Patents by Inventor James P. Downs
James P. Downs 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: 11946531Abstract: An electric drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly, and a transmission that transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The transmission has first and second reductions. The first reduction has a drive gear, which is rotatable about a first axis, and a pair of first reduction gears that are each meshingly engaged to the drive gear rotatable about a respective second axis. The second axes are spaced apart from one another and are parallel to the first axis. The second reduction has a driven gear and a pair of second reduction gears. The driven gear is rotatable about a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. Each of the second reduction gears is being meshingly engaged to the driven gear and non-rotatably coupled to an associated one of the first reduction gears.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Publication number: 20240087997Abstract: An electric drive unit having a stator body, a plurality of sets of field windings mounted to the stator body, a rotor received in the stator body and rotatable relative to the stator body, a plurality of phase terminals, and a current sensor assembly. Each of the phase terminals is coupled to an associated one of the sets of field windings. The current sensor assembly has a plurality of current sensor laminations, and a sensor. The current sensor laminations are generally C-shaped and are abutted against one another to form a sensor lamination stack. The sensor lamination stack defines a gap. The current sensor laminations are disposed about a corresponding one of the phase terminals. The sensor is disposed in the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
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Publication number: 20240059132Abstract: An electric drive unit having an electric motor, a differential assembly, a transmission, which transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly, a pair of axle shafts, which are drivingly coupled to output members of the differential assembly, and a housing assembly in which the electric motor, the differential assembly, the transmission, and the axle shafts are housed. The electric motor includes a stator, a rotor and a motor housing that houses the stator and the rotor. The motor housing is fixedly coupled the housing assembly. Bending loads transmitted through the motor housing are not transmitted through the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
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Publication number: 20240063672Abstract: A motor drive system has a rotor assembly that is rotatable about an axis and includes a hollow shaft, a tube, and one or more fin sets. The tube is received in the shaft and defines a first passage. The fin sets are disposed about the tube and are engaged to the shaft. Each fin set defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fins that are coupled to the shaft and the tube. The first passage is configured to discharge fluid communicated therethrough into a return chamber that is formed in the rotor assembly. A plurality of second passages are formed between the shaft and fins and are in fluid communication with the return chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, James P. DOWNS, John C. MORGANTE, Peter D. FISCHER, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG, Paul J. VALENTE
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Patent number: 11888356Abstract: A motor drive system with a rotor assembly having an insert, which is received into a blind hollow rotor space in a rotor shaft. The insert is unitarily and integrally formed and defines a central hole, which is disposed along a rotational axis of the rotor assembly, and a plurality of slots that extend through an outer circumferential surface of the insert. The insert is disposed in the rotor shaft such that the outer circumferential surface of the insert is engaged to the inside circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. The central hole forms a first fluid passage through the insert, while the slots form a plurality of second fluid passages through the insert.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, James P. Downs, John Morgante, Peter D. Fischer, David Crecelius, Zugang Huang, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 11862543Abstract: An electric drive unit having a stator, a rotor received in the stator and rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, and an inverter assembly that includes a plurality of power semiconductors, a plurality of heat sinks and an end plate. The power semiconductors are thermally coupled to the heat sinks. Each of the heat sinks has a plurality of fins that extend into a flow channel that is coaxial with the plurality of sets of field windings. The end plate is coupled to the power semiconductors and has a projection, which is sealingly coupled to the stator and which and partly defines an annular cavity, and a coolant port that is coupled in fluid communication with the annular cavity. The flow channel is in fluid communication with and disposed in a flow path between the annular cavity and the cooling channels in the stator body.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Paul J. Valente, John C. Morgante
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Patent number: 11863046Abstract: An electric drive unit having a multi-phase electric motor and an inverter with a plurality of power semiconductors, an inverter mount, and a plurality of busbars. The power semiconductors are mounted to the base of the inverter mount in an annular arrangement and with the terminals of the power semiconductors extending through the base. Each of the busbars has a first busbar portion, which includes a first body and a set of first fingers that are fixedly coupled to the first body, and a second busbar portion that includes a second body and a set of second fingers that are fixedly coupled to the second body. Associated fingers in the first and second sets of fingers of each bus bar are mechanically and electrically coupled to opposite sides of a corresponding one of the terminals.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente, Jeffrey J. Ronning, John C. Morgante, David Crecelius, Zugang Huang
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Publication number: 20230412046Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Matthew A. UMERLEY, Frederick E. ZINK, Jonathan P. PRICHARD, James P. DOWNS, Gregory A. MARSH, Matthew T. BLAKEMAN, Steven GRIDER, Paul J. VALENTE
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Patent number: 11845328Abstract: An electric drive unit having an electric motor, a differential assembly, a transmission, which transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly, a pair of axle shafts, which are drivingly coupled to output members of the differential assembly, and a housing assembly in which the electric motor, the differential assembly, the transmission, and the axle shafts are housed. The electric motor includes a stator, a rotor and a motor housing that houses the stator and the rotor. The motor housing is fixedly coupled the housing assembly. Bending loads transmitted through the motor housing are not transmitted through the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2023Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 11750063Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Umerley, Frederick E. Zink, Jonathan P. Prichard, James P. Downs, Gregory A. Marsh, Matthew T. Blakeman, Steven Grider, Paul J. Valente
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Publication number: 20230264554Abstract: An electric drive unit having an electric motor, a differential assembly, a transmission, which transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly, a pair of axle shafts, which are drivingly coupled to output members of the differential assembly, and a housing assembly in which the electric motor, the differential assembly, the transmission, and the axle shafts are housed. The electric motor includes a stator, a rotor and a motor housing that houses the stator and the rotor. The motor housing is fixedly coupled the housing assembly. Bending loads transmitted through the motor housing are not transmitted through the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
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Publication number: 20230208228Abstract: A motor drive system with a rotor assembly having an insert, which is received into a blind hollow rotor space in a rotor shaft. The insert is unitarily and integrally formed and defines a central hole, which is disposed along a rotational axis of the rotor assembly, and a plurality of slots that extend through an outer circumferential surface of the insert. The insert is disposed in the rotor shaft such that the outer circumferential surface of the insert is engaged to the inside circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. The central hole forms a first fluid passage through the insert, while the slots form a plurality of second fluid passages through the insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, James P. DOWNS, John MORGANTE, Peter D. FISCHER, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG, Paul J. VALENTE
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Publication number: 20230134328Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: John MORGANTE, James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Peter FISCHER, Jeffrey J. RONNING
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Publication number: 20230128748Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Matthew A. UMERLEY, Frederick E. ZINK, Jonathan P. PRICHARD, James P. DOWNS, Gregory A. MARSH, Matthew T. BLAKEMAN, Steven GRIDER, Paul J. VALENTE
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Patent number: 11626765Abstract: A motor drive assembly having an electric motor with a rotor that includes a rotor shaft and a heat exchanger received in the rotor shaft. The heat exchanger has an insert body with an outer insert surface that is engaged to an inside surface of the rotor shaft. The insert body includes a plurality of segments. Each of the segments defines a first through-hole, and a plurality of second through-holes. Each of the segments is fixedly coupled to one another. A first flow passage extends through the first through-holes in the plurality of segments. Each of the second through-holes defines a portion of a corresponding second flow passage. The second flow passages are disposed concentrically about the first flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, James P. Downs, John Morgante, Peter D. Fischer, David Crecelius, Zugang Huang, Paul J. Valente
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Publication number: 20230041227Abstract: An electrical assembly that with an inverter that is mounted to the field windings of a stator. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductor packages (PSP), each of which including a semiconductor die, a plurality of electric terminals, which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor die, and a heat sink with a base, which is fixedly and electrically coupled to one of the electric terminals, and a plurality of fins that extend axially from the base in a direction away from the semiconductor die. The PSP's are arranged in a circumferentially spaced apart manner. The fins are arranged in rows and are progressively longer in length from a radially-inner most fin to a radially-outer most fin. Slots are formed in the base on a radially-inner side of the base. Each slot extends toward a radially-outer side of the base and intersects a corresponding one of the rows of fins.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE, Chi-Wai David LAU
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Patent number: 11569698Abstract: An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
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Publication number: 20220393522Abstract: An electric drive unit having an electric motor, which has a rotor and a stator that includes a stator core and field windings, a housing assembly into which the electric motor is received, and a seal member. The stator core defines a plurality of stator cooling passages that extend longitudinally through the stator core. Each of the field windings has a protruding portion that extends from an axial end of the stator core. The protruding portions are encapsulated in a plastic material. The housing assembly has an annular wall member that defines a seal groove. The seal member is received in the seal groove and forms a seal between the annular wall member and the plastic encapsulation on the protruding portion of the field windings. A coolant is circulated through the stator cooling channels, and the seal member inhibits ingress of the coolant between the stator and the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
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Publication number: 20220385146Abstract: An electric drive unit having a multi-phase electric motor and an inverter with a plurality of power semiconductors, an inverter mount, and a plurality of busbars. The power semiconductors are mounted to the base of the inverter mount in an annular arrangement and with the terminals of the power semiconductors extending through the base. Each of the busbars has a first busbar portion, which includes a first body and a set of first fingers that are fixedly coupled to the first body, and a second busbar portion that includes a second body and a set of second fingers that are fixedly coupled to the second body. Associated fingers in the first and second sets of fingers of each bus bar are mechanically and electrically coupled to opposite sides of a corresponding one of the terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE, Jeffrey J. RONNING, John C. MORGANTE, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG
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Patent number: 11473661Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, an annular gear, a bearing, a differential, and a pair of output shafts. The housing has an annular hub. The annular gear is received in the housing. The bearing, which is a four-point angular contact bearing, supports the gear for rotation about an axis relative to the housing and has an inner bearing race, which is mounted on the annular hub, and an outer bearing race that is fixedly coupled to the annular gear. The differential is received in the housing and includes an input member, which is coupled to the annular gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members that are rotatable relative to the input member about the output axis. Each of the output shafts is coupled to an associated one of the output members for rotation therewith. One of the output shafts extends through the annular hub.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente