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).

  • HYDRAULIC COUPLING WITH DISCONNECT PUMP CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20090258751
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Porter, Todd Ekonen, Thomas C. Bowen
  • Power Transmission Device With Friction Clutch And Power-Operated Clutch Actuator
    Publication number: 20090211869
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.
    Inventors: Helmuth SACHSENMAIER, Todd Ekonen
  • Hydraulic coupling with disconnect clutch
    Patent number: 7568568
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Porter, Todd Ekonen, Thomas C. Bowen
  • Power-operated clutch actuator for torque couplings
    Patent number: 7527133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Sachsenmaier, Todd Ekonen
  • Power transmission devices having torque transfer coupling with power-operated clutch actuator
    Patent number: 7258213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
  • Hydraulic coupling with disconnect clutch
    Publication number: 20070056822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Porter, Todd Ekonen, Thomas Bowen
  • Torque coupling with actuator system for adaptive clutch and disconnectable lubrication pump
    Publication number: 20070056824
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip Francis
  • Torque coupling with disconnectable lubrication pump
    Publication number: 20070056823
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Philip Francis
  • Power-operated clutch actuator for torque couplings
    Publication number: 20070023252
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Sachsenmaier, Todd Ekonen
  • Power transmission devices having torque transfer coupling with power-operated clutch actuator
    Publication number: 20060272876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
  • Power-operated clutch actuator for torque transfer mechanisms
    Patent number: 7111716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
  • Power-operated clutch actuator for torque transfer mechanisms
    Publication number: 20060163018
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley