Patents by Inventor Earl David Ray

Earl David Ray 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: 10174836
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Earl David Ray
  • Patent number: 9605753
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20170051827
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20170037961
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Earl David Ray
  • Patent number: 8396633
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20120245814
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Patent number: 8204657
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20100262326
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters; and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray