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: 20160208900
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a dual friction clutch differential assembly and a hydraulic circuit for operating the friction clutches. The hydraulic circuit includes a pair of normally open, solenoid operated valves that are selectively closed to control the fluid pressure that acts on the friction clutches. The hydraulic circuit provides a simplified and cost-effective means for providing disconnecting and/or torque vectoring capabilities to the vehicle driveline component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kent A. Shoemaker, Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20160169297
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Chris Phelps, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, John C. Hibbler, Paul W. Kornosky, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9347528
    Abstract: A power transmitting that includes an epicyclic multi-speed transmission that employs friction to torsionally ground one or more elements of the transmission to either inhibit their rotation or to couple the elements together for common rotation. The epicyclic multi-speed transmission avoids clutch configurations that employ stationary clutch packs that are configured to exert force on a rotatable element of the transmission through a thrust bearing, as well as clutch configurations that employ a hydraulically operated piston that rotates with a clutch pack, to reduce drag force and eliminate the need for rotary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20160108972
    Abstract: A power transmitting component can include a friction clutch, hydraulic ram, and an actuator. The actuator can include first and second pistons, and a resilient member. The resilient member can translate the first piston to provide a high volume of fluid at low pressure to the ram when a pressure in a first chamber is less than a predetermined pressure and the second piston is translated in a first direction. The resilient member can compress between the first and second pistons to permit relative motion between the pistons when the pressure is equal to, or greater than, the predetermined pressure and the second piston is translated in the first direction. The second piston provides a low volume of fluid at high pressure to the ram when pressure in the first chamber is equal to, or greater than, the predetermined pressure and the second piston is translated in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9303696
    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: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Phelps, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, John C. Hibbler, Paul W. Kornosky, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20160075179
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a housing, a ring gear received in the housing, a ring gear bearing, a pair of shafts, a differential mechanism and a pair of inboard bearings. The ring gear bearing contacts the housing and the ring gear to support the ring gear for rotation about an axis. The shafts are received in the housing and rotate about the axis. Each of the shafts has a bearing mount and a male splined segment. The differential mechanism has a pair of output members, each of which having a splined internal aperture into which the male splined segment of one of the shafts is slidably received. Each shaft bearing is disposed on the bearing mount of one of the axle shafts and supports the shafts for rotation on the housing. The differential mechanism is supported for rotation about the axis by the ring gear bearing and the inboard bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler
  • Publication number: 20160069264
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine, especially an industrial gas turbine engine for electrical power production, where a second compressor is used to supply a second compressed air at a higher pressure to a stage of stator vanes in the turbine section of the engine for cooling of the stage of stator vanes, and where the heated compressed air used to cool the stator vanes is then discharged into the combustor to be burned with a fuel and produce a hot gas stream that is passed through the turbine. an intercooler can be used with the second compressor to lower the temperature of the second compressed air used for cooling the stator vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brostmeyer, Justin T. Cejka, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9254713
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a housing, a ring gear received in the housing, a ring gear bearing, a pair of shafts, a differential mechanism and a pair of inboard bearings. The ring gear bearing contacts the housing and the ring gear to support the ring gear for rotation about an axis. The shafts are received in the housing and rotate about the axis. Each of the shafts has a bearing mount and a male splined segment. The differential mechanism has a pair of output members, each of which having a splined internal aperture into which the male splined segment of one of the shafts is slidably received. Each shaft bearing is disposed on the bearing mount of one of the axle shafts and supports the shafts for rotation on the housing. The differential mechanism is supported for rotation about the axis by the ring gear bearing and the inboard bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler
  • Publication number: 20160033025
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9249873
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pump, Charles G. Stuart, John C. Hibbler, James P. Downs, Shawn S. Proctor, Robert J. DeGowske, Adrian M. Lenczewski, Firoz Ali S. Jafri, Paul J. Valente, Brian McCormick, Thomas C. Bowen, Paul W. Kornosky
  • Patent number: 9249872
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, an angular contact bearing, and a differential assembly. The input pinion has a plurality of pinion teeth and is received in the housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear, which is received in the housing, is a bevel gear having ring gear teeth that define a pitch angle and are meshingly engaged with the pinion teeth. The angular contact bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The angular contact bearing has a first race, which is integrally formed into the ring gear, a second race, and a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the first and second races. The differential assembly has a differential case that is mounted to the ring gear for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9200720
    Abstract: A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body, a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a valve seat in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9199535
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a dog clutch disconnect mechanism that is configured to selectively couple an input spindle and a spool on which a ring gear is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20150298543
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a dog clutch disconnect mechanism that is configured to selectively couple an input spindle and a spool on which a ring gear is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9162567
    Abstract: A driveline component with a housing, a pinion mounted in the housing for rotation about a first axis, a ring gear and a pair of output members. The ring gear is meshed with the pinion and is rotatable about a second axis. The ring gear is supported for rotation relative to the housing by a pair of tapered roller bearings that are disposed along the second axis on a common lateral side of the ring gear. The output members are drivingly coupled to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9157515
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, a differential assembly and a pair of axle shafts. The input pinion is mounted to the axle housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear is received in the axle housing and meshed with the input pinion. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear on the axle housing for rotation about a second axis. The ring gear bearing has a bearing race, which is integrally formed with the ring gear, and a plurality of first bearing element that contact the first bearing race. The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members. Each axle shaft being coupled for rotation with a corresponding one of the output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9151368
    Abstract: An actuator that causes a mode clutch to shift between an engaged position and a disengaged position is provided. The actuator comprises a motor having an output. A shift cam is caused to rotate based on the output of the motor. The shift cam has a cam profile surface. A cam follower rides along the cam profile surface upon rotation of the shift cam. Movement of the cam follower causes movement of a mode fork resulting in the mode clutch shifting between the engaged and disengaged positions. A sensor outputs a voltage to a controller based on a physical location of the cam follower. The controller activates the motor based on the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, John C. Hibbler
  • Publication number: 20150267797
    Abstract: A drive module that includes an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission assembly having a two-speed planetary transmission stage. The multi-speed transmission assembly outputs rotary power to a differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150266374
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline that includes a differential assembly, a two-speed transmission, a power take-off unit, a range sleeve, a mode sleeve and an input shaft. The range sleeve is non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to the input shaft. The range sleeve provides rotary power to the two-speed transmission and is movable into different positions to control the gear ratio in which the two-speed transmission operates. The two-speed transmission outputs rotary power to the differential assembly. The mode sleeve is selectively movable into a position where it transmits rotary power between the range sleeve and a PTU input of the power-take off unit. Movement of the range and mode sleeves can be coordinated to provide a two-wheel drive high speed mode, a four-wheel drive high speed mode and a four-wheel drive low speed mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9103427
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an input pinion with a pinion gear, which is received in an axle housing and rotatable about a first axis, and a pinion shaft. The pinion gear is meshed with a ring gear that is coupled to a differential assembly. A head bearing, which is disposed on a first axial end of the input pinion, supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. A tail bearing supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. The pinion gear is disposed axially between the tail bearing and the head bearing. A bearing groove is formed into the pinion shaft and the bearing elements are received into the bearing groove such that an inner bearing race of the tail bearing is unitarily and integrally formed with the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente