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: 11273695Abstract: A hybrid axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, a differential assembly received in the housing assembly, and an inside-out motor. The differential assembly is rotatable about a differential axis and has a differential input and a pair of differential outputs. The inside-out motor has a stator, which is fixedly coupled to the housing, and a rotor. The stator is disposed circumferentially about the differential input. The rotor is disposed circumferentially about the stator such that the stator is disposed radially between the differential input and the rotor. The rotor is drivingly coupled to the differential input.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: James P. Downs
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Patent number: 11231096Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 11218063Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transmission system having a transmission subsystem, a transmission housing for housing the transmission subsystem, and a rotor operably associated with the transmission subsystem. The rotor has a weight and dimension to act as a flywheel. At least one stator pole segment is housed within the transmission housing and has at least one stator winding thereon positioned in proximity to a surface of the rotor. An inverter communicates with the stator winding and electrically energizes the winding to cause rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David Crecelius, James P. Downs
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Publication number: 20210184517Abstract: 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 21, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
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Patent number: 10975945Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings that are disposed along the first axis on opposite sides of the pinion gear teeth. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10935122Abstract: A bearing preload apparatus may include a gearbox assembly, a coupling assembly, and a sensor assembly. The gearbox assembly may include a gearbox housing, a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and second shafts may extend out of the housing and may be rotatable simultaneously with each other at different speeds. The coupling assembly may include a first driver coupling connected to the first shaft and a second driver coupling connected to the second shaft. The sensor assembly may be mounted to a stationary structure and the gearbox housing. The sensor assembly may measure a reaction torque of the gearbox assembly relative to the stationary structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Bryan N. Waineo, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10927937Abstract: A drive module having a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear driven by the input pinion, a ring gear bearing supporting the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing, a pair of output shafts and a clutch that selectively transmits rotary power between the ring gear and the output shafts. The clutch includes a clutch input, which is rotatably coupled to the ring gear, a clutch pack separator that is rotatably coupled to the clutch input, a pair of clutch outputs, which are each coupled to a respective one of the output shafts, a pair of clutch packs, which transmit rotary power between the clutch input and a respective one of the clutch outputs, and a pair of apply pistons. The apply pistons are housed in the clutch pack separator.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10879749Abstract: 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: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
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Patent number: 10739233Abstract: A system and method for testing a combustor or other component of a large industrial gas turbine engine. A test facility for testing a gas turbine engine component includes a storage reservoir, a heat exchanger (13) with a first fluid flow passage connected to the storage reservoir and a second fluid flow passage, a combustor (18) connected to the second fluid flow passage of the heat exchanger (13), a hot gas stream from the combustor flowing within the second fluid flow passage, and a test component of a gas turbine engine connected to the second fluid flow passage of the heat exchanger (13). The compressed air from the storage reservoir (11) passes through the heat exchanger (13) first fluid flow passage and is preheated from the hot gas stream passing through the second fluid flow passage, and the preheated compressed air from the heat exchanger (13) passes into the test component for testing.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Brostmeyer, Russell B. Jones, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10732155Abstract: A drive module with a hydraulic circuit that includes a reversible motor, a reversible pump driven by the reversible motor, a hydraulic reservoir, a first conduit coupling a first inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, a second conduit coupling a second inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, first and second hydraulic cylinders, and first and second one-way valves. The first hydraulic cylinder has a third inlet/outlet that is coupled to the first conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The second hydraulic cylinder has a fourth inlet/outlet that is coupled to the second conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The first one-way valve is disposed in the first hydraulic conduit between the first hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir. The second one-way valve is disposed in the second hydraulic conduit between the second hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10710454Abstract: A disconnecting axle assembly with a planetary differential assembly and a coupling that selectively couples a planet carrier of the planetary differential assembly to an axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10704663Abstract: A drive module having a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear driven by the input pinion, a ring gear bearing supporting the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing, a pair of output shafts and a clutch that selectively transmits rotary power between the ring gear and the output shafts. The clutch includes a clutch input, which is rotatably coupled to the ring gear, a clutch plate separator that is rotatably coupled to the clutch input, a pair of clutch outputs, which are each coupled to a respective one of the output shafts, a pair of clutch packs, which transmit rotary power between the clutch input and a respective one of the clutch outputs, and a pair of apply pistons. The apply pistons are housed in the clutch plate separator.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10670129Abstract: A clutched component having a locking mechanism that employs a plurality of radially movable locking elements to selectively rotationally couple first and second coupling parts to one another. A sleeve is employed to control radial movement of the locking elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10571008Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a limited slip differential with a differential gearset and a pair of clutch packs received in a differential case. The differential gearset employs side gears that are meshed with first differential pinions, which are mounted about a first pin axis, and second differential pinions, which are mounted about a second pin axis that is not perpendicular to the first pin axis. The teeth of the first differential pinions are formed with drive side having a first pressure angle. The teeth of the second differential pinions are formed with a coast side having a second pressure angle that is different from the first pressure angle. The teeth of the side gears are asymmetric and have a first side, which is formed with the first pressure angle, and a second side that is formed with the second pressure angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, Douglas J. Chemelli, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10527148Abstract: A power transmitting component can include a planetary differential including a differential case. The planet carrier can be disposed within the differential case and rotatable about the output axis relative thereto. The first output member can be coupled to the planet carrier for common rotation about the output axis. The second output member can be coupled to the sun gear for common rotation about the output axis. A clutch basket can be fixedly coupled to the planet carrier and disposed within the differential case. A set of first friction plates can be coupled to the clutch basket for common rotation about the output axis therewith and for axial translation relative to the clutch basket. A set of second friction plates can be coupled to the sun gear for common rotation about the output axis and for axial translation relative to the sun gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10516323Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transmission system having a transmission subsystem, a transmission housing for housing the transmission subsystem, and a rotor operably associated with the transmission subsystem. The rotor has a weight and dimension to act as a flywheel. At least one stator pole segment is housed within the transmission housing and has at least one stator winding thereon positioned in proximity to a surface of the rotor. An inverter communicates with the stator winding and electrically energizes the winding to cause rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: David Crecelius, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10487890Abstract: An actuator assembly can include a housing, first and second pistons, and spring. The housing can include first and second cylinders disposed about an axis. The first piston and cylinder can define a first chamber in fluid communication with an inlet. The second piston and cylinder can define a second chamber in fluid communication with an outlet. Opposite ends of the spring can be coupled for axial translation with the first and second piston, respectively. The spring can translate the first piston to provide high volume, low pressure fluid to the outlet when a pressure in the first chamber is less than a predetermined pressure. When the pressure in the first chamber is equal to, or greater than, the predetermined pressure and the second piston is translated in the first axial direction, the spring can compress and the second piston can provide low volume, high pressure fluid to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10487889Abstract: A disconnecting axle includes a housing assembly including a first end cap coupled to a first side of a housing member to define a clutch cavity, and a second end cap coupled to a second side of the housing member to define a differential cavity. The housing member can define a central bore, a sump, and a plurality of passages. The central bore extends axially between the clutch and differential cavities. The sump can be spaced apart from the clutch and differential cavities, and the central bore. A clutch passage couples the clutch cavity to the sump. A differential passage couples the differential cavity to the sump. A first output member of the differential extends axially within the central bore. A piston is configured to compress friction plates to selectively transmit torque. A pump can pump fluid from the sump to the cylinder to move the piston.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 10486467Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, an axle shaft, a plurality of axle shaft bearings and a seal. The axle housing has a tubular member and an end flange that is coupled to the tubular member. The axle shaft bearings and the seal are received in the end flange and are engaged to the axle shaft. The axle shaft bearings support the axle shaft for rotation relative to the axle housing. The seal is sealingly engaged to the end flange and the axle shaft. A method for assembling an axle assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10487933Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, and a differential assembly having a differential case. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing assembly as well as handles thrust loads between the ring gear and the housing assembly in opposite axial directions. The ring gear bearing includes an outer bearing race having a first race member, which may be unitarily and integrally formed with the ring gear, and a second race member that is received in a groove formed on the ring gear. The differential case is coupled to the ring gear and secures the second race member to the ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs