Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Ledford

Kevin M. Ledford 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).

  • Universal joint with trunnion shaft seal assembly
    Patent number: 8142292
    Abstract: A universal joint that includes a spider, which has a trunnion, a bearing cup, a bearing, which is disposed between the trunnion and the bearing cup, and a seal assembly. The seal assembly has a first portion, which is engaged to the spider, and a second portion that sealingly engages the bearing cup and the first portion. The first portion can include features that limit axial movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Ledford, Russell R. Ryan, II, Donald S. DeVries, Patrick S. Adair
  • Propshaft assembly with universal joint having non-conductive sleeve between yoke and bearing cup
    Patent number: 8092310
    Abstract: A propshaft having first and second universal joints. The first universal joint has a first joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a first end of the shaft member, and a second joint member that is pivotally coupled to the first joint member. The second universal joint has a third joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a second end of the shaft member opposite the first end, and a fourth joint member that pivotally coupled to the third joint member. At least one of the second joint member and the fourth joint member is electrically insulated from the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M Ledford, John D Overholt, Bruce A Duncan
  • UNIVERSAL JOINT WITH TRUNNION SHAFT SEAL ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20100160052
    Abstract: A universal joint that includes a spider, which has a trunnion, a bearing cup, a bearing, which is disposed between the trunnion and the bearing cup, and a seal assembly. The seal assembly has a first portion, which is engaged to the spider, and a second portion that sealingly engages the bearing cup and the first portion. The first portion can include features that limit axial movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin M. Ledford, Russell R. Ryan, II, Donald S. DeVries, Patrick S. Adair
  • ELECTRICAL ISOLATION OF A DRIVELINE SYSTEM VIA A NON-CONDUCTIVE INTERFACE ON A DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20100151949
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline with a transmission having at least one motor/generator and an output shaft is provided. A driveshaft assembly is rotatably connected to the output shaft. The driveshaft assembly includes an isolator located between the transmission and at least a portion of the driveshaft assembly to electrically isolate the driveshaft assembly from the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Steven W. Creek, James M. Dimond, John Overholt, Kevin M. Ledford, Michael A. Voight
  • PROPSHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH UNIVERSAL JOINT HAVING NON-CONDUCTIVE SLEEVE BETWEEN YOKE AND BEARING CUP
    Publication number: 20100113165
    Abstract: A propshaft having first and second universal joints. The first universal joint has a first joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a first end of the shaft member, and a second joint member that is pivotally coupled to the first joint member. The second universal joint has a third joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a second end of the shaft member opposite the first end, and a fourth joint member that pivotally coupled to the third joint member. At least one of the second joint member and the fourth joint member is electrically insulated from the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin M. Ledford, John D. Overholt, Bruce A. Duncan
  • PROPSHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH UNIVERSAL JOINT HAVING NON-CONDUCTIVE SLEEVE BETWEEN YOKE AND BEARING CUP
    Publication number: 20100113166
    Abstract: A propshaft having first and second universal joints. The first universal joint has a first joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a first end of the shaft member, and a second joint member that is pivotally coupled to the first joint member. The second universal joint has a third joint member, which is fixedly coupled to a second end of the shaft member opposite the first end, and a fourth joint member that pivotally coupled to the third joint member. At least one of the second joint member and the fourth joint member is electrically insulated from the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: John D. Overholt, Kevin M. Ledford, Michael Alan Voight
  • Suspension adaptor
    Patent number: 7475893
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension having a trailing arm, an air spring assembly and a spacer. The spacer is removably located between the trailing arm and the air spring assembly. Either or both of the top surface or the bottom surface of the spacer are tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Chamberlin, Kevin M. Ledford, Andrew Power