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).

  • Patent number: 11850946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, Mark A. Davis, Darren J. Ziskovsky, Aaron D. Gries, Jordan M. Houser
  • Patent number: 11719337
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian V. Knapke, Nicholas W. Laforce, Aaron D. Gries, Robert D. Keller
  • Patent number: 11662007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Mastroianni, Aaron D. Gries, Martin D. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 11614455
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber
  • Patent number: 11608891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Justin S. Davis, Aaron D. Gries, Robert D. Keller
  • Publication number: 20230070859
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
  • Patent number: 11529869
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. David, Mark A. Davis, Darren J. Ziskovsky, Aaron D. Gries, Jordan M. Houser
  • Patent number: 11498362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber, Jared T. Reichert, Adam S. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20220324333
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
  • Publication number: 20220324321
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. DAVID, Mark A. DAVIS, Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Jordan M. HOUSER
  • Publication number: 20220307596
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Brian V. KNAPKE, Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Aaron D. GRIES, Robert D. KELLER
  • Patent number: 11378185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Keller, Ned W. Wright, Aaron D. Gries, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Brian V. Knapke
  • Publication number: 20220205521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Mastroianni, Aaron D. Gries, Martin D. Fairchild
  • Publication number: 20220205486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Darren J. ZISKOVSKY, Aaron D. GRIES, Martin D. FAIRCHILD
  • Publication number: 20220178962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. CREPAS, Aaron D. GRIES, Mark W. LEBER
  • Publication number: 20220003313
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Justin S. DAVIS, Aaron D. GRIES, Robert D. KELLER
  • Patent number: 11125317
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron D. Gries, Steven Mastroianni
  • Publication number: 20210180993
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Crepas, Aaron D. Gries, Mark W. Leber, Jared T. Reichert, Adam S. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20210108720
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Robert D. Keller, Ned W. Wright, Aaron D. Gries, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Brian V. Knapke
  • Publication number: 20200355257
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron D. Gries, Steven Mastroianni