Patents by Inventor Rick K. Daugherty

Rick K. Daugherty 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: 10746231
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20180163789
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 9926986
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 9309931
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20160076648
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES F. HARTZ, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20160017930
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 7493999
    Abstract: This invention relates to the housing of a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission consisting of park pawl system located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and allow access to the components of the park pawl system for assembly or service even as the end cover portion remains attached to the main housing of the transmission. Beyond providing coverage to the park pawl system, the end cover portion also provides structural support to a main housing portion during operation of the transmission. A method of assembling a park pawl system between main and end cover portions of a transmission housing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Reed, James A. Raszkowski, Joel E. Mowatt, Bert D. Love, Rick K. Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7284648
    Abstract: This invention relates to an actuable park pawl system for a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and ancillary components such as the actuator guide. This enables the actuator guide to be an open-ended structure. A method of securing a park engagement system with an open-ended actuator guide in a vehicle transmission is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Reed, James A. Raszkowski, Joel E. Mowatt, Bert D. Love, Rick K. Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7152724
    Abstract: This invention relates to the housing of a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission consisting of park pawl system located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and allow access to the components of the park pawl system for assembly or service even as the end cover portion remains attached to the main housing of the transmission. An access cover and seal for the access opening in the end cover portion is also provided. The access opening is designed to be small enough so that the end cover portion can also provides structural support to a main housing portion during operation of the transmission. A method of selectively providing access to a park pawl system located in the end cover portion of a transmission housing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Reed, James A. Raszkowski, Joel E. Mowatt, Bert D. Love, Rick K. Daugherty