of the CV joint. When present, the stub shaft serves merely to hold the CV joint and hub spindle together and thus may exist at a small diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Mircea Gradu, John D. Dougherty, Christopher W. Henson
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Publication number: 20080230296Abstract: A torque bias coupling (50) for proportionally transferring driving torque to a rear secondary axle (18) of a front wheel drive based all-wheel-drive vehicle platform includes a double-planetary gear set (54) organized about a common axis (X) and a magnetic particle brake (56). The magnetic particle brake (56) is operatively coupled to a planet carrier (62) of the double-planetary gear set (54) to selectively apply a rotational reaction force there to. Regulation of the rotational reaction force enables selective transfer of torque from the vehicle driving motor (6) to the rear secondary axle (18) via the torque bias coupling (50). The configuration of the double-planetary gear set (54) enables the secondary rear axle (18) to be driven in an over-speed condition relative to the front primary axle (14) in order to improve vehicle dynamics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: THE TIMKEN COMPANYInventor: Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 7422537Abstract: A power transmission system coupling (100) configured to provide a responsive and controllable clutch (110) using a torque split arrangement including a planetary gear set (106) for torque modulation, together with a locking device (134) to maximize torque transfer capability when modulation is not required.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 7410017Abstract: An electric drive axle, which is located between and powers the left and right drive wheels of an automotive vehicle, includes an electric motor and left and right torque couplings. Torque developed by the motor transfers through the torque couplings to axle shafts which are connected to the drive wheels. Each torque coupling includes a magnetic particle clutch and a planetary set organized such that the current flowing through the electromagnet of the clutch controls the torque delivered through the coupler. The magnetic particle clutches also accommodate slippage so that the drive wheels may rotate at different angular velocities.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20080144985Abstract: An automotive vehicle has road wheels that are coupled to suspension uprights of the vehicle through wheel ends that have the capacity to monitor lateral loads that act on the road wheels at tire patches where the road wheels contact a road surface. Each wheel end offsets displacements that would be produced within the wheel end by vertical loads with displacements that would be produced by moments induced by the vertical loads, so that the remaining displacements within the wheel end reflect essentially lateral loads exerted at the tire patch. The wheel end contains a sensor and a target that the sensor monitors to detect the presence and magnitude of the displacements and hence the magnitude and direction of the lateral force at the tire patch. The sensor may also monitor angular velocity, angular position, and temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: THE TIMKEN COMPANYInventors: Mark A. Joki, Mircea Gradu, Scott A. Warren, Steven A. Roman, John D. Dougherty