Patents by Inventor Michael C. Sefcik

Michael C. Sefcik 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: 10890234
    Abstract: A family of two speed transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in drive trains to provide varying gear ratios. The transmission family members include step pinion planetary gear sets. In one embodiment, there is a single step pinion planetary gear set with two sun gears configured selectively as the transmission input, two ring gears, one of which is rigidly attached to ground and the other is configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is removed one of the ring gears and there is added a planetary reduction gear set comprised of a sun gear, a ring gear rigidly attached to ground and a planetary carrier configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is provided a transmission comprising a plurality of helical gear sets and a planetary gear set for speed reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C Sefcik, Joe Dear, Ray Coger
  • Publication number: 20200032882
    Abstract: A family of two speed transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in drive trains to provide varying gear ratios. The transmission family members include step pinion planetary gear sets. In one embodiment, there is a single step pinion planetary gear set with two sun gears configured selectively as the transmission input, two ring gears, one of which is rigidly attached to ground and the other is configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is removed one of the ring gears and there is added a planetary reduction gear set comprised of a sun gear, a ring gear rigidly attached to ground and a planetary carrier configured to act as the transmission output. In another embodiment, there is provided a transmission comprising a plurality of helical gear sets and a planetary gear set for speed reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael C Sefcik, Joe Dear, Ray Coger
  • Patent number: 10436303
    Abstract: A drive gear assembly rotatably drives a driven gear of an engine component. The drive gear assembly comprises a drive shaft extending longitudinally along an axis. A main drive gear is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and a scissor gear is aligned coaxially with the main drive gear. A scissor spring is disposed and operatively coupled between the main drive gear and the scissor gear and biased therebetween wherein the main drive gear and the scissor gear rotate about the axis relative to each other. An isolation mechanism is operatively coupled between the main drive gear and the drive shaft for absorbing impulse loads generated by the driven gear when engaged with the main drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C Sefcik, Michael Biga, II
  • Publication number: 20170363197
    Abstract: A drive gear assembly rotatably drives a driven gear of an engine component. The drive gear assembly comprises a drive shaft extending longitudinally along an axis. A main drive gear is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and a scissor gear is aligned coaxially with the main drive gear. A scissor spring is disposed and operatively coupled between the main drive gear and the scissor gear and biased therebetween wherein the main drive gear and the scissor gear rotate about the axis relative to each other. An isolation mechanism is operatively coupled between the main drive gear and the drive shaft for absorbing impulse loads generated by the driven gear when engaged with the main drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Michael C Sefcik, Michael Biga, II
  • Patent number: 7238135
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission having a starting mechanism, a continuously variable unit (CVU), and a pair of planetary gear arrangements. The continuously variable transmission also includes a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms which are selectively engageable in combinations of two to establish a reverse mode of operation between the starting mechanism and a transmission output shaft, a low direct mode of operation, an intermediate split mode of operation, and a high split mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Coffey, Michael C. Sefcik
  • Patent number: 7024751
    Abstract: A housing for a vehicle component and a method for making the same. The housing comprises a housing body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The outer wall of the housing is formed with a plurality of longitudinal splines and a plurality of longitudinal troughs located between confronting splines. A spiral groove is cut into the interior surface of the outer wall so as to remove material sufficient to engage at least one of the troughs thereby forming a plurality of apertures having a closed periphery and extending longitudinally along the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Sefcik, Robert F. Veldman
  • Publication number: 20040250406
    Abstract: A housing for a vehicle component and a method for making the same. The housing comprises a housing body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The outer wall of the housing is formed with a plurality of longitudinal splines and a plurality of longitudinal troughs located between confronting splines. A spiral groove is cut into the interior surface of the outer wall so as to remove material sufficient to engage at least one of the troughs thereby forming a plurality of apertures having a closed periphery and extending longitudinally along the outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael C. Sefcik, Robert F. Veldman
  • Publication number: 20040251107
    Abstract: Clutches require fluid passages to be contained therein to lubricate the moving parts therein. Current clutch designs requiring fluid passages to be formed through the spline provides numerous difficulties. The present clutch design and method of assembling the clutch comprises a clutch housing having a predetermined shape, a piston positioned within the clutch housing, a sleeve having a predetermined shape substantially conforming to the predetermined shape of the clutch housing, the sleeve being positioned within the clutch housing forming a fluid passageway between the clutch housing and the sleeve and forming a piston reactive cavity between the clutch housing, the piston, and the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael C. Sefcik, Robert F. Veldman
  • Patent number: 5445246
    Abstract: A single wrap brake band mechanism has a hydraulic piston apply structure and an anchor support structure which permit one end of the band to be the apply end and the other end of the band to be the anchor end and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Haka, Michael C. Sefcik