Patents by Inventor Randolph C. Williams

Randolph C. Williams 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).

  • Publication number: 20040067812
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a mode shift system are adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish four-wheel drive modes. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel having a pair of spaced end segments. An actuator ring is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the end segments of the first ring. The shift system includes a moveable clutch actuator which controls movement of the actuator ring for establishing an on-demand four-wheel drive mode and a locked or part-time four-wheel drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030232690
    Abstract: An on-demand two-speed transfer case is equipped with a planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish on-demand and part-time four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6652407
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish a four-wheel drive mode. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A cam rod is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one or both end segments of the split first ring. The shift system includes a mode fork which controls movement of the cam rod for establishing four distinct operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Ronk, Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6645109
    Abstract: A transfer case is provided with a range unit, an interaxle differential, a clutch assembly and a power-operated actuation mechanism. The range unit includes a planetary gearset driven by an input shaft, and a synchronized dog clutch assembly for releasably coupling one of the input shaft or an output component of the planetary gearset to an input member of the interaxle differential. The interaxle differential further includes a first output member driving a first output shaft, a second output member operably driving a second output shaft. The clutch assembly is a multi-plate friction clutch operably disposed between the first and second output shafts. The power-operated actuation mechanism includes a range actuator assembly, a ball-ramp clutch actuator assembly and a motor assembly operable to control actuation of the range actuator assembly and the clutch actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Hemant S. Suthar, Aaron Ronk
  • Patent number: 6645110
    Abstract: A full-time transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a synchronized range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and is synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Publication number: 20030195080
    Abstract: A full-time two-speed transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and can be synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish automatic full-time and locked four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030190989
    Abstract: A full-time transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a synchronized range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and is synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Patent number: 6629474
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a mode shift system are adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish four-wheel drive modes. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel having a pair of spaced end segments. An actuator ring is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the end segments of the first ring. The shift system includes a moveable clutch actuator which controls movement of the actuator ring for establishing an on-demand four-wheel drive mode and a locked or part-time four-wheel drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030148848
    Abstract: An on-demand two-speed transfer case is equipped with a planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish on-demand and part-time four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6602159
    Abstract: An on-demand two-speed transfer case is equipped with a planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish on-demand and part-time four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6582337
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly is provided with a coplanar gear assembly. The coplanar gear assembly can be utilized in a differential, a multi-speed transmission, a four-wheel drive transfer case, and a fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bowen, Alexander R. Mangani, Philip J. Francis, Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6579205
    Abstract: A full-time two-speed transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and can be synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish automatic full-time and locked four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6572506
    Abstract: A full-time transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a synchronized range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and second a gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and is synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Patent number: 6565475
    Abstract: A full-time two-speed transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and can be synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Publication number: 20030092528
    Abstract: A full-time two-speed transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and can be synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts. The transfer case is also equipped with a dual-mode bi-directional overrunning clutch and a mode shift mechanism to establish automatic full-time and locked four-wheel drive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6557680
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for transferring drive torque from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rotary members. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A first spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one end segment of the split first ring. A second spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the opposite end segment of the split first ring. A moveable pin actuator controls movement of the first and second pins for establishing distinct operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030078130
    Abstract: A full-time two-speed transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and can be synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Publication number: 20030073536
    Abstract: A full-time transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a synchronized range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and is synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk, Stanislav Ponca, Timothy R. Stalloch
  • Publication number: 20020157890
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a mode shift system are adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish four-wheel drive modes. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel having a pair of spaced end segments. An actuator ring is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the end segments of the first ring. The shift system includes a moveable clutch actuator which controls movement of the actuator ring for establishing an on-demand four-wheel drive mode and a locked or part-time four-wheel drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020155914
    Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for use in a transfer case for transferring drive torque from a primary output shaft to a secondary output shaft so as to establish a four-wheel drive mode. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rings. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A cam rod is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one or both end segments of the split first ring. The shift system includes a mode fork which controls movement of the cam rod for establishing four distinct operational modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Randolph C. Williams, Aaron Ronk