Patents by Inventor Michael W Gapski

Michael W Gapski 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: 9394990
    Abstract: A system for lash reduction of a shifter for a manual transmission includes a shifter assembly having a housing, a shift lever and a shift lever guide device positioned in the housing. The guide device includes a plurality of shift channels connected by a select channel and defines a shift pattern for the shift lever. The transmission gate guide includes a corresponding plurality of shift finger slots connected by a select slot and defines a pattern for a shift finger of the transmission. Movement of the shift lever into one of the channels operatively moves the shift finger into a corresponding one of the slots. Each of the channels includes a channel width complimentary to a width of the shift lever so as to substantially reduce lateral free play of the shift lever when received in the channels while allowing longitudinal motion of the shift lever in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Benson, Jeffrey J Sawruk, Lawrence K Laba, Eugene H Polan, Jr., Michael W Gapski, Christopher W Collins
  • Publication number: 20140373660
    Abstract: A system for lash reduction of a shifter for a manual transmission includes a shifter assembly having a housing, a shift lever and a shift lever guide device positioned in the housing. The guide device includes a plurality of shift channels connected by a select channel and defines a shift pattern for the shift lever. The transmission gate guide includes a corresponding plurality of shift finger slots connected by a select slot and defines a pattern for a shift finger of the transmission. Movement of the shift lever into one of the channels operatively moves the shift finger into a corresponding one of the slots. Each of the channels includes a channel width complimentary to a width of the shift lever so as to substantially reduce lateral free play of the shift lever when received in the channels while allowing longitudinal motion of the shift lever in the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Robert A. Benson, Jeffrey J. Sawruk, Lawrence K. Laba, Eugene H. Polan, JR., Michael W. Gapski, Christopher W. Collins
  • Patent number: 8712651
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kubina, Aaron E. Thompson, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael W. Gapski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Richard S. Silbert
  • Publication number: 20130338887
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kubina, Aaron E. Thompson, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael W. Gapski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Richard S. Silbert
  • Patent number: 7434646
    Abstract: An on-demand four wheel drive system for a vehicle having a front drive train, a rear drive train, and a transfer case. The system includes a sensor system operable to detect the speed of the front drive train and the speed of the rear drive train. The system also includes a controller operable to cause the transfer case to supply input torque to the front drive train and the rear drive train when the sensor system detects that the speed of the rear drive train exceeds the speed of the front drive train by a predetermined amount. The controller is further operable to cause the transfer case to limit the amount of input torque supplied to the front drive train when the sensor system detects that the speed of the front drive train exceeds the speed of the rear drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Mark E Thompson, Frank C Thompson, IV, Michael W Gapski