Patents by Inventor Michael Z. Creech

Michael Z. Creech 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: 11971101
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a parking mechanism in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a pawl of the parking mechanism, the lever arm non-back drivable at each of a first state and a second state of the actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Z. Creech
  • Patent number: 11953348
    Abstract: A network including a sensory assembly having a first wire coil coupled to a stationary component, and a spaced apart second wire coil coupled to a movable component. An interstice is formed between the wire coils. The stationary first wire coil is employed in a primary electrical circuit and the movable second wire coil is employed in a second electrical circuit. A magnet flux field permits at least a portion of an electrical current varied as a function of a parameter of the movable component to be transmitted between the electrical circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Z. Creech, Perry M. Paielli
  • Patent number: 11933397
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a driveline shifting member in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a driveline shifting member, the lever arm driven via a rolling element housed within a slot in the lever arm aligned with a center of a parallel axis gear of the one or more parallel axis gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Wright, Michael Z. Creech
  • Publication number: 20240052925
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a driveline shifting member in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a driveline shifting member, the lever arm driven via a rolling element housed within a slot in the lever arm aligned with a center of a parallel axis gear of the one or more parallel axis gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Robert A. WRIGHT, Michael Z. CREECH
  • Publication number: 20230358302
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Perry M. PAIELLI, Michael Z. CREECH, Sagar B. BANGAR
  • Patent number: 11767893
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing a clutch position. In one example, a method may include generating a single output signal by combining at least an output of a first sensor and an output of a second sensor output, the first sensor and second sensor connected in parallel, and the first sensor and the second sensor sensing a common moving element of a clutch. In one example, the method may further include a first sensor output and a second sensor output provided on a common sensor bus. As another example, the first sensor output may be a master pulse width modulation output, and the second sensor output follows a modulation frequency of the first sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Justin S. Davis, Terry W. McGraner, Sagar B. Bangar, Michael Z. Creech
  • Patent number: 11746873
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
  • Patent number: 11674581
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator configured to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a multi-sensor sub-assembly having two or more sensor configured to monitor a position of the electromagnetic solenoid actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Justin S. Davis, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
  • Publication number: 20230167861
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing a clutch position. In one example, a method may include generating a single output signal by combining at least an output of a first sensor and an output of a second sensor output, the first sensor and second sensor connected in parallel, and the first sensor and the second sensor sensing a common moving element of a clutch. In one example, the method may further include a first sensor output and a second sensor output provided on a common sensor bus. As another example, the first sensor output may be a master pulse width modulation output, and the second sensor output follows a modulation frequency of the first sensor output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Perry M. PAIELLI, Justin S. DAVIS, Terry W. MCGRANER, Sagar B. BANGAR, Michael Z. CREECH
  • Patent number: 11644067
    Abstract: A disconnect apparatus including a first clutch member and a second clutch member in selective engagement with the first clutch member. The disconnect apparatus also includes a cam mechanism and a sensor assembly. The cam mechanism includes an axially movable first cam member and an axially fixed second cam member. Wherein the sensor assembly generates a pulse pattern which is utilized to determine a position of the first cam member, and thereby a state of the disconnect apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Korneel Bolle, Michael Z. Creech, Stijn Goossens, Gaurav Krishnaraj, Mitchell R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 11598280
    Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Jeremy M. Frenznick
  • Patent number: 11585420
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including a housing. The housing having an actuator component, an armature, and at least a portion of a sensor disposed therein. The armature is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position. The sensor includes at least one sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent to the armature. The sensing element has a physical property which varies based upon a position of the armature within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Z. Creech, Justin S. Davis, Robert D. Keller, Terry W. McGraner, Timothy R. Zuehlke
  • Publication number: 20230026552
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a solenoid actuator to engage and/or disengage a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission. In one example, a method may include increasing the holding force of the solenoid actuator. Additionally, the solenoid actuator may include a translatable structural element that creates a moment upon touching another structural element holding the translatable element in a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Sagar B. BANGAR, Michael Z. CREECH
  • Patent number: 11486417
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a housing having a piston at least partially disposed therein. The actuator assembly includes at least one biasing mechanism disposed within the housing to selectively position the piston between a first position, a second position, and a third position located between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Z. Creech, Timothy J. Wills
  • Patent number: 11486470
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a driveline shifting member in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a driveline shifting member, the lever arm driven via a rolling element housed within a slot in the lever arm aligned with a center of a parallel axis gear of the one or more parallel axis gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Wright, Michael Z. Creech
  • Publication number: 20220325787
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Perry M. PAIELLI, Michael Z. CREECH, Sagar B. BANGAR
  • Publication number: 20220325786
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator configured to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a multi-sensor sub-assembly having two or more sensor configured to monitor a position of the electromagnetic solenoid actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Justin S. DAVIS, Michael Z. CREECH, Sagar B. BANGAR
  • Patent number: 11448301
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuitry enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
  • Publication number: 20220275840
    Abstract: A disconnect apparatus including a first clutch member and a second clutch member in selective engagement with the first clutch member. The disconnect apparatus also includes a cam mechanism and a sensor assembly. The cam mechanism includes an axially movable first cam member and an axially fixed second cam member. Wherein the sensor assembly generates a pulse pattern which is utilized to determine a position of the first cam member, and thereby a state of the disconnect apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Korneel BOLLE, Michael Z. CREECH, Stijn GOOSSENS, Gaurav KRISHNARAJ, Mitchell R. LAWSON
  • Publication number: 20220221055
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a parking mechanism in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a pawl of the parking mechanism, the lever arm non-back drivable at each of a first state and a second state of the actuation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Z. CREECH