Patents by Inventor Frank C. Weith

Frank C. Weith 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).

  • Drive axle with variable oil flow mechanism
    Patent number: 7445574
    Abstract: An axle assembly including a differential gear set having a ring gear. The axle assembly includes a carrier assembly housing that contains the differential gear set and an arcuate fence disposed adjacent to the ring gear that connects to the carrier assembly housing. A moveable plate slidingly connects to the arcuate fence. The moveable plate has an open position, a closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween. The closed position is closer to the ring gear than the open position. The arcuate fence and/or the moveable plate may reduce churning of the lubrication to increase the cooling efficacy of the lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank C. Weith
  • Drive axle with variable oil flow mechanism
    Patent number: 7189178
    Abstract: An axle assembly including a differential gear set having a ring gear. The axle assembly includes a carrier assembly housing that contains the differential gear set and an arcuate fence disposed adjacent to the ring gear that connects to the carrier assembly housing. A moveable plate slidingly connects to the arcuate fence. The moveable plate has an open position, a closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween. The closed position is closer to the ring gear than the open position. The arcuate fence and/or the moveable plate may reduce churning of the lubrication to increase the cooling efficacy of the lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank C. Weith