Patents by Inventor Michael J. Cliff

Michael J. Cliff 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).

  • Publication number: 20210102619
    Abstract: A directing member and a method of directing a fluid is provided for an epicyclic gear system having a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a carrier connecting the plurality of planet gears and rotating relative to the sun gear. The directing member is disposed radially outside of the sun gear and is configured for movement relative to the outer periphery of the sun gear. The directing member includes an inner surface configured to receive the fluid discharged from the fluid passage and direct the fluid radially inwardly toward the sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: MICHAEL J. CLIFF
  • Patent number: 8887880
    Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Robert L. Wood, Jr., Briton T. Eastman, Poongundran Ganapathi
  • Patent number: 8740741
    Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Wood, Jr., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
  • Publication number: 20130065720
    Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert L. Wood, JR., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
  • Publication number: 20100300776
    Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Robert L. Wood, JR., Briton T. Eastman, Poongundran Ganapathi
  • Patent number: 4256551
    Abstract: A process for electrolysing at least a proportion of a liquid comprising an electrolyte which process comprises passing the liquid between electrodes, at least one of which is an anode and at least one of which is a cathode, the liquid being in a state of laminar flow substantially parallel to the electrodes, the electrodes being disposed substantially horizontally above each other and each electrode being permeable to the product(s) or solutions thereof produced at or adjacent the electrode and, where a density difference is generated on production of the products, the relative disposition of the electrodes is such that the density difference reduces the possibility of the product(s) produced at or adjacent the anode mixing with the product(s) produced at or adjacent the cathode. The process is especially applicable to the electrolysis of brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, William T. Cross, Colin Ramshaw