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: 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
  • Publication number: 20150198262
    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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Stuart, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9079495
    Abstract: A disconnectable all-wheel drive system for motor vehicles having a multi-speed power take-off unit and a multi-speed rear drive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9074672
    Abstract: A rear drive module for an all-wheel drive vehicle. The rear drive module includes a disconnect clutch, a differential assembly and a hollow shaft. The disconnect clutch has a first clutch member, which is coupled to the spool for rotation therewith, and a second clutch member. The differential assembly includes a differential case. The hollow shaft is coupled to the differential case for rotation therewith and is configured to transmit rotary power in a power path between the disconnect clutch and the differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9073432
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, and a drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9062744
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150165899
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150167813
    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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9028358
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly having a carrier housing and first and second end caps that are mounted to the carrier housing. The first end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a differential cavity for receipt of a differential assembly, while the second end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a clutch cavity for receipt of a clutch. A spindle drivingly couples a first output of the differential with an input of the clutch member. A first output member is coupled for rotation with a second output of the differential and a second output member is coupled for rotation with an output of the clutch. The spindle is received through a tubular portion of carrier housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 8997606
    Abstract: An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Zugang Huang, James P. Downs, Gregory A. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8986151
    Abstract: A powertrain with a disconnecting rear drive axle generally includes a prime mover including an output that rotates about a rotational axis. A transmission includes an output that rotates about a rotational axis. The rotational axes of the outputs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the powertrain. A front driveline is operable to direct rotary power from the prime mover to front vehicle wheels. A rear driveline includes a propeller shaft that provides rotary power to a first shaft member and a second shaft member through a pinion and a ring gear. The first shaft member and the second shaft are operable to connect to rear vehicle wheels. A power switching mechanism has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The power switching mechanism is operable to direct the rotary power from the transmission to the rear driveline in the engaged condition. A torque transfer device has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150053027
    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 first and second clutch forks. Translation of the pusher coordinates movement of the first and second clutch forks along respective axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20150057125
    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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    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
  • Publication number: 20150057123
    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: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Phelps, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, John C. Hibbler, Paul W. Kornosky, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 8961353
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline that includes an input member, a multi-speed transmission, a first differential assembly, a first bevel ring gear and a mode clutch that are disposed axially along a rotational axis of the input member. The multi-speed transmission includes a range collar that is axially movable along the input member axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20140339888
    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: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler
  • Publication number: 20140342866
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly having a carrier housing and first and second end caps that are mounted to the carrier housing. The first end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a differential cavity for receipt of a differential assembly, while the second end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a clutch cavity for receipt of a clutch. A spindle drivingly couples a first output of the differential with an input of the clutch member. A first output member is coupled for rotation with a second output of the differential and a second output member is coupled for rotation with an output of the clutch. The spindle is received through a tubular portion of carrier housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 8858161
    Abstract: An industrial gas turbine engine in which a compressor includes later stage airfoils that are cooled using a coolant from an external closed loop cooling circuit or from a heat recovery steam generator. Cooling air compressed by a compressor external to the IGT engine can be used for cooling of the main compressor airfoils with a heat exchanger to preheat a fuel used in the combustor. Or, water and steam from a heat recover steam generator can be used to cool the compressor airfoils in which steam can be bled off from the steam generator for cooling and then reintroduced into the HRSG at a downstream stage. Steam is used to cool the rotor blades while water is used to cool the stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Ryznic, James P. Downs, Joseph D. Brostmeyer
  • Publication number: 20140302961
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler
  • Publication number: 20140274544
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente