Patents by Inventor Sean Steele
Sean Steele 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).
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Patent number: 12240321Abstract: A disconnectable differential assembly has a reduced axial length and a side gear disconnectable from an axle shaft via a clutch unit. Various components of the disconnect mechanism are axially aligned and concentric to reduce the axial length. An output hub splined on the axle shaft and is actuatable, via an axially shiftable armature, into toothed engagement with the side gear via respective axially extending teeth. The output hub and armature include radially extending flanges that are axially adjacent and radially aligned with the teeth so that force is transmitted to the teeth at the same diameter. A thrust bearing is disposed between the flanges so that the output hub rotates relative to the armature. The side gear is supported for rotation on the axle shaft, and a bearing is disposed radially therebetween to improve radial alignment of the second side gear with the output hub.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Dusan Milacic, Sean Steele, Myron Samila, Stephen Yang, David Gelfand
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Publication number: 20240198794Abstract: A disconnectable differential assembly has a reduced axial length and a side gear disconnectable from an axle shaft via a clutch unit. Various components of the disconnect mechanism are axially aligned and concentric to reduce the axial length. An output hub splined on the axle shaft and is actuatable, via an axially shiftable armature, into toothed engagement with the side gear via respective axially extending teeth. The output hub and armature include radially extending flanges that are axially adjacent and radially aligned with the teeth so that force is transmitted to the teeth at the same diameter. A thrust bearing is disposed between the flanges so that the output hub rotates relative to the armature. The side gear is supported for rotation on the axle shaft, and a bearing is disposed radially therebetween to improve radial alignment of the second side gear with the output hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2022Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Dusan Milacic, Sean Steele, Myron Samila, Stephen Yang, David Gelfand
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Patent number: 11841082Abstract: A locking pawl arrangement with a motion compliance mechanism for use with various automotive devices having a rotating hub with a plurality of teeth. There is provided a pawl that is moveable between a disengaged position wherein the pawl is not engaged with the rotating hub, an engaged positioned where the pawl is engaged with the hub and an intermediate position that is between the disengaged position and engaged position. A locking cam is in contact with the pawl and moves between a disengaged position, an engaged position, and an intermediate position against the pawl. There is further provided an actuator that is engageable with the locking cam. The actuator moves between a retracted position and an extended position, thereby causing the locking cam to move the pawl between the intermediate position, disengaged position and engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Tak Man Loui, Adrian Cioc, Romulus Crisan, Stephen Yang, Dusan Milacic, Sean Steele, Myron Samila
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Patent number: 10533617Abstract: A one-way clutch having an anti-deployment feature operable to counteract hydraulic forces acting on the strut so as to assist in maintaining the strut in a non-deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Ranjit Uppal, Sean Steele, Alberto Passos, Dusan Milacic
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Patent number: 10072627Abstract: A starting system for a vehicle including an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor. A drive plate includes a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch assembly is adapted to drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race fixed for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. One of the inner and outer races includes circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch assembly also includes a cage for positioning the rollers in a circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces and a roller bearing assembly positioned axially offset from the one-way clutch rollers to rotatably support the outer race on the inner race.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Sean Steele, David Dorigo, Adrian C. Cioc
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Publication number: 20180058518Abstract: A one-way clutch having an anti-deployment feature operable to counteract hydraulic forces acting on the strut so as to assist in maintaining the strut in a non-deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Ranjit Uppal, Sean Steele, Alberto Passos, Dusan Milacic
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Patent number: 9097296Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with a first rotatable member, an outer race having circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces and being adapted to be fixed for rotation with a second rotatable member as well as a plurality of roller elements positioned therebetween. A plurality of circumferentially extending springs cooperate with the cage to align each roller element with the cam surfaces. The springs and cage urge the roller elements away from the inner race. A retaining mechanism captures lubricant in contact with the roller elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: MagnaPowertrain, Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Sean Steele, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 9074646Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. The clutch assembly also includes a cage assembly, a seal and a retaining ring. The cage assembly includes a skeleton coupled to a spring ring having a plurality of radially extending guides arranged to circumferentially space apart each roller element in alignment with cam surfaces formed on the outer race. The guides are resiliently deformable to allow concurrent engagement of each roller element with both the inner and outer races. The seal engages an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race, and is positioned axially outboard of the roller elements. The retaining ring is positioned within ring grooves formed on each of the inner and outer races to restrict movement of the cage.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, John Sabo, Richard D. Muizelaar
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Patent number: 8943914Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor and a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch assembly drivingly interconnects the drive plate and an engine crankshaft and includes an inner race fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. The outer race includes a first set of teeth drivingly engaging a second set of teeth on the drive plate and arranged to allow the outer race to rotate about an axis misaligned with an axis of rotation of the drive plate. A spring engages the drive plate and the outer race to urge the first and second sets of teeth into alignment with one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Patent number: 8899201Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block. The starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear, and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is adapted to selectively drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. A fastener couples the drive plate to the outer race and compresses an elastomeric damper between the drive plate and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Publication number: 20140305396Abstract: A starting system for a vehicle including an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor. A drive plate includes a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch assembly is adapted to drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race fixed for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. One of the inner and outer races includes circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch assembly also includes a cage for positioning the rollers in a circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces and a roller bearing assembly positioned axially offset from the one-way clutch rollers to rotatably support the outer race on the inner race.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Sean Steele, David Dorigo, Adrian C. Cioc
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Patent number: 8850909Abstract: A hybrid vehicle starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, and a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch drivingly interconnects the drive plate and an engine crankshaft and includes an inner race fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race fixed for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. A cage positions the rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with outer cam surfaces. A split ring is positioned within grooves on each of the inner race and the outer race. The split ring is fitted within one of the grooves at a first clearance and fitted within the other of the grooves at a predetermined second clearance at least ten times the first clearance to isolate the outer race from vibrations of the inner race.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Patent number: 8640846Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Publication number: 20130256081Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Patent number: 8459432Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
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Publication number: 20120234281Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block. The starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear, and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is adapted to selectively drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. A fastener couples the drive plate to the outer race and compresses an elastomeric damper between the drive plate and the outer race.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Publication number: 20120227541Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor and a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch assembly drivingly interconnects the drive plate and an engine crankshaft and includes an inner race fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. The outer race includes a first set of teeth drivingly engaging a second set of teeth on the drive plate and arranged to allow the outer race to rotate about an axis misaligned with an axis of rotation of the drive plate. A spring engages the drive plate and the outer race to urge the first and second sets of teeth into alignment with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Publication number: 20120227540Abstract: A hybrid vehicle starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, and a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear. A one-way clutch drivingly interconnects the drive plate and an engine crankshaft and includes an inner race fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race fixed for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of rollers positioned radially therebetween. A cage positions the rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with outer cam surfaces. A split ring is positioned within grooves on each of the inner race and the outer race. The split ring is fitted within one of the grooves at a first clearance and fitted within the other of the grooves at a predetermined second clearance at least ten times the first clearance to isolate the outer race from vibrations of the inner race.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
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Patent number: 8240286Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele
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Publication number: 20110168118Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele