Patents by Inventor Joseph T. Griffin

Joseph T. Griffin 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: 11965546
    Abstract: A bearing module that supports adjacent ends of coaxial shafts, includes an outer ring having first and second axially adjacent raceways and first and second flanges located at the respective ends. A first group of rolling elements rolls on the first raceway, and a second group of rolling elements rolls on the second raceway. A first cage retains the first group of rolling elements circumferentially spaced apart from one another, and a second cage retains the second group of rolling elements. An axial bearing is retained axially between the first and second groups of rolling elements, and has axial bearing rolling elements that are configured for rolling contact with (a) facing axial side raceways on first and second inner rings supported respectively on the first and second groups of rolling elements, (b) the adjacent ends of the two coaxial shafts, or (c) integral washers of the axial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Florin Muscas, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam Adithyan, Alfred Thomas, James Brown
  • Publication number: 20240026923
    Abstract: A bearing module that supports adjacent ends of coaxial shafts, includes an outer ring having first and second axially adjacent raceways and first and second flanges located at the respective ends. A first group of rolling elements rolls on the first raceway, and a second group of rolling elements rolls on the second raceway. A first cage retains the first group of rolling elements circumferentially spaced apart from one another, and a second cage retains the second group of rolling elements. An axial bearing is retained axially between the first and second groups of rolling elements, and has axial bearing rolling elements that are configured for rolling contact with (a) facing axial side raceways on first and second inner rings supported respectively on the first and second groups of rolling elements, (b) the adjacent ends of the two coaxial shafts, or (c) integral washers of the axial bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. GRIFFIN, Florin MUSCAS, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam ADITHYAN, Alfred THOMAS, James BROWN
  • Publication number: 20230058652
    Abstract: A thrust bearing cage includes a piloting feature to radially locate a thrust bearing with respect to one of the shafts. Specifically, the bearing cage includes an axial extension at an outer diameter that extends beyond the rollers and around an outer diameter of end of the shaft. This feature permits elimination of a washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. GRIFFIN, James BROWN, Alicia VIDAL ORTIZ
  • Patent number: 10323684
    Abstract: A cage-less thrust bearing includes first and second washers concentrically arranged such that the washers cooperate to define a ball chamber having a first pair of opposing axially extending race surfaces and a second pair of opposing radially extending race surfaces. A plurality of balls are disposed in the ball chamber without being retained by a cage. Each ball is configured to ride on each of the race surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Charles Schwab, James Brown, Joseph T. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20190136909
    Abstract: A cage-less thrust bearing includes first and second washers concentrically arranged such that the washers cooperate to define a ball chamber having a first pair of opposing axially extending race surfaces and a second pair of opposing radially extending race surfaces. A plurality of balls are disposed in the ball chamber without being retained by a cage. Each ball is configured to ride on each of the race surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Charles SCHWAB, James BROWN, Joseph T. GRIFFIN
  • Patent number: 10077484
    Abstract: A method of hardening a planetary gear shaft includes carbonitriding an outer peripheral surface of the planetary gear shaft and quenching the planetary gear shaft in oil at a temperature between approximately 120 and 150° C. The method also includes quenching the planetary gear shaft in a liquid at a temperature between approximately ?70 and ?120° C., and tempering the planetary gear shaft. After tempering, the outer peripheral surface of the planetary gear shaft includes a surface hardness of HV 832 or more and with the shaft material maintaining a hardness of at least HV 513 to a depth of at least 0.5 mm. High temperature tempering and induction hardening steps may be added to obtain soft ends of the shaft suitable for a staking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Earl Goldsberry, Shawn Pierce, Al Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180119243
    Abstract: A method of hardening a planetary gear shaft includes carbonitriding an outer peripheral surface of the planetary gear shaft and quenching the planetary gear shaft in oil at a temperature between approximately 120 and 150° C. The method also includes quenching the planetary gear shaft in a liquid at a temperature between approximately ?70 and ?120° C., and tempering the planetary gear shaft. After tempering, the outer peripheral surface of the planetary gear shaft includes a surface hardness of HV 832 or more and with the shaft material maintaining a hardness of at least HV 513 to a depth of at least 0.5 mm. High temperature tempering and induction hardening steps may be added to obtain soft ends of the shaft suitable for a staking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Earl Goldsberry, Shawn Pierce, Al Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180045243
    Abstract: An axial roller bearing assembly is provided. The axial roller bearing assembly has a first axial washer including a first race surface and a second axial washer including a thrust surface. The first axial washer and the second axial washer form a housing space. The axial roller bearing assembly also has a third axial washer disposed in the housing space between the first axial washer and the second axial washer and including a second race surface. A bearing element also disposed in the housing space has a cage and a plurality of rollers in contact with the first race surface and the second race surface. A damping layer is also disposed in the housing space and is in contact with the second axial washer and the third axial washer. The damping layer inhibits vibration from transferring between the third axial washer and the second axial washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, James Kevin Brown, Eric S. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20160230809
