Patents by Inventor Earl A. GETCHEL

Earl A. GETCHEL 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: 11892065
    Abstract: A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect, such as a differential with different operating modes. The drivetrain component includes a case and a ring gear connected to the case. A carrier is supported for movement relative to and independent of the case. The carrier includes a differential gear set. The differential gear set has a pinion shaft tied to the carrier, pinion gears mounted on the pinion shaft, differential gears engaging the pinion gears, and differential gear shafts connected to the differential gears. The drivetrain component including a first locking structure, the first locking structure coupling the case to the carrier for torque transmission from the case to the carrier in a first direction only, wherein the first locking structure does not inhibit carrier rotation in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Conner S. Jurs, Earl A. Getchel
  • Publication number: 20230160461
    Abstract: A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect, such as a differential with different operating modes. The drivetrain component includes a case having an annular wall portion with a plurality of pockets in one side. The carrier is supported for movement relative to and independently of the case. The carrier includes a notch plate. The differential gear set has a pinion shaft tied to the carrier, pinion gears mounted on the pinion shaft, differential gears engaging the pinion gears, and differential gear shafts connected to the differential gears. The drivetrain component includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure. Both the first and second locking structures are on the same side of the notch plate. The first locking structure couples the case to the carrier for torque transmission from the case to the carrier in a first direction only, wherein the first locking structure does not inhibit carrier rotation in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Erickson, Earl A. Getchel, Conner S. Jurs
  • Publication number: 20230141381
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a multiple-position actuation mechanism and a detent assembly holding the actuation mechanism in a discrete position. The detent assembly may include a mechanical detent. In one example, the mechanical detent engages the actuation mechanism and holds the actuation member in a neutral or middle position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Voelker, Joshua D. Hand, Earl A. Getchel
  • Publication number: 20230059774
    Abstract: A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect, such as a differential with different operating modes. The drivetrain component includes a case and a ring gear connected to the case. A carrier is supported for movement relative to and independent of the case. The carrier includes a differential gear set. The differential gear set has a pinion shaft tied to the carrier, pinion gears mounted on the pinion shaft, differential gears engaging the pinion gears, and differential gear shafts connected to the differential gears. The drivetrain component including a first locking structure, the first locking structure coupling the case to the carrier for torque transmission from the case to the carrier in a first direction only, wherein the first locking structure does not inhibit carrier rotation in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Conner S. Jurs, Earl A. Getchel
  • Patent number: 11187282
    Abstract: A high-speed overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member which pivotally moves with substantially reduced friction are provided. At least one pivot projects from a main body portion of the locking member and enables pivotal motion of the locking member. The at least one pivot is sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion so that the at least one pivot makes contact with at least one bearing located between a pocket surface of a pocket and an outer surface of the at least one pivot to reduce friction during pivotal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Brice A. Pawley, Riley C. Moore, Ryan W. Essenmacher, Earl A. Getchel, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10711853
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member having at least one side surface with a draft to improve locking member dynamics are provided. Locking member dynamics is improved with regards to locking member laydown speed. Laydown speed variation cause by a variable frictional coefficient between a pocket surface of a pocket in which the locking member is received and nominally retained and the at least one side surface of the locking member is minimized as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Earl A. Getchel, Terry O. Hendrick
  • Publication number: 20200124115
    Abstract: A high-speed overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member which pivotally moves with substantially reduced friction are provided. At least one pivot projects from a main body portion of the locking member and enables pivotal motion of the locking member. The at least one pivot is sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion so that the at least one pivot makes contact with at least one bearing located between a pocket surface of a pocket and an outer surface of the at least one pivot to reduce friction during pivotal motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Brice A. Pawley, Riley C. Moore, Ryan W. Essenmacher, Earl A. Getchel, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10590998
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first of second coupling members. A one-way locking member such as a pawl is pivotally connected to the control member for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator subassembly including an output member connected to the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Earl A. Getchel
  • Publication number: 20180328419
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member having at least one side surface with a draft to improve locking member dynamics are provided. Locking member dynamics is improved with regards to locking member laydown speed. Laydown speed variation cause by a variable frictional coefficient between a pocket surface of a pocket in which the locking member is received and nominally retained and the at least one side surface of the locking member is minimized as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua D. HAND, Earl A. GETCHEL, Terry O. HENDRICK