Patents Assigned to Linamar Corporation
  • Patent number: 12291094
    Abstract: A coaxial electrified drive axle is provided for a vehicle. The coaxial electrified drive axle has an electric motor connected to a gear box housing containing a stepped planetary gear set operatively coupling a drive shaft of the electric motor to a linkshaft and an output shaft through a differential assembly. The differential assembly is contained within a carrier which also supports the planet gears through planet pins. The carrier is supported by a single carrier support bearing. The drive shaft, the linkshaft, and the output shaft are coaxial and share a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Labelle
  • Patent number: 12253171
    Abstract: A type IV conformable pressure vessel has improved mechanical coupling between an outer composite shell and a boss. The pressure vessel comprises an inner polymeric liner having a flare edge fixedly coupled to the boss. The boss has a bore in fluid communication with an interior of the pressure vessel. In addition, the boss has a shank extending between the liner and the outer composite shell. The shank includes a plurality of spikes projecting radially away from the boss. The outer composite shell of resin and fiber surrounds an outer periphery of the liner and an outer periphery of the shank. The spikes are embedded into the outer composite shell to mechanically fasten the outer composite shell to the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir Kovalevsky, Jordan Sanches
  • Patent number: 12104749
    Abstract: A type IV pressure vessel has improved permeate gas management. The pressure vessel comprises an inner polymeric liner, a breather layer disposed on the liner, and an outer composite shell structure disposed on the breather layer. The breather layer is gas permeable, impermeable to liquids, and provides a flow passageway for gas permeating through the liner wall collected by the breather layer. The outer composite shell is formed by one or more layers of fiber of a first fiber type and resin. Gas permeating from an interior space of the liner is received by the breather layer and directed to a predetermined exit location on the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Wexler, Jordan Sanches, Vladimir Kovalevsky
  • Patent number: 12071999
    Abstract: An engine balance shaft (20) for an internal combustion engine (24) is provided having reduced total mass and rotational inertia while having sufficient bending stiffness and sufficient unbalance mass. The balance shaft (20) is formed by fixedly coupling a counterweight (56), a front bearing journal (68), a rear bearing journal (60), a tail piece (40), and a nose piece (44) to a hollow tube (52). The hollow tube (52) is hydroformed to expand the diameter of the tube and fasten the desired components to the tube (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R Biga, Allen W Hale, Jan Krassler, Mario Lindner, Markus Haertel
  • Patent number: 12072015
    Abstract: A parallel axis gearbox is provided for a vehicle. The parallel axis gearbox includes an input shaft having a first axis of rotation and an intermediate shaft having a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. The intermediate shaft includes an intermediate driving gear, an intermediate driven gear, and a longitudinal bore passing through the intermediate shaft. The intermediate driven gear is meshingly engaged with a first driving gear on the input shaft. The input shaft and the intermediate shaft are contained within and supported by a cover fixedly coupled to a housing. A bolt fixedly couples the cover to the housing and passes through the longitudinal bore of the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Labelle
  • Patent number: 12013033
    Abstract: A compact park lock assembly configured to be pulled towards a ramped section of a locking lever during actuation to unlock and lock a park lock gear. The compact park lock assembly includes a guide plate configured to align the park lock assembly during assembly, receive input loads from a pinion drive gear arrangement, position and restrain movement of the guide plate, and provide for sensing of the position of the locking lever during operation. The compact park lock assembly also includes an abutment plate to facilitate mounting of the park lock assembly, a spring section to restrain the guide plate, and a clip section to force and retain the abutment plate section to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Jefferey Ziemba
  • Patent number: 11994258
    Abstract: A pressure vessel and a method of manufacturing the pressure vessel is provided that reduces leaks in type IV pressure vessels having a liner with a corrugated section. The method includes providing a liner having a tubular portion having a corrugated section with circumferential corrugations providing alternating ridges and grooves arranged from one end to an opposing end of the corrugated section, applying a barrier to an outer surface of the corrugated section from one end to an opposing end of the corrugated section such that air voids are formed in annular cavities between the liner and the barrier; and applying resin to an outer surface of the barrier. The barrier prevents intrusion of the resin between the barrier and the liner in the corrugated section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Shilling, Jason Wexler, Jordan Sanches, Vladimir Kovalevsky, Rustie McCumber, Brian Schlotterbeck
  • Patent number: 11892123
