Patents by Inventor Thaddeus Kopp
Thaddeus Kopp 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: 10221896Abstract: A disconnect assembly for translating torque to shafts of a driveline. A clutch is disposed in torque translating relationship between the shafts and is movable between an engaged configuration wherein torque is translated, and a disengaged configuration wherein torque is interrupted. An actuator includes a coil that generates a first magnetic field. A slider is movable between a first stable position and a second stable position, with an armature operatively attached to the slider. The armature has a magnetic polarity pattern defined by a plurality of north and south magnetic pole regions facing the coil. The pattern configured such that predetermined changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil urge the slider from one of the stable positions to the other of the stable positions so as to cause corresponding movement of the clutch assembly between the configurations to selectively translate rotational torque between the shafts of the driveline.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9868349Abstract: A product may comprise an electric machine, and may include first and second shafts connectable to the electric machine in torque a transferring relationship. A first clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the first shaft and a second clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the second shaft. A gear set may be operatively engageable between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies. An engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a high range between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies, and the engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a low range between electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp, Keith Feldt
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Publication number: 20170050508Abstract: An electric drive unit for a powertrain system including first and second drivelines and a primary propulsion system for translating rotational torque to the first driveline. A motor acts to generate rotational torque and a pinion is disposed in selective communication therewith. A differential is interposed between the pinion and the second driveline of for splitting torque therebetween. A first planetary is disposed between the motor and pinion, and a second planetary is disposed between the first planetary and pinion. A dog clutch interposed between the pinion and the planetaries is movable between a first position wherein torque from the motor is translated through the first planetary and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a first drive ratio, and a second position wherein torque from the motor is translated through both planetaries and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a second drive ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9566857Abstract: An electric drive unit for a powertrain system including first and second drivelines and a primary propulsion system for translating rotational torque to the first driveline. A motor acts to generate rotational torque and a pinion is disposed in selective communication therewith. A differential is interposed between the pinion and the second driveline of for splitting torque therebetween. A first planetary is disposed between the motor and pinion, and a second planetary is disposed between the first planetary and pinion. A dog clutch interposed between the pinion and the planetaries is movable between a first position wherein torque from the motor is translated through the first planetary and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a first drive ratio, and a second position wherein torque from the motor is translated through both planetaries and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a second drive ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9534665Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include an axle assembly with an electrical machine that may be interconnected with the axle assembly. A power transfer unit may be connected between the electrical machine and the axle assembly. The power transfer unit may include a planetary gear set and may include an engagement mechanism that in combination may provide a low range, a neutral mode and a high range between the electrical machine and the axle assembly. A first gear set may be engaged between the electrical machine and the power transfer unit and a second gear set may be engaged between the power transfer unit and the axle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9517691Abstract: A product may include an engine, and a transmission driven by the engine. An axle assembly may be driven by the engine through the transmission. An electrical machine may be connected to the axle assembly. The electrical machine may selectively drive the axle assembly and may be selectively drivable by the engine through the transmission and the axle assembly. A power transfer unit may be engaged between the electrical machine and the axle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Publication number: 20160265600Abstract: A disconnect assembly for translating torque to shafts of a driveline. A clutch is disposed in torque translating relationship between the shafts and is movable between an engaged configuration wherein torque is translated, and a disengaged configuration wherein torque is interrupted. An actuator includes a coil that generates a first magnetic field. A slider is movable between a first stable position and a second stable position, with an armature operatively attached to the slider. The armature has a magnetic polarity pattern defined by a plurality of north and south magnetic pole regions facing the coil. The pattern configured such that predetermined changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil urge the slider from one of the stable positions to the other of the stable positions so as to cause corresponding movement of the clutch assembly between the configurations to selectively translate rotational torque between the shafts of the driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9410610Abstract: A product may include a differential unit, and an electrical machine may be interconnected with the differential unit. The differential unit and the electrical machine may be lubricated by a fluid. A reservoir may be defined above the electrical machine. The reservoir may receive the fluid during operation of the differential unit and may selectively store and release the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9400034Abstract: A product may include a differential unit that may be engaged with first and second axle shafts that may be driven from a common gear. An electrical machine may be positioned on a first side of the differential unit. A first shaft may extend from the electrical machine and into the differential unit. A power transfer unit may be positioned on a second side of the differential unit opposite the first side. A second shaft may extend into each of the differential unit and the power transfer unit. The first and second shafts may be rotationally engageable through the power transfer unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Publication number: 20160207396Abstract: A product may comprise an electric machine, and may include first and second shafts connectable to the electric machine in torque a transferring relationship. A first clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the first shaft and a second clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the second shaft. A gear set may be operatively engageable between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies. An engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a high range between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies, and the engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a low range between electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: LARRY A. PRITCHARD, Thaddeus Kopp, Keith Feldt
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Patent number: 9168821Abstract: The disclosure relates to a product for storing and using energy delivered through a vehicle's drive wheel. A rotatable element may rotate with the drive wheel. A first rotating mechanism may provide an input energy when rotated by the rotatable element. A storage device may receive and store the input energy. A second rotating mechanism may rotate in reaction to selective delivery of the input energy from the storage device to the second rotating mechanism, and may drive the rotatable element. The rotatable element may be adapted to rotate in a first rotational direction to rotate the first rotating mechanism, and may rotate in the same direction when rotated by the second rotating mechanism. A heat transfer device may surround at least part of the storage device. The exhaust system may be routed through the heat exchange device to heat the storage device and increase stored energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
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Patent number: 9109646Abstract: A number of variations may include a transfer case comprising: a clutch pack, wherein the clutch pack includes a first plurality of clutch plates rotatably coupled with an output member, a second plurality of clutch plates interleaved with the first plurality of clutch plates and rotatably coupled with an input member, and an apply plate; a solenoid operably associated with the friction clutch pack, wherein the solenoid includes a coil and an armature; at least one lever mechanism, wherein a first end of the at least one lever mechanism is stationary and a second end is attached to and moves with the armature; and wherein when the solenoid is deenergized there is an air gap between the armature and the coil and when the solenoid is energized the armature moves toward the coil causing the first end of the lever component to engage the clutch pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp