Patents by Inventor Kyle Nelson

Kyle Nelson 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: 12638079
    Abstract: A park mechanism in an electric drive unit may relocate an oil passage within an end housing and add a sensor dam. The sensor dam may separate a park mechanism cavity and a sensor cavity. The sensor dam may trap oil in the park mechanism cavity and prevent the sensor cavity from filling with the oil. The oil may trap the air above the oil in the sensor cavity, preventing the oil from reaching a height of a manual shaft. Thus, a seal of the manual shaft may be prevented from being submerged in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20260142516
    Abstract: An electric motor cooling system includes wire coils, a housing, a busbar, and a phase bar secured to the busbar. The housing encloses at least a portion of the wire coils. The busbar is connected to the wire coils and extends through an opening in the housing. The cooling system is arranged to direct a cooling fluid through the plurality of wire coils and a gap between the opening and the busbar to spray the phase bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2025
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Chapanar, Kyle Nelson, Adit Ajikumar, Daniel de Ceballos
  • Patent number: 12549069
    Abstract: A drive unit includes a motor and a rotor shaft operably coupled with the motor. The rotor shaft has an inner surface that defines a hollow that extends axially from a first opening at a first end of the rotor shaft to a second opening at a second end of the rotor shaft and has a tapered portion that tapers radially inboard as the tapered portion of the inner surface extends axially away from the second end of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft further defines a plurality of ports disposed axially between the tapered portion and the second end of the rotor shaft. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the rotor shaft, such that a fluid disposed within the hollow is propelled axially away from the first end of the rotor shaft and through the plurality of ports defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Linton, Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20260029049
    Abstract: Electronic axles may utilize lubrication and cooling of an electric motor with pure parasitic collection of fluid from a gearbox assembly, to be fed into a heat exchanging system to cool the rotor of the electric motor. An impingement pump may feed the fluid, without the cost addition of a dedicated fluid pump. Rotation of the gearset carrier may cause an impingement pump catcher to pump the fluid into an impingement pump pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Kelly Nelson
  • Publication number: 20260022761
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle including a gearbox having rotating components supported in a gearbox portion of the housing, an oil circuit in fluid communication with the gearbox portion of the housing for circulating oil in response to dynamic pressure generated by the rotating components of the gearbox when in operation, and a bleed passage connecting the oil circuit to the gearbox portion of the housing. Dynamic pressure in the gearbox portion of the housing generated by the rotating components when in operation restricts flow of oil through the bleed passage from the oil circuit to the gearbox portion of the housing, and static pressure in the gearbox portion of the housing when the gearbox is not in operation permits flow of oil from the oil circuit to the gearbox portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Chapanar, Kyle Nelson, Antonio Eduardo Mogro Zambrano
  • Publication number: 20260016047
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement utilizing a typical lip seal pressed into a bore to act as a reacting spring surface which keeps a bearing outer race preloaded to prevent unintentional bad bearing operation (e.g., outer race spinning or ball sliding). This spring reacting surface serves to discourage, for example, outer race spinning or ball sliding, packaged in a tight, space efficient location to permit critical space to be used for other functions. Aspects include retention feature for retaining a biasing element in the bore prior to assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, David Kinion, Nicholas Wurst
  • Publication number: 20250392190
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes a motor that drives rotation of a rotor shaft about an axis, and a housing. The housing includes a bearing shield between motor housing and gearbox regions. The bearing shield has a first side that faces toward the motor housing region and a second side that includes adjacent reference and protruding portions. The protruding portion protrudes axially outward relative to the reference portion away from the motor housing region. The reference portion is radially aligned with the protruding portion, the protruding portion extends circumferentially between first and second circumferential ends of the protruding portion in a first circumferential direction, the reference portion extends from the second circumferential end to the first circumferential end in the first circumferential direction, and a circumferential extent of the protruding portion delimited by the first and second circumferential ends is between 20 and 50 percent of a full circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Antonio Eduardo Mogro Zambrano, Kyle Nelson, Christopher Chapanar, Andreas Rosenwald, Maximilian Podschwadt
  • Patent number: 12500475
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes a housing, a motor, a sleeve, first and second seals, and a bearing. The housing defines gearbox and motor housing regions, and first and second channels extending between the gearbox and motor housing regions. The motor is disposed within the motor housing region and has a rotor and a rotor shaft that is rotationally driven about an axis. The sleeve extends circumferentially along an exterior surface of the rotor shaft and has an inner surface that interfaces with the exterior surface, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The first seal extends between the outer surface of the sleeve and the housing. The second seal extends between the inner surface of the sleeve and the exterior surface of the rotor shaft. The bearing is positioned radially between the rotor shaft and the housing and axially between the first seal and the gearbox region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Kinion, Kyle Nelson, Christopher Chapanar
  • Patent number: 12463509
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator carrier includes the step of fashioning a stator carrier body that includes a side wall that extends circumferentially about a hollow. The side wall has an interior surface that defines the hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The method of manufacturing the stator carrier further includes the step of, subsequently, providing a fin on the exterior surface of the side wall of the stator carrier body. The fin is coupled to the exterior surface of the side wall and extends axially and circumferentially along the exterior surface of the of the side wall in a winding fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 12431758
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor having a rotor shaft that defines a hollow that is accessible via an opening defined at an axial end of the rotor shaft. The hollow defines a portion of a fluid flow path. The electric drive unit also includes an output shaft that extends into the hollow through the opening. The electric drive unit further includes a baffle that extends into the hollow through the opening. The baffle is arranged to redirect fluid flowing along the fluid flow path away from a portion of at least one of the rotor shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Chapanar, David Kinion, Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 12424908
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor and a housing that houses the electric motor. The housing includes a heat exchanging wall portion that includes an inner surface that defines a fluid jacket cavity for conveying a first fluid and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface and that defines a fluid chamber for conveying a second fluid. The heat is transferred between the first and second fluids through the heat exchanging wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Antonio Eduardo Mogro Zambrano
  • Publication number: 20250253633
    Abstract: A junction box assembly including a cover secured to a housing with fasteners, wherein the spacing between fasteners can be increased while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). In one example, the cover includes contact tabs between adjacent fasteners. The contact tabs ensure proper contact of the cover with the housing to maintain EMC. Accordingly, the number of fasteners can be reduced and/or the location of the fasteners can be customized more readily. Junction box assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure can be lighter, more easily assembled, and cost less than conventional junction box assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alejandro Isunza, Christopher Chapanar, Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20250062655
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor and a housing that houses the electric motor. The housing includes a heat exchanging wall portion that includes an inner surface that defines a fluid jacket cavity for conveying a first fluid and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface and that defines a fluid chamber for conveying a second fluid. The heat is transferred between the first and second fluids through the heat exchanging wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Antonio Eduardo Mogro Zambrano, Kyle Nelson, Christopher Chapanar
  • Patent number: 12222030
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes: a motor that rotates a rotor shaft; a housing with a bearing shield extending between motor housing and gearbox regions, the bearing shield having a first side that faces toward the motor housing region and a second side that partially defines the gearbox region and along which a channel extends; a planetary gearset including a sun gear, planet gears, and a carrier; and a wiper coupled to the housing proximate to the channel and abutting the carrier, such that fluid is wiped off of the carrier by the wiper as the carrier rotates and flows to the channel therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20250015684
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator carrier includes the step of fashioning a stator carrier body that includes a side wall that extends circumferentially about a hollow. The side wall has an interior surface that defines the hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The method of manufacturing the stator carrier further includes the step of, subsequently, providing a fin on the exterior surface of the side wall of the stator carrier body. The fin is coupled to the exterior surface of the side wall and extends axially and circumferentially along the exterior surface of the of the side wall in a winding fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240372439
    Abstract: A drive unit includes a motor and a rotor shaft operably coupled with the motor. The rotor shaft has an inner surface that defines a hollow that extends axially from a first opening at a first end of the rotor shaft to a second opening at a second end of the rotor shaft and has a tapered portion that tapers radially inboard as the tapered portion of the inner surface extends axially away from the second end of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft further defines a plurality of ports disposed axially between the tapered portion and the second end of the rotor shaft. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the rotor shaft, such that a fluid disposed within the hollow is propelled axially away from the first end of the rotor shaft and through the plurality of ports defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Linton, Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 12104688
    Abstract: A hybrid module shaft assembly includes a rotational axis, a housing with a tubular portion, a shaft extending through the tubular portion, a first seal, a first ball bearing, and a plain bearing. The tubular portion has a first distal end arranged on an engine side of the housing, and a second distal end arranged on a transmission side of the housing. The first seal is arranged to seal the shaft to the first distal end, and the first ball bearing is disposed on the engine side adjacent to the first seal to position the shaft in the tubular portion. The plain bearing is arranged at the second distal end to position the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240266903
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes a housing, a motor, a sleeve, first and second seals, and a bearing. The housing defines gearbox and motor housing regions, and first and second channels extending between the gearbox and motor housing regions. The motor is disposed within the motor housing region and has a rotor and a rotor shaft that is rotationally driven about an axis. The sleeve extends circumferentially along an exterior surface of the rotor shaft and has an inner surface that interfaces with the exterior surface, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The first seal extends between the outer surface of the sleeve and the housing. The second seal extends between the inner surface of the sleeve and the exterior surface of the rotor shaft. The bearing is positioned radially between the rotor shaft and the housing and axially between the first seal and the gearbox region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Kinion, Kyle Nelson, Christopher Chapanar
  • Patent number: 11885397
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a lock-up clutch, and a damper assembly. The front cover is arranged to receive a torque. The impeller has an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. The turbine is in fluid communication with the impeller and includes a turbine shell. The lock-up clutch includes a clutch plate. The damper assembly includes a spring and a cover plate supporting the spring. The cover plate includes a spring window configured to receive the spring, and a plurality of tabs extending from a radial side of the spring window towards the front cover. The plurality of tabs are configured to drivingly connect to the clutch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Subramanian Annamalai, Kyle Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240030774
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor having a rotor shaft that defines a hollow that is accessible via an opening defined at an axial end of the rotor shaft. The hollow defines a portion of a fluid flow path. The electric drive unit also includes an output shaft that extends into the hollow through the opening. The electric drive unit further includes a baffle that extends into the hollow through the opening. The baffle is arranged to redirect fluid flowing along the fluid flow path away from a portion of at least one of the rotor shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Chapanar, David Kinion, Kyle Nelson