Patents by Inventor Dennis ROFFE

Dennis ROFFE 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: 11193538
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a stiffening ring formed from a first material, and a cage formed from a second material that is different than the first material. The cage includes a plurality of arms extending axially away from a base rim. The plurality of arms define a plurality of rolling element pockets therebetween. Each of the plurality of arms defines a slot dimensioned to receive a portion of the stiffening ring, such that the stiffening ring is secured to the cage via engagement within the slots of the plurality of arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 11131344
    Abstract: A snap-fit ball bearing cage, including: a first ring-half supported for rotation around an axis of rotation and including a plurality of first curved surfaces; a second ring-half including a plurality of second curved surfaces and a plurality of first protrusions non-rotatably connecting the second ring-half to the first ring-half, each first protrusion forming a portion of a radially outer perimeter of the second ring-half, or each first protrusion forming a portion of a radially inner perimeter of the second ring-half; and a plurality of balls. The plurality of first curved surfaces and the plurality of second curved surfaces define a plurality of openings; the plurality of balls is disposed in the plurality of openings. Each first curved surface, included in the plurality of first curved surfaces, is a mirror image of a second curved surface included in the plurality of second curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 11125273
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed herein that includes a first cage half formed as a plastic cage and a second cage half formed as a metal shell. The first cage half includes a first base rim and a first plurality of arms extending axially from the first base rim. The second cage half includes a second base rim and a second plurality of arms extending axially from the second base rim. The second plurality of arms are each formed by a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are spaced apart from each other in a radial direction to define a receptacle dimensioned to receive a respective one of the first plurality of arms. Free ends of the first flange and the second flange are crimped over to retain the first cage half with the second cage half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Ronald Taylor, Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton
  • Publication number: 20210285494
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed herein that includes a first cage half formed as a plastic cage and a second cage half formed as a metal shell. The first cage half includes a first base rim and a first plurality of arms extending axially from the first base rim. The second cage half includes a second base rim and a second plurality of arms extending axially from the second base rim. The second plurality of arms are each formed by a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are spaced apart from each other in a radial direction to define a receptacle dimensioned to receive a respective one of the first plurality of arms. Free ends of the first flange and the second flange are crimped over to retain the first cage half with the second cage half.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Ronald Taylor, Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton
  • Publication number: 20210285495
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed that includes two sub-assemblies. Both cage sub-assemblies include a shell half formed from plastic, and defining a plurality of rolling element pockets and openings. Each sub-assembly also includes a frame half formed from metal, and including a rim and a plurality of crossbars. The shell halves are overmolded with the frame halves. The first cage sub-assembly and the second cage sub-assembly are connected to each other via insertion of the crossbars into the openings of the other sub-assembly, such that free ends of the crossbars engage the other rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe
  • Patent number: 11118626
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly including two different cage halves formed from different materials is disclosed. The first cage half includes a first rim and a first plurality of arms extending from the first rim. The second cage half includes a second rim and a second plurality of arms extending from the second rim. The first cage half and the second cage half are fastened to each other via engagement between a plurality of first retainers of the first cage half with the plurality of second retainers of the second cage half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
  • Publication number: 20210277947
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a stiffening ring formed from a first material, and a cage formed from a second material that is different than the first material. The cage includes a plurality of arms extending axially away from a base rim. The plurality of arms define a plurality of rolling element pockets therebetween. Each of the plurality of arms defines a slot dimensioned to receive a portion of the stiffening ring, such that the stiffening ring is secured to the cage via engagement within the slots of the plurality of arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 11105370
    Abstract: A bearing cage includes a first annular body having a plurality of circumferentially arranged fingers that extending axially therefrom. Each of the fingers have a tab with a first arcuate engagement surface. A second annular body has a plurality of circumferentially arranged finger-receiving holes extending axially and configured to receive the fingers. Each of the holes have an associated second arcuate engagement surface configured to engage with the first arcuate engagement surface when the fingers are received in the holes to secure the first and second bodies together to form the bearing cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe
  • Publication number: 20210262523
    Abstract: A bearing cage includes a first annular body having a plurality of circumferentially arranged fingers that extending axially therefrom. Each of the fingers have a tab with a first arcuate engagement surface. A second annular body has a plurality of circumferentially arranged finger-receiving holes extending axially and configured to receive the fingers. Each of the holes have an associated second arcuate engagement surface configured to engage with the first arcuate engagement surface when the fingers are received in the holes to secure the first and second bodies together to form the bearing cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack INCE, Guihui ZHONG, Michael HEATON, Dennis ROFFE
  • Patent number: 11098762
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed that includes two sub-assemblies. Both cage sub-assemblies include a shell half formed from plastic, and defining a plurality of rolling element pockets and openings. Each sub-assembly also includes a frame half formed from metal, and including a rim and a plurality of crossbars. The shell halves are overmolded with the frame halves. The first cage sub-assembly and the second cage sub-assembly are connected to each other via insertion of the crossbars into the openings of the other sub-assembly, such that free ends of the crossbars engage the other rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Guihui Zhong, Michael Heaton, Dennis Roffe
  • Publication number: 20210231173
    Abstract: A bearing cage assembly including two different cage halves formed from different materials is disclosed. The first cage half includes a first rim and a first plurality of arms extending from the first rim. The second cage half includes a second rim and a second plurality of arms extending from the second rim. The first cage half and the second cage half are fastened to each other via engagement between a plurality of first retainers of the first cage half with the plurality of second retainers of the second cage half.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 10697497
    Abstract: A hybrid bearing cage, suitable for high-speed applications, includes a plastic ring and a metal stiffener. Rollers, such as balls, are retained in roller retainers in the plastic ring. The roller retainers are joined by links. The metal stiffener has an annular portion and a plurality of radial extensions that extend over the links, reducing deflection and stress concentrations in the plastic ring due to centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton
  • Patent number: 10683891
    Abstract: A stacked thrust bearing arrangement including a central washer arranged between a first and second bearing assembly is disclosed. The central washer is axially positioned between a first inner bearing ring of the first bearing assembly, and a second inner bearing ring of the second bearing assembly. An inner sleeve defines a first retention flange adapted to engage a first cage of the first bearing assembly, and a second retention flange adapted to engage a second cage of the second bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, James Brown
  • Publication number: 20200182295
    Abstract: A stacked thrust bearing arrangement including a central washer arranged between a first and second bearing assembly is disclosed. The central washer is axially positioned between a first inner bearing ring of the first bearing assembly, and a second inner bearing ring of the second bearing assembly. An inner sleeve defines a first retention flange adapted to engage a first cage of the first bearing assembly, and a second retention flange adapted to engage a second cage of the second bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, James Brown
  • Patent number: 10527095
    Abstract: A cage and ball sub-assembly, including: an axis of rotation; a cylindrical plastic cage including a circumferentially disposed cage surface, a plurality of indentations extending from the circumferentially disposed cage surface into the cylindrical plastic cage in a first radial direction, and a plurality of pockets, each pocket circumferentially disposed between a respective pair of indentations included in the plurality of indentations; a metal insert including a plurality of support tabs, each support tab embedded in the cylindrical plastic cage, and including a circumferentially disposed portion and a flange extending from the circumferentially disposed portion in a second radial direction; and a plurality of balls disposed within the plurality of pockets. A circular arc, centered on the axis of rotation and orthogonal to the axis of rotation, passes through in sequence: a ball; the cylindrical plastic cage; the first flange of a support tab; and the cylindrical plastic cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, Michael Heaton
  • Patent number: 10428929
    Abstract: A planetary transmission assembly including a composite planetary staking pin is disclosed. The composite planetary staking pin fixes a planetary gear to a planetary carrier, and the planetary gear is supported on the composite planetary staking pin by rolling elements. The composite planetary staking pin includes an inner pin body having axial ends with circular grooves. The composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the planetary carrier via staking of the axial ends of the inner pin body. An outer sleeve of the composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the inner pin body. The outer sleeve defines a circumferentially extending helical channel that provides a lubricant flow path between an inlet defined by the planetary carrier and an outlet to the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Charles Schwab, Dennis Roffe, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190242472
    Abstract: A planetary transmission assembly including a composite planetary staking pin is disclosed. The composite planetary staking pin fixes a planetary gear to a planetary carrier, and the planetary gear is supported on the composite planetary staking pin by rolling elements. The composite planetary staking pin includes an inner pin body having axial ends with circular grooves. The composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the planetary carrier via staking of the axial ends of the inner pin body. An outer sleeve of the composite planetary staking pin is fixed to the inner pin body. The outer sleeve defines a circumferentially extending helical channel that provides a lubricant flow path between an inlet defined by the planetary carrier and an outlet to the rolling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Charles Schwab, Dennis Roffe, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 10228017
    Abstract: A carrier hub assembly includes a carrier hub and a bearing assembly. The carrier hub includes an end portion having a first face surface and a second face surface. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing positioned on the first face surface and a second bearing positioned on the second face surface. Each bearing includes a pair of washers forming a pair of races, a cage, and a plurality of rolling elements. The bearing assembly further includes a connecting sleeve connecting the first bearing to the second bearing. The connecting sleeve retains the first bearing and the second bearing on the carrier hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, James Kevin Brown, Charles Schwab
  • Publication number: 20190048926
    Abstract: A carrier hub assembly includes a carrier hub and a bearing assembly. The carrier hub includes an end portion having a first face surface and a second face surface. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing positioned on the first face surface and a second bearing positioned on the second face surface. Each bearing includes a pair of washers forming a pair of races, a cage, and a plurality of rolling elements. The bearing assembly further includes a connecting sleeve connecting the first bearing to the second bearing. The connecting sleeve retains the first bearing and the second bearing on the carrier hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, James Kevin Brown, Charles Schwab
  • Patent number: 9933010
    Abstract: An axial roller bearing includes a first bearing including a first cage and a first plurality of rollers and a second bearing including a second cage and a second plurality of rollers. The axial roller bearing further includes a first washer positioned on a side of the first bearing, a second washer positioned on a side of the second washer which is opposite from the side of the first bearing on which the first washer is positioned, and a connecting washer positioned between the first bearing and the second bearing. The first cage is attached at an inner side to the first washer and at an outer side to the connecting washer. The second cage is attached at an inner side to the connecting washer and at an outer side to the second washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: James Kevin Brown, Dennis Roffe