Patents by Inventor Shane T. Smith
Shane T. Smith 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: 12215785Abstract: A transmission shift fork comprising: an arch-shaped portion, where a pair of lobes are radially and inwardly projecting from an inner surface of the arch-shaped portion directing oil to a sleeve engagement region of a clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Justin Hall, Mark W. Leber, Shane T. Smith, Michael D. Cook, Nicholas Oen
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Patent number: 12152664Abstract: Systems are provided for a gearset for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a system includes a shaft comprising one or more lubricant holes oriented radially within the shaft, and one or more gears positioned radially around a central axis of the shaft. The system further includes a ring positioned circumferentially around the shaft. The ring is shaped with a radially extending portion and an axially extending portion, wherein the radially extending portion may direct lubricant flow from the radially oriented lubricant holes toward the axially extending portion, and the axially extending portion directs lubricant flow from the lubricant holes in an axial direction towards the one or more gears. The axially extending portion and radially extending portion form a cut in the ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Mark W. Leber, Shane T. Smith, Justin Hall, Langston H. Corn, Michael D. Cook
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Publication number: 20240384789Abstract: Shift fork system and method. The shift fork system includes multiple fork guides that are removably coupled to a shift fork body. Each fork guide is configured to removably mate with a clutch assembly, including a hub, to enable the clutch assembly to be adjusted. Further, multiple attachment devices in the shift fork system are each be configured to releasably fix a position of one of the fork guides in relation to the clutch assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Justin HALL, Mark W. LEBER, Michael D. COOK, Shane T. SMITH, Robert L. VAILLIENCOURT
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Publication number: 20240369133Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for work fluid filtration in a transmission. The systems include a work fluid filter system for a transmission comprising: a canister filter arranged on an exterior of a transmission housing, the canister filter fluidically coupled to a suction side of a pump and a reservoir, wherein the canister filter receives work fluid directly from the reservoir via a pickup tube without a filter that is more coarse than the canister filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Inventors: Mark W. LEBER, Justin HALL, Michael D. COOK, Shane T. SMITH
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Publication number: 20240141983Abstract: Systems are provided for a gearset for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a system includes a shaft comprising one or more lubricant holes oriented radially within the shaft, and one or more gears positioned radially around a central axis of the shaft. The system further includes a ring positioned circumferentially around the shaft. The ring is shaped with a radially extending portion and an axially extending portion, wherein the radially extending portion may direct lubricant flow from the radially oriented lubricant holes toward the axially extending portion, and the axially extending portion directs lubricant flow from the lubricant holes in an axial direction towards the one or more gears. The axially extending portion and radially extending portion form a cut in the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Mark W. LEBER, Shane T. SMITH, Justin HALL, Langston H. CORN, Michael D. COOK
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Patent number: 11859708Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
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Patent number: 11713808Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission housing of a vehicle. In one example, a system comprises a transmission housing comprising at least one cover configured to support a shift fork, wherein the at least one cover is removable from an exterior of the transmission housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Mark W. Leber, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Justin Hall, Langston H. Corn, Michael D. Cook, Shane T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230175581Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Lucas A. BALISTRERI, Shane T. SMITH
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Patent number: 11598409Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
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Patent number: 11274738Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a ring gear with a plurality of ring gear teeth extending from an outer surface thereof. At least a portion of a lubricant collector having a body portion with a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed proximate to and directly adjacent at least a portion of the ring gear. The lubricant collector has one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions defining a collector reservoir therein. The one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions of the collector reservoir receive an amount of lubricating fluid that is expelled or thrown from the ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventor: Shane T. Smith
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Patent number: 11242924Abstract: Provided herein is an axle assembly, including: a carrier housing defining an interior cavity; a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing; a lubricant channel disposed in the carrier housing, the lubricant channel having a first end in fluid communication with the at least one bearing and a second end in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a lubricant controller at least partially disposed in the lubricant channel, wherein the lubricant controller includes a lubricant capture portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
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Publication number: 20210404546Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Lucas A. BALISTRERI, Shane T. SMITH
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Patent number: 11125316Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Daniel D. Carmean, Benjamin J. Passino, Shane T. Smith
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Publication number: 20210088122Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Daniel D. CARMEAN, Benjamin J. PASSINO, Shane T. SMITH
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Patent number: 10955041Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a housing having a hollow interior portion therein with a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a gear assembly. At least a portion of a shroud having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the housing. One or more first shroud channels having extend inward into a body portion of the shroud from at least a portion of the second side of the shroud. At least a portion of one or more inlet openings of the shroud are disposed in the second side of the shroud and at least a portion of the one or more outlet openings of the shroud are disposed within the inner surface of the shroud.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventor: Shane T. Smith
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Publication number: 20210054920Abstract: Provided herein is an axle assembly, including: a carrier housing defining an interior cavity; a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing; a lubricant channel disposed in the carrier housing, the lubricant channel having a first end in fluid communication with the at least one bearing and a second end in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a lubricant controller at least partially disposed in the lubricant channel, wherein the lubricant controller includes a lubricant capture portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: LUCAS A. BALISTRERI, SHANE T. SMITH
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Publication number: 20210018086Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a ring gear with a plurality of ring gear teeth extending from an outer surface thereof. At least a portion of a lubricant collector having a body portion with a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed proximate to and directly adjacent at least a portion of the ring gear. The lubricant collector has one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions defining a collector reservoir therein. The one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions of the collector reservoir receive an amount of lubricating fluid that is expelled or thrown from the ring gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventor: SHANE T. SMITH
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Publication number: 20190264798Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a housing having a hollow interior portion therein with a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a gear assembly. At least a portion of a shroud having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the housing. One or more first shroud channels having extend inward into a body portion of the shroud from at least a portion of the second side of the shroud. At least a portion of one or more inlet openings of the shroud are disposed in the second side of the shroud and at least a portion of the one or more outlet openings of the shroud are disposed within the inner surface of the shroud.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventor: Shane T. Smith