Patents by Inventor Dale J. Eschenburg
Dale J. Eschenburg 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: 7866433Abstract: A carrier assembly has a unique architecture which allows the carrier assembly to be defined by a very small packaging envelope. The carrier includes a main carrier housing with an internal cavity for receiving a differential and a carrier cover that closes the internal cavity once the differential has been installed. Examples of architectural features include a differential lock actuator that is mounted to the carrier cover, dowel pins that accommodate differential leg thrust loads and align the carrier cover relative to the main carrier housing, and bolt-in differential leg structures to facilitate pinion installation. Further, the carrier assembly can be utilized with an independent suspension to provide a increased jounce travel range.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Dale J. Eschenburg, Brian David Hayes
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Publication number: 20090029821Abstract: A carrier assembly has a unique architecture which allows the carrier assembly to be defined by a very small packaging envelope. The carrier includes a main carrier housing with an internal cavity for receiving a differential and a carrier cover that closes the internal cavity once the differential has been installed. Examples of architectural features include a differential lock actuator that is mounted to the carrier cover, dowel pins that accommodate differential leg thrust loads and align the carrier cover relative to the main carrier housing, and bolt-in differential leg structures to facilitate pinion installation. Further, the carrier assembly can be utilized with an independent suspension to provide a increased jounce travel range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Dale J. Eschenburg, Brian David Hayes
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Patent number: 7458433Abstract: A drive unit assembly for a vehicle wheel includes a rigidly mounted electric motor coupled to the vehicle wheel via a gear drive. The gear drive includes a cycloid or epicycloid gear arrangement that provides significant speed reduction at the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Clive Harrup, Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Patent number: 7255187Abstract: The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada
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Patent number: 7021721Abstract: A suspension mount includes a flange formed directly into an axle housing. The axle housing includes a pair of housing halves that are attached to each other along a seam weld. Each housing half includes at least one transversely extending flange. Prior to welding, the flanges from the upper and lower housing halves are aligned with each other to define the suspension mount. The suspension is then attached to the axle housing at the flanges with fasteners or by welding.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Dale J. Eschenburg
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Patent number: 6935451Abstract: The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Patent number: 6904988Abstract: A drive train assembly including an electric motor mounted to the frame of the motor vehicle and a trailing arm. The trailing arm is attached to the frame of a motor vehicle such that a pivot point is common to an axis of rotation of a shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor drives a drive mechanism supported by the trailing arm to drive a wheel suspended at a distal end of the trailing arm. The trailing arm pivots about the axis of rotation of the motor shaft thereby reducing the suspended mass of the vehicle and improving ride and handling characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Clive Harrup, Dennis A. Kramer, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg, Dale K. Bell
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Patent number: 6812663Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes an electric motor directly coupled to a rotatable member for driving a wheel, for example, without gear reduction assemblies between the motor output and the driven wheels. A multi-phase, high pulse current stepper motor is used as the motor in one example. A driven wheel is supported by a wheel mounting member in a conventional fashion. A rotatable member associated with the wheel mounting member is directly coupled to an output of the stepper motor. The stepper motor can selectively operate in several modes. A first mode provides driving torque to the vehicle wheels, a second mode provides a braking force and an optional third mode allows the stepper motor to serve as a parking brake.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Dennis A. Kramer, Dale K. Bell, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Publication number: 20040189235Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes an electric motor directly coupled to a rotatable member for driving a wheel, for example, without gear reduction assemblies between the motor output and the driven wheels. A multi-phase, high pulse current stepper motor is used as the motor in one example. A driven wheel is supported by a wheel mounting member in a conventional fashion. A rotatable member associated with the wheel mounting member is directly coupled to an output of the stepper motor. The stepper motor can selectively operate in several modes. A first mode provides driving torque to the vehicle wheels, a second mode provides a braking force and an optional third mode allows the stepper motor to serve as a parking brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Dennis A. Kramer, Dale K. Bell, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Patent number: 6794772Abstract: An electric motor assembly is provided that includes a housing. A rotor is arranged in the housing and is rotatable about an axis. A vehicle wheel is coupled to the rotor. The rotor has an annular profile defining sinusoidal teeth and is generally concentric with the axis. The angle and number of oblique surfaces of the teeth and the diameter of the rotor, in part, define the speed and torque of the rotor. A plurality of electric linear actuators are arranged circumferentially about and generally parallel to the axis. The actuator includes shafts having ends that engage the profile. The shafts are movable between extended and retracted positions to rotate the rotor in a desired direction. A sensor detecting the position of the rotor and a controller may be used to effect the desired rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Publication number: 20040124019Abstract: A drive train assembly including an electric motor mounted to the frame of the motor vehicle and a trailing arm. The trailing arm is attached to the frame of a motor vehicle such that a pivot point is common to an axis of rotation of a shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor drives a drive mechanism supported by the trailing arm to drive a wheel suspended at a distal end of the trailing arm. The trailing arm pivots about the axis of rotation of the motor shaft thereby reducing the unsuspended mass of the vehicle and improving ride and handling characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Clive Harrup, Dennis A. Kramer, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg, Dale K. Bell
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Publication number: 20040103748Abstract: An axle housing cover is provided including a generally dome-shaped portion having a first thickness with the dome-shaped portion terminating in a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge has a second thickness greater than the first thickness with the perimeter edge providing a weld surface. Preferably, the second thickness is sufficiently thicker than the first thickness to provide adequate size and strength for the weld. The second thickness provides a weld height greater than the first thickness. Since the dome-shaped portion has a reduced thickness, reinforcing ribs may be formed in the dome-shaped portion to provide increased structural integrity. The cover may include a flange extending radially from the cover, which provides the weld surface that is then welded to the axle housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Raymond A. Milio, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Publication number: 20040089485Abstract: An electric motor assembly for providing driving torque to a wheel on a vehicle includes a plurality of different sized motors. The motor having the largest outside dimension or outside diameter is placed closest to the wheel hub to provide the largest possible motor size within typical vehicle packaging constraints. A plurality of motors is used to achieve a desired torque level at the wheel. In one example, multiple motors are positioned near each wheel with the size of the motors decreasing from a lateral side of the vehicle toward the centerline of the vehicle. Motor control strategies for achieving different torque levels and providing selectively regenerative effects are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Dennis A. Kramer, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg, Dale K. Bell
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Publication number: 20040089486Abstract: A power producing assembly for a vehicle includes a generator to control energy produced during movement of the vehicle and a hydrolysis system powered by electrical energy produced by the generator to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen are then routed to a fuel cell to produce electrical energy. Hydrogen may also be used in a combustion engine which bums the hydrogen gas. Gases used by the energy producing fuel cell or combustion engine are recovered and recombined to form water for reuse by the hydrolysis system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Clive Harrup, Dennis A. Kramer, Mehmet S. Ciray, Dean Mark House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg, Dale K. Bell
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Publication number: 20040079568Abstract: The inventive parallel drive system is particularly well suited to be supported at the axle of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement includes a clutching mechanism and a gear reduction device that selectively couple an electric motor to the drive wheels for providing torque to the wheels alone or in combination with input from an internal combustion engine. The drive torque can also be provided exclusively from the internal combustion engine. The inventive arrangement also allows for the electric motor to be used as a generator during coasting or braking, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg
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Patent number: 6707268Abstract: A system for providing driving torque to wheels on a vehicle includes an electric motor having the capability of independently driving rotatable axle shafts. One example includes a single stator with a first armature associated with a first axle shaft and a second armature associated with a second axle shaft. A controller independently controls power to the armatures to achieve the desired wheel speed or driving torque at each of the wheels.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Dale K. Bell, Dennis A. Kramer, Clive Harrup, Mehmet S. Ciray, Silvio M. Yamada, Dean M. House, David K. Platner, Dale J. Eschenburg