Patents by Inventor Richard D. Muizelaar
Richard D. Muizelaar 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: 9145928Abstract: A transmission includes a main shaft, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and a first clutch to drivingly couple the main shaft and the first input shaft. A second clutch drivingly couples the main shaft and the second input shaft. A torque converter is selectively driven by one of the first input shaft and a first speed gear set. The first speed gear set is driven by the other of the first input shaft and the torque converter. A second speed gear set is driven by the second input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 9097296Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with a first rotatable member, an outer race having circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces and being adapted to be fixed for rotation with a second rotatable member as well as a plurality of roller elements positioned therebetween. A plurality of circumferentially extending springs cooperate with the cage to align each roller element with the cam surfaces. The springs and cage urge the roller elements away from the inner race. A retaining mechanism captures lubricant in contact with the roller elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: MagnaPowertrain, Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Sean Steele, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 9074646Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. The clutch assembly also includes a cage assembly, a seal and a retaining ring. The cage assembly includes a skeleton coupled to a spring ring having a plurality of radially extending guides arranged to circumferentially space apart each roller element in alignment with cam surfaces formed on the outer race. The guides are resiliently deformable to allow concurrent engagement of each roller element with both the inner and outer races. The seal engages an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race, and is positioned axially outboard of the roller elements. The retaining ring is positioned within ring grooves formed on each of the inner and outer races to restrict movement of the cage.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, John Sabo, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20140033863Abstract: A transmission includes a main shaft, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and a first clutch to drivingly couple the main shaft and the first input shaft. A second clutch drivingly couples the main shaft and the second input shaft. A torque converter is selectively driven by one of the first input shaft and a first speed gear set. The first speed gear set is driven by the other of the first input shaft and the torque converter. A second speed gear set is driven by the second input shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 8640846Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Patent number: 8549943Abstract: A transmission includes a main shaft, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and a first clutch to drivingly couple the main shaft and the first input shaft. A second clutch drivingly couples the main shaft and the second input shaft. A torque converter is selectively driven by one of the first input shaft and a first speed gear set. The first speed gear set is driven by the other of the first input shaft and the torque converter. A second speed gear set is driven by the second input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20130256081Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Patent number: 8459432Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Patent number: 8240286Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele
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Publication number: 20110168119Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. The clutch assembly also includes a cage assembly, a seal and a retaining ring. The cage assembly includes a skeleton coupled to a spring ring having a plurality of radially extending guides arranged to circumferentially space apart each roller element in alignment with cam surfaces formed on the outer race. The guides are resiliently deformable to allow concurrent engagement of each roller element with both the inner and outer races. The seal engages an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race, and is positioned axially outboard of the roller elements. The retaining ring is positioned within ring grooves formed on each of the inner and outer races to restrict movement of the cage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, John Sabo, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20110168118Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele
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Publication number: 20110162933Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with a first rotatable member, an outer race having circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces and being adapted to be fixed for rotation with a second rotatable member as well as a plurality of roller elements positioned therebetween. A plurality of circumferentially extending springs cooperate with the cage to align each roller element with the cam surfaces. The springs and cage urge the roller elements away from the inner race. A retaining mechanism captures lubricant in contact with the roller elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Sean Steele, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 7955178Abstract: A damper assembly has a torque input member configured to be connected to engine crankshaft through a torque limit clutch. An output member has a hub configured to be mounted to a transmission input shaft. Damping springs operatively interconnects the input member and output member, enabling the input member and output member to rotate relative to each other at some angular displacements before the input torque from engine crankshaft is completely transmitted to transmission input shaft. The damping springs includes a series of long springs and a series of relatively short spring. The long springs compress before the short compress as the input member rotates relative to the output member.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Cheng Mu, Jaroslaw Lutoslawski, Richard D. Muizelaar, Fuzheng Hu
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Publication number: 20110000757Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Patent number: 7798790Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump includes at least two regulation chambers to provide a regulating force to the cam ring to counter the force applied to the cam ring by a regulating spring and reduce pulsation in the output working fluid from the pump. A first regulation chamber is part of the pump outlet and is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pump via a passage which allows the pump to be fabricated from a diecast process or the like. A second regulation chamber is connected to the first chamber via an orifice which reduces the pressure of working fluid supplied from the first chamber to the second. The pump outlet need not overlie the pump outlet. Further, a pump with an inlet port with a relatively large initial cross-sectional flow area inhibits cavitation of the working fluid when the pump is operated at higher operating speeds.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Tesma International, Inc.Inventors: Jarek Lutoslawski, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20100192725Abstract: A transmission includes a main shaft, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and a first clutch to drivingly couple the main shaft and the first input shaft. A second clutch drivingly couples the main shaft and the second input shaft. A torque converter is selectively driven by one of the first input shaft and a first speed gear set. The first speed gear set is driven by the other of the first input shaft and the torque converter. A second speed gear set is driven by the second input shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20090090593Abstract: A damper assembly has a torque input member configured to be connected to engine crankshaft through a torque limit clutch. An output member has a hub configured to be mounted to a transmission input shaft. Damping springs operatively interconnects the input member and output member, enabling the input member and output member to rotate relative to each other at some angular displacements before the input torque from engine crankshaft is completely transmitted to transmission input shaft. The damping springs includes a series of long springs and a series of relatively short spring. The long springs compress before the short compress as the input member rotates relative to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Cheng Mu, Jaroslaw Lutoslawski, Richard D. Muizelaar, Fuzheng Hu
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Publication number: 20080247894Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump includes at least two regulation chambers to provide a regulating force to the cam ring, to counter the force applied to the cam ring by a regulating spring, to reduce pulsation in the output working fluid from the pump. A first one of the chambers is part of the pump outlet and is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pump via a passage which allows the pump to be fabricated from a diecast process oath like. A second regulation chamber is connected to the first chamber via an orifice which reduces the pressure of working fluid supplied from the first chamber to the second. The configuration and design of pumps in accordance with the present invention allows for flexible packaging for the pump, as the outlet need not overlie the pump outlet. Further, a pump with an inlet port with a relatively large initial cross-sectional flow area is taught to inhibit cavitation of the working fluid when the pump is operated at higher operating speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2005Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: Tesma International Inc.Inventors: Jarek Lutoslawski, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 7364018Abstract: An oil pump drive assembly for an automobile engine includes an oil pump and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably secured to the oil pump for actuating the oil pump in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The drive shaft extends between a pump end secured to the oil pump and a distal end. A sprocket is secured to the distal end of the drive shaft. A drive gear is secured to the drive shaft between the pump end and the distal end. A driven gear is engaged with the drive gear for rotation of the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft. A balance shaft extends axially from the driven gear for rotation with the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft for dampening vibrations associated with the operation of the automobile engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Tesma International Inc.Inventors: David Mark Pascoe, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Publication number: 20040216956Abstract: An oil pump drive assembly for an automobile engine includes an oil pump and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably secured to the oil pump for actuating the oil pump in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The drive shaft extends between a pump end secured to the oil pump and a distal end. A sprocket is secured to the distal end of the drive shaft. A drive gear is secured to the drive shaft between the pump end and the distal end. A driven gear is engaged with the drive gear for rotation of the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft. A balance shaft extends axially from the driven gear for rotation with the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft for dampening vibrations associated with the operation of the automobile engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: David Mark Pascoe, Richard D. Muizelaar