Patents by Inventor William E. Worman, Jr.
William E. Worman, Jr. 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: 9423014Abstract: The present teachings provide for a differential assembly including a pair of plates and a keeper. A pair of pinion gears can be rotatable within a case for common rotation about a first axis and relative rotation about a second axis. A pair of side gears can meshingly engage the pinion gears, each being coupled for rotation with an output shaft. Each plate can be received in a groove defined by a respective output shaft, and can have a radial width greater than a depth of the groove. The keeper can be axially between the pinion and side gears, and can include releasably coupled first and second bodies, that cooperate to define first and second bores. Each bore can define an inner surface that surrounds a respective one of the plates to prevent its escape from the groove.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20160102747Abstract: The present teachings provide for a differential assembly including a pair of plates and a keeper. A pair of pinion gears can be rotatable within a case for common rotation about a first axis and relative rotation about a second axis. A pair of side gears can meshingly engage the pinion gears, each being coupled for rotation with an output shaft. Each plate can be received in a groove defined by a respective output shaft, and can have a radial width greater than a depth of the groove. The keeper can be axially between the pinion and side gears, and can include releasably coupled first and second bodies, that cooperate to define first and second bores. Each bore can define an inner surface that surrounds a respective one of the plates to prevent its escape from the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventor: William E. Worman, JR.
-
Patent number: 7922185Abstract: A drive axle and suspension assembly for a vehicle having a power source and wheels including a torsionally compliant twist beam suspension and a driveline assembly. The twist beam includes a twist element defining a first lateral axis and arm portions adapted to rotatably support the wheels of the vehicle along a second axis extending substantially parallel to the first axis. The driveline assembly is adapted to receive torque from the power source and drive the wheels. The driveline assembly includes a plurality of power transmission rotatably supported by arm portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7771283Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
-
Publication number: 20090176587Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: William E. Worman, JR., James P. Downs
-
Patent number: 7507161Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
-
Publication number: 20090008176Abstract: A drive axle and suspension assembly for a vehicle having a power source and wheels including a torsionally compliant twist beam suspension and a driveline assembly. The twist beam includes a twist element defining a first lateral axis and arm portions adapted to rotatably support the wheels of the vehicle along a second axis extending substantially parallel to the first axis. The driveline assembly is adapted to receive torque from the power source and drive the wheels. The driveline assembly includes a plurality of power transmission rotatably supported by arm portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventor: William E. Worman, JR.
-
Patent number: 7425006Abstract: A drive axle and suspension assembly for a vehicle having a power source and wheels including a torsionally compliant twist beam suspension and a driveline assembly. The twist beam includes a twist element defining a first lateral axis and arm portions adapted to rotatably support the wheels of the vehicle along a second axis extending substantially parallel to the first axis. The driveline assembly is adapted to receive torque from the power source and drive the wheels. The driveline assembly includes a plurality of power transmission rotatably supported by arm portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7347785Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
-
Patent number: 6454284Abstract: A torsion bar suspension for an automotive vehicle includes powered means for remotely adjusting the trim height of the vehicle by varying the torque applied to the torsion bars. Height adjustment may be up or down or both from a normal running height. The suspension may be made capable of lowering vehicle height to allow entry into or passage through a low clearance location, such as a parking garage or overpass. Alternatively, the suspension could be capable of raising the vehicle height for passage over rough terrain. Various embodiments of adjusting mechanisms are disclosed including, for example, lever and wheel type torsion adjusting means with linear or rotary actuators.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: William E. Worman, Jr.