Patents by Inventor George A. Willford
George A. Willford 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: 11927263Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Michael D. Cook, Mark A. Davis, Jordan M. Houser, Travis J. Miller, George A. Willford
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Patent number: 11760195Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle including a differential assembly drivingly connected to a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft, wherein the first and second axle half shafts each have a wheel coupled to the ends thereof; an electric motor/generator drivingly connected to a first rotatable shaft; a first gear set having a first gear connected to the first rotatable shaft and a second gear connected to a second rotatable shaft; a second gear set having a first gear connected to the second rotatable shaft and a second gear selectively connected to a third rotatable shaft; a third gear set having a first gear connected to the third rotatable shaft and a second gear drivingly connected to the differential assembly; and a selector device configured to selectively connect the third rotatable shaft to the second gear of the second gear set or the first rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Joshua A. Perry, William F. Waltz, George A. Willford, James F. Ziech
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Publication number: 20230234439Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Andrew T. BRAMMER, Mark LEBER, Benjamin J. PASSINO, George A. WILLFORD
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Publication number: 20230228327Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Travis J. MILLER, Michael D. COOK, Jordan M. HOUSER, George A. WILLFORD, Mark A. DAVIS
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Patent number: 11692626Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Travis J. Miller, Michael D. Cook, Jordan M. Houser, George A. Willford, Mark A. Davis
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Patent number: 11642960Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Andrew T. Brammer, Mark Leber, Benjamin J. Passino, George A. Willford
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Patent number: 11560047Abstract: A vehicle including a frame having an axle and a support apparatus coupled thereto. The support apparatus is configured to support a load coupled to the axle and permit the load to translate along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert L. Vailliencourt, William F. Waltz, Steven J. Wesolowski, George A. Willford
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Publication number: 20230016244Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Michael D. COOK, Mark A. DAVIS, Jordan M. HOUSER, Travis J. MILLER, George A. WILLFORD
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Patent number: 11530747Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Travis J. Miller, Michael D. Cook, Jordan M. Houser, George A. Willford, Mark A. Davis
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Publication number: 20220297537Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle including a differential assembly drivingly connected to a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft, wherein the first and second axle half shafts each have a wheel coupled to the ends thereof; an electric motor/generator drivingly connected to a first rotatable shaft; a first gear set having a first gear connected to the first rotatable shaft and a second gear connected to a second rotatable shaft; a second gear set having a first gear connected to the second rotatable shaft and a second gear selectively connected to a third rotatable shaft; a third gear set having a first gear connected to the third rotatable shaft and a second gear drivingly connected to the differential assembly; and a selector device configured to selectively connect the third rotatable shaft to the second gear of the second gear set or the first rotatable shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Joshua A. PERRY, William F. WALTZ, George A. WILLFORD, James F. ZIECH
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Patent number: 11433765Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle including a differential assembly drivingly connected to a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft, wherein the first and second axle half shafts each have a wheel coupled to the ends thereof; an electric motor/generator drivingly connected to a first rotatable shaft; a first gear set having a first gear connected to the first rotatable shaft and a second gear connected to a second rotatable shaft; a second gear set having a first gear connected to the second rotatable shaft and a second gear selectively connected to a third rotatable shaft; a third gear set having a first gear connected to the third rotatable shaft and a second gear drivingly connected to the differential assembly; and a selector device configured to selectively connect the third rotatable shaft to the second gear of the second gear set or the first rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Joshua A. Perry, William F. Waltz, George A. Willford, James F. Ziech
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Patent number: 11338660Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, Steven G. Slesinski, Harry W. Trost, George A. Willford
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Patent number: 11247548Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle. An axle assembly of the vehicle includes a banjo portion with a first opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of an inboard side of the banjo portion. At least a portion of a differential assembly disposed within at the banjo portion of the axle assembly and is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a gear assembly. The gear assembly is also drivingly connected to a motor output shaft. At least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within a hollow portion of a gear assembly housing. An outboard portion of the gear assembly housing has a mounting flange that is integrally connected to the inboard side of the banjo portion. A first and second protruding portion extends from the axle assembly mounting flange and provides rotational support for the differential assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Thibault G. Devreese, Wouter Wa Galoppin, Nicholas W. Laforce, Lewis H. Nickell, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Steven J. Wesolowski, George A. Willford, Ned W. Wright
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Publication number: 20220034400Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Travis J. MILLER, Michael D. COOK, Jordan M. HOUSER, George A. WILLFORD, Mark A. DAVIS
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Publication number: 20220034399Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a shift assembly for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a shift assembly for a transmission includes a first barrel cam including a first cam track; a second barrel cam arranged coaxially with the first barrel cam and including a second cam track; a first motor configured to drive the first barrel cam independent of the second barrel cam; and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel cam independent of the first barrel cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Travis J. MILLER, Michael D. COOK, Jordan M. HOUSER, George A. WILLFORD, Mark A. DAVIS
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Publication number: 20210362577Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Steven G. SLESINSKI, Harry W. TROST, George A. WILLFORD
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Publication number: 20210347258Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Andrew T. BRAMMER, Mark LEBER, Benjamin J. PASSINO, George A. WILLFORD
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Patent number: 11148529Abstract: Methods and systems for improving traction and control of a tandem axle are described. In one example, a controller automatically locks an inter-axle differential so that traction of a vehicle may be improved. The approach may also include automatically locking one or more axle differentials in conjunction with locking of the inter-axle differential.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: George A. Willford, Patrick F. Rose
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Publication number: 20210162848Abstract: A vehicle including a frame having an axle and a support apparatus coupled thereto. The support apparatus is configured to support a load coupled to the axle and permit the load to translate along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Robert L. VAILLIENCOURT, William F. WALTZ, Steven J. WESOLOWSKI, George A. WILLFORD
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Publication number: 20200108706Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle. An axle assembly of the vehicle includes a banjo portion with a first opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of an inboard side of the banjo portion. At least a portion of a differential assembly disposed within at the banjo portion of the axle assembly and is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a gear assembly. The gear assembly is also drivingly connected to a motor output shaft. At least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within a hollow portion of a gear assembly housing. An outboard portion of the gear assembly housing has a mounting flange that is integrally connected to the inboard side of the banjo portion. A first and second protruding portion extends from the axle assembly mounting flange and provides rotational support for the differential assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: THIBAULT G. DEVREESE, WOUTER WA GALOPPIN, NICHOLAS W. LAFORCE, LEWIS H. NICKELL, ROBERT L. VAILLIENCOURT, STEVEN J. WESOLOWSKI, GEORGE A. WILLFORD, NED W. WRIGHT