Patents by Inventor Warren J. Williams

Warren J. Williams 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).

  • Patent number: 11629762
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 11598403
    Abstract: In an aspect, an isolation device is provided for a belt and a component shaft in an engine. The device includes a hub, a pulley, an isolation spring and a damping member that is fixed rotationally relative to the hub and is engageable frictionally with the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring below a selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils of the spring that is sufficiently small that the spring avoids pressing the damping member against the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring above the selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils that is sufficiently large that the isolation spring applies a radial force to press the damping member against the pulley so as to generate frictional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, Marek Frankowski, Jun Xu
  • Publication number: 20210088120
    Abstract: In an aspect, an isolation device is provided for a belt and a component shaft in an engine. The device includes a hub, a pulley, an isolation spring and a damping member that is fixed rotationally relative to the hub and is engageable frictionally with the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring below a selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils of the spring that is sufficiently small that the spring avoids pressing the damping member against the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring above the selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils that is sufficiently large that the isolation spring applies a radial force to press the damping member against the pulley so as to generate frictional damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, Marek Frankowski, Jun Xu
  • Publication number: 20200166084
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 10663008
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams, James W. Dell
  • Patent number: 10655689
    Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, including a hub, a pulley and a roller clutch. The roller clutch includes at least one roller and a cage. The roller is engageable with a first engagement surface operatively associated with the hub and is engageable with a second engagement surface operatively associated with the pulley. The cage is movable between a first position in which torque is transferrable from one of the hub and the pulley to the other of the hub and the pulley through the roller clutch and the isolation spring. The other of the hub and the pulley is permitted to overrun said one of the hub and the pulley, and a second position in which torque is transferred from said other of the hub and the pulley to the one of the hub and the pulley through the roller clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Warren J. Williams
  • Patent number: 10590994
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to 5 couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member 10 positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 10415649
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 10393190
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first stop feature for the spring; a second spring driver mounted about the hub and not fixed to the pulley, and having a second stop feature for the spring, a driving clutch shaft mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch shaft mounted concentrically with the driving clutch shaft and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutch shafts, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutch shafts, and an axial biasing member acting between one of (i) the pulley and the driving clutch shaft and (ii) the hub and driven clutch shaft, to urge the driving and driven clutch shafts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Warren J. Williams
  • Patent number: 10378620
    Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, including a hub, a pulley and a hub drive clutch. The hub defines an axis and is connectable to a rotatable shaft of a rotary device. The pulley is rotatable relative to the hub and is engageable with an endless drive member. The hub drive clutch is a wrap spring clutch and is controllable to operatively connect the pulley to the hub for driving the hub in a first rotational direction. An isolation spring is provided and operatively connects the hub to the pulley when the hub drives the pulley in the first rotational direction. Optionally, a pulley overrun clutch is provided and permits the pulley to overrun the hub in the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Hao Q. Tran, Jason R. Desouza-Coelho, Warren J. Williams, Andrew M. Boyes
  • Patent number: 10060502
    Abstract: An isolator includes a driver that is connectable with a shaft of a device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with an endless drive member; and a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first and second isolation springs are positioned such that during rotation of the driver in a first direction torque is transferred from the driver to the first rotary drive member through the first isolation spring and not through the second isolation spring, and such that during rotation of the first rotary drive member in the first direction torque is transferred from the first rotary drive member to the driver through the second isolation spring and not through the first isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew M. Boyes, Warren J. Williams, Gary J. Spicer
  • Publication number: 20180142738
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Warren J. WILLIAMS, James W. DELL
  • Patent number: 9927000
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, comprising a hub defining an axis, a pulley, a one way clutch and an isolation spring that act in series, a damping member that frictionally engages a friction surface the pulley or the hub, and a biasing member that urges the damping member into the friction surface. The biasing member has a mounting portion having an axially extending first mounting surface that is fixedly engaged with a second axially extending mounting surface on the other of the pulley and hub and an engagement portion resiliently connected to the mounting portion by a transition portion having at least one bend that urges the engagement portion into engagement with the damping member with a selected force. The at least one bend resiliently permits axial movement of the damping member engagement portion independent of the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, Ron Lapos, Gerald J. Hamers
  • Publication number: 20170261046
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first stop feature for the spring; a second spring driver mounted about the hub and not fixed to the pulley, and having a second stop feature for the spring, a driving clutch shaft mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch shaft mounted concentrically with the driving clutch shaft and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutch shafts, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutch shafts, and an axial biasing member acting between one of (i) the pulley and the driving clutch shaft and (ii) the hub and driven clutch shaft, to urge the driving and driven clutch shafts together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Warren J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20170254366
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to 5 couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member 10 positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 9689486
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring having a plurality of coils including first and second end coils, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first spring driver surface and a first end coil support surface; a second spring driver not fixed to the pulley, and having a second spring driver surface and a second end coil support surface, a driving clutch member mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch member mounted concentrically with the driving clutch member and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutchmembers, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutchmembers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Warren J. Williams
  • Patent number: 9651099
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a clutched device (such as, for example, a decoupler) that includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch has an overrun locking member thereon that is engageable with an overrun locking aperture in the output member so as to maintain a face at the helical end of the wrap spring clutch in engagement with a output member clutch drive face on the clutch output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams
  • Patent number: 9638270
    Abstract: In one aspect, a decoupler comprises an input member, an output member, and a torsional isolation spring, a carrier, and a wrap spring clutch configured to operate in a first mode in which rotary power is transmitted in a first rotational direction from the input member to the output member serially through the wrap spring clutch, the carrier, and the isolation spring, and a second mode in which the output member overruns the input member in the first rotational direction. The carrier has a carrier clutch drive face that receives a first vector force from an end of the wrap spring clutch, and an isolation spring drive face that receives a second vector force from an end of the isolation spring. The wrap spring clutch and isolation spring drive faces are arranged so as to direct the second vector force to intersect with the first vector force substantially at the carrier clutch drive face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20170045091
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: RE47143
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly that includes a hub, a pulley and a mechanism for transmitting rotary power between the hub and the pulley. The mechanism includes a torsion spring and a one-way clutch. The torsion spring is configured to dampen vibration in the rotary power that is transmitted from the pulley to the hub. The one-way clutch has a wrap spring that is smaller in diameter than the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Pierre A. Mevissen, Warren J. Williams