Patents by Inventor Mark Charles Barnholt

Mark Charles Barnholt 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: 11441615
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle includes an adjustment mechanism compensating for wear of a friction disk. The adjustment mechanism (40) includes a first cam ring (52) rotatably fixed and a second cam ring (54) rotatable relative to the first cam ring (52). Both cam rings (52,54) have a plurality of cam surfaces configured such that rotation of the second cam ring (54) relative to the first cam ring (52) varies a height of the adjustment mechanism (40). A torsion spring (60) applies a biasing force to the second cam ring (54). A back drive prevention assembly (70) includes a back drive spring (80) attached to the pressure plate and first cam ring (52) to prevent back drive of the second cam ring (54) through a baffle (62) including a plurality of cam teeth (72) formed on a bottom surface of the baffle (62). The cam teeth (72) are formed at an angle A relative to a bottom surface of the baffle (62) decreasing displacement and loads of the back drive spring (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20220056962
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle includes an adjustment mechanism compensating for wear of a friction disk. The adjustment mechanism (40) includes a first cam ring (52) rotatably fixed and a second cam ring (54) rotatable relative to the first cam ring (52). Both cam rings (52,54) have a plurality of cam surfaces configured such that rotation of the second cam ring (54) relative to the first cam ring (52) varies a height of the adjustment mechanism (40). A torsion spring (60) applies a biasing force to the second cam ring (54). A back drive prevention assembly (70) includes a back drive spring (80) attached to the pressure plate and first cam ring (52) to prevent back drive of the second cam ring (54) through a baffle (62) including a plurality of cam teeth (72) formed on a bottom surface of the baffle (62). The cam teeth (72) are formed at an angle A relative to a bottom surface of the baffle (62) decreasing displacement and loads of the back drive spring (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Charles BARNHOLT
  • Patent number: 11168742
    Abstract: A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Steven Eric McCutcheon, Troy Scott Reinoehl, Paul Joseph Tebbe, Dean Alan Geiger, Alexander William Jessee, Michael Lee Bassett, Mark Charles Barnholt, Christopher David Cole
  • Publication number: 20200224730
    Abstract: A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Steven Eric McCutcheon, Troy Scott Reinoehl, Paul Joseph Tebbe, Dean Alan Geiger, Alexander William Jessee, Michael Lee Bassett, Mark Charles Barnholt, Christopher David Cole
  • Patent number: 9784322
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided. The backing plates have right angle depression sections that surround mounting holes of a clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt, Stephen Thomas Hamm
  • Publication number: 20170152897
    Abstract: A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: STEVEN ERIC MCCUTCHEON, TROY SCOTT REINOEHL, PAUL JOSEPH TEBBE, DEAN ALAN GEIGER, ALEXANDER WILLIAM JESSEE, MICHAEL LEE BASSETT, MARK CHARLES BARNHOLT, CHRISTOPHER DAVID COLE, DEREK NICHOLAS RODE
  • Patent number: 9618057
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided wherein a clutch disc has enlarged holes for connection of opposing backing plates. The backing plates have semi-pierced sections that are insertable within mounting holes of the clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20150292568
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided wherein a clutch disc has enlarged holes for connection of opposing backing plates. The backing plates have semi-pierced sections that are insertable within mounting holes of the clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20150159704
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided. The backing plates have right angle depression sections that surround mounting holes of a clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt, Stephen Thomas Hamm
  • Publication number: 20130299302
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided. The backing plates have right angle depression sections that surround mounting holes of a clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20130299301
    Abstract: A driven disc assembly is provided wherein a clutch disc has enlarged holes for connection of opposing backing plates. The backing plates have semi-pierced sections that are insertable within mounting holes of the clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Brian William Franke, Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20130153355
    Abstract: A wet clutch assembly has an inner housing configured for rotation with an input torque member to the clutch assembly. The inner housing has a series of splines to support a portion of the plates in a clutch pack. Each spline defines a single aperture in fluid communication with at least one plate of the clutch pack, and apertures on adjacent splines are offset to distribute cooling fluid nearly equally between friction surfaces. Uniform flow distribution ensures efficient use of cooling fluid and prevents overheating of plates receiving lesser fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Eugene Kummer, Mark Charles Barnholt
  • Patent number: 6609649
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a banjo-type drive axle housing for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The first step is the operation of forming the substantially identical upper and lower half members having a U-shaped cross-section along entire length thereof with radially extending wall sections. Each of the members is metal formed, such as by stamping or forging, from a blank sheet of steel. Next step is to select a desired box-section of an axle beam portions, and a desired size of an opening in a central portion of the axle housing. Then, if necessary, the wall sections of the housing half members are trimmed so that when assembled said housing half members provide the desired box section and size of the opening in the central portion of the axle housing. Finally, the trimmed housing half members are welded to each other to produce the axle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Charles Barnholt, James A. Krisher
  • Patent number: 6079539
    Abstract: A part time four wheel drive vehicle has an axle disconnect in its auxiliary drive axle. The axle disconnect comprises a vacuum motor and a tubular shift fork that drives a clutch sleeve so that the clutch sleeve translates between a first position where clutch teeth of the clutch sleeve engage clutch teeth of an outer axle shaft and a second position where the clutch teeth disengage. The vacuum motor and shift fork are housed in a modular assembly disposed between the axle and disconnect casing to improve packaging and reduce the size of the connect mechanism while providing better protection of the disconnect assembly from the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Robert Fetcho, Mark Charles Barnholt