Patents by Inventor Chris Peter Nicholas
Chris Peter Nicholas 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: 10295044Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marc Thomas Wilkins, Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Brian Christian Orr, Andrew Brian Lovatt, William David Guarino
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Patent number: 10197104Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Bradley W. Doner, Rakesh Sharma, Duane Allan Lewis, Brian John Brown
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Patent number: 10047800Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Marc Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 10036428Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley W. Doner, Chris Peter Nicholas, Duane Allan Lewis, Rakesh Sharma, Brian John Brown
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Patent number: 9982707Abstract: A driveshaft assembly of a vehicle includes a yoke assembly having a shaft extending between a yoke and a flange. The yoke assembly further includes a bearing having an inner race integrally formed on an outer surface of the shaft, an outer race circumscribing the inner race, and a plurality of rotating elements rollably engaging between the inner and outer races. A tube is attached to the flange.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Marshall Erin Bates
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Publication number: 20180100574Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Marc Thomas WILKINS, Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Brian Christian ORR, Andrew Brian LOVATT, William David GUARINO
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Publication number: 20180066714Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Bradley W. DONER, Rakesh SHARMA, Duane Allan LEWIS, Brian John BROWN
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Publication number: 20180045250Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Bradley W. DONER, Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Duane Allan LEWIS, Rakesh SHARMA, Brian John BROWN
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Publication number: 20180031043Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Brian John BROWN, Duane Allan LEWIS, Bradley W. DONER, Edward Steven LANIVICH, Rakesh SHARMA
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Patent number: 9879728Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Brian John Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Bradley W. Doner, Edward Steven Lanivich, Rakesh Sharma
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Publication number: 20180017097Abstract: A driveshaft assembly of a vehicle includes a yoke assembly having a shaft extending between a yoke and a flange. The yoke assembly further includes a bearing having an inner race integrally formed on an outer surface of the shaft, an outer race circumscribing the inner race, and a plurality of rotating elements rollably engaging between the inner and outer races. A tube is attached to the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Marshall Erin BATES
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Publication number: 20170276181Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Marc Thomas WILKINS
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Patent number: 9488231Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, John Robert Saieg, Brian Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Tony Paskus
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Publication number: 20150275979Abstract: An cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, John Robert Saieg, Brian Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Tony Paskus
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Patent number: 5772520Abstract: A vented slip joint assembly includes a first shaft with a first end having an externally splined portion. A second internally splined shaft is drivably connected at a first end to the first shaft. A seal sealingly engages the first shaft and the first end of the second shaft. A vent is provided in the first shaft to provide fluid communication to the second end of the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Timothy Peter Raleigh
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Patent number: 5767403Abstract: A driveline assembly and method for balancing the driveline. The driveline includes a drive shaft assembled to a rear axle having a flange therebetween. The driveline is measured to determine an imbalance and a weight is added to the flange to balance the driveline.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Gary Edward Kopp, Kenneth J. Oswandel, Larry LaBell, Chris Peter Nicholas, Gary Keith Parker