Patents by Inventor Matthew Girlando
Matthew Girlando 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: 9156351Abstract: A power transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a first shaft for transferring torque to a first driveline, a second shaft for transferring torque to a second driveline, and a transfer mechanism driving the second shaft. A mode clutch assembly drivingly connects the first shaft to the transfer mechanism and includes a clutch gear driven by the transfer mechanism and a mode sleeve. A sprocket hub associated with the transfer mechanism has external drive teeth meshed with internal drive teeth on the clutch gear with a predetermined amount of backlash therebetween. A ball cam mechanism centers the backlash and permits relative rotation between the transfer mechanism and the mode sleeve to circumvent a blocked mode shift.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Wolfram E. Hasewend, Thomas E. Braford, Matthew Girlando
-
Publication number: 20130337951Abstract: A power transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a first shaft for transferring torque to a first driveline, a second shaft for transferring torque to a second driveline, and a transfer mechanism driving the second shaft. A mode clutch assembly drivingly connects the first shaft to the transfer mechanism and includes a clutch gear driven by the transfer mechanism and a mode sleeve. A sprocket hub associated with the transfer mechanism has external drive teeth meshed with internal drive teeth on the clutch gear with a predetermined amount of backlash therebetween. A ball cam mechanism centers the backlash and permits relative rotation between the transfer mechanism and the mode sleeve to circumvent a blocked mode shift.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Wolfram Hasewend, Thomas E. Braford, Matthew Girlando
-
Patent number: 7069807Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC.Inventors: Matthew Girlando, Landon Ball, Patrick L. Scheib
-
Patent number: 7007784Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a clutch cover which can be secured to a flywheel; an intermediate plate spaced from the flywheel; a pressure plate arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate and secured to the clutch cover by resilient straps which urge the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position; a first friction disk arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate; and a second friction disk arranged between the intermediate plate and the flywheel. Linkage urges the intermediate plate toward the pressure plate so that the second friction disk can be fully disengaged from the flywheel when the pressure plate is retracted during disengagement.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: ZF Sachs AGInventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Muneer Abusamra, Ronald B. Morford, Matthew Girlando
-
Publication number: 20050161303Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided that includes a flywheel. A clutch cover is secured to the flywheel. An intermediate plate is spaced from the flywheel, and a pressure plate is arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate may be secured to the clutch cover by flexible straps or another similar device. The straps retract the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position. First and second friction discs are respectively arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate and the flywheel. The pressure plate forces the intermediate plate and the friction discs toward the flywheel to couple and engine and transmission together. A separator moves the intermediate plate with the pressure plate from the engaged position to the disengaged position thereby permitting self-disengagement of the friction discs from the flywheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Muneer Abusamra, Ronald Morford, Matthew Girlando
-
Patent number: 6886674Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided that includes a flywheel. A clutch cover is secured to the flywheel. An intermediate plate is spaced from the flywheel, and a pressure plate is arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate may be secured to the clutch cover by flexible straps or another similar device. The straps retract the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position. First and second friction discs are respectively arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate and the flywheel. The pressure plate forces the intermediate plate and the friction discs toward the flywheel to couple and engine and transmission together. A separator moves the intermediate plate with the pressure plate from the engaged position to the disengaged position thereby permitting self-disengagement of the friction discs from the flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: ZF Sachs AGInventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Muneer Abusamra, Ronald B. Morford, Matthew Girlando
-
Publication number: 20040112163Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Matthew Girlando, Landon Ball, Patrick L. Scheib
-
Publication number: 20030168305Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided that includes a flywheel. A clutch cover is secured to the flywheel. An intermediate plate is spaced from the flywheel, and a pressure plate is arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate may be secured to the clutch cover by flexible straps or another similar device. The straps retract the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position. First and second friction discs are respectively arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate and the flywheel. The pressure plate forces the intermediate plate and the friction discs toward the flywheel to couple and engine and transmission together. A separator moves the intermediate plate with the pressure plate from the engaged position to the disengaged position thereby permitting self-disengagement of the friction discs from the flywheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Muneer Abusamra, Ronald B. Morford, Matthew Girlando
-
Publication number: 20030154812Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Matthew Girlando, Landon Ball, Patrick L. Scheib