Patents by Inventor Paul J. Valente

Paul J. Valente 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: 20220385146
    Abstract: An electric drive unit having a multi-phase electric motor and an inverter with a plurality of power semiconductors, an inverter mount, and a plurality of busbars. The power semiconductors are mounted to the base of the inverter mount in an annular arrangement and with the terminals of the power semiconductors extending through the base. Each of the busbars has a first busbar portion, which includes a first body and a set of first fingers that are fixedly coupled to the first body, and a second busbar portion that includes a second body and a set of second fingers that are fixedly coupled to the second body. Associated fingers in the first and second sets of fingers of each bus bar are mechanically and electrically coupled to opposite sides of a corresponding one of the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE, Jeffrey J. RONNING, John C. MORGANTE, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG
  • Patent number: 11473661
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, an annular gear, a bearing, a differential, and a pair of output shafts. The housing has an annular hub. The annular gear is received in the housing. The bearing, which is a four-point angular contact bearing, supports the gear for rotation about an axis relative to the housing and has an inner bearing race, which is mounted on the annular hub, and an outer bearing race that is fixedly coupled to the annular gear. The differential is received in the housing and includes an input member, which is coupled to the annular gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members that are rotatable relative to the input member about the output axis. Each of the output shafts is coupled to an associated one of the output members for rotation therewith. One of the output shafts extends through the annular hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20220310493
    Abstract: An electric drive unit having a stator, a rotor received in the stator and rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, and an inverter assembly that includes a plurality of power semiconductors, a plurality of heat sinks and an end plate. The power semiconductors are thermally coupled to the heat sinks. Each of the heat sinks has a plurality of fins that extend into a flow channel that is coaxial with the plurality of sets of field windings. The end plate is coupled to the power semiconductors and has a projection, which is sealingly coupled to the stator and which and partly defines an annular cavity, and a coolant port that is coupled in fluid communication with the annular cavity. The flow channel is in fluid communication with and disposed in a flow path between the annular cavity and the cooling channels in the stator body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 11456239
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Paul J. Valente, John C. Morgante
  • Publication number: 20220196129
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, an annular gear, a bearing, a differential, and a pair of output shafts. The housing has an annular hub. The annular gear is received in the housing. The bearing, which is a four-point angular contact bearing, supports the gear for rotation about an axis relative to the housing and has an inner bearing race, which is mounted on the annular hub, and an outer bearing race that is fixedly coupled to the annular gear. The differential is received in the housing and includes an input member, which is coupled to the annular gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members that are rotatable relative to the input member about the output axis. Each of the output shafts is coupled to an associated one of the output members for rotation therewith. One of the output shafts extends through the annular hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20220196126
    Abstract: An electric drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly, and a transmission that transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The transmission has first and second reductions. The first reduction has a drive gear, which is rotatable about a first axis, and a pair of first reduction gears that are each meshingly engaged to the drive gear rotatable about a respective second axis. The second axes are spaced apart from one another and are parallel to the first axis. The second reduction has a driven gear and a pair of second reduction gears. The driven gear is rotatable about a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. Each of the second reduction gears is being meshingly engaged to the driven gear and non-rotatably coupled to an associated one of the first reduction gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Publication number: 20220199501
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
  • Patent number: 11303183
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, David Crecelius, Jeffrey J. Ronning, Paul J. Valente, John C. Morgante
  • Patent number: 11293534
    Abstract: An electric drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly, and a transmission that transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The transmission has first and second reductions. The first reduction has a drive gear, which is rotatable about a first axis, and a pair of first reduction gears that are each meshingly engaged to the drive gear rotatable about a respective second axis. The second axes are spaced apart from one another and are parallel to the first axis. The second reduction has a driven gear and a pair of second reduction gears. The driven gear is rotatable about a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. Each of the second reduction gears is being meshingly engaged to the driven gear and non-rotatably coupled to an associated one of the first reduction gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20220074475
    Abstract: An electric drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly, and a transmission that transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential assembly. The transmission has first and second reductions. The first reduction has a drive gear, which is rotatable about a first axis, and a pair of first reduction gears that are each meshingly engaged to the drive gear rotatable about a respective second axis. The second axes are spaced apart from one another and are parallel to the first axis. The second reduction has a driven gear and a pair of second reduction gears. The driven gear is rotatable about a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. Each of the second reduction gears is being meshingly engaged to the driven gear and non-rotatably coupled to an associated one of the first reduction gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Publication number: 20220037954
