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: 9423014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160102747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventor: William E. Worman, JR.
  • Patent number: 7922185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7771283
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090176587
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, JR., James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7507161
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090008176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: William E. Worman, JR.
  • Patent number: 7425006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7347785
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 6454284
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Worman, Jr.