Patents by Inventor Larry A. Pritchard

Larry A. Pritchard 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: 10563704
    Abstract: A transfer case includes a primary output shaft, and a secondary output selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The secondary torque transfer mechanism comprises a plate clutch and a locking sleeve. The plate clutch includes a housing coupled to the secondary output shaft, a plurality of interleaved plates alternatingly coupled to the primary output shaft and the housing, and an apply plate coupled to the primary output shaft and being configured to compress the interleaved plates to selectively form a friction coupling between the primary output shaft and the secondary output shaft. The locking sleeve is non-selectively coupled to one of the housing or the apply plate to rotate therewith, and is selectively coupleable to the other of the housing or the apply plate to form a positive coupling between the primary output shaft and the secondary output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves
  • Patent number: 10557385
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas R. Benner, Christopher J. Pluta
  • Publication number: 20190353212
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an axle shaft and an input shaft, wherein the axle shaft is coaxial with the input shaft; a clutch operatively connected to the axle shaft and the input shaft constructed and arranged to selectively couple and decouple the input shaft and the axle shaft; and a ring-shaped moving magnet actuator operatively connected to the clutch to drive the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Joseph D. Mastie
  • Publication number: 20190351756
    Abstract: A driveline comprising an electrical machine, a chain drive, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a range selector, a differential, and an axle assembly, wherein the electrical machine is constructed and arranged to selectively transmit power to the differential through the chain drive, the first planetary gear set, the range selector, and the second planetary gear set or to selectively receive power through the chain drive, the first planetary gear set, the range selector, the second planetary gear set, and the differential, and wherein the range selector is configured to selectively shift the driveline into a high range, a low range, and a neutral mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip John Francis
  • Patent number: 10476351
    Abstract: A drive module with a housing, an electric motor coupled to the housing, a differential assembly, a transmission, and a filter-strainer assembly. The housing has an exterior wall member that defines an internal cavity and a suction tube. The internal cavity at least partly forms a lubricant sump with a sump outlet. The suction tube is spaced apart from and does not intersect the internal cavity such that the suction tube is not in direct fluid communication with the internal cavity. The differential assembly and transmission are received in the internal cavity and the transmission transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The filter-strainer assembly is coupled to the housing and has a filter-strainer inlet, which is coupled in fluid communication to the sump outlet, and a filter-strainer outlet, which is directly coupled in fluid communication to a suction tube inlet of the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10449864
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a motor/energy generator and energy storage device combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10443719
    Abstract: A product may include a rotating sheave that may have a first sheave half and a second sheave half. A distance between the first and second sheave halves may be variable. A screw actuator may have a screw that may engage the first sheave half. A motor may be connected with the screw and may be operable to move the first sheave half to vary the distance through the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20190301591
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer case is provided having a housing, a primary shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, a secondary shaft selectively driven by the primary shaft, a hub torsionally fixed with the primary shaft, a clutch housing selectively torsionally connected with the hub via a friction pack, an engagement wheel torsionally fixed with respect to the clutch housing and torsionally connected with the secondary shaft via a flexible torsional force member, the friction pack, upon engagement, causing the clutch housing to be selectively connected with the hub, a reservoir system fixed with respect to the housing capturing lubricant energized by result of the operation of the flexible torsional member, the reservoir system delivering splashed lubricant to a reservoir system, and an Archimedes' screw pump delivering lubricant from a sump adjacent to the secondary shaft to the secondary reservoir system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Patent number: 10415679
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an electrical machine operatively connected to a driveline module comprising a gear train having a fixed gear ratio, a first planetary gear set having multiple gear ratios operatively connected to the gear train, a second planetary gear set having a fixed gear ratio operatively connected to the first planetary gear set, and a synchronizer, wherein the synchronizer is operatively connected to the first planetary gear set and is positioned between the first and second planetary gear set; a differential operatively connected to the second planetary gear set; wherein the electrical machine selectively transmits power to the differential through the gear train, the first planetary gear set, the synchronizer, and the second planetary gear set, and wherein the synchronizer is constructed and arranged to shift the driveline module into a high range mode, a low range mode, and a neutral mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, David E. Young
  • Publication number: 20190277346
    Abstract: A power transmitting component that includes a clutch, a valve and a ball ramp mechanism. The clutch has a hub, a housing, a clutch pack and an apply plate. The clutch pack has sets of friction plates that are mounted to the hub and the housing. The valve includes a valve element, which is received in a bore in the hub, an inlet and an outlet. The ball ramp mechanism has first and second ball ramp rings and is operable for selectively translating the apply plate to compress the friction plates against the housing as well as for translating the valve element to open the valve. The second ball ramp ring is coupled to the hub for rotation therewith. The first ball ramp ring is rotatable relative to the second ball ramp ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Christopher SULLIVAN, Aaron STINSON
  • Patent number: 10400876
    Abstract: A power transmitting component with a differential assembly and a planetary reduction that has a plurality of compound planet gears. Each of the compound planet gears is rotatable about a rotary planet axis and has first and second planet gears that are nonrotatably coupled to one another and spaced axially apart from one another along an associated one of the rotary planet axes. The rotary planet axes are disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the input to the planetary reduction. Each of the first planet gears is meshingly engaged to the input of the planetary reduction, while each of second planet gears is meshingly engaged with a stationary ring gear. The differential assembly receives rotary power from the planetary reduction and has first and second differential outputs that are disposed along the rotational axis between the first and second planet gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20190260269
    Abstract: A drive module with a housing, an electric motor coupled to the housing, a differential assembly, a transmission, and a filter-strainer assembly. The housing has an exterior wall member that defines an internal cavity and a suction tube. The internal cavity at least partly forms a lubricant sump with a sump outlet. The suction tube is spaced apart from and does not intersect the internal cavity such that the suction tube is not in direct fluid communication with the internal cavity. The differential assembly and transmission are received in the internal cavity and the transmission transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The filter-strainer assembly is coupled to the housing and has a filter-strainer inlet, which is coupled in fluid communication to the sump outlet, and a filter-strainer outlet, which is directly coupled in fluid communication to a suction tube inlet of the suction tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20190249760
    Abstract: A power transmitting component with a differential assembly and a planetary reduction that has a plurality of compound planet gears. Each of the compound planet gears is rotatable about a rotary planet axis and has first and second planet gears that are nonrotatably coupled to one another and spaced axially apart from one another along an associated one of the rotary planet axes. The rotary planet axes are disposed concentrically about a rotational axis of the input to the planetary reduction. Each of the first planet gears is meshingly engaged to the input of the planetary reduction, while each of second planet gears is meshingly engaged with a stationary ring gear. The differential assembly receives rotary power from the planetary reduction and has first and second differential outputs that are disposed along the rotational axis between the first and second planet gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Patent number: 10378642
    Abstract: A passive lubrication system, for a gear drive system of a drive system, for powering an electric vehicle, includes an oil network, an oil sump region, an oil paddle, and an oil diverter. The oil network is defined by and disposed within, at least, a fixed annular region of the gear drive system and a planetary gear system. The oil sump region is configured to provide oil for distribution about the oil network. The oil paddle is operatively coupled with the planetary gear system, configured to rotate with a component of the planetary gear system, and during rotation, configured to course oil, from the oil sump region. The oil diverter is positioned concentric with the oil paddle and radially outward of the oil paddle and configured to receive oil from an oil source, upon rotation of the oil paddle, and direct the received oil to the oil network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20190234508
    Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for a transverse mounted motor for an electric powered automotive passenger vehicle including opposing wheel shafts for powering two parallel mounted wheels, the shafts rotating about a first axis, the shafts having at least one end torsionally connected with a differential, an electrical rotor torsionally connected with the wheel shafts via a planetary gear train, an electrical stator surrounding the rotor, a casing supporting the rotor and the wheel shafts, the casing encompassing the stator, the casing having a floor forming a lubricant reservoir, and a baffle located in the lubricant reservoir, the baffle having barriers generally transverse to the first axis and at least one of the barriers having a lower window allowing fluid communication underneath the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Philip J. Francis, Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10302186
    Abstract: A transfer case comprises a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, a clutch, and a plurality of valves. The primary output shaft includes a hub rotationally coupled thereto. The clutch selectively couples the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft to transfer torque therebetween. The clutch includes a housing, interleaved plates, and an apply plate. The housing is rotationally coupled to the secondary output shaft. The interleaved plates alternate between a first subset of the interleaved plates rotationally coupled to the hub and a second subset of the interleaved plates rotationally coupled to the housing. The apply plate compresses the interleaved plates for transferring torque between the hub and the housing. The valves selectively release oil supplied through the primary output shaft into the housing. Each valve includes a bore formed in the hub and a valve rod movable by the apply plate to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Christopher Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10232707
    Abstract: A power transfer unit for an all-wheel drive drivetrain that includes an engine, a transmission having a pump for circulating hydraulic fluid from a sump, and a driveshaft. The power transfer unit includes an input for receiving driving power from the transmission, an output for delivering driving power to the driveshaft, a first clutch, a first fluid supply path for delivering the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the first clutch, and a fluid return path for returning the hydraulic fluid from the power transfer unit to the sump of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10221896
    Abstract: A disconnect assembly for translating torque to shafts of a driveline. A clutch is disposed in torque translating relationship between the shafts and is movable between an engaged configuration wherein torque is translated, and a disengaged configuration wherein torque is interrupted. An actuator includes a coil that generates a first magnetic field. A slider is movable between a first stable position and a second stable position, with an armature operatively attached to the slider. The armature has a magnetic polarity pattern defined by a plurality of north and south magnetic pole regions facing the coil. The pattern configured such that predetermined changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil urge the slider from one of the stable positions to the other of the stable positions so as to cause corresponding movement of the clutch assembly between the configurations to selectively translate rotational torque between the shafts of the driveline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
  • Patent number: 10183577
    Abstract: A transfer case includes primary and secondary output shafts, along with a secondary torque transfer mechanism and a locking mechanism, which are configured to selectively couple the primary and secondary output shafts. The secondary torque transfer mechanism comprises a sprocket coupled to the secondary output shaft, and a plate clutch coupled to the sprocket to selectively form a friction coupling with the primary output shaft. The locking mechanism selectively couples the primary output shaft to the sprocket, and includes a locking sleeve and an actuator that moves the locking sleeve between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the locking sleeve forms a first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket. In the second position, the locking sleeve forms the first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves, Philip J. Francis, Joseph D. Mastie
  • Publication number: 20190010837
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thomas R. BENNER, Christopher J. PLUTA