Patents Assigned to American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9151368
    Abstract: An actuator that causes a mode clutch to shift between an engaged position and a disengaged position is provided. The actuator comprises a motor having an output. A shift cam is caused to rotate based on the output of the motor. The shift cam has a cam profile surface. A cam follower rides along the cam profile surface upon rotation of the shift cam. Movement of the cam follower causes movement of a mode fork resulting in the mode clutch shifting between the engaged and disengaged positions. A sensor outputs a voltage to a controller based on a physical location of the cam follower. The controller activates the motor based on the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, John C. Hibbler
  • Patent number: 9140349
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a locking differential assembly, a pair of differential bearing and an actuator assembly. The carrier housing includes a cavity. The locking differential assembly includes a differential case that is received in the cavity. The differential case includes a bearing bore into which an outer race of the differential bearing is received. The actuator assembly includes a sleeve that is movable between a first sleeve position, which is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in an unlocked mode, and a second sleeve position that is configured to cause the locking differential assembly to operate in a locked mode. The sleeve is at least partly radially in-line with the differential bearing when the sleeve is in the first and/or second sleeve positions such that a plane taken perpendicular to the axis extends through both the sleeve and the differential bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Publication number: 20150247562
    Abstract: A driveline component that includes an input member, a differential case, a differential gearset housed in the differential case, a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch is configured to selectively transmit rotary power between the input member and the differential case. The second clutch is configured to selectively transmit rotary power between the input member and the differential case. The first clutch has a first engagement time and that is less than a second engagement time of the second clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9109689
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a banjo beam and a coverpan. The banjo beam has an upper and lower beam members that are welded together to define a central carrier portion and a pair of tubes. The upper beam member has a pair of upper spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The lower beam member has a pair of lower spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The coverpan includes a weld flange and a cover portion. The weld flange is welded to the central carrier portion via a fillet weld to close a first aperture formed in the central carrier portion. The cover portion includes a wall member into which a pair of strengthening protrusions are formed. The strengthening protrusions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of a centerline of the central carrier portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay M. Khatavkar, Abhijit V. Nilangekar, Mohan R. Sutar
  • Patent number: 9103427
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an input pinion with a pinion gear, which is received in an axle housing and rotatable about a first axis, and a pinion shaft. The pinion gear is meshed with a ring gear that is coupled to a differential assembly. A head bearing, which is disposed on a first axial end of the input pinion, supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. A tail bearing supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. The pinion gear is disposed axially between the tail bearing and the head bearing. A bearing groove is formed into the pinion shaft and the bearing elements are received into the bearing groove such that an inner bearing race of the tail bearing is unitarily and integrally formed with the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9103430
    Abstract: A power transmitting component that includes a housing, a case, a bearing, a bearing adjuster and a clip. The housing defines a bearing bulkhead and a threaded aperture that are disposed about an axis. The bearing is coupled to the case to support the case for rotation about the axis relative to the housing. The bearing adjuster is threadably engaged to the threaded aperture and abuts the bearing. The bearing adjuster has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart securing features. The clip has a mount and a set of mating securing features. The clip is received on the bearing bulkhead such that the mount is secured to the bearing bulkhead in a snap-fit manner and the set of mating securing features are engaged to a corresponding set of the securing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zalanca, Gregory J. Hilker
  • Publication number: 20150210124
    Abstract: An axle assembly, including an axle shaft, annular member, hub, inner and outer hub bearings, abutment ring, first and second seals, and an air inlet port. The annular member is disposed about the axle shaft. The hub is coupled for rotation with the axle shaft and defines an outlet port. The first and second shaft seals form seals between the hub and the annular member. The air inlet port is mounted to one of the annular member and the abutment ring and includes an inlet boss. A first fluid conduit is defined by the abutment ring or both the abutment ring and the inlet port. The first fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the air inlet boss. The second shaft seal is spaced apart from the first shaft seal along the rotational axis to at least partially define a second fluid conduit in fluid communication inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Hibbler, James W. Platt
  • Publication number: 20150198262
    Abstract: A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body, a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a valve seat in the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9079495
    Abstract: A disconnectable all-wheel drive system for motor vehicles having a multi-speed power take-off unit and a multi-speed rear drive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9074678
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly that is configured to house an input pinion, a differential assembly and a ring gear. The axle housing assembly defines first and second lubricant galleries that provide lubricant to one or more bearings that support the input pinion relative to the axle housing assembly. The first lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the ring gear when the ring gear is rotated in a first rotational direction relative to the axle housing assembly. The second lubricant gallery is configured to receive lubricant slung from the input pinion when the ring gear is driven in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Jr., Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9073432
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9074672
    Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive vehicle. The rear drive module includes a disconnect clutch, a differential assembly and a hollow shaft. The disconnect clutch has a first clutch member, which is coupled to the spool for rotation therewith, and a second clutch member. The differential assembly includes a differential case. The hollow shaft is coupled to the differential case for rotation therewith and is configured to transmit rotary power in a power path between the disconnect clutch and the differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9062744
    Abstract: A drive module that includes an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission assembly having a two-speed planetary transmission stage. The multi-speed transmission assembly outputs rotary power to a differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9033807
    Abstract: A propshaft assembly that includes a tubular member, first and second end connections coupled to opposite ends of the tubular member and a damper that is received in the tubular member and positioned between the first and second end connections. The tubular member has a wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface. The damper has a first damping device, a second damping device and a third damping device. The first damping device has a first core and a first damping member that is fixed to the first core. The first damping member extends helically about the first core and engages the interior circumferential surface. The second damping device is formed of foam and is positioned in the tubular member between the first and third damping devices. The second damping device engages the interior circumferential surface. The third damping device has a second core and a second damping member that is fixed to the second core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ley, Zhaohui Sun, Jeffrey P. Nyquist, Michael Voight
  • Publication number: 20150133266
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a friction clutch, a reservoir, a hydraulic ram to actuate the clutch, a motor, and first and second pumps simultaneously driven by the motor. The first pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ram. The first pump is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram when the motor rotates in a first direction. The second pump is coupled to the reservoir and provides hydraulic fluid to the ram when the output shaft rotates in the first direction and a pressure differential between the ram and the second pump is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure differential. The second pump has a displacement greater than the first pump and is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram at a lower pressure and higher flow rate than the first pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Charles G. Stuart
  • Patent number: 9029805
    Abstract: A method for inspecting contact between mating gears that includes applying a mixture to teeth of a first gear, teeth of a second gear, or the teeth of both the first and second gears. The mixture includes a lubricating oil and a fluorescing dye. The first gear is rotated to drive the second gear. While the second gear is being driven by the first gear, electromagnetic radiation, such as ultra-violet radiation, is applied to the teeth of at least one of the first and second gears to cause the teeth to fluoresce. The fluorescing teeth of the second gear are inspected to identify a tooth inspection zone that approximates a zone of contact between the teeth of the first and second gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Holly A. Giangrande, Ryan M. Trevino, Thomas M. Sep, Lee Holloway
  • Patent number: 9028358
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly having a carrier housing and first and second end caps that are mounted to the carrier housing. The first end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a differential cavity for receipt of a differential assembly, while the second end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a clutch cavity for receipt of a clutch. A spindle drivingly couples a first output of the differential with an input of the clutch member. A first output member is coupled for rotation with a second output of the differential and a second output member is coupled for rotation with an output of the clutch. The spindle is received through a tubular portion of carrier housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9022892
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Jr., Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Publication number: 20150120366
    Abstract: The computer-implemented purchased part order data management system employs a database management computer hosting a purchased part order database and an automated data collection and review computer communicating with the database management computer. The data collection and review computer has a purchased part order data (PPOD) repository and a messaging system that includes a message routing data structure. Through an interface, a user interacts with the data collection and review system to add PPOD information, which is then made available to other users for review. The data collection and review computer records the status of the PPOD as it undergoes the review process and mediates which party is next invited to review the PPOD information. Once finally reviewed, the automated data collection and review computer issues a prompt to the database management computer to ingest information based on the PPOD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronaldo Bittencourt Cirihal
  • Patent number: D732382
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zalanca, Gregory J. Hilker