    Abstract: An electric drive module having a motor and an inverter that are disposed in a housing The motor includes a stator, which has a plurality of sets of windings. The inverter has a plurality of power semiconductors, which are mounted into a retaining member, an end plate, which is sealingly coupled to the retaining member, and an inlet port that extends through the end plate. Sets of the semiconductor devices are electrically coupled to corresponding sets of the windings. Power terminals on the semiconductor devices are coupled to a heat sink. Fins on the heat sinks extend into an annular region that is adjacent to axial ends of the windings. At least one of the retaining member and the end plate is sealingly coupled to the housing assembly. The inlet port, the annular region and cooling passages in the stator are coupled in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, David CRECELIUS, Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, John C. MORGANTE
  • Publication number: 20220037241
    Abstract: An electrical assembly that includes a semiconductor die, a heat sink and a case. The semiconductor die includes a power semiconductor device with a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of electrically conductive leads. Each of the electrically conductive leads is electrically coupled to an associated one of the terminals on the power semiconductor device. The heat sink has a base, a mount, and a plurality of fins. The mount extends from a first side of the base and is coupled to the semiconductor die. The fins are fixedly coupled to the base and extend from a second side of the base that is opposite the first side of the base. The case is formed of a first electrically insulating material. A first one of the leads is integrally and unitarily formed with the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE, Chi-Wai David LAU
  • Patent number: 11231096
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 10975945
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings that are disposed along the first axis on opposite sides of the pinion gear teeth. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 10927937
    Abstract: A drive module having a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear driven by the input pinion, a ring gear bearing supporting the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing, a pair of output shafts and a clutch that selectively transmits rotary power between the ring gear and the output shafts. The clutch includes a clutch input, which is rotatably coupled to the ring gear, a clutch pack separator that is rotatably coupled to the clutch input, a pair of clutch outputs, which are each coupled to a respective one of the output shafts, a pair of clutch packs, which transmit rotary power between the clutch input and a respective one of the clutch outputs, and a pair of apply pistons. The apply pistons are housed in the clutch pack separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20200355255
    Abstract: A drive module having a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear driven by the input pinion, a ring gear bearing supporting the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing, a pair of output shafts and a clutch that selectively transmits rotary power between the ring gear and the output shafts. The clutch includes a clutch input, which is rotatably coupled to the ring gear, a clutch plate separator that is rotatably coupled to the clutch input, a pair of clutch outputs, which are each coupled to a respective one of the output shafts, a pair of clutch packs, which transmit rotary power between the clutch input and a respective one of the clutch outputs, and a pair of apply pistons. The apply pistons are housed in the clutch plate separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: James P. DOWNS, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10732155
    Abstract: A drive module with a hydraulic circuit that includes a reversible motor, a reversible pump driven by the reversible motor, a hydraulic reservoir, a first conduit coupling a first inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, a second conduit coupling a second inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, first and second hydraulic cylinders, and first and second one-way valves. The first hydraulic cylinder has a third inlet/outlet that is coupled to the first conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The second hydraulic cylinder has a fourth inlet/outlet that is coupled to the second conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The first one-way valve is disposed in the first hydraulic conduit between the first hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir. The second one-way valve is disposed in the second hydraulic conduit between the second hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20200227964
    Abstract: A motor drive system with a rotor assembly having an insert, which is received into a blind hollow rotor space in a shaft, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The insert has an insert body, a first flow passage and a plurality of second flow passages. The insert body has an outer insert surface that is engaged to an inside surface of a shaft wall of the shaft. The first flow passage extends longitudinally through the insert body. The second flow passages extend longitudinally through the insert body radially between the outer insert surface and the first flow passage. The coolant inlet is fluidly coupled to one of the first and second flow passages, while the coolant outlet is fluidly coupled to the other one of the first and second flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, James P. DOWNS, John MORGANTE, Peter D. FISCHER, David CRECELIUS, Zugang HUANG, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 10710454
    Abstract: A disconnecting axle assembly with a planetary differential assembly and a coupling that selectively couples a planet carrier of the planetary differential assembly to an axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10704663
    Abstract: A drive module having a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear driven by the input pinion, a ring gear bearing supporting the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing, a pair of output shafts and a clutch that selectively transmits rotary power between the ring gear and the output shafts. The clutch includes a clutch input, which is rotatably coupled to the ring gear, a clutch plate separator that is rotatably coupled to the clutch input, a pair of clutch outputs, which are each coupled to a respective one of the output shafts, a pair of clutch packs, which transmit rotary power between the clutch input and a respective one of the clutch outputs, and a pair of apply pistons. The apply pistons are housed in the clutch plate separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente