Patents by Inventor Thomas R. BENNER

Thomas R. BENNER 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).

  • Engine variable camshaft timing phaser with planetary gear assembly
    Patent number: 10557385
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas R. Benner, Christopher J. Pluta
  • ENGINE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING PHASER WITH PLANETARY GEAR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20190010837
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thomas R. BENNER, Christopher J. PLUTA
  • Engine variable camshaft timing phaser with planetary gear assembly
    Patent number: 9810108
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas R. Benner, Christopher J. Pluta
  • ENGINE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING PHASER WITH PLANETARY GEAR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170248045
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thomas R. BENNER, Christopher J. PLUTA