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: 20090093333
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle. The axle assembly includes an input shaft, a first and second output shaft, and a differential assembly. The axle assembly also includes a clutch assembly with an input member coupled to the differential assembly, an output member coupled to one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch member that selectively couples the input and output members. The axle assembly also includes a pump that supplies pressurized fluid to the clutch to control coupling of the input and output members. The axle assembly further includes a motor that drives the pump. The speed of the motor is controllable in order to change a fluid pressure supplied by the pump. The change in fluid pressure from the pump actuates the clutch member to thereby vary the torque between the first output shaft and the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Herbert L. Adams, III, Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090088285
    Abstract: A differential having four pinions supported for rotation on cross pins within a differential case. The differential employs a retainer system for securing the cross pins relative to the differential case. The retainer system can include a collar and a plurality of pin members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Heather A. Moore, Joseph S. Balenda, II
  • Patent number: 7507161
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20090032354
    Abstract: An overrunning torque transmitting device that employs a plurality of cone clutches and an overload mechanism for limiting the torque transmitted through the device in a predetermined rotational direction. A method for transmitting torque is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Zugang Huang, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7416505
    Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle having an axle and a multi-speed drive unit. The axle includes a housing and a differential with an input pinion. The drive unit includes a planetary transmission, a drive unit housing and a dog clutch that is employed to selectively operate the planetary transmission in different speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James P Downs
  • Publication number: 20080159874
    Abstract: A turbine component includes a coolant passage and a plurality of trip members that extend within the coolant passage. Each of the plurality of trip members includes an orientation relative to an expected flow direction through the coolant passage. At least three of the trip members have orientations that are different from each other. For example, the orientations of the trip members progressively transition along the length of the coolant passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20080132342
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7371048
    Abstract: A turbine blade system for a gas turbine engine includes a turbine blade having a trailing edge region extending in a lateral direction and in a lengthwise direction from a pressure side surface to a trailing edge. The trailing edge region includes a plurality of riblets extending in the lengthwise direction from the pressure side surface toward the trailing edge. The trailing edge region defines a plurality of ejection slots each laterally disposed between two of the riblets. The plurality of riblets each define an upper surface having at least a portion in the lengthwise direction being curved relative to the pressure side surface so as to generally shield the upper surface from a high heat load propagating from the pressure side surface and to facilitate cooling air flowing from the ejection slots to flow over the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Norman F. Roeloffs, Edward Pietraszkiewicz, David Michael Kontrovitz, Takao Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7363995
    Abstract: A suspension module with a suspension component, wheel hubs coupled to the suspension component, and a drive system. The drive system has a pair of units that selectively provide drive torque to an associated one of the wheel hubs. Each unit includes a motor, a first reduction gearset and an overrunning clutch. The first reduction gearset is disposed between the motor and its wheel hub and multiplies torque output from the motor. The clutch disconnects the motor from the associated wheel hub so that an output shaft of the motor is not drivingly coupled to the associated wheel hub when a rotational speed of the first portion does not exceed a rotational speed of the second portion. The clutch can be selectively operated to drivingly couple the motor to its wheel hub to permit the motor to be back-driven. A method for operating a hybrid power train is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Robert J. Degowske
  • Patent number: 7347785
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7334992
    Abstract: A turbine blade cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a turbine blade having a trailing edge, a concave side, and a convex side. The trailing edge defines at least one set of impingement holes each having a central longitudinal axis which is closer to a nearest portion of an edge of the blade at one of the concave and convex sides relative to a nearest portion of an edge of the blade at the other of the concave and convex sides. Alternatively or in addition to the foregoing, the trailing edge can define at least one set of impingement holes each having a central longitudinal axis which is angled in a direction of a flow of cooling medium toward one of the concave and convex sides relative to the other of the concave and convex sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Norman F. Roeloffs, Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20070297918
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a turbine rotor disk having a plurality of disk slots which each receive a turbine blade. Cooling air is delivered into the disk slots, and flows into cooling air passages at a radially inner surface of the turbine blades. As known, the cooling air flows through the turbine blades to cool internal and external surfaces of the turbine blade. The disk slots are formed to have a greater cross-sectional area adjacent at the inlet end than at downstream locations. In this manner, the velocity of the air at the inlet end is reduced compared to the prior art, and pressure losses are minimized compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7207409
    Abstract: A two speed drive system for an all wheel drive vehicle includes a double planetary gear front differential and a power take-off unit transferring drive torque to a front wheel set and a rear wheel set of the vehicle. A rear differential connects the power take-off unit and the rear wheel set providing the drive torque to the rear wheel set. A two speed drive unit is positioned between the power take-off unit and the rear differential. The drive unit shifts between a high range drive operation and a low range drive operation. The drive unit may be mounted directly to either the power take-off unit or the rear differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 6795602
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Tyler L. Baughman, James P. Downing, John S. Forker, Gregory A. Reznick, Sam Calmes, Steven M. Clark, Jack D. Foster, Marc R. Schuman, Rajiv Ramaswami
  • Patent number: 6634859
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process are provided for impingement cooling of a component exposed to heat in a flow machine. The component includes a wall section on at least one side of which at least one impingement air flow impinges, the air flow passing through a flow channel within a surface element arranged spaced apart from the wall section and striking against the wall section to be cooled. The flow channel has an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, with the outlet aperture directly facing toward the wall section to be cooled, and the inlet aperture has a throughflow cross section which is smaller than the throughflow cross section of the outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Bernhard Weigand, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 6608297
    Abstract: A scanner, through which a document moves while being scanned by a moving beam of light, includes a wheel that rotates responsive to document movement. The wheel includes a multi-sectioned optical encoder upon which the scanning beam of light impinges when in a position at which it does not impinge upon the document. The scanner also includes an optical detector which receives light that is not absorbed by the optical encoder sections. Thus, the optical detector generates an electrical signal that indicates document movement speed. A preferred embodiment the scanner includes a pair of cup-shaped wheels one of which carries the optical encoder that encircles an inner surface of the wheel adjacent to a lip thereof. An axle, also included in the preferred embodiment, spans between, is coupled to, and supports the wheels for rotation in unison about a longitudinal axis parallel to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Xeros, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, James P. Downing, Timothy G. Slater
  • Publication number: 20030021684
    Abstract: A gas turbine blade (1) with a tip squealer (7) comprises cooling passages (12, 13) that provide cooling fluid for the cooling of the tip squealer (7). A first portion of the cooling passages (12) extends from an internal hollow space (11) through an end cap to a tip pocket. A second portion (13) of the cooling passage extends from the end cap in part through the rails (8) of the tip squealer (7) to the tip crown (9). The second portion (13) is partially bounded by the rail (8) and partially open to the tip pocket (14). The cooling passages according to the invention provide an improved cooling of the tip squealer and have the advantage that cooling fluid can cool the tip squealer (7) even in the event of clogging of the second portions (13) of the passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Andrew R. Narcus
  • Publication number: 20020168264
    Abstract: Described are an apparatus and a process for impingement cooling of a component exposed to heat in a flow machine, with a wall section on which at least one impingement air flow impinges on at least one side, which passes through a flow channel within a surface element arranged spaced apart from the wall section to be cooled and which strikes against the wall section to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Bernhard Weigand, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 6445844
    Abstract: A fiber optic switch includes a fiber optic switching module that receives and fixes ends of optical fibers. The module includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light between a pair of optical fibers. The module also produces orientation signals from each deflector which indicate its orientation. A portcard included in the switch supplies drive signals to the module for orienting at least one deflector. The portcard also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector. The portcard compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs of deflectors coupling a beam of light between optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: XROS, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, Timothy G. Slater, Tyler L. Baughman, James P. Downing, John S. Forker, Gregory A. Reznick, Sam Calmes, Steven M. Clark, Jack D. Foster, Marc R. Schuman, Rajiv Ramaswami
  • Publication number: 20020011558
    Abstract: A scanner, through which a document moves while being scanned by a moving beam of light, includes a wheel that rotates responsive to document movement. The wheel includes a multi-sectioned optical encoder upon which the scanning beam of light impinges when in a position at which it does not impinge upon the document. The scanner also includes an optical detector which receives light that is not absorbed by the optical encoder sections. Thus, the optical detector generates an electrical signal that indicates document movement speed. A preferred embodiment the scanner includes a pair of cup-shaped wheels one of which carries the optical encoder that encircles an inner surface of the wheel adjacent to a lip thereof. An axle, also included in the preferred embodiment, spans between, is coupled to, and supports the wheels for rotation in unison about a longitudinal axis parallel to the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Armand P. Neukermans, James P. Downing, Timothy G. Slater