Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Walker

Benjamin J. Walker 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).

  • Power transmission device with thermally compensating bearing preload mechanism
    Patent number: 7282006
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a housing, a differential assembly having a case and a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the case within the housing. A preload is applied to the bearing assembly along a load path. A shim is positioned in the load path with the bearing assembly. The shim is constructed at least in part from a material having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion such that the shim is operable to compensate for different rates of thermal expansion in the components within the load path to maintain a desired bearing preload or a range of operating temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Petruska, Benjamin J. Walker
  • Thermally compensating bearing preload arrangement in axle assembly
    Patent number: 7175560
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a housing, a differential assembly having a case and a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the case within the housing. A preload is applied to the bearing assembly along a load path. A shim is positioned in the load path with the bearing assembly. The shim is constructed at least in part from a material having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion such that the shim is operable to compensate for different rates of thermal expansion in the components within the load path to maintain a desired bearing preload or a range of operating temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Petruska, Benjamin J. Walker