Patents by Inventor Philip J. Francis
Philip J. Francis 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: 11525504Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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Patent number: 11524566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Patent number: 11152833Abstract: An electrical device with a conductor assembly having a conductor member and a nut. The conductor member has a wire cradle, a conductor body and a plurality of tab members. The wire cradle has a wire support portion and at least one crimp member extending from the wire support portion. The conductor body defines a terminal with a terminal face having a first hole formed therethrough. The wire cradle and the terminal face are disposed on opposite ends of the conductor body. Each of the tab members has a first portion, which is fixedly coupled to the conductor body, and a second portion that is coupled to the first portion and being spaced apart from the terminal. The tab members and the terminal form a cage. The nut is received in the cage and has a threaded aperture that is aligned to the first hole in the terminal face.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Keith D. Vanmaanen, Branden L. Reeves
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Patent number: 11111985Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a housing, a ring gear of a transmission, and a plurality of spring sets. The housing defines a bore and a plurality of grooves that are spaced circumferentially about the bore. The ring gear includes an internally-toothed ring gear body and a plurality of mounting teeth that project radially from the ring gear body. The first mounting teeth are received into the grooves in the housing. Each of the spring sets has a first spring, which is disposed between a first side of an associated one of the mounting teeth and a first wall of an associated one of the grooves into which the associated one of the mounting teeth is received, and a second spring that is disposed between a second side of the associated one of the mounting teeth and a second wall of the associated one of the grooves.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Branden L. Reeves, Robert Keller, Stephen A. Mohan
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Patent number: 11085522Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Publication number: 20210114454Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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Publication number: 20210046816Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Philip J. FRANCIS
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Patent number: 10823276Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: BORGWARNER Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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Patent number: 10766362Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves, Philip J. Francis, Joseph D. Mastie
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Patent number: 10630140Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Publication number: 20200028403Abstract: An electrical device with a conductor assembly having a conductor member and a nut. The conductor member has a wire cradle, a conductor body and a plurality of tab members. The wire cradle has a wire support portion and at least one crimp member extending from the wire support portion. The conductor body defines a terminal with a terminal face having a first hole formed therethrough. The wire cradle and the terminal face are disposed on opposite ends of the conductor body. Each of the tab members has a first portion, which is fixedly coupled to the conductor body, and a second portion that is coupled to the first portion and being spaced apart from the terminal. The tab members and the terminal form a cage. The nut is received in the cage and has a threaded aperture that is aligned to the first hole in the terminal face.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Philip J. FRANCIS, Keith D. VANMAANEN, Branden L. REEVES
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Patent number: 10476351Abstract: A drive module with a housing, an electric motor coupled to the housing, a differential assembly, a transmission, and a filter-strainer assembly. The housing has an exterior wall member that defines an internal cavity and a suction tube. The internal cavity at least partly forms a lubricant sump with a sump outlet. The suction tube is spaced apart from and does not intersect the internal cavity such that the suction tube is not in direct fluid communication with the internal cavity. The differential assembly and transmission are received in the internal cavity and the transmission transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The filter-strainer assembly is coupled to the housing and has a filter-strainer inlet, which is coupled in fluid communication to the sump outlet, and a filter-strainer outlet, which is directly coupled in fluid communication to a suction tube inlet of the suction tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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Publication number: 20190301591Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Power transmitting component for a vehicle driveline having a differential inside a compound gearset
Patent number: 10400876Abstract: A power transmitting component with a differential assembly and a planetary reduction that has a plurality of compound planet gears. Each of the compound planet gears is rotatable about a rotary planet axis and has first and second planet gears that are nonrotatably coupled to one another and spaced axially apart from one another along an associated one of the rotary planet axes. The rotary planet axes are disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the input to the planetary reduction. Each of the first planet gears is meshingly engaged to the input of the planetary reduction, while each of second planet gears is meshingly engaged with a stationary ring gear. The differential assembly receives rotary power from the planetary reduction and has first and second differential outputs that are disposed along the rotational axis between the first and second planet gears.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis -
Publication number: 20190260269Abstract: A drive module with a housing, an electric motor coupled to the housing, a differential assembly, a transmission, and a filter-strainer assembly. The housing has an exterior wall member that defines an internal cavity and a suction tube. The internal cavity at least partly forms a lubricant sump with a sump outlet. The suction tube is spaced apart from and does not intersect the internal cavity such that the suction tube is not in direct fluid communication with the internal cavity. The differential assembly and transmission are received in the internal cavity and the transmission transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The filter-strainer assembly is coupled to the housing and has a filter-strainer inlet, which is coupled in fluid communication to the sump outlet, and a filter-strainer outlet, which is directly coupled in fluid communication to a suction tube inlet of the suction tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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POWER TRANSMITTING COMPONENT FOR A VEHICLE DRIVELINE HAVING A DIFFERENTIAL INSIDE A COMPOUND GEARSET
Publication number: 20190249760Abstract: A power transmitting component with a differential assembly and a planetary reduction that has a plurality of compound planet gears. Each of the compound planet gears is rotatable about a rotary planet axis and has first and second planet gears that are nonrotatably coupled to one another and spaced axially apart from one another along an associated one of the rotary planet axes. The rotary planet axes are disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the input to the planetary reduction. Each of the first planet gears is meshingly engaged to the input of the planetary reduction, while each of second planet gears is meshingly engaged with a stationary ring gear. The differential assembly receives rotary power from the planetary reduction and has first and second differential outputs that are disposed along the rotational axis between the first and second planet gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis -
Patent number: 10378642Abstract: A passive lubrication system, for a gear drive system of a drive system, for powering an electric vehicle, includes an oil network, an oil sump region, an oil paddle, and an oil diverter. The oil network is defined by and disposed within, at least, a fixed annular region of the gear drive system and a planetary gear system. The oil sump region is configured to provide oil for distribution about the oil network. The oil paddle is operatively coupled with the planetary gear system, configured to rotate with a component of the planetary gear system, and during rotation, configured to course oil, from the oil sump region. The oil diverter is positioned concentric with the oil paddle and radially outward of the oil paddle and configured to receive oil from an oil source, upon rotation of the oil paddle, and direct the received oil to the oil network.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Publication number: 20190234508Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
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Patent number: 10183577Abstract: A transfer case includes primary and secondary output shafts, along with a secondary torque transfer mechanism and a locking mechanism, which are configured to selectively couple the primary and secondary output shafts. The secondary torque transfer mechanism comprises a sprocket coupled to the secondary output shaft, and a plate clutch coupled to the sprocket to selectively form a friction coupling with the primary output shaft. The locking mechanism selectively couples the primary output shaft to the sprocket, and includes a locking sleeve and an actuator that moves the locking sleeve between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the locking sleeve forms a first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket. In the second position, the locking sleeve forms the first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves, Philip J. Francis, Joseph D. Mastie
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Patent number: 10077811Abstract: A lubrication system (400) for a transfer case (200) includes a pump (228) selectively supplying a working fluid to a fluid reservoir of an actuator (226) configured to apply force to a clutch assembly (214) to cause the clutch assembly (214) to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The lubrication system also includes a relief valve (302) having a relief valve inlet fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir of the actuator (226) which opens to receive the working fluid based on a threshold pressure level of the working fluid in the fluid reservoir. The lubrication system also includes a trough (306) fluidly coupled to a relief valve outlet of the relief valve (302). The trough (306) carries the working fluid from the relief valve outlet to a bearing assembly (227) associated with at least one of an input shaft (204) and a primary output shaft (206) of the transfer case (200) when the clutch assembly (214) is in the disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Francis, William C. Dodge