    Abstract: An axial bearing assembly is provided having first and second axial end washers with axial flanges. An intermediate washer is provided with first and second axial retention flanges extending opposite radial ends. The first axial retention flange extends toward the first axial end washer on the other radial side from the first axial flange, and the second axial retention flange extends toward the second axial end washer on the other radial side from the second axial flange to define an S-shaped cross-section. Roller assemblies including rolling elements retained in cages are located between the first and second bearing inner races and outer races, respectively. Retention tabs are formed in the first and second axial retention flanges that engage over a part of the first cage and over a part of the second cage, respectively, to retain the first and second bearing roller assemblies to the intermediate washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dennis Roffe, James Kevin Brown, Joseph T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 9279492
    Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ryan Carlino, Joseph T. Griffin, Charles Schwab, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150267804
    Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ryan Carlino, Joseph T. Griffin, Charles Schwab, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130084034
    Abstract: A bearing assembly that includes both radial and axial roller elements. The bearing assembly can be used in applications requiring a low friction bearing requiring high radial and axial load carrying characteristics. The bearing assembly has an inner ring with a radially outwardly extending rim, an outer ring with a radially inwardly extending rim, radial and axial rollers, and cage segments arranged between the inner and outer ring. The axial rollers are arranged in the cage segments to form axial roller assemblies and the radial rollers are interdisposed between the axial roller assemblies with the radial rollers and the axial rollers being fully encompassed within the inner ring and the outer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack INCE, Joseph T. GRIFFIN, Charles SCHWAB
  • Patent number: 8303461
    Abstract: A machine element that has at least one rotationally symmetrical section which is configured like a hollow body. In the machine element at least the rotationally symmetrical section is formed from two elements of bowl-shaped design which close the machine element on the end side and in the process enclose at least one cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Charles M. Schwab, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120119446
    Abstract: A sealing unit for sealing a shaft to a housing includes a sealing ring with a first surface for non-rotational engagement with the housing and a flow groove including an axially aligned portion at least partially disposed in the first surface. In some example embodiments, the sealing ring includes a second surface for sealing engagement with the shaft. In an example embodiment, the sealing ring includes a rectangular cross-section, in a radial plane, with first and second axially opposed radial faces, and the flow groove includes a radially aligned portion at least partially disposed in the first and second radial faces. In an example embodiment, the sealing ring has a circular cross-section, in a radial plane, with a center point, and a depth of the groove is greater at a radial line passing through the center point than at a radial line tangent to the sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Joseph T. Griffin, Eric Clark
  • Publication number: 20100304919
    Abstract: A machine element having that has at least one rotationally symmetrical section which is configured like a hollow body. In the machine element at least the rotationally symmetrical section is formed from two elements of bowl-shaped design which close the machine element on the end side and in the process enclose at least one cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. GRIFFIN, Charles M. SCHWAB, Alfred THOMAS
  • Patent number: 5630670
    Abstract: An axial rolling bearing includes a cage having pockets for retaining rolling elements between two plane-parallel bearing disks for forming a structural unit through interlocking engagement. At least one bearing disk exhibits a peripheral edge which is turned in to form an axial collar which surrounds the cage with clearance and extends towards a radial plane of the other bearing disk to form at least one annular gap. The cage is provided in an area of the annular gap with through-bores which are radially spaced from the pockets and are defined by a diameter, with the annular gap having a radial dimension which is equal or greater than the diameter of the through-bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: INA W alzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Bobby V. Cathey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5276419
    Abstract: A device to guide, shape, contain, or concentrate magnetic flux comprises a tube or conduit made of superconducting material to constrain the path of magnetic flux and guide it to a target volume. Below the transition point the material exhibits no resistance to electrical current flow and is impermeable to magnetic flux. In one embodiment, the superconducting material is configured into a cylindrical tube. Upon entrance into the tube the magnetic flux generated by a magnet is constrained to remain between the walls of the tube until it exits the open end where the flux passes through a target volume. In another embodiment, the magnet is situated between two hollow U-shaped arms of superconducting material. The target is situated between the opposite arms of the superconducting material. Magnetic flux generated by the magnet is confined within the U-shaped arms of the superconducting material and passes through the target volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Steven M. Iden
  • Patent number: 5273401
    Abstract: A new lightweight bladed rotor for gas turbine or turbojet engines combines an inner support ring with blade straps made of fiber reinforced material. The blade straps wrap halfway around the inner support ring so that their ends extend radially outwardly to form blade pairs. A rim connects the blade straps near their ends to provide rigidity and to define a flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Joseph T. Griffin
  • Patent number: H900
    Abstract: Magnetic support structure for a rotatable machinery part is described which comprises a stationary support structure, an annular stator comprising an array of a plurality of electromagnets or one or more electrically conductive or superconductive elements supported by the support structure about an axis, rim structure attached to the periphery of the rotatable part for rotation therewith about the axis radially inwardly of and proximate to the electromagnets, the rim structure including electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic material for magnetic interaction with the stator, and a source of power for selectively energizing the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Joseph T. Griffin