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).

  • Patent number: 12215785
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Hall, Mark W. Leber, Shane T. Smith, Michael D. Cook, Nicholas Oen
  • Patent number: 12152664
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Leber, Shane T. Smith, Justin Hall, Langston H. Corn, Michael D. Cook
  • Publication number: 20240384789
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Justin HALL, Mark W. LEBER, Michael D. COOK, Shane T. SMITH, Robert L. VAILLIENCOURT
  • Publication number: 20240369133
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. LEBER, Justin HALL, Michael D. COOK, Shane T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20240141983
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. LEBER, Shane T. SMITH, Justin HALL, Langston H. CORN, Michael D. COOK
  • Patent number: 11859708
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11713808
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Leber, Robert L. Vailliencourt, Justin Hall, Langston H. Corn, Michael D. Cook, Shane T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230175581
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Lucas A. BALISTRERI, Shane T. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11598409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11274738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11242924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210404546
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Lucas A. BALISTRERI, Shane T. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11125316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Carmean, Benjamin J. Passino, Shane T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210088122
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. CARMEAN, Benjamin J. PASSINO, Shane T. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10955041
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Shane T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210054920
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: LUCAS A. BALISTRERI, SHANE T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210018086
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: SHANE T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20190264798
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: Shane T. Smith