Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Cowen

Matthew J. Cowen 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: 8651986
    Abstract: A drive clutch for a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft designed to engage with an engine. A sheave assembly is mounted about the input shaft. A bearing assembly separates the sheave assembly from the input shaft such that the input shaft can rotate independently from the sheave assembly. At least one sheave clutch assembly is positioned about the input shaft. The sheave clutch assembly is configured to provide engagement between the sheave assembly and the input shaft when the rotation of the input shaft increases above a certain threshold value. An axial control mechanism is mounted on the input shaft adjacent to the second sheave. The axial control mechanism controls the movement of the second sheave toward and away from the first sheave as a function of the speed of the input shaft. A continuously variable transmission including the drive clutch and a driven clutch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Scott C. Schneider, Steven M. Averill, Kenneth W. Moyer, II, William J. Coon
  • Publication number: 20100311529
    Abstract: A drive clutch for a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft designed to engage with an engine. A sheave assembly is mounted about the input shaft. A bearing assembly separates the sheave assembly from the input shaft such that the input shaft can rotate independently from the sheave assembly. At least one sheave clutch assembly is positioned about the input shaft. The sheave clutch assembly is configured to provide engagement between the sheave assembly and the input shaft when the rotation of the input shaft increases above a certain threshold value. An axial control mechanism is mounted on the input shaft adjacent to the second sheave. The axial control mechanism controls the movement of the second sheave toward and away from the first sheave as a function of the speed of the input shaft. A continuously variable transmission including the drive clutch and a driven clutch is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Scott C. Schneider, Steven M. Averill, Kenneth W. Moyer, II, William J. Coon
  • Patent number: 7410042
    Abstract: A pump includes a cam member and an armature plate received on an input shaft rotatably supported with a differential housing of a clutch. The pump also includes a cylinder rod slidingly received in a chamber of a master cylinder to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. The cam member includes a ring and a back plate. The ring has an outer, preferably symmetrical, surface with a variable radius defining a ramped portion for outwardly driving the cylinder rod when the cam member is rotated either forward or backward with respect to the differential housing. A coil generates an electromagnetic field when activated drawing the cam member towards the armature plate such that contact forces causes the cam member to rotate with the armature plate. A roller disc is rotatably supported at one end of the cylinder rod for rolling contact between the cylinder rod and the cam surface of the cam member ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Brendan Brewer, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath, John M. Hasson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070286743
    Abstract: A pump includes a cam member and an armature plate received on an input shaft rotatably supported with a differential housing of a clutch. The pump also includes a cylinder rod slidingly received in a chamber of a master cylinder to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. The cam member includes a ring and a back plate. The ring has an outer, preferably symmetrical, surface with a variable radius defining a ramped portion for outwardly driving the cylinder rod when the cam member is rotated either forward or backward with respect to the differential housing. A coil generates an electromagnetic field when activated drawing the cam member towards the armature plate such that contact forces causes the cam member to rotate with the armature plate. A roller disc is rotatably supported at one end of the cylinder rod for rolling contact between the cylinder rod and the cam surface of the cam member ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Brendan Brewer, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath, John Michael Hasson
  • Patent number: 6629590
    Abstract: A spring assembly for biasing rolls in a roll cage of a bi-directional overrunning clutch. The spring assembly adapted to bias two adjacent rolls in opposite directions. The spring assembly includes a bridge having two ends. A first spring attached to one end of the bridge. The first spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a roll. A second spring attached to the other end of the bridge. The second spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a second roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath
  • Patent number: 6622837
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub in a vehicle. The differential includes clutch a clutch housing and a roll cage. An electromagnetic indexing device is mounted adjacent to the cage and adapted to place the cage in position to engage the output hub to the input shaft. An electrohydraulic device is mounted adjacent to the clutch housing and includes a housing attached to the clutch and adapted to rotate in combination with the clutch housing. A hydraulic piston is located adjacent to a drive plate and adapted to cause the drive plate to engage to the housing when actuated, thereby providing dynamic torque between the output hub and the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath
  • Publication number: 20020125095
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub in a vehicle. The differential includes clutch a clutch housing and a roll cage. An electromagnetic indexing device is mounted adjacent to the cage and adapted to place the cage in position to engage the output hub to the input shaft. An electrohydraulic device is mounted adjacent to the clutch housing and includes a housing attached to the clutch and adapted to rotate in combination with the clutch housing. A hydraulic piston is located adjacent to a drive plate and adapted to cause the drive plate to engage to the housing when actuated, thereby providing dynamic torque between the output hub and the clutch housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath
  • Publication number: 20020125097
    Abstract: A spring assembly for biasing rolls in a roll cage of a bi-directional overrunning clutch. The spring assembly adapted to bias two adjacent rolls in opposite directions. The spring assembly includes a bridge having two ends. A first spring attached to one end of the bridge. The first spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a roll. A second spring attached to the other end of the bridge. The second spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a second roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath