Patents by Inventor David D. Spurlock

David D. Spurlock 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: 10228049
    Abstract: A vehicle final drive unit (FDU) of a vehicle driveline. The vehicle FDU includes one or more wet clutches that provide disconnect capabilities in the vehicle FDU, and includes a final drive gearset. Different techniques are provided for discontinuing lubricant supply to the wet clutch(es) when the wet clutch(es) are disconnected in order to preclude unwanted rotations that can be the consequence of adhesion among clutch plates in the wet clutch(es). One technique actively brakes the final drive gearset in the vehicle FDU so that the final drive gearset no longer rotates and no longer throws lubricant to the wet clutch(es). Another technique involves closing an entrance that leads lubricant to the wet clutch(es).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Peura, David D. Spurlock, Stefan Nicklich, Robert Genway-Haden, Lei Yang
  • Publication number: 20170356535
    Abstract: A vehicle final drive unit (FDU) of a vehicle driveline. The vehicle FDU includes one or more wet clutches that provide disconnect capabilities in the vehicle FDU, and includes a final drive gearset. Different techniques are provided for discontinuing lubricant supply to the wet clutch(es) when the wet clutch(es) are disconnected in order to preclude unwanted rotations that can be the consequence of adhesion among clutch plates in the wet clutch(es). One technique actively brakes the final drive gearset in the vehicle FDU so that the final drive gearset no longer rotates and no longer throws lubricant to the wet clutch(es). Another technique involves closing an entrance that leads lubricant to the wet clutch(es).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Brent M. Peura, David D. Spurlock, Stefan Nicklich, Robert Genway-Haden, Lei Yang