    Abstract: A type IV conformable pressure vessel is provided comprising an elongated folded tank and a valve assembly configured to pass fluid into and out of an interior of the tank through first and second filling couplers directly connected to a respective first and second end of the tank. The tank has at least two chambers for the storage of fluid. The valve assembly receives fluid from an external source, selectively provides the external fluid through a Venturi nozzle into a mixing chamber, recirculates fluid from the second end of the tank into the mixing chamber, and delivers the mixture of the recirculated fluid and the external fluid to the first end of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Maria Elizabeth Saade Saade, Jason Wexler
  • Patent number: 11890927
    Abstract: An improved twin clutch, two-speed disconnect secondary drive unit, which may be configured as a rear drive unit (RDU) for an all wheel drive vehicle is provided. The RDU is driven through an input shaft, which is connected to a vehicle drive source such as a motor, and includes a twin clutch assembly, which is connected to the drive shaft and is selectively actuated to drive left and right main shafts, which drive respective wheels of the vehicle. The RDU further includes a modular a shift assembly mountable to one or both of said main shafts to drive output shafts, wherein each shift assembly is selectively operable between the hi-range and lo-range modes to shift driving operation of the output shafts between hi-speed and lo-speed operation. The shift assembly may be controlled by improved mono-stable or bi-stable actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Michael Burr, Mitchell Holland, Kyle Milliman, Gary Monkaba, Evan Swinger, Jayson Allison, Sean Hayes, Simon Joliff, Joe Schaffer
  • Patent number: 11873889
    Abstract: A differential for a rear wheel drive vehicle is previewed comprising a differential case for rotationally supporting and housing a pinion shaft with the pinion shaft extending axially through an opening in the differential case. A pinion seal extends around the pinion shaft and has an outer edge abutting a cavity wall defining the opening in the differential case. The pinion seal has an axial lip projecting in an axial direction. A plastic deflector has a discshaped main body formed of a plastic material, a passageway extending through the plastic deflector, and a stainless steel ring fixedly coupled to the disc-shaped main body providing a stainless steel running surface. The plastic deflector is assembled on the pinion shaft such that the pinion shaft extends through the deflector passageway and the stainless steel running surface abuts the axial lip of the pinion seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Cabaj
  • Patent number: 11873885
    Abstract: Bearings (72, 74) are arranged for a drive unit (10) having an electric motor for providing drive to an electric axle and a wheel assembly of a vehicle. The drive unit includes a pair of bearings and a reduction gear assembly (12) with a first drive gear mounted to and coaxial with the main shaft of the motor, and a first driven gear rotatably coupled to the first drive gear and mounted to and coaxial with an intermediate shaft to form an intermediate shaft assembly. The reduction gear assembly includes a second drive gear mounted to and coaxial with the intermediate shaft, and a second driven gear rotatably coupled with the second drive gear. A first bearing of said pair of bearings is mounted to a bulkhead and to said intermediate shaft assembly between the first driven gear and second drive gear to reduce the distance between the first and second bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Labelle
  • Patent number: 11708899
    Abstract: An improved park lock rod assembly is provided for a park lock mechanism of a vehicle transmission wherein the park lock rod assembly includes a spring-loaded lock rod captured by a guide member. The guide member includes a first bulbous open slot that is generally L-shaped and receives one end of the lock rod, and another open slot spaced axially from the first open slot that receives another end of the lock rod. This slot configuration allows the rod to pivot relative to the guide member and seat within the second open slot, which permits ready assembly of the lock rod to the guide member. The park lock rod assembly may be manually assembled without the need for crimping or other fasteners. Further, the rod is grooved to cooperate with keyhole shapes provided in the open slots wherein the groove and slot configurations permit the rod to be assembled into the guide member while preventing separation during reciprocating movement of the lock rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron P Williams, Jefferey Ziemba
  • Patent number: 11614168
    Abstract: A park lock roller assembly (10) includes at least one roller (12), a shaft rod (16), and a guide plate (14). The roller (12) is rotably coupled to one of the shaft rod (16). The shaft rod (16) is located within the guide plate (14) for longitudinal movement relative thereto. The park lock roller assembly (10) is pulled towards a pawl (30) to actuate the pawl (30) into locking engagement with a locking gear (38) to reliably lock a vehicle transmission in a parked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Jefferey Ziemba
  • Patent number: 11365770
    Abstract: A disconnect system for selectively engaging and disengaging one or more shafts of a power train unit. The disconnect system includes a plurality of cam members and an electromagnetic coil. At least one cam member rotates at the same speed as an input shaft. At least one cam member rotates at variable speeds. In operation, the electromagnetic coil is energized by rotation of the input shaft for selectively activating a clutch to engage one or more of the cams to connect and disconnect one or more output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R Ekonen, Gary Monkaba, Steven Nance, Matt Griffith, Tod Verville
  • Patent number: 11365795
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. A first side gear is non-rotatably coupled to the first output shaft and a second side gear is non-rotatably coupled to the second output shaft. A differential pin is also included, the differential pin having differential gears. The differential gears are rotatably supported by the differential case and drivingly engaged with the first and second side gears to allow differential rotation thereof. A lock mechanism is actuated when a first torque force is applied to a drive cam and a driven cam. Finally, an electromagnetic coil actuates a brake plate, wherein the brake plate comes into frictional with a brake disc. Furthermore, the electromagnetic coil is discontinuous around the circumference of the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R Ekonen, Mitchell Holland, Sean Hayes
  • Patent number: 11231098
    Abstract: An improved differential for a vehicle is provided which includes a disconnect assembly engaged between a ring gear and pinion gears and/or a gear nest associated with the pinion gears, wherein the disconnect assembly is able to disconnect torsional loading of torque between the ring gear and the pinon gears of the differential. The disconnect assembly selectively connects and disconnects the ring gear and pinon gears by preferably disconnecting from the gear nest disposed therebetween. Disconnection of the ring gear and pinion gears allows the ring gear, differential housing, bearings, and rest of the gear box to stop spinning while the wheels of the vehicle are spinning. The differential pinion gears are mechanically connected to the gear nest such that torque can be transferred from the differential gear nest to the differential pinion gears and then to the differential side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Evan Swinger
  • Patent number: 11187281
    Abstract: A secondary drive unit (SDU) for the secondary axis of an all wheel drive vehicle consists of an SDU housing defining a first section for receiving a main shaft which is connected to a drive source and a second section for enclosing a twin clutch assembly. The twin clutch assembly has a common clutch housing connected to the main shaft, a left clutch for selectively connecting a left output shaft and the clutch housing, a right clutch for selectively connecting a right output shaft and the clutch housing, and a rigid center plate separating the left and right clutches. The twin clutch assembly may be activated by a dual action piston assembly to decrease all wheel drive synchronization and connection response times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Kocevar, Shun Ohno, Todd R Ekonen, Mitchell Holland, Evan Swinger
  • Patent number: 11155160
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a clutch hub, a clutch drum disposed about the clutch hub, a first gear connected to the clutch drum, the first gear configured to be coupled with a first shaft, the clutch hub configured to be coupled with a second shaft, a clutch pack disposed between the clutch hub and the clutch drum, and an air-actuated piston assembly for selective actuation of the clutch pack to connect or disconnect two drive axles in a tandem axle assembly. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of lever arms disposed between the piston assembly and the clutch pack. Each lever arm extending to engage the piston and the clutch pack. Each lever arm may be pivotally mounted to a lever carrier plate or to a fixed portion of the piston housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Carl M. Romack, John Castellano, Thomas Reedy, Todd Ekonen, Jochen Wolkenstein, Konrad O. Bachmann, Kennith J. Stamper, Christian Krajewski
  • Patent number: 11142066
    Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive motor vehicle includes a differential assembly having an outer differential housing and an inner differential housing, the inner differential housing being fixed for rotation with an output shaft of the differential assembly; a ring gear assembly having a ring gear mounted to and fixed for rotation with the outer differential housing; and a disconnect and synch-lock mechanism: operable to synchronize and lock the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing, and to disconnect the inner differential housing and the outer differential housing to prevent rotation of the outer differential housing and the ring gear. The disconnect and synch-lock mechanism may include a synchronizer clutch and a clutch actuator. The clutch actuator may be a ball-ramp or face cam mechanism which is configured to control the operation of the synchronizer clutch and locking between the inner and outer differential housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R Ekonen, Dennis Cook, Gary Monkaba, Shun Ohno
  • Patent number: 10890234
    Abstract: A family of two speed transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in drive trains to provide varying gear ratios. The transmission family members include step pinion planetary gear sets. In one embodiment, there is a single step pinion planetary gear set with two sun gears configured selectively as the transmission input, two ring gears, one of which is rigidly attached to ground and the other is configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is removed one of the ring gears and there is added a planetary reduction gear set comprised of a sun gear, a ring gear rigidly attached to ground and a planetary carrier configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is provided a transmission comprising a plurality of helical gear sets and a planetary gear set for speed reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C Sefcik, Joe Dear, Ray Coger