Patents by Inventor Robert D. Hopp

Robert D. Hopp 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: 11536363
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a housing with a lube feed ramp between a bearing bore and a surface in which a first end of a lubricant channel is formed. The bearing supports a pinion for rotation about a first axis. The surface is transverse to the bearing bore. The lube feed ramp is defined by a warped planar surface that provides a transverse transformation between the bearing bore and the surface that is transverse to the bearing bore. The lube feed ramp is configured to direct a portion of a lubricant exiting the bearing into the first end of the lubrication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhanu M. Anagurthi, Robert D. Hopp
  • Publication number: 20220120344
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a housing with a lube feed ramp between a bearing bore and a surface in which a first end of a lubricant channel is formed. The bearing supports a pinion for rotation about a first axis. The surface is transverse to the bearing bore. The lube feed ramp is defined by a warped planar surface that provides a transverse transformation between the bearing bore and the surface that is transverse to the bearing bore. The lube feed ramp is configured to direct a portion of a lubricant exiting the bearing into the first end of the lubrication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Bhanu M. ANAGURTHI, Robert D. HOPP
  • Patent number: 9512909
    Abstract: An actuator assembly with first and second sleeves, a barrel, a follower, a groove, a spring, and an output member that is coupled to the second sleeve. The first sleeve has a first externally toothed body, a first flange, which extends radially outwardly from the first body, and a first bore. The barrel is received in the first bore and is rotatable therein. The follower is fixed to one of the barrel and the first sleeve and is received in the groove, which is formed in the other one of the barrel and the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a second body with an internally toothed second bore. The second sleeve is disposed about the first sleeve such that internal and external teeth are meshed to axially slidably but non-rotatably couple the first and second sleeves. The spring is disposed between the first flange and the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi, Robert D. Hopp
  • Publication number: 20160312866
    Abstract: An actuator assembly with first and second sleeves, a barrel, a follower, a groove, a spring, and an output member that is coupled to the second sleeve. The first sleeve has a first externally toothed body, a first flange, which extends radially outwardly from the first body, and a first bore. The barrel is received in the first bore and is rotatable therein. The follower is fixed to one of the barrel and the first sleeve and is received in the groove, which is formed in the other one of the barrel and the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a second body with an internally toothed second bore. The second sleeve is disposed about the first sleeve such that internal and external teeth are meshed to axially slidably but non-rotatably couple the first and second sleeves. The spring is disposed between the first flange and the second sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi, Robert D. Hopp