Patents by Inventor David Avins
David Avins 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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Publication number: 20150308553Abstract: A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine including a turbine shell and a plurality of turbine blades; and a spring retainer riveted to the turbine shell by at least one rivet. A torque converter for a motor vehicle drive train is also provided that includes the drive assembly and an impeller, with the turbine shell being axially slidable against the impeller to operate as a piston of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter. Further, a method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is provided that includes riveting a spring retainer to a turbine shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventor: David AVINS
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Publication number: 20150152949Abstract: A piloting sleeve for a torque converter comprising: (i) an axis of rotation; (ii) a tubular body portion including a circumferential wall comprising: a first inner circumferential surface having a first inner diameter; a second inner circumferential surface having a second inner diameter; a first outer circumferential surface having a first outer diameter; (iii) an extended portion including at least two castles, each including a tip portion, for attachment to a cover; and (iv) a distal end. A transmission assembly comprising: a transmission input shaft and a torque converter including the piloting sleeve as described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: David Avins, Patrick Lindemann
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Publication number: 20140345997Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a front cover for connecting to an engine crankshaft; a clutch plate; a clutch backing plate limiting axial movement of the clutch plate away from the front cover; and a connector rigidly connected to the front cover and including a rivet portion for fixing the clutch backing plate to the front cover. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Daniel Gerdeman, David Avins, Daniel Sayre, Matthew Smith
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Patent number: 8439764Abstract: A drive plate for a torque converter, including: an annular shaped inner portion including an inner periphery for the drive plate and a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a front cover of the torque converter; a plurality of outer portions along an outer periphery for the drive plate; and a respective drive tab for each outer portion. The respective drive tab includes: a top surface disposed outward from said each outer portion in an axial direction and substantially orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the drive plate; an opening in the top surface for receiving a fastener for connecting the drive plate to a flex plate; and first and second surfaces extending from the top surface and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation for the drive plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: David Avins
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Publication number: 20130056319Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller shell and a backing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber, a cover and a piston plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber, and a third hydraulic chamber. The third chamber is sealed from the first and second hydraulic chambers such that a hydraulic flow between the third chamber and the other chambers is at least restricted. In an example embodiment, the first chamber is for being pressurized to prevent cavitation in the turbine, stator, or impeller, the second or third chamber is for being pressurized to engage the lockup clutch, and the other of the second or third chamber is for being de-pressurized to reduce a back pressure on the lockup clutch piston plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Patrick LINDEMANN, David AVINS
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Patent number: 8328502Abstract: A method for manufacturing a torque converter includes providing an outer race of a one way clutch, contacting the outer race with a side plate, and casting a stator housing together with the outer race and the side plate. A torque converter is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Eric Krusinski, David Avins
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Publication number: 20110250975Abstract: A drive plate for a torque converter, including: an annular shaped inner portion including an inner periphery for the drive plate and a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a front cover of the torque converter; a plurality of outer portions along an outer periphery for the drive plate; and a respective drive tab for each outer portion. The respective drive tab includes: a top surface disposed outward from said each outer portion in an axial direction and substantially orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the drive plate; an opening in the top surface for receiving a fastener for connecting the drive plate to a flex plate; and first and second surfaces extending from the top surface and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation for the drive plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KGInventor: David Avins
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Patent number: 7938243Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a vibration damper assembly for a torque transmitting device. The assembly includes a thrust washer secured by first and second components of a vibration damper and a hub secured by the first and second components. The vibration damper, thrust washer, and hub are secured in a fixed position with respect to one another. In some aspects, the torque transmitting device comprises a longitudinal axis and the thrust washer comprises a hub segment having substantially a toroidal shape and at least one retainer segment extending outward, with respect to the axis, from the hub segment. At least a portion of the at least one retainer segment is disposed between the first and second components.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: David Avins, Jean-Francois Heller
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Patent number: 7850426Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover arranged to accept torque from a drive unit and an impeller. The cover and the impeller are joined by a crimped connection. In some aspects, the converter includes a sealing element disposed between the cover and the impeller and the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of an o-ring and a gasket. In some aspects, the cover is a cast piece. In some aspects, the cover is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: molding, compression molding, and pressed metal forming. In some aspects, the cover is a stamped metal piece. The present invention also broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover, an impeller, and an induction brazed connection joining the cover and impeller. In some aspects, the cover further comprises axially disposed fingers engaged with the impeller.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Wei Wang, Nigel Gurney, Michael Van Sickle, David Avins, Michael Buck, Christopher Hensel, Aaron J. Schley
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Patent number: 7658679Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping torque output from a torque converter turbine to input to a transmission. The damper includes: (a) an input device for connection to an engine; (b) a first spring set having drive springs; (c) a second spring set having secondary springs; (d) a third spring set having parallel springs; (e) a floating apparatus; and (f) an output device. Springs of the first spring set are compressible in a forward direction toward the output device as a result of torque applied to the input device and compressible in a reverse direction toward the input device as a result of torque applied by the output device. The first and second spring sets are in series between the input device and output device during a first forward compression of the first spring set, and the series is in parallel with the third spring set between the input apparatus and output device during a second compression of the first spring set.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: David Avins, Fraser Macdonald, Matthew Frary
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Publication number: 20090041579Abstract: A method for manufacturing a torque converter includes providing an outer race of a one way clutch, contacting the outer race with a side plate, and casting a stator housing together with the outer race and the side plate. A torque converter is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Eric Krusinski, David Avins
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Publication number: 20080251345Abstract: An integrated lip seal provides a containment system for isolating debris generated in welding an enclosure and preventing contamination of interiors of devices. The closure system is especially useful in preventing aggregate from welding contaminating the interiors of torque converters during the final stages of assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Derrick Zahner, David Avins
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Publication number: 20070224046Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover arranged to accept torque from a drive unit and an impeller. The cover and the impeller are joined by a crimped connection. In some aspects, the converter includes a sealing element disposed between the cover and the impeller and the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of an o-ring and a gasket. In some aspects, the cover is a cast piece. In some aspects, the cover is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: molding, compression molding, and pressed metal forming. In some aspects, the cover is a stamped metal piece. The present invention also broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover, an impeller, and an induction brazed connection joining the cover and impeller. In some aspects, the cover further comprises axially disposed fingers engaged with the impeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Wei Wang, Nigel Gurney, Michael Van Sickle, David Avins, Michael Buck, Christopher Hensel, Aaron J. Schley
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Publication number: 20070051577Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping torque output from a torque converter turbine to input to a transmission. The damper includes: (a) an input device for connection to an engine; (b) a first spring set having drive springs; (c) a second spring set having secondary springs; (d) a third spring set having parallel springs; (e) a floating apparatus; and (f) an output device. Springs of the first spring set are compressible in a forward direction toward the output device as a result of torque applied to the input device and compressible in a reverse direction toward the input device as a result of torque applied by the output device. The first and second spring sets are in series between the input device and output device during a first forward compression of the first spring set, and the series is in parallel with the third spring set between the input apparatus and output device during a second compression of the first spring set.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: David Avins, Fraser MacDonald, Matthew Frary
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Publication number: 20070029151Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a vibration damper assembly for a torque transmitting device. The assembly includes a thrust washer secured by first and second components of a vibration damper and a hub secured by the first and second components. The vibration damper, thrust washer, and hub are secured in a fixed position with respect to one another. In some aspects, the torque transmitting device comprises a longitudinal axis and the thrust washer comprises a hub segment having substantially a toroidal shape and at least one retainer segment extending outward, with respect to the axis, from the hub segment. At least a portion of the at least one retainer segment is disposed between the first and second components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: David Avins, Jean-Francois Heller
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Publication number: 20060016661Abstract: A device for producing an operative connection between an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle and a downstream transmission is described. The device is a substitute for a torque converter and can be designed as a wet clutch or a torsion damper. The installation space between the internal combustion engine and the transmission does not have to be redesigned. The only requirement for the installation of the device is to replace the transmission/engine control software.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Philip George, Gabor Izso, Jeffrey Hemphill, Patrick Lindemann, Todd Sturgin, Scott Schrader, Mark McGrath, David Avins, Steven Olsen