Patents by Inventor Donn W. NIFFENEGGER

Donn W. NIFFENEGGER 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: 10054222
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain hydraulic system (10) includes a clutch (12), a piston (62) disposed in a cylinder (60) to drive a shift selector (14), a pump (82) in fluid communication with a fluid supply (86) to pressurize fluid, and first and second fluid pressure lines (91, 92) from the pump to first and second sides of the piston. A third fluid pressure line (93) may extend to the clutch from the cylinder in a location between the first and second sides of the piston, such that the piston also may be a valve to control fluid flow to the clutch. The pump may be reversible and coupled to an electric motor (80), and a centrifugal regulator (84) may be coupled to the motor and in fluid communication with the first and second pump pressure lines to regulate fluid pressure therein. A related operational method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn W. Niffenegger, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20160146271
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain hydraulic system (10) includes a clutch (12), a piston (62) disposed in a cylinder (60) to drive a shift selector (14), a pump (82) in fluid communication with a fluid supply (86) to pressurize fluid, and first and second fluid pressure lines (91, 92) from the pump to first and second sides of the piston. A third fluid pressure line (93) may extend to the clutch from the cylinder in a location between the first and second sides of the piston, such that the piston also may be a valve to control fluid flow to the clutch. The pump may be reversible and coupled to an electric motor (80), and a centrifugal regulator (84) may be coupled to the motor and in fluid communication with the first and second pump pressure lines to regulate fluid pressure therein. A related operational method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Donn W. NIFFENEGGER, Larry A. PRITCHARD