Patents by Inventor Bradley R. Larkin
Bradley R. Larkin 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: 9630491Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear and a pinion gear meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator includes first, second and third range sleeves abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position to provide a drive connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft, a second position providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and a second output shaft, and a third position to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and the second output shaft. The gears of the planetary gearset are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Patent number: 9481243Abstract: A method controls a powertrain that directs power from an engine and a transmission to all four wheels or to just front wheels or to just rear wheels. The method includes monitoring information transmitted over a communications network. The method determines whether one or more components of the powertrain are in an active condition or in an inactive condition. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the inactive condition when not connected to the transmission and not connected to the front wheels or the rear wheels. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the active condition when connected to the transmission and connected to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The method switches the one or more components of the powertrain between the inactive condition and the active condition based at least in part on visual data provided by an on-board camera system.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Johannes Quehenberger
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Patent number: 9446763Abstract: A pre-transmission unit for a hybrid drive system includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine. An electric motor includes a rotor fixed for rotation with an output shaft, and a stator fixed to a housing. A multi-plate clutch is positioned in the housing to drivingly interconnect the input shaft and the rotor. The clutch includes a piston for applying an input force to the clutch plates. A pump is positioned in the housing and includes an input member fixed for rotation with the rotor. The pump provides pressurized fluid to the piston. A valve regulates the fluid pressure applied to the piston and varies the torque transferred by the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas Bradley
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Patent number: 9377103Abstract: A transfer case includes first and second output shafts selectively driven by an input shaft. A first gearset is driven by the input shaft providing first and second gear ratios to the first output shaft. A range actuator includes an axially moveable member operable to shift the first gearset between the first and second gear ratios. An actuation shaft is coupled to the axially moveable member such that rotation of the actuation shaft translates the axially moveable member. A second gearset is driven by the input shaft and drives the actuation shaft. The second gearset includes a control gear moveable into and out of meshed engagement with a first gear and an idler gear. The actuation shaft is rotated in a first direction when the control gear is meshed with the first gear and rotated in an opposite direction when meshed with the idler gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Patent number: 9162570Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Magna InternationalInventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin
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Publication number: 20150246611Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear and a pinion gear meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator includes first, second and third range sleeves abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position to provide a drive connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft, a second position providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and a second output shaft, and a third position to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and the second output shaft. The gears of the planetary gearset are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Patent number: 9033842Abstract: A transfer case (10) includes an input shaft (12), first and second output shafts (14, 16) and a planetary gearset (18) having a sun gear (74), a ring gear (70), a carrier (84, 90) and a pinion gear (78) meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator (20) includes first, second and third range sleeves (22, 24, 26) abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position (H) to provide a drive connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14), a second position (HL) providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14) as well as the input shaft (12) and a second output shaft (16), and a third position (L) to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14) as well as the input shaft (12) and the second output shaft (16). The gears of the planetary gearset (18) are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Publication number: 20150126318Abstract: A transfer case includes first and second output shafts selectively driven by an input shaft. A first gearset is driven by the input shaft providing first and second gear ratios to the first output shaft. A range actuator includes an axially moveable member operable to shift the first gearset between the first and second gear ratios. An actuation shaft is coupled to the axially moveable member such that rotation of the actuation shaft translates the axially moveable member. A second gearset is driven by the input shaft and drives the actuation shaft. The second gearset includes a control gear moveable into and out of meshed engagement with a first gear and an idler gear. The actuation shaft is rotated in a first direction when the control gear is meshed with the first gear and rotated in an opposite direction when meshed with the idler gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Publication number: 20150019094Abstract: A method controls a powertrain that directs power from an engine and a transmission to all four wheels or to just front wheels or to just rear wheels. The method includes monitoring information transmitted over a communications network. The method determines whether one or more components of the powertrain are in an active condition or in an inactive condition. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the inactive condition when not connected to the transmission and not connected to the front wheels or the rear wheels. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the active condition when connected to the transmission and connected to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The method switches the one or more components of the powertrain between the inactive condition and the active condition based at least in part on visual data provided by an on-board camera system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Johannes Quehenberger
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Publication number: 20140366685Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position, A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin
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Patent number: 8821334Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Magna InternationalInventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin
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Publication number: 20130345015Abstract: A transfer case (10) includes an input shaft (12), first and second output shafts (14, 16) and a planetary gearset (18) having a sun gear (74), a ring gear (70), a carrier (84, 90) and a pinion gear (78) meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator (20) includes first, second and third range sleeves (22, 24, 26) abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position (H) to provide a drive connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14), a second position (HL) providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14) as well as the input shaft (12) and a second output shaft (16), and a third position (L) to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft (12) and the first output shaft (14) as well as the input shaft (12) and the second output shaft (16). The gears of the planetary gearset (18) are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas O. Bradley
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Publication number: 20130303328Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin
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Publication number: 20130281259Abstract: A pre-transmission unit for a hybrid drive system includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine. An electric motor includes a rotor fixed for rotation with an output shaft, and a stator fixed to a housing. A multi-plate clutch is positioned in the housing to drivingly interconnect the input shaft and the rotor. The clutch includes a piston for applying an input force to the clutch plates. A pump is positioned in the housing and includes an input member fixed for rotation with the rotor. The pump provides pressurized fluid to the piston. A valve regulates the fluid pressure applied to the piston and varies the torque transferred by the clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Larkin, Douglas Bradley
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Patent number: 8267833Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin
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Publication number: 20120178575Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA INC.Inventors: Joseph G. Mueller, Douglas O. Bradley, Bradley R. Larkin