Patents by Inventor Robert Francis Keller

Robert Francis Keller 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: 10371228
    Abstract: A variable spring rate absorber is adjusted to provide the vibration attenuation characteristics needed to match current operating conditions. Control of a variable spring rate absorber determines the desired absorber spring rate for existing conditions based on a number of inputs and predetermined characterization tables. Once the spring rate is calculated, a predetermined map may be used to determine the absorber setting needed to achieve the desired spring rate. A sensor may be used to measure the actual state of the absorber to determine the extent to which the setting must be adjusted to achieve the desired spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Buchanan, Robert Francis Keller, Xiaobing Liu
  • Patent number: 10174828
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a transmission housing for a transmission with a flexible drive having a housing section with at least one curved wall surface (70; 74; 80) facing an accommodation space for a wheel of the flexible drive, wherein the wall surface can be changed in a radial direction, thereby offsetting and/or enlarging the accommodation space. A number of variations may include a transmission and to a method for producing transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Keller, Michael Schwekutsch
  • Patent number: 10006507
    Abstract: A multi-mode clutch module includes first and second races, and a plurality of race engagement mechanisms situated between the races. The module incorporates an actuator sleeve having an axially acting actuator cam finger. The cam finger is configured with variable radial thicknesses to provide a plurality of predetermined fixed positions for contacting the race engagement mechanisms to cause the engagement mechanisms to selectively interact with the races. The actuator sleeve is thus adapted to control axial movement of the actuator cam finger between at least two axially spaced positions in one embodiment. In other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the actuator cam finger may be adapted to move axially among any number of predetermined positions to operatively permit or prevent transmittal of torque between the first and second races, irrespective of the relative rotational direction of the races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Brett John Lee, Roy Keith Martin, Robert Francis Keller, Joel Maguire
  • Publication number: 20170248189
    Abstract: A variable spring rate absorber is adjusted to provide the vibration attenuation characteristics needed to match current operating conditions. Control of a variable spring rate absorber determines the desired absorber spring rate for existing conditions based on a number of inputs and predetermined characterization tables. Once the spring rate is calculated, a predetermined map may be used to determine the absorber setting needed to achieve the desired spring rate. A sensor may be used to measure the actual state of the absorber to determine the extent to which the setting must be adjusted to achieve the desired spring rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Mark BUCHANAN, Robert Francis KELLER, Xiaobing LIU
  • Publication number: 20170138416
    Abstract: A multi-mode clutch module includes first and second races, and a plurality of race engagement mechanisms situated between the races. The module incorporates an actuator sleeve having an axially acting actuator cam finger. The cam finger is configured with variable radial thicknesses to provide a plurality of predetermined fixed positions for contacting the race engagement mechanisms to cause the engagement mechanisms to selectively interact with the races. The actuator sleeve is thus adapted to control axial movement of the actuator cam finger between at least two axially spaced positions in one embodiment. In other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the actuator cam finger may be adapted to move axially among any number of predetermined positions to operatively permit or prevent transmittal of torque between the first and second races, irrespective of the relative rotational direction of the races.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Brett John Lee, Roy Keith Martin, Robert Francis Keller, Joel Maguire
  • Publication number: 20170138448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission housing (38) for a transmission (2) with a flexible drive (20) having a housing section (40) with at least one curved wall surface (70; 74; 80) facing an accommodation space (48) for a wheel (24) of the flexible drive (20), wherein the wall surface (70; 74; 80) can be changed in a radial direction (56), thereby offsetting and/or enlarging the accommodation space (48). The present invention furthermore relates to a transmission (2) and to a method for producing transmissions (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Francis KELLER, Michael SCHWEKUTSCH
  • Publication number: 20170074392
    Abstract: A transmission oil pump system is disclosed for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and an automatic stop/start system. The transmission oil pump may include a drive shaft having one end mechanically coupled to the engine by a first clutch module and a second end mechanically coupled to an electric motor by a second clutch module. No additional auxiliary pump or fluid accumulator is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Francis KELLER
  • Patent number: 8899131
    Abstract: A driveline product including first and second inputs having input rotational axes, first and second outputs having output rotational axes, a transfer coupling between at least one of the input rotational axes and at least one of the output rotational axes, and at least two selective couplings operatively coupled between the inputs and the outputs for operation selective between at least two drives powered by at least one of two prime movers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Francis Keller
  • Publication number: 20130036862
    Abstract: A driveline product including first and second inputs having input rotational axes, first and second outputs having output rotational axes, a transfer coupling between at least one of the input rotational axes and at least one of the output rotational axes, and at least two selective couplings operatively coupled between the inputs and the outputs for operation selective between at least two drives powered by at least one of two prime movers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Francis Keller