Patents by Inventor Salvatore N. Grupido

Salvatore N. Grupido 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: 11940056
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component that includes a tubular body, a relief valve, a vent cover and a pin. The tubular body has a first and second axial ends and defines an interior circumferential surface. The relief valve is mounted in the tubular body between the first and second axial ends. The vent cover is mounted to the tubular body and covers the second axial end. The pin is mounted to the tubular body at a location between the first axial end and the relief valve. The pin extends through the interior circumferential surface into a hollow interior of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore N. Grupido, Mark L. White
  • Publication number: 20230358330
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component that includes a tubular body, a relief valve, a vent cover and a pin. The tubular body has a first and second axial ends and defines an interior circumferential surface. The relief valve is mounted in the tubular body between the first and second axial ends. The vent cover is mounted to the tubular body and covers the second axial end. The pin is mounted to the tubular body at a location between the first axial end and the relief valve. The pin extends through the interior circumferential surface into a hollow interior of the tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Salvatore N. GRUPIDO, Mark L. WHITE
  • Patent number: 10760675
    Abstract: A gear assembly includes gears, housing components joined to one another about the gears, and a gasket. Each housing component includes an axial end wall and a sidewall projecting axially from the axial end wall. The sidewall of each housing component has an axial end surface that faces the axial end surface of the other housing component. One of the housing components includes a rib that projects axially from the axial end wall thereof and is spaced inward from the sidewall thereof. The gasket includes a seal portion and a baffle portion. The seal portion is disposed between the axial end surfaces of the housing components to create a seal therebetween. The baffle portion extends inward from the seal portion and cooperates with the rib, the sidewall, and the axial end wall to form a channel configured guide drainage of lubricant thrown from at least one of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore N. Grupido, Aaron Leslie Minor
  • Patent number: 8316731
    Abstract: A power transfer unit that includes a structure, a tube and a seal. The structure defines a boss that projects along an axis. The boss has a first portion, which defines a gripping surface, and a second portion that defines a sealing surface. The tube has an end that is disposed concentrically about at least a portion of the boss. The seal is received between and sealingly engaged against the structure and the tube. The seal includes a seal body with a seal member and a coupling portion. The seal member sealingly engages the sealing surface and the coupling portion frictionally engages the gripping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore N Grupido, Eric A Rivett, James P Borowiak, Shemek Swieczkowski
  • Patent number: 7717797
    Abstract: A drivetrain that includes a drivetrain component, a flange structure, a yoke flange, a female guide portion and a male guide portion. The drivetrain component has a shaft that is rotatable about an axis. The flange structure is fixedly but removably coupled to the shaft. The female guide portion is directly coupled to one of the shaft and the yoke flange. The male guide portion is directly coupled to the other one of the shaft and the yoke flange. The male guide portion engages the female guide portion to thereby align the yoke flange to the axis. The yoke flange and the flange structure are fixedly but removably coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Richard Gerding, Salvatore N. Grupido, Marc M. Menosky, Thomas J. Oldenburg
  • Publication number: 20100090418
    Abstract: A power transfer unit that includes a structure, a tube and a seal. The structure defines a boss that projects along an axis. The boss has a first portion, which defines a gripping surface, and a second portion that defines a sealing surface. The tube has an end that is disposed concentrically about at least a portion of the boss. The seal is received between and sealingly engaged against the structure and the tube. The seal includes a seal body with a seal member and a coupling portion. The seal member sealingly engages the sealing surface and the coupling portion frictionally engages the gripping surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Salvatore N. Grupido, Eric A. Rivett, James P. Borowiak, Shemek Swieczkowski
  • Patent number: 7445558
    Abstract: A drivetrain that includes a drivetrain component, a flange structure, a yoke flange, a female guide portion and a male guide portion. The drivetrain component has a shaft that is rotatable about an axis. The flange structure is fixedly but removably coupled to the shaft. The female guide portion is directly coupled to one of the shaft and the yoke flange. The male guide portion is directly coupled to the other one of the shaft and the yoke flange. The male guide portion engages the female guide portion to thereby align the yoke flange to the axis. The yoke flange and the flange structure are fixedly but removably coupled to one another. A method of fabricating a drivetrain is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin R Gerding, Salvatore N Grupido, Marc M Menosky, Thomas J Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 7189162
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 7044859
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 7025679
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages a portion of the trunnion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6994627
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a flared end section. A bearing is retained on the trunnion by the flared end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6893350
    Abstract: A torsionally-compliant universal joint includes a cruciform having trunnion posts partially encapsulated within a body. The body is formed from an elastomeric material. A bearing cup assembly is rotatably coupled to one of the trunnion posts. The bearing cup assembly is coupled to a yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc. M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6855059
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages a portion of the trunnion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc. M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6837795
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a radially extending protrusion. A seal engages the protrusion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6827649
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Publication number: 20040224778
    Abstract: A torsionally-compliant universal joint includes a cruciform having trunnion posts partially encapsulated within a body. The body is formed from an elastomeric material. A bearing cup assembly is rotatably coupled to one of the trunnion posts. The bearing cup assembly is coupled to a yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6814668
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A seal includes a plurality of protrusions engaging a portion of the trunnion to provide a purging path for trapped air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Publication number: 20040204249
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A seal includes a plurality of protrusions engaging a portion of the trunnion to provide a purging path for trapped air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Publication number: 20040204252
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a radially extending protrusion. A seal engages the protrusion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Publication number: 20040204250
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a flared end section. A bearing is retained on the trunnion by the flared end section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido