Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Horak

Joseph J. Horak 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: 11092214
    Abstract: A high ratio traction drive transmission includes a sun roller, a traction ring, a plurality of traction planets in contact with the sun roller and the traction ring, at least one reaction roller in contact with at least one of the traction planets, and a carrier assembly coupled to at least one of the traction planets and the at least one reaction roller. The sun roller has a first longitudinal axis and the traction ring is aligned coaxially with a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Dawe, Joseph J. Horak, Jeremy M. Kaiser, Charles B. Lohr, III, Ryan D. Nelms, Sebastian J. Peters, Benjamin L. Powell
  • Publication number: 20200124137
    Abstract: A high ratio traction drive transmission includes a sun roller, a traction ring, a plurality of traction planets in contact with the sun roller and the traction ring, at least one reaction roller in contact with at least one of the traction planets, and a carrier assembly coupled to at least one of the traction planets and the at least one reaction roller. The sun roller has a first longitudinal axis and the traction ring is aligned coaxially with a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is radially offset from the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel J. Dawe, Joseph J. Horak, Jeremy M. Kaiser, Charles B. Lohr, III, Ryan D. Nelms, Sebastian J. Peters, Benjamin L. Powell
  • Publication number: 20190323582
    Abstract: Provided herein is a continuously variable planetary (CVP) having a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, each ball in contact with a first traction ring and a second traction ring, the CVP including a carrier assembly supporting each ball, the carrier assembly comprising a first carrier member and a second carrier member; an idler located radially inward of, and in contact with, each ball; and a first axial positioning mechanism coupled to the idler and the first carrier member, wherein the first axial positioning mechanism adjusts the axial position of the idler during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph J. Horak, Gordon M. McIndoe, Matthew Simister
  • Publication number: 20190271379
    Abstract: Provided herein is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis of rotation, each ball in contact with a first traction ring and a second traction ring, the CVT including: a main shaft aligned along a longitudinal axis of the CVT, the main shaft positioned radially inward of the balls, the first traction ring and the second traction ring; a cam driver operably coupled to the first traction ring; an axial thrust bearing operably coupled to the cam driver and the main shaft; an inner race member coupled to the axial thrust bearing and the cam driver; an outer race member coupled to the axial thrust bearing and the main shaft; and a passive preload ring coupled to the inner race member and the cam driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph J. Horak, Benjamin L. Powell
  • Publication number: 20190264784
    Abstract: Provided herein is a ball assembly for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a ball having an inner bore, a ball axle aligned in the inner bore, and an angular contact bearing coupled to the inner bore and the ball. Additionally provided herein is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) including a plurality of the ball assemblies, a first traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, and a second traction ring assembly in contact with each ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph J. Horak, Jeremy M. Kaiser, Ryan D. Nelms
  • Publication number: 20180135734
    Abstract: Provided herein is a sun assembly for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of balls, each having a tiltable axis of rotation, a first traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, a second traction ring assembly in contact with each ball, the sun assembly having a first sun ring and a second sun ring located radially inward of, and in contact with, each ball. The sun assembly is operably coupled to an electromagnetic device. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a bearing configured to provide radial support to the balls. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a motor configured to produce an output power from the sun assembly. In some embodiments the electromagnetic device is a speed sensor. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic device is a selectable torque transmitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph J. Horak
  • Publication number: 20180119812
    Abstract: Provided herein is a variator including: a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation; and a traction patch oil control member coupled to the first and/or second traction ring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph J. Horak, Michael E. Stone