Patents by Inventor Brian L. Pannell

Brian L. Pannell 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: 10746231
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20180163789
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 9926986
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 9309931
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20160076648
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES F. HARTZ, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20160017930
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 6598496
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical interface incorporated in a series hybrid auxiliary power unit. According to the present invention the electro-mechanical interface employs a first tier of geared output shafts rotatably supported within a frame and meshingly engaged in a daisy-chain configuration having first and second ends. One end of the first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a first, geared transfer shaft. The first, geared transfer shaft selectively connects to an internal combustion engine through a selectively disengageable clutch. The other end of the aforesaid first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a second geared transfer shaft that is continuously connected to a motor/generator. The geared output shafts in the aforesaid daisy-chain configuration are available to drive auxiliary loads. A second tier of geared output shafts are also rotatably supported within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20020132696
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical interface incorporated in a series hybrid auxiliary power unit. According to the present invention the electro-mechanical interface employs a first tier of geared output shafts rotatably supported within a frame and meshingly engaged in a daisy-chain configuration having first and second ends. One end of the first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a first, geared transfer shaft. The first, geared transfer shaft selectively connects to an internal combustion engine through a selectively disengageable clutch. The other end of the aforesaid first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a second geared transfer shaft that is continuously connected to a motor/generator. The geared output shafts in the aforesaid daisy-chain configuration are available to drive auxiliary loads. A second tier of geared output shafts are also rotatably supported within the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Brian L. Pannell