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).

  • Patent number: 10879749
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning
  • Publication number: 20200355255
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Publication number: 20200256450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Bryan N. WAINEO, James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10739233
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brostmeyer, Russell B. Jones, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10732155
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20200227964
    Abstract: A motor drive system with a rotor assembly having an insert, which is received into a blind hollow rotor space in a shaft, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The insert has an insert body, a first flow passage and a plurality of second flow passages. The insert body has an outer insert surface that is engaged to an inside surface of a shaft wall of the shaft. The first flow passage extends longitudinally through the insert body. The second flow passages extend longitudinally through the insert body radially between the outer insert surface and the first flow passage. The coolant inlet is fluidly coupled to one of the first and second flow passages, while the coolant outlet is fluidly coupled to the other one of the first and second flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, James P. DOWNS, John MORGANTE, Peter D. FISCHER, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10710454
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10704663
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 10670129
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20200099282
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: David CRECELIUS, James P. DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20200080625
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10571008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, Douglas J. Chemelli, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20200032889
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Paul J. VALENTE, Douglas J. CHEMELLI, James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10527148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10516323
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: David Crecelius, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10487933
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10486467
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 10487889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10487890
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20190157923
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: John Morgante, James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Peter Fischer, Jeffrey J. Ronning