Patents by Inventor John Kimmel Vandervoort

John Kimmel Vandervoort 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: 9933060
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. A solenoid is at the first end. The solenoid is directly wound onto a stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Publication number: 20170191556
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. A solenoid is at the first end. The solenoid is directly wound onto a stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Patent number: 9625026
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. At least two pinion gears are rotatably supported in the gear chamber in meshing engagement with the first side gear and the second side gear. A solenoid is at the first end. A plunger is selectably magnetically actuatable by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the second side gear to selectably prevent the side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay rods are each connected to the plunger and to the lock ring to cause the lock ring to remain a fixed predetermined distance from the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Publication number: 20160319925
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. At least two pinion gears are rotatably supported in the gear chamber in meshing engagement with the first side gear and the second side gear. A solenoid is at the first end. A plunger is selectably magnetically actuatable by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the second side gear to selectably prevent the side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay rods are each connected to the plunger and to the lock ring to cause the lock ring to remain a fixed predetermined distance from the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Publication number: 20150204431
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation and a gear chamber. A first side gear is at a first end of the differential case. A second side gear is at a second end of the differential case opposite the first end for selectable rotation relative to the differential case. At least two pinion gears are rotatably supported in the gear chamber in meshing engagement with the first side gear and the second side gear. A solenoid is at the first end. A plunger is selectably magnetically actuatable by the solenoid. A lock ring is selectably engagable with the second side gear to selectably prevent the side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. At least two relay rods are each connected to the plunger and to the lock ring to cause the lock ring to remain a fixed predetermined distance from the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Steven J. Cochren, Daniel Stanley Frazier, Chad Robert Hillman, John Kimmel Vandervoort
  • Patent number: 8510004
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes at least one valve configured to control fluid flow in a dual-clutch transmission system. A solenoid is operably connected to the at least one valve and configured to move the valve to a plurality of positions. A primary processing unit is in communication with the solenoid and configured to determine an intended position of the valve. A controller is configured to receive the intended position of the valve from the primary processing unit and generate a primary control signal associated with the intended position of the valve. The solenoid is configured to move the valve to the intended position based on the primary control signal. A secondary processing unit is configured to receive information from the primary processing unit and prevent the primary control signal from controlling the solenoid if the primary processing unit is unable to control the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Steven Harvey Lapointe, Eric Allen Metheny, Todd William Fritz, John Kimmel Vandervoort