Patents by Inventor Michal Szymkowiak

Michal Szymkowiak 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: 20190249722
    Abstract: A clutched device can include a differential, a clutch, and a gate. The differential can transmit torque between an input member and first and second output members. A housing can define a sump and a reservoir spaced apart from the sump. A first aperture open to the sump and reservoir can be above a static fluid level of the sump. A second aperture can couple the sump and reservoir below the static fluid level. An outer clutch plate carrier can rotate through the sump and sling fluid through the first aperture. The outer carrier can be coupled for rotation with the second output member and an inner clutch plate carrier can be coupled to a third output member. The gate can be movable between first and second positions. In the first position the gate can block the second aperture. In the second position the second aperture can be open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Robert S. KLEINHARDT, Shawn S. PROCTOR, Paul F. REICHERT, Michal SZYMKOWIAK, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10323695
    Abstract: A clutched device has a housing, which defines a clutch sump, a friction clutch that is received in the housing, a first reservoir, an evacuation device and a pump that is configured to transmit fluid between the first reservoir and the friction clutch for operating the friction clutch. The evacuation device is selectively operable for changing the effective volume of the clutch sump so that the level of lubrication in the clutch sump can be lowered to reduce drag forces caused by the presence of lubricant between clutch plates of the friction clutch when the friction clutch is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Michal Szymkowiak, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20160230817
    Abstract: A clutched device can include a differential, a clutch, and a gate. The differential can transmit torque between an input member and first and second output members. A housing can define a sump and a reservoir spaced apart from the sump. A first aperture open to the sump and reservoir can be above a static fluid level of the sump. A second aperture can couple the sump and reservoir below the static fluid level. An outer clutch plate carrier can rotate through the sump and sling fluid through the first aperture. The outer carrier can be coupled for rotation with the second output member and an inner clutch plate carrier can be coupled to a third output member. The gate can be movable between first and second positions. In the first position the gate can block the second aperture. In the second position the second aperture can be open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert S. Kleinhardt, Shawn S. Proctor, Paul F. Reichert, Michal Szymkowiak, Paul J. Valente