Patents by Inventor David Wenthen

David Wenthen 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: 12179581
    Abstract: A power transmission gearbox assembly includes a motor with a rotor shaft and an input gear fixed to the rotor shaft. The input gear is part of a first gearset including a first gear disposed on a first axial side of a differential assembly having two output shafts. A second gear set having a second gear and third gear is disposed on the opposite axial side of the differential assembly. A first layshaft, radially offset from the output shafts, includes the first and second gears. A second layshaft offset from the first layshaft, includes the third gear and a fourth gear that is in meshed engagement with a differential gear. The first layshaft spans across the width of the differential gear, and does not contact the differential gear. The first and second gearsets being on opposite sides of the differential assembly reduces the axial extend of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas Bradley, David Wenthen, Douglas Botto
  • Publication number: 20240239189
    Abstract: A power transmission gearbox assembly includes a motor with a rotor shaft and an input gear fixed to the rotor shaft. The input gear is part of a first gearset including a first gear disposed on a first axial side of a differential assembly having two output shafts. A second gear set having a second gear and third gear is disposed on the opposite axial side of the differential assembly. A first layshaft, radially offset from the output shafts, includes the first and second gears. A second layshaft offset from the first layshaft, includes the third gear and a fourth gear that is in meshed engagement with a differential gear. The first layshaft spans across the width of the differential gear, and does not contact the differential gear. The first and second gearsets being on opposite sides of the differential assembly reduces the axial extend of the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas Bradley, David Wenthen, Douglas Botto
  • Patent number: 11780329
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a vehicle including an input shaft, at least one output shaft, and at least one clutch configured to perform at least one of changing a gear ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft, and coupling the input shaft with a second output shaft of the at least one output shaft. An actuator assembly is configured to activate the at least one clutch. The actuator assembly has a motor with an output drive, a worm gear coupled with the output shaft, and a spur gear meshed with the worm gear and coupled with the at least one clutch for activating the at least one clutch. The worm gear and the spur gear have opposite gear hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: David Wenthen
  • Publication number: 20220250470
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a vehicle including an input shaft, at least one output shaft, and at least one clutch configured to perform at least one of changing a gear ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft, and coupling the input shaft with a second output shaft of the at least one output shaft. An actuator assembly is configured to activate the at least one clutch. The actuator assembly has a motor with an output drive, a worm gear coupled with the output shaft, and a spur gear meshed with the worm gear and coupled with the at least one clutch for activating the at least one clutch. The worm gear and the spur gear have opposite gear hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventor: David WENTHEN
  • Patent number: 7631719
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a first output shaft of a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and to a second output shaft from an electric motor/generator. The transfer case includes a reduction gearset driven by the electric motor/generator, a power take-off unit driven by the reduction gearset, and a disconnect clutch operable for selectively coupling the reduction gearset to the second output shaft. This hybrid drive arrangement permits installation of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case for use in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David Wenthen
  • Publication number: 20070267233
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a first output shaft of a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and to a second output shaft from an electric motor/generator. The transfer case includes a reduction gearset driven by the electric motor/generator, a power take-off unit driven by the reduction gearset, and a disconnect clutch operable for selectively coupling the reduction gearset to the second output shaft. This hybrid drive arrangement permits installation of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case for use in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN USA, INC.
    Inventor: David Wenthen
  • Patent number: 6067870
    Abstract: A compact six-speed fully-synchronized manual transaxle includes an input shaft having four fixed input gears, a first intermediate shaft rotatably supporting four speed gears meshing with four of the input gears, a second intermediate shaft rotatably supporting two speed gears meshed with two of the input gears and a reverse gear meshed with a speed gear on the first intermediate shaft, and a differential. A transfer gear on each intermediate shaft is meshed with a final drive gear fixed to the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Fleishman, K. K. Natarajan, Robert S. Hatton, Alan P. Zajac, David Wenthen, Lee B. Arnold