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).

  • Publication number: 20190154128
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventor: James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10267401
    Abstract: A family of axle assemblies that employ a modular concept to maximize part commonality amongst the several axle assemblies. The axle assemblies have a housing assembly that employs a main housing that is formed from a casting that is common to all of the axle assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20190063577
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20190063576
    Abstract: A disconnecting axle assembly for a vehicle can include a planetary differential and a clutch. The differential input can be meshingly engaged with an input pinion. The clutch can include first and second friction plates. The first plates can be non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to a first differential output. The second plates can be interleaved with the first plates and non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to a first axle half-shaft which can drive a first wheel. A second differential output can be drivingly coupled to a second axle half-shaft which can drive a second wheel. The differential can output a greater amount of torque to the first differential output than the second differential output when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs, Eric A. Rivett
  • Patent number: 10209146
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for experimentally determining a heat transfer coefficient of a surface which includes a duct having an outer passage for water flow and an inner passage for air flow, the two passages separated by a thin wall membrane such that the water flow establishes a datum temperature on the thin wall membrane, and where air flowing through the second passage and over the thin wall membrane surface which can include heat transfer enhancements features will be heated by the features, and where the heat transfer coefficient can be determined from the surface temperature of the thin wall membrane and the change in temperature of the air flow. The duct with the thin wall membrane and heat transfer enhancement features is produced using a plastic or metallic additive manufacture process for low cost and quit turnaround time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Christopher K Rawlings, Phillip M Redman, Bryan C Bernier, James P Downs
  • Publication number: 20190041293
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. BROSTMEYER, Russell B. JONES, James P. DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20190032763
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Paul J. VALENTE, James P. DOWNS
  • Publication number: 20190024731
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. VALENTE, James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10166812
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, a shaft received in the housing, a shaft bearing supporting the shaft for rotation relative to the housing about a shaft axis, a differential assembly, an annular band and a secondary retainer. The shaft bearing has an inner race, which is received on and directly engaged to the shaft, and an outer race that is received on and directly engaged to the axle housing. The differential assembly has an output member that is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft. The annular band is fixedly coupled to the shaft at a location along the axle shaft axis between the inner race and the output member. The secondary retainer is disposed along the axle shaft axis between the annular band and the output member and is configured to limit movement of the annular band along the axle shaft axis in a direction toward the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10160314
    Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom. The secondary driveline comprises a differential, a pair of shafts, and a side shaft coupling that selectively interrupts power transmission between the differential and one of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, James P. Downs, Richard S. Silbert
  • Publication number: 20180319277
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. VALENTE, James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10119560
    Abstract: An axle assembly can include a housing defining a reservoir and cylindrical bore open thereto. A clutch can selectively transmit torque between input and output members. A first inlet/outlet of a pump can be in fluid communication with the reservoir and define first threads coaxial with the cylindrical bore. The pump can be configured to pump fluid from the first inlet/outlet to an actuator of the clutch via a second inlet/outlet. The filter can include a base, port, and filter element. The port can define second threads that threadably engage the first threads. The base can be fixedly coupled to the port and include a cylindrical wall coaxial with the second threads. A seal member can form a seal between the cylindrical wall and the cylindrical bore when the first and second threads are engaged. The filter element can be disposed between the reservoir and the first inlet/outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10119576
    Abstract: A torque transfer device can include a housing and a clutch. The housing can define a clutch cavity and a pocket. The pocket can be formed at an axial end of the clutch cavity and have a generally arcuate shape that extends circumferentially about the clutch cavity above a static lubrication level. The clutch can include an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first and second interleaved friction plates. One of an outer and an inner plate carrier of the clutch can be coupled to an input member for common rotation. The other of the carriers can be coupled to a differential case for common rotation. Rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing through a fluid in the clutch cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to collect in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Phelps, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, John C. Hibbler, Paul W. Kornosky, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10113631
    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: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10112482
    Abstract: A power transmitting component having a actuator with a lead screw, which is driven by a motor and a transmission, a pusher assembly driven by the lead screw, and a clutch fork. Translation of the pusher coordinates movement of the clutch fork along its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180223978
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10012300
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a clutched component including a first member, a second member, and a clutch. The first member can have an output portion. The second member can have an input portion that is disposed within the output portion. The clutch can include a plurality of first lock members and a control member for coordinating radially inward movement of the first lock members to drivingly couple the output portion and the input portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180172124
    Abstract: A drive module includes an electric motor, planetary differential, first, second, and third suns, first second and third planets, and first and second clutches disposed about an axis. The differential ring can be driven by the motor. The differential sun can be non-rotatably coupled to a first output. The differential carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to a second output. The first, second, and third planets can be supported by a common carrier for rotation about the first axis. The first sun can meshingly engage the first planets. The second sun can be non-rotatably coupled to the first output and meshingly engage the second planets. The third sun can be non-rotatably coupled to the differential carrier and meshingly engaged with the third planets. The first clutch can selectively permit or inhibit rotation of the common carrier. The second clutch can selectively permit or inhibit rotation of the first sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9991763
    Abstract: A power plant for a small aircraft with a gas turbine engine that drives a number of electric generators, where a gear box transmit power from the engine shaft to the number of generators, the gear box having a single input shaft that drives a number of driven gears with each driven gear having a generator drive shaft that extends out both sides, and an electric generator connected to each side of the drive shaft. A compact arrangement of generators are formed where each generator can be disengaged from the drive shaft to regulate total electrical output or to prevent a damaged generator from causing damage to other parts of the system or aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P Downs, Robert L Memmen
  • Publication number: 20180126783
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, a shaft received in the housing, a shaft bearing supporting the shaft for rotation relative to the housing about a shaft axis, a differential assembly, an annular band and a secondary retainer. The shaft bearing has an inner race, which is received on and directly engaged to the shaft, and an outer race that is received on and directly engaged to the axle housing. The differential assembly has an output member that is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft. The annular band is fixedly coupled to the shaft at a location along the axle shaft axis between the inner race and the output member. The secondary retainer is disposed along the axle shaft axis between the annular band and the output member and is configured to limit movement of the annular band along the axle shaft axis in a direction toward the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs