Patents by Inventor Keith E. Ocker

Keith E. Ocker 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: 20170259823
    Abstract: Example methods for distributing torque in a driveline, and driveline systems are disclosed. In one approach, a baseline torque split may be employed, e.g., in a drive unit. The method may further include detecting a first gradient of a first driving surface that exceeds a threshold amount while the driveline is traversing the first gradient using the baseline torque split. The method may further include modifying the second share of torque with respect to the first share of torque in response to the detection of the first gradient. In some examples, a modification may include increasing an amount of torque being distributed to a secondary axle of the vehicle, while in others a torque bias between the primary and secondary axle may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Chinmay M. Pandit, Heather M. Luba, Bradford A. Withorn, Keith E. Ocker, Douglas J. Priemer
  • Patent number: 9758167
    Abstract: Example methods for distributing torque in a driveline, and driveline systems are disclosed. In one approach, a baseline torque split may be employed, e.g., in a drive unit. The method may further include detecting a first gradient of a first driving surface that exceeds a threshold amount while the driveline is traversing the first gradient using the baseline torque split. The method may further include modifying the second share of torque with respect to the first share of torque in response to the detection of the first gradient. In some examples, a modification may include increasing an amount of torque being distributed to a secondary axle of the vehicle, while in others a torque bias between the primary and secondary axle may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Chinmay M. Pandit, Heather M. Luba, Bradford A. Withorn, Keith E. Ocker, Douglas J. Priemer