Patents by Inventor James Preston Downs

James Preston 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: 8986148
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Publication number: 20150011349
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Patent number: 8795126
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Publication number: 20130303326
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Patent number: 8469854
    Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device and a limited slip clutch assembly, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism, the torque transfer device and the limited slip clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Preston Downs, Paul Joseph Valente
  • Publication number: 20110308875
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, James Preston Downs, Richard Stephen Silbert
  • Patent number: 8042642
    Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels, a power transmitting device and a secondary driveline that is configured to distribute power to a second set of vehicle wheels. 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 has a propshaft, an axle input, a pair of axle shafts and at least one torque transfer device. The propshaft transmits rotary power between the output member of the power transmitting device and the axle input. The axle shafts are rotatably coupled to an output of the differential and configured to transmit rotary power to the second set of vehicle wheels. The at least one torque transfer device is configured to selectively inhibit torque transmission between the axle input and the second set of vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, James Preston Downs, Richard Stephen Silbert
  • Publication number: 20100044138
    Abstract: A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels, a power transmitting device and a secondary driveline that is configured to distribute power to a second set of vehicle wheels. 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 has a propshaft, an axle input, a pair of axle shafts and at least one torque transfer device. The propshaft transmits rotary power between the output member of the power transmitting device and the axle input. The axle shafts are rotatably coupled to an output of the differential and configured to transmit rotary power to the second set of vehicle wheels. The at least one torque transfer device is configured to selectively inhibit torque transmission between the axle input and the second set of vehicle wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, James Preston Downs, Richard Stephen Silbert