Patents by Inventor Todd Ekonen
Todd Ekonen 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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Publication number: 20130178323Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
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Publication number: 20130178321Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
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Patent number: 8443954Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch having two clutch parts which can be brought into engagement in form fitted manner for the torque transfer; and a shift member which is movable in a first direction to bring the clutch parts out of engagement and is movable in a second direction to bring the clutch parts into engagement. A motor is provided for the movement of the shift member in the first direction and a spring element is provided for the movement of the shift member in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KGInventors: Johannes Quehenberger, Simon Kaimer, Klaus Eder, Todd Ekonen
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Patent number: 8403795Abstract: A two speed power take off unit adapted for installation in an all wheel drive vehicle having a transversely mounted engine/transaxle powertrain. The two speed power take off unit includes a planetary gear reduction unit capable of establishing a high range and a low range drive connection between the powertrain and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly provides drive torque to a front differential assembly driving the front wheels and a rear differential driving the rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertain of America, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
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Patent number: 8388486Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
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Patent number: 8313407Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a first power disconnection device. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within one of the first driveline and the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by either of the first driveline and the second driveline when the first and second power disconnection devices are operated in a disconnected, non-torque transferring, mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Bradley Larkin
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Publication number: 20110319213Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a first power disconnection device. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within one of the first driveline and the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by the first driveline and the second driveline when the first and second power disconnection devices are operated in a disconnected, non-torque transferring, mode. At least one of the first and second power disconnection devices includes an active dry friction clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
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Publication number: 20110275470Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a synchronizing clutch. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a power disconnection device and a friction clutch. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device. The friction clutch and the power disconnection device are positioned on opposite sides of the hypoid gearset. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by the first driveline, the second driveline or the wheels when the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device are operated in disconnected, non-torque transferring, modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Bradley Larkin, Douglas Bradley
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Publication number: 20110039652Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
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Patent number: 7878933Abstract: A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle and having a hydraulic coupling operable to transfer drive torque to a driveline in response to slip. The hydraulic coupling includes a transfer clutch, a clutch operator for engaging the transfer clutch, a fluid actuation system including a fluid pump for controlling movement of the clutch operator, and a magnetorheological pump clutch capable of selectively shifting the fluid pump between operative and inoperative states.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Fred C. Porter, Todd Ekonen, Thomas C. Bowen
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Patent number: 7828130Abstract: A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A clutch regulates a degree of coupling of the rotor to the shaft between a decoupled state and a coupled state to regulate the relative rotation between the first and second rotors.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip J. Francis
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Publication number: 20100216593Abstract: A two speed power take off unit adapted for installation in an all wheel drive vehicle having a transversely mounted engine/transaxle powertrain (12). The two speed power take off unit includes a planetary gear reduction unit (64) capable of establishing a high range and a low range drive connection between the powertrain and a transfer assembly (100)1 The transfer assembly provides drive torque to a front differential assembly (66) driving the front wheels and a PTU gearset (32) driving the rear wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2007Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
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Publication number: 20100210390Abstract: A power transfer device for a front wheel drive motor vehicle includes an input shaft driven by a power source, a second shaft driven by the first shaft through one of a plurality of speed gearsets, an output gearset driven by the second shaft and a differential assembly. The differential assembly includes an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated, clutch operable to place the differential assembly in one of an open mode, a locked mode and a limited slip mode. A clutch actuator includes an electric motor coupled to a pump where the pump provides pressurized fluid to the clutch to operate the clutch in one of the locked and limited slip modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2007Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Christopher Noullet
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Publication number: 20100089685Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch having two clutch parts which can be brought into engagement in form fitted manner for the torque transfer; and a shift member which is movable in a first direction to bring the clutch parts out of engagement and is movable in a second direction to bring the clutch parts into engagement. A motor is provided for the movement of the shift member in the first direction and a spring element is provided for the movement of the shift member in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KGInventors: Johannes Quehenberger, Simon Kaimer, Klaus Eder, Todd Ekonen
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Patent number: 7686149Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a power-operated face gear clutch actuator for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Helmuth Sachsenmaier, Todd Ekonen
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Publication number: 20100062891Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a first power disconnection device. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within one of the first driveline and the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by either of the first driveline and the second driveline when the first and second power disconnection devices are operated in a disconnected, non-torque transferring, mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Todd EKONEN, Bradley LARKIN
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Publication number: 20100051407Abstract: A torque transfer coupling includes first and second rotary members. A transfer clutch operatively connects the first and second rotary members. A piston, disposed in a piston chamber, is actuable to engage the transfer clutch. A hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a sump containing hydraulic fluid has a first pump member fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second pump member fixed for rotation with the second rotary member such that relative rotation between the first and the second pump members generates a fluid pumping action. A first flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. A second flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber to a control valve for regulating the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the piston chamber. The second flow path includes an aperture extending through the second pump member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2007Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Todd Ekonen
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Publication number: 20100044181Abstract: A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A clutch regulates a degree of coupling of the rotor to the shaft between a decoupled state and a coupled state to regulate the relative rotation between the first and second rotors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip J. Francis
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Patent number: 7635055Abstract: A torque coupling having an actuation system operable to control actuation of a transfer clutch in coordination with actuation of a pump clutch. The transfer clutch is disposed between a pair of rotary members to transfer drive torque therebetween. The pump clutch is operable for selectively coupling a fluid pump to the first rotary member when lubricant is required to cool the transfer clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip J. Francis
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Patent number: 7624853Abstract: A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A clutch regulates a degree of coupling of the rotor to the shaft between a decoupled state and a coupled state to regulate the relative rotation between the first and second rotors.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip J. Francis