Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Kaplan

Kevin J. Kaplan 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: 11306805
    Abstract: A differential with a washer for a gear in a differential housing includes an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from an axis, and an inner edge defining an opening, the inner edge defined in part by an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion. The washer also includes an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 11054011
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of assembling gears into a housing of an automotive differential includes, selecting a thickness dimension of first and second pinion gear washers, and first and second side gear washers, locating a pair of pinion gears, a pinion shaft and a pair of side gears at least partially within an interior of the housing with the pinion gear washers between the housing and separate ones of the pinion gears, and the side gear washers between the housing and separate ones of the side gears. The thickness of the side gear washers may be a function of target side gear apex positions and relative to a pinion gear apex axis. The thickness of the pinion gear washers may be a function of target pinion gear apex positions residing along a pinion gear apex axis and relative to a side gear apex axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20200063846
    Abstract: A differential with a washer for a gear in a differential housing includes an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from an axis, and an inner edge defining an opening, the inner edge defined in part by an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion. The washer also includes an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20190072170
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of assembling gears into a housing of an automotive differential includes, selecting a thickness dimension of first and second pinion gear washers, and first and second side gear washers, locating a pair of pinion gears, a pinion shaft and a pair of side gears at least partially within an interior of the housing with the pinion gear washers between the housing and separate ones of the pinion gears, and the side gear washers between the housing and separate ones of the side gears. The thickness of the side gear washers may be a function of target side gear apex positions and relative to a pinion gear apex axis. The thickness of the pinion gear washers may be a function of target pinion gear apex positions residing along a pinion gear apex axis and relative to a side gear apex axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9388893
    Abstract: A housing of a vehicle differential, such as an automotive driveline differential, supports one or more gearsets in assembly. A wall of the housing has one or more windows that provide access to the gearset(s). One or more protuberances are situated at an exterior surface of the wall and near the window(s). The protuberance(s) provide a thickened portion in the wall to strengthen and reinforce the wall against stresses experienced during use of the vehicle differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John Eckart, David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan, Crittenden A. Bittick
  • Patent number: 8535191
    Abstract: A differential flange assembly is disclosed herein that includes a flange member and a washer member. The flange member is defined by an engagement face and having an aperture therethrough. At least one slot is formed on the engagement face so as to extend radially outward from the aperture. The washer member has at least one tab extending from a peripheral edge of the washer member and at least one opening. The tab is configured to be seated within the slot to mate the washer member to the engagement face of the flange member. The interaction of the slot of the flange member and the tab of the washer member prevent rotation of the washer member with respect to the flange member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan, Eric James LaMothe
  • Patent number: 6840137
    Abstract: A vent system for use in a driveline component of an automotive vehicle. The driveline component includes a housing and a cartridge within the housing. The driveline component includes the vent system which has a vent that is secured to the housing at an orifice within a top portion of the housing. The vent system also includes a baffle extending from the housing wherein the baffle is adjacent to the vent orifice. The vent and baffle system also includes a gap that is defined by the baffle, the housing and the cartridge and is of sufficient size to prevent pooling and the forming of a meniscus near the vent assembly. The vent and baffle system is used to allow for venting of high pressures developed during high speed rotation of driveline modules within a drive train system of an automotive vehicle without allowing the expulsion of the lubricating fluid from the oil housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kaplan, Ramon C. Kuczera
  • Publication number: 20030047024
    Abstract: A vent system for use in a driveline component of an automotive vehicle. The driveline component includes a housing and a cartridge within the housing. The driveline component includes the vent system which has a vent that is secured to the housing at an orifice within a top portion of the housing. The vent system also includes a baffle extending from the housing wherein the baffle is adjacent to the vent orifice. The vent and baffle system also includes a gap that is defined by the baffle, the housing and the cartridge and is of sufficient size to prevent pooling and the forming of a meniscus near the vent assembly. The vent and baffle system is used to allow for venting of high pressures developed during high speed rotation of driveline modules within a drive train system of an automotive vehicle without allowing the expulsion of the lubricating fluid from the oil housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kaplan, Ramon C. Kuczera