Patents by Inventor Aaron D. Gries
Aaron D. Gries 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).
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Patent number: 11850946Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method for operation of an electric drive system is provided that includes coordinating operation of a first electric drive unit and a second electric drive unit based on a first power request. In the system, each of the first and second electric drive units include a planetary gear reduction that delivers power from a pair of motors to a set of axle shafts, and the planetary gear reductions have asymmetric gear ratios.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. David, Mark A. Davis, Darren J. Ziskovsky, Aaron D. Gries, Jordan M. Houser
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Patent number: 11719337Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a parking mechanism in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include a protrusion positioned at one end of a higher diameter portion of a cam, the protrusion positioned to contact a pawl upon engagement of the pawl with a parking gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Brian V. Knapke, Nicholas W. Laforce, Aaron D. Gries, Robert D. Keller
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Patent number: 11662007Abstract: A power divider unit including an input shaft, a drive gear disposed around the input shaft, an inter-axle differential assembly coupled to the input shaft, an output side gear coupled to the input shaft, and a locking system for the power divider unit. The locking system is configured to passively lock the inter-axle differential assembly. The locking system includes a ramped first clutch member in selective engagement with the drive gear, a mating second clutch member configured to engage the first clutch member, a clutch pinion, and a slip clutch assembly. The second clutch member and the first clutch member rotate at different speeds, the clutch pinion rotates and causes the slip clutch assembly and second clutch member to rotate at a speed of the input shaft, causing the first clutch member to mate with the first clutch member.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Steven Mastroianni, Aaron D. Gries, Martin D. Fairchild
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Patent number: 11614455Abstract: A system is provided for shielding a tone ring assembly in automotive vehicles. The system comprises a ring cap with a central aperture, a plurality of molding slides circularly arranged on a first side of the ring cap, a plurality of snap-fit arms and a plurality of pilot tabs positioned on a second side of the ring cap, where the plurality of pilot tabs and the plurality of snap-fit arms are arranged in concentric circles with the snap-fit arms forming an outer circle and the pilot tabs forming an inner circle, and where each pilot tab of the plurality of pilot tabs is positioned directly behind a corresponding snap-fit arm of the plurality of snap-fit arms. In one example, the system prevents metal to metal contact between a tone ring and a shaft during axle shaft installation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber
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Patent number: 11608891Abstract: An actuation mechanism for use in a vehicle. The actuation mechanism includes one or more motors having an output shaft with a sun gear. At least a portion of the sun gear is drivingly connected to at least a portion of one or more planetary gears. The one or more planetary gears are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a carrier, a fixed non-rotating ring gear and an output gear. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating an actuation mechanism that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a vehicle parking mechanism. The method includes providing an actuation mechanism, providing a parking mechanism and one or more sensors that are operably configured to collect an amount of data to be analyzed. Based on the data analyzed, one or more failures within the parking mechanism may be determined and an alert may be sent.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Justin S. Davis, Aaron D. Gries, Robert D. Keller
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Publication number: 20230070859Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, an electric drive system is provided that includes two multi-motor drive units with associated planetary gear reductions that have asymmetric gear ratios. The planetary gear reduction in each drive unit includes a ring gear and a sun gear that are rotationally coupled to a pair of motors and a carrier rotationally coupled to an output gear that interfaces with a gear reduction of an axle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
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Patent number: 11529869Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, an electric drive system is provided that includes two multi-motor drive units with associated planetary gear reductions that have asymmetric gear ratios. The planetary gear reduction in each drive unit includes a ring gear and a sun gear that are rotationally coupled to a pair of motors and a carrier rotationally coupled to an output gear that interfaces with a gear reduction of an axle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Jeffrey M. David, Mark A. Davis, Darren J. Ziskovsky, Aaron D. Gries, Jordan M. Houser
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Tone wheel assembly, an axle assembly made therewith, and a method of manufacturing an axle assembly
Patent number: 11498362Abstract: A tone wheel assembly includes a tone wheel. A first member is attached to the tone wheel. A second member is at least partially disposed around a portion of the first member. The second member includes a collar portion, one or more first leg portions extending axially from the collar portion, and one or more second leg portions extending axially from the collar portion. The one or more first leg portions include a first leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more first leg portions. The one or more second leg portions include a second leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more second leg portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber, Jared T. Reichert, Adam S. Erickson -
Publication number: 20220324333Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method for operation of an electric drive system is provided that includes coordinating operation of a first electric drive unit and a second electric drive unit based on a first power request. In the system, each of the first and second electric drive units include a planetary gear reduction that delivers power from a pair of motors to a set of axle shafts, and the planetary gear reductions have asymmetric gear ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
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Publication number: 20220324321Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, an electric drive system is provided that includes two multi-motor drive units with associated planetary gear reductions that have asymmetric gear ratios. The planetary gear reduction in each drive unit includes a ring gear and a sun gear that are rotationally coupled to a pair of motors and a carrier rotationally coupled to an output gear that interfaces with a gear reduction of an axle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
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Publication number: 20220307596Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a parking mechanism in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include a protrusion positioned at one end of a higher diameter portion of a cam, the protrusion positioned to contact a pawl upon engagement of the pawl with a parking gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Brian V. KNAPKE, Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Aaron D. GRIES, Robert D. KELLER
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Patent number: 11378185Abstract: A parking mechanism for use in a vehicle and method of operation thereof. The parking mechanism includes one or more actuation mechanisms, a parking pawl and a parking gear. At least a portion of the one or more actuation mechanisms are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a cam. The parking pawl has one or more parking pawl teeth extending therefrom that are selectively engagable with at least a portion of one or more parking gear teeth extending from an outer surface of a body portion of the parking gear. The parking pawl also includes a parking pawl pin aperture having a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a parking pawl pin therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert D. Keller, Ned W. Wright, Aaron D. Gries, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Brian V. Knapke
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Publication number: 20220205521Abstract: A power divider unit including an input shaft, a drive gear disposed around the input shaft, an inter-axle differential assembly coupled to the input shaft, an output side gear coupled to the input shaft, and a locking system for the power divider unit. The locking system is configured to passively lock the inter-axle differential assembly. The locking system includes a ramped first clutch member in selective engagement with the drive gear, a mating second clutch member configured to engage the first clutch member, a clutch pinion, and a slip clutch assembly. The second clutch member and the first clutch member rotate at different speeds, the clutch pinion rotates and causes the slip clutch assembly and second clutch member to rotate at a speed of the input shaft, causing the first clutch member to mate with the first clutch member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Steven Mastroianni, Aaron D. Gries, Martin D. Fairchild
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Publication number: 20220205486Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for an electric motor of a vehicle, and particularly to an electric motor including a coolant spray ring. In one example, a method of manufacture comprises forming, via injection molding, a unitary motor spray ring including a plurality of axial grooves joined to a plurality of nozzle orifices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Martin D. FAIRCHILD
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Publication number: 20220178962Abstract: A system is provided for shielding a tone ring assembly in automotive vehicles. The system comprises a ring cap with a central aperture, a plurality of molding slides circularly arranged on a first side of the ring cap, a plurality of snap-fit arms and a plurality of pilot tabs positioned on a second side of the ring cap, where the plurality of pilot tabs and the plurality of snap-fit arms are arranged in concentric circles with the snap-fit arms forming an outer circle and the pilot tabs forming an inner circle, and where each pilot tab of the plurality of pilot tabs is positioned directly behind a corresponding snap-fit arm of the plurality of snap-fit arms. In one example, the system prevents metal to metal contact between a tone ring and a shaft during axle shaft installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Robert E. CREPAS, Aaron D. GRIES, Mark W. LEBER
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Publication number: 20220003313Abstract: An actuation mechanism for use in a vehicle. The actuation mechanism includes one or more motors having an output shaft with a sun gear. At least a portion of the sun gear is drivingly connected to at least a portion of one or more planetary gears. The one or more planetary gears are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a carrier, a fixed non-rotating ring gear and an output gear. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating an actuation mechanism that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a vehicle parking mechanism. The method includes providing an actuation mechanism, providing a parking mechanism and one or more sensors that are operably configured to collect an amount of data to be analyzed. Based on the data analyzed, one or more failures within the parking mechanism may be determined and an alert may be sent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Justin S. DAVIS, Aaron D. GRIES, Robert D. KELLER
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Patent number: 11125317Abstract: One or more guide members for use within a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The one or more guide members have a body portion with an outer peripheral surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and second end portion. The intermediate portion of the one or more guide members have a first angularly bent portion defining a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending outward therefrom. The body portion of the one or more guide members have one or more shaft receiving portions therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Aaron D. Gries, Steven Mastroianni
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TONE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, AN AXLE ASSEMBLY MADE THEREWITH, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN AXLE ASSEMBLY
Publication number: 20210180993Abstract: A tone wheel assembly includes a tone wheel. A first member is attached to the tone wheel. A second member is at least partially disposed around a portion of the first member. The second member includes a collar portion, one or more first leg portions extending axially from the collar portion, and one or more second leg portions extending axially from the collar portion. The one or more first leg portions include a first leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more first leg portions. The one or more second leg portions include a second leg portion protuberance that extends radially from an outer surface of the one or more second leg portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber, Jared T. Reichert, Adam S. Erickson -
Publication number: 20210108720Abstract: A parking mechanism for use in a vehicle and method of operation thereof. The parking mechanism includes one or more actuation mechanisms, a parking pawl and a parking gear. At least a portion of the one or more actuation mechanisms are drivingly connected to at least a portion of a cam. The parking pawl has one or more parking pawl teeth extending therefrom that are selectively engagable with at least a portion of one or more parking gear teeth extending from an outer surface of a body portion of the parking gear. The parking pawl also includes a parking pawl pin aperture having a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a parking pawl pin therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Robert D. Keller, Ned W. Wright, Aaron D. Gries, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Brian V. Knapke
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Publication number: 20200355257Abstract: One or more guide members for use within a drive unit assembly of a vehicle. The one or more guide members have a body portion with an outer peripheral surface, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and second end portion. The intermediate portion of the one or more guide members have a first angularly bent portion defining a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending outward therefrom. The body portion of the one or more guide members have one or more shaft receiving portions therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Aaron D. Gries, Steven Mastroianni