Patents by Inventor Donald F. Schmanski
Donald F. Schmanski 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: 10870423Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a pair of front axle shafts, and a transfer case having a clutch assembly configured to selectively move between a closed position to enable the engine to drive the front axle shafts, and an open position to disable the engine from driving the front axle shafts. A control system is configured to momentarily open the clutch assembly when the vehicle is coming to a stop or is stopped in order to relieve residual torque build-up in the front axle shafts to thereby reduce idle vibration transmission between the engine and a body of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Jeffrey M Orzechowski, Kenneth Pachucki, Urmit Patel, Robert R Roco, Gregory A Sbroglia, Donald F Schmanski, Swapneel H Gharpure
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Patent number: 9895970Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G Reed, Jr., Joseph E Kubina, Michael P Kirk, Donald F Schmanski, Kenneth M Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 9731598Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G. Reed, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20150202959Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Richard G. Richard, JR., Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 8712651Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Joseph E. Kubina, Aaron E. Thompson, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael W. Gapski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Richard S. Silbert
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Publication number: 20130338887Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Joseph E. Kubina, Aaron E. Thompson, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael W. Gapski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Richard S. Silbert
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Patent number: 8172712Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing an improved compact power transfer unit for use in motor vehicles having a front wheel drive transverse based engine and transaxle, and, more particularly, to a power transfer unit for use with a transaxle arrangement capable of providing all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The present invention discloses a planetary gear utilizing a fixed ring gear, the planetary gear capable of selectively engaging a low range output from the power transfer unit for propelling the vehicle when driven in off-road conditions requiring higher torque and slower speeds. The vehicle driver can selectively engage a normal, high range where torque flows through the planetary gear directly to the drive shaft with no gear reductions, or the driver may selectively engage the low range where the torque flowing into the planetary gear is redirected and reduced thereby providing higher torque with reduced speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Peter Jarzyna, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael L. Nemeth
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Publication number: 20120083380Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: RICHARD G. REED, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 8095287Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savage, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
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Publication number: 20090057047Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savege, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
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Publication number: 20080300101Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing an improved compact power transfer unit for use in motor vehicles having a front wheel drive transverse based engine and transaxle, and, more particularly, to a power transfer unit for use with a transaxle arrangement capable of providing all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The present invention discloses a planetary gear utilizing a fixed ring gear, the planetary gear capable of selectively engaging a low range output from the power transfer unit for propelling the vehicle when driven in off-road conditions requiring higher torque and slower speeds. The vehicle driver can selectively engage a normal, high range where torque flows through the planetary gear directly to the drive shaft with no gear reductions, or the driver may selectively engage the low range where the torque flowing into the planetary gear is redirected and reduced thereby providing higher torque with reduced speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Peter Jarzyna, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael L. Nemeth