Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Passino

Benjamin J. Passino 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).

  • Publication number: 20240075770
    Abstract: Systems are provided for an axle housing for a vehicle. In one example, system includes a differential housing comprising a modular Salisbury style center section comprising tube mounts configured to receive tube assemblies via a press fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Scott L. STEWARD JR., Steven Thomas BYRNE, Ryan W. LASKEY, David G. MOSES, Benjamin J. PASSINO
  • Publication number: 20230234439
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew T. BRAMMER, Mark LEBER, Benjamin J. PASSINO, George A. WILLFORD
  • Patent number: 11642960
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Brammer, Mark Leber, Benjamin J. Passino, George A. Willford
  • Patent number: 11428303
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking mechanism in an inter-axle differential are provided. A vehicle system, in one example, includes an electric motor coupled to a clutch assembly in a locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential coupled to a first axle and a second axle, the clutch assembly is configured to selectively disengage the locking mechanism, and in the disengaged configuration the locking mechanism permits speed differentiation between the first and second axles. The system further includes an electric motor brake coupled to the electric motor and configured to selectively apply a brake torque to the electric motor and the electric motor is configured to actuate the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Knapke, Patrick F. Rose, Benjamin J. Passino, Daniel D. Carmean
  • Publication number: 20220090666
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking mechanism in an inter-axle differential are provided. A vehicle system, in one example, includes an electric motor coupled to a clutch assembly in a locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential coupled to a first axle and a second axle, the clutch assembly is configured to selectively disengage the locking mechanism, and in the disengaged configuration the locking mechanism permits speed differentiation between the first and second axles. The system further includes an electric motor brake coupled to the electric motor and configured to selectively apply a brake torque to the electric motor and the electric motor is configured to actuate the clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Brian KNAPKE, Patrick F. ROSE, Benjamin J. PASSINO, Daniel D. CARMEAN
  • Publication number: 20210347258
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew T. BRAMMER, Mark LEBER, Benjamin J. PASSINO, George A. WILLFORD
  • Patent number: 11125316
    Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Carmean, Benjamin J. Passino, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11098793
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking mechanism in an inter-axle differential are provided. A vehicle system, in one example, includes an electric motor coupled to a clutch assembly in a locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential coupled to a first axle and a second axle, the clutch assembly is configured to selectively disengage the locking mechanism, and in the disengaged configuration the locking mechanism permits speed differentiation between the first and second axles. The system further includes an electric motor brake coupled to the electric motor and configured to selectively apply a brake torque to the electric motor and the electric motor is configured to actuate the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Knapke, Patrick F. Rose, Benjamin J. Passino, Daniel D. Carmean
  • Publication number: 20210088122
    Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. CARMEAN, Benjamin J. PASSINO, Shane T. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10605349
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing, a ring gear disposed within the carrier housing, and a pinion meshed with the ring gear. The pinion is coupled with a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing. A sump and a fluid catch are disposed in the carrier housing. A conduit having a regulator is in fluid communication with the fluid catch and the at least one bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Carmean, Aaron D. Gries, Greg C. Parent, Benjamin J. Passino, Joshua A. Perry, Chris Wurzer
  • Publication number: 20180372209
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing, a ring gear disposed within the carrier housing, and a pinion meshed with the ring gear. The pinion is coupled with a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing. A sump and a fluid catch are disposed in the carrier housing. A conduit having a regulator is in fluid communication with the fluid catch and the at least one bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: DANIEL D. CARMEAN, AARON D. GRIES, GREG C. PARENT, BENJAMIN J. PASSINO, JOSHUA A. PERRY, CHRIS WURZER
  • Patent number: 8911321
    Abstract: A tandem axle system has a forward axle system and a rear axle system. A method of selectively driving one or both of the axle systems is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Ziech, Donald J. Remboski, Richard A. Nellums, Benjamin J. Passino, Stephen C. Cochran, Stephen A. Edelen
  • Publication number: 20140260790
    Abstract: A unitary and integrally formed ring gear shroud having a first end portion, an arc-shaped middle portion, a second end portion, a first side and a second side. The first end portion extends orthogonally from the arc-shaped middle portion. The second end portion extends orthogonally from the arc-shaped middle portion, opposite the first end portion. The first end portion and the second end portions each extend from the arc-shaped middle portion. The first and second sides each have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces of the first side define a first radiused opening. The inner and outer surfaces of the second side also define a second radiused opening, wherein the first opening has a larger radius than the second opening. The outer surfaces of the first side and the second side are non-symmetrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Passino, David A. Harkleroad, Scott L. Steward, JR., Michael R. Fetcho, Peter A. Beesley, Randy L. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20140057752
    Abstract: A tandem axle system has a forward axle system and a rear axle system. A method of selectively driving one or both of the axle systems is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: James F. Ziech, Donald J. Remboski, Richard A. Nellums, Benjamin J. Passino, Stephen C. Cochran, Stephen A. Edelen
  • Publication number: 20120325030
    Abstract: A power transfer unit for a vehicle is provided having a transfer sleeve, a flanged ring gear, an output shaft, and a clutching assembly. The transfer sleeve, the flanged ring gear, and the clutching assembly are disposed in a housing about an axle shaft connected to a center differential. The transfer sleeve is drivingly engaged with a carrier of the center differential and the flanged ring gear is disposed about the transfer sleeve and drivingly engaged with the output shaft. The clutching assembly includes a locking collar and a clutch. The clutch may be engaged to transfer torque through the transfer sleeve to the output shaft through the flanged ring gear and the locking collar may be engaged to drivingly engage the transfer sleeve with the output shaft through the flanged ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Kinsey, Peter Beesley, Randy L. Sommer, James A. Krisher, Benjamin J. Passino, Kenneth E. Cooper