Patents by Inventor Nicholas W. LaForce
Nicholas W. LaForce 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).
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Publication number: 20240344606Abstract: Parking system and method. In one example, an externally mounted parking system includes a parking system case that is externally mounted to a transmission case of a transmission and a parking system actuator that actuates a mechanism which selectively prevents movement of a gear in the transmission. In the parking system the mechanism is rotationally mounted in the parking system case and a gear reduction assembly in the system is coupled to the transmission through an opening in the transmission case and an opening in the parking system case.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, George A. WILLFORD
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Patent number: 12085162Abstract: An axle system is provided herein. In one example, the axle system includes a gearbox housing at least partially enclosing a gearbox and a planetary gearset that is rotationally coupled to an output of the gearbox and positioned co-axial with a rotational axis of an axle shaft in a differential. The planetary gearset includes a ring gear grounded by a planetary support that is attached to the gearbox housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, Andrew T. Brammer
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Patent number: 12085166Abstract: Parking system and method. In one example, an externally mounted parking system includes a parking system case that is externally mounted to a transmission case of a transmission and a parking system actuator that actuates a mechanism which selectively prevents movement of a gear in the transmission. In the parking system the mechanism is rotationally mounted in the parking system case and a gear reduction assembly in the system is coupled to the transmission through an opening in the transmission case and an opening in the parking system case.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, George A. Willford
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Patent number: 11984794Abstract: A system for cooling and lubricating a rotor shaft bearing of an electric machine is provided. In one example, the system includes a plurality of oil passages that extend axially through a rotor shaft and open into a sealed cavity near a housing interface between an electric machine housing and gearbox housing to route oil to the rotor shaft bearing for cooling and lubrication thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. LaForce, Maxime Veillette
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Publication number: 20240109410Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, a system includes a coupling element comprising an elongated body, a first lobe coupled to a first end of the elongated body, and a second lobe coupled to a second end of the elongated body opposite the first end, wherein the elongated body comprises a top surface separated from the first lobe via a first recess and from the second lobe via a second recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Douglas B. KIEFER, Dennis T. MAHONEY
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Patent number: 11719337Abstract: 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 a protrusion positioned at one end of a higher diameter portion of a cam, the protrusion positioned to contact a pawl upon engagement of the pawl with a parking gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Brian V. Knapke, Nicholas W. Laforce, Aaron D. Gries, Robert D. Keller
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Publication number: 20230243413Abstract: An axle system is provided herein. In one example, the axle system includes a gearbox housing at least partially enclosing a gearbox and a planetary gearset that is rotationally coupled to an output of the gearbox and positioned co-axial with a rotational axis of an axle shaft in a differential. The planetary gearset includes a ring gear grounded by a planetary support that is attached to the gearbox housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Andrew T. BRAMMER
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Patent number: 11655890Abstract: An axle system is provided herein. In one example, the axle system includes a gearbox housing at least partially enclosing a gearbox and a planetary gearset that is rotationally coupled to an output of the gearbox and positioned co-axial with a rotational axis of an axle shaft in a differential. The planetary gearset includes a ring gear grounded by a planetary support that is attached to the gearbox housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, Andrew T. Brammer
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Publication number: 20230110432Abstract: A system for cooling and lubricating a rotor shaft bearing of an electric machine is provided. In one example, the system includes a plurality of oil passages that extend axially through a rotor shaft and open into a sealed cavity near a housing interface between an electric machine housing and gearbox housing to route oil to the rotor shaft bearing for cooling and lubrication thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Maxime VEILLETTE
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Publication number: 20220307596Abstract: 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 a protrusion positioned at one end of a higher diameter portion of a cam, the protrusion positioned to contact a pawl upon engagement of the pawl with a parking gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Brian V. KNAPKE, Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Aaron D. GRIES, Robert D. KELLER
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Publication number: 20220268349Abstract: An axle system is provided herein. In one example, the axle system includes a gearbox housing at least partially enclosing a gearbox and a planetary gearset that is rotationally coupled to an output of the gearbox and positioned co-axial with a rotational axis of an axle shaft in a differential. The planetary gearset includes a ring gear grounded by a planetary support that is attached to the gearbox housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Andrew T. BRAMMER
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Patent number: 11338660Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, Steven G. Slesinski, Harry W. Trost, George A. Willford
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Patent number: 11247548Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle. An axle assembly of the vehicle includes a banjo portion with a first opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of an inboard side of the banjo portion. At least a portion of a differential assembly disposed within at the banjo portion of the axle assembly and is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a gear assembly. The gear assembly is also drivingly connected to a motor output shaft. At least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within a hollow portion of a gear assembly housing. An outboard portion of the gear assembly housing has a mounting flange that is integrally connected to the inboard side of the banjo portion. A first and second protruding portion extends from the axle assembly mounting flange and provides rotational support for the differential assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Thibault G. Devreese, Wouter Wa Galoppin, Nicholas W. Laforce, Lewis H. Nickell, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Steven J. Wesolowski, George A. Willford, Ned W. Wright
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Patent number: 11220150Abstract: An electric axle drivetrain assembly for use in a vehicle. The electric axle drivetrain assembly includes a motor that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a differential assembly. Drivingly connected to ends of the differential assembly is a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft. At least a portion of a first and second wheel end assembly is connected to at least a portion of an end of the first and second axle half shafts opposite the differential assembly. A vehicle suspension system having a support member has a first hub carrier portion connected to a first end portion thereof and a second hub carrier portion connected to a second end portion thereof. Connected to at least a portion of a chassis is the motor and/or the differential assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Nicholas W. Laforce, Seth A. Metzger, Brian Thisse, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Steven J. Wesolowski, James F. Ziech
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Publication number: 20210362577Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Steven G. SLESINSKI, Harry W. TROST, George A. WILLFORD
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Patent number: 11047463Abstract: An axle system for a vehicle having an input shaft and an input helical gear. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of an intermediate portion of the input shaft is an increased diameter portion. A bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a first end portion of the increase diameter portion and a tapered roller bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a second end portion of the increased diameter portion of the input shaft. Disposed outboard from the bearing journal surface is a bearing and a tapered roller bearing is disposed outboard from the tapered roller bearing journal surface of the input shaft. At least a portion of the tapered roller bearing is disposed with a tapered roller bearing receiving portion circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of an input helical side gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Bradley R. Archer, Jeremy M. Frenznick, Nicholas W. Laforce, Paul V. Mackalski, Matthew T. Malanga, Jared T. Reichert
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Publication number: 20200346506Abstract: An electric axle drivetrain assembly for use in a vehicle. The electric axle drivetrain assembly includes a motor that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a differential assembly. Drivingly connected to ends of the differential assembly is a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft. At least a portion of a first and second wheel end assembly is connected to at least a portion of an end of the first and second axle half shafts opposite the differential assembly. A vehicle suspension system having a support member has a first hub carrier portion connected to a first end portion thereof and a second hub carrier portion connected to a second end portion thereof. Connected to at least a portion of a chassis is the motor and/or the differential assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Nicholas W. LAFORCE, Seth A. METZGER, Brian THISSE, Robert L. VAILLIENCOURT, Steven J. WESOLOWSKI, James F. ZIECH
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Publication number: 20200108706Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle. An axle assembly of the vehicle includes a banjo portion with a first opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of an inboard side of the banjo portion. At least a portion of a differential assembly disposed within at the banjo portion of the axle assembly and is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a gear assembly. The gear assembly is also drivingly connected to a motor output shaft. At least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within a hollow portion of a gear assembly housing. An outboard portion of the gear assembly housing has a mounting flange that is integrally connected to the inboard side of the banjo portion. A first and second protruding portion extends from the axle assembly mounting flange and provides rotational support for the differential assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: THIBAULT G. DEVREESE, WOUTER WA GALOPPIN, NICHOLAS W. LAFORCE, LEWIS H. NICKELL, ROBERT L. VAILLIENCOURT, STEVEN J. WESOLOWSKI, GEORGE A. WILLFORD, NED W. WRIGHT
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Publication number: 20190308498Abstract: An axle system for a vehicle having an input shaft and an input helical gear. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of an intermediate portion of the input shaft is an increased diameter portion. A bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a first end portion of the increase diameter portion and a tapered roller bearing journal surface is disposed directly adjacent to a second end portion of the increased diameter portion of the input shaft. Disposed outboard from the bearing journal surface is a bearing and a tapered roller bearing is disposed outboard from the tapered roller bearing journal surface of the input shaft. At least a portion of the tapered roller bearing is disposed with a tapered roller bearing receiving portion circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of an input helical side gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: BRADLEY R. ARCHER, JEREMY M. FRENZNICK, NICHOLAS W. LAFORCE, PAUL V. MACKALSKI, MATTHEW T. MALANGA, JARED T. REICHERT
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Patent number: 10253857Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including an electric motor having a hollow rotor shaft disposed in an axle housing, a first planetary gear set, a second a planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set is drivingly connected to the rotor shaft and a first transfer shaft. The second planetary gear set is drivingly connected to the first transfer shaft and a second transfer shaft and has ring gear selectively fixed to the axle housing. The third planetary gear set is drivingly connected to the first transfer shaft and an output gear and has a ring gear rotationally fixed to the axle housing. Clutches are selectively engaged to rotationally fix the ring gears to the axle housing. The rotor shaft and first transfer shaft are coaxially with respect to each other and axle half shafts of a transaxle.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventor: Nicholas W. LaForce