Patents by Inventor Matthew C. Roney

Matthew C. Roney 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: 8245509
    Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a transmission housing with a transmission disposed therein and driven by a prime mover. A first axle drive mechanism is disposed in a first housing and driven by a first output shaft that extends from a first end of the transmission housing. A first drive axle is driven by the first axle drive mechanism and drives a first wheel. A second axle drive mechanism is disposed in a second housing and driven by a second output shaft that extends from a second end of the transmission housing. A second drive axle is driven by the second axle drive mechanism and drives a second driven wheel. The transmission housing, the first housing and the second housing at least partially define an operable space. An input shaft is engaged to the transmission extends into the operable space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7841176
    Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings, where each output axle is connected to its respective hydraulic motor through a gear train in the axle housing. A brake is provided on each axle housing to directly engage one of the gears in the gear train to provide a braking force for the output axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Parntership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7568497
    Abstract: A valve for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first and a second fluid side is provided. The valve comprises a valve body and an aperture extending through the valve body. The aperture comprises an inner wall, a first aperture diameter at the first end of the aperture and a second aperture diameter at the second end of the aperture. The valve further comprises a first valve insert positioned in the aperture with a first insert diameter and a first mating feature. The first insert diameter is larger than the first aperture diameter. The valve further comprises a second valve insert having a first width, a second width and a second mating feature. The first width is larger than the second aperture diameter. The first mating feature cooperates with the second mating feature to engage the first valve insert to the second valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Robert E. Trimble
  • Patent number: 7454908
    Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors, and the output axles are offset so that the axes of rotation of the axles do not intersect any portion of the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7412828
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a hydraulic motor mounted in a motor housing and an axle mounted in a separate axle housing. A ring gear and a port block are mounted between the motor housing and the axle housing. A swash plate is mounted in the motor housing and is engaged to the hydraulic motor to control the hydraulic output thereof, and the swash plate is movable between at least a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Matthew C. Roney, Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7367353
    Abstract: A combination check valve and pressure relief valve is provided for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The valve may include a valve body, a valve insert positioned within an aperture of the valve body, a check poppet attached to the valve insert, and a check spring positioned between the valve insert and the valve body. In addition, a relief spring and a relief poppet may be positioned within a cavity formed by the valve insert and secured in position by the check poppet. The combination of the valve insert and the check poppet is adapted to move relative to the valve body and against the force of the check spring to permit fluid to pass from the first fluid side to the second fluid side, and the relief poppet is adapted to move relative to the check poppet against the force of the relief spring to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid side to the first fluid side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Robert E. Trimble
  • Patent number: 7308790
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a hydraulic motor mounted in a motor housing and an axle mounted in a separate axle housing. A ring gear and a port block are mounted between the motor housing and the axle housing. A swash plate is mounted in the motor housing and is engaged to the hydraulic motor to control the hydraulic output thereof, and the swash plate is movable between at least a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Matthew C. Roney, Scott E. Windhorst, Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7258134
    Abstract: A combination check valve and pressure rise rate valve is provided for regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The valve may include a valve body, a valve insert positioned within an aperture of the valve body, and a check poppet attached to the valve insert. In addition, the valve may include a cylinder positioned within the valve insert, a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder, a spring positioned between the cylinder and the valve insert, and an accumulator formed between the cylinder and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney
  • Patent number: 7225617
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having a center section located in a housing includes a hydraulic pump and motor disposed thereon and in fluid communication with a hydraulic porting system in the center section. The pump is driven by an input shaft extending out of the housing and the motor drives an output shaft that is generally perpendicular to the input shaft. A bypass actuator extends into the center section perpendicular to both the input shaft and the output shaft. Rotation of the bypass actuator acts to lift the hydraulic motor from the center section to break the hydraulic interface between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic porting system. The center section may include a second pump and motor with a second hydraulic porting system and a second bypass actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7127889
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having a pair of hydraulic pumps and a pair of hydraulic motors mounted on a common center section in a housing is disclosed. Each hydraulic motor is engaged to an adjustable swash plate located in the transmission housing for adjusting the fluid displacement thereof and an actuator mechanism for adjusting the position of the swash plate. Separate axle housings are mounted on the ends of the transmission housing for housing output axles that are operatively connected to the output shafts of the respective hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnersship
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters
  • Patent number: 7081061
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor and gear reduction set mounted in a housing having a motor sump and a gear sump. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the external surface of the ring gear and the hydraulic motor port block. A case drain comprising multiple passages permits hydraulic fluid to pass from both the motor sump and from the gear sump to an external sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser, Matthew C. Roney
  • Patent number: 7047736
    Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7028708
    Abstract: A combination check valve and pressure relief valve is provided for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The valve may include a valve body, a valve insert positioned within an aperture of the valve body, a check poppet attached to the valve insert, and a check spring positioned between the valve insert and the valve body. In addition, a relief spring and a relief poppet may be positioned within a cavity formed by the valve insert and secured in position by the check poppet. The combination of the valve insert and the check poppet is adapted to move relative to the valve body and against the force of the check spring to permit fluid to pass from the first fluid side to the second fluid side, and the relief poppet is adapted to move relative to the check poppet against the force of the relief spring to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid side to the first fluid side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Robert E. Trimble
  • Patent number: 6997839
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor and gear reduction set mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the external surface of the ring gear and the hydraulic motor port block. The motor assembly may also include pressure relief valves or neutral valves in the motor port block and a brake assembly mounted in the port block or on the motor housing to provide braking for the output axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser, Matthew C. Roney
  • Patent number: 6843056
    Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 6811510
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor and gear reduction set mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the external surface of the ring gear and the hydraulic motor port block. The motor assembly may also include pressure relief valves or neutral valves in the motor port block and a brake assembly mounted in the port block or on the motor housing to provide braking for the output axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser, Matthew C. Roney
  • Patent number: 6672058
    Abstract: A transaxle having a transmission housing forming a hydraulic sump and a hydrostatic transmission mounted in the sump. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a center section having hydraulic porting mounted therein and a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors mounted on the center section. A first axle housing is mounted on one end of the transmission housing, and has a first output axle mounted therein and connected to one of the hydraulic motors and a second axle housing is mounted on the opposite end of the transmission housing, and has a second output axle mounted therein and connected to the second hydraulic motor. A vehicle incorporating a dual hydrostatic transaxle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: D900886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew C. Roney, Charles F. Ostermeier, Joel M. Schreiner