Patents by Inventor Shaun Mepham
Shaun Mepham 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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Publication number: 20250018781Abstract: An electrified axle assembly includes a first and second motor, a first and second idler shaft, and one or more output shafts mechanically engaged with the first and/or second idler shafts and one or more axles. In some embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include two output shafts, with each output shaft meshed with a corresponding one of the idler shafts and a corresponding one of the axles. In other embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include a single output shaft meshed with each of the idler shaft and each axle. Additional single motor and single and dual speed embodiments are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie, James A. Raszkowski
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Patent number: 12103373Abstract: An electrified axle assembly includes a first and second motor, a first and second idler shaft, and one or more output shafts mechanically engaged with the first and/or second idler shafts and one or more axles. In some embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include two output shafts, with each output shaft meshed with a corresponding one of the idler shafts and a corresponding one of the axles. In other embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include a single output shaft meshed with each of the idler shaft and each axle. Additional single motor and single and dual speed embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie, James A. Raszkowski
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Patent number: 12103382Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie
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Patent number: 12090858Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The drive unit includes an axle shaft, a wheel end assembly, an electric machine, and a transmission unit. The axle shaft extends along an axle centerline axis between a first axle end and a second axle end. The wheel end assembly is coupled to the first axle end. The electric machine is positioned within the axle housing and includes a rotor shaft, a drive pinion coupled to the rotor shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along a rotor shaft centerline axis that is orientated parallel to the axle centerline axis. The transmission unit is positioned within the axle housing and is configured to transfer torque from the electric machine to the axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Vikram Chopra, Christopher G. Baillie, Shaun Mepham
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Patent number: 11970053Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a suspension frame and drive assemblies coupled to opposing sides of the suspension frame. The electric axle assembly engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a round surface. A drive unit transfers motive force to the wheels through one or more gearsets and axle shafts.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventor: Shaun Mepham
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Patent number: 11898617Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventor: Shaun Mepham
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Patent number: 11820217Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly also includes a drive unit housing that includes an interior cavity enclosing first and second electric machines, a common gear reduction, a differential gear set, and a speed change mechanism with the first and second axle shafts partially disposed within the interior cavity and extending out of the drive unit housing. The drive unit housing includes a central cavity, a lower cavity, a first machine cavity, and a second machine cavity. The central cavity includes the common gear reduction and the axis of rotation of the first and second axle shafts. The lower cavity accumulates a volume of gearbox fluid with the speed change mechanism at least partially immersed in the lower cavity. The first machine cavity includes the first electric machine and the second machine cavity includes the second electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Baillie, Vikram Chopra, Shaun Mepham, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
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Patent number: 11820216Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft orientated along a first axis of rotation. A first electric machine is orientated along a second axis of rotation and a second electric machine is spaced from the first electric machine and orientated along a third axis of rotation. A differential gear set is disposed about the first axis of rotation and is coupled to and driven by a common gear reduction to transfer rotational torque from the first and second electric machines to the first and second axle shafts. A speed change mechanism is coupled between the common gear reduction and the differential gear set to change the rotational torque transferred to the first and second axle shafts.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Vikram Chopra, Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
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Publication number: 20230081161Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Shaun MEPHAM, Christopher G. BAILLIE
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Publication number: 20230003279Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventor: Shaun MEPHAM
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Publication number: 20220402344Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft orientated along a first axis of rotation. A first electric machine is orientated along a second axis of rotation and a second electric machine is spaced from the first electric machine and orientated along a third axis of rotation. A differential gear set is disposed about the first axis of rotation and is coupled to and driven by a common gear reduction to transfer rotational torque from the first and second electric machines to the first and second axle shafts. A speed change mechanism is coupled between the common gear reduction and the differential gear set to change the rotational torque transferred to the first and second axle shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Vikram CHOPRA, Shaun MEPHAM, Christopher G. BAILLIE, Siva Srinivas Rajeev MUPPARTI
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Patent number: 11505061Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie
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Publication number: 20220363115Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly also includes a drive unit housing that includes an interior cavity enclosing first and second electric machines, a common gear reduction, a differential gear set, and a speed change mechanism with the first and second axle shafts partially disposed within the interior cavity and extending out of the drive unit housing. The drive unit housing includes a central cavity, a lower cavity, a first machine cavity, and a second machine cavity. The central cavity includes the common gear reduction and the axis of rotation of the first and second axle shafts. The lower cavity accumulates a volume of gearbox fluid with the speed change mechanism at least partially immersed in the lower cavity. The first machine cavity includes the first electric machine and the second machine cavity includes the second electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Christopher G. BAILLIE, Vikram CHOPRA, Shaun MEPHAM, Siva Srinivas Rajeev MUPPARTI
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Publication number: 20220297520Abstract: An electrified axle assembly includes a first and second motor, a first and second idler shaft, and one or more output shafts mechanically engaged with the first and/or second idler shafts and one or more axles. In some embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include two output shafts, with each output shaft meshed with a corresponding one of the idler shafts and a corresponding one of the axles. In other embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include a single output shaft meshed with each of the idler shaft and each axle. Additional single motor and single and dual speed embodiments are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie, James A. Raszkowski
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Patent number: 11441639Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventor: Shaun Mepham
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Patent number: 11400755Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly also includes a drive unit housing that includes an interior cavity enclosing first and second electric machines, a common gear reduction, a differential gear set, and a speed change mechanism with the first and second axle shafts partially disposed within the interior cavity and extending out of the drive unit housing. The drive unit housing includes a central cavity, a lower cavity, a first machine cavity, and a second machine cavity. The central cavity includes the common gear reduction and the axis of rotation of the first and second axle shafts. The lower cavity accumulates a volume of gearbox fluid with the speed change mechanism at least partially immersed in the lower cavity. The first machine cavity includes the first electric machine and the second machine cavity includes the second electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Baillie, Vikram Chopra, Shaun Mepham, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
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Publication number: 20220227219Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The drive unit includes an axle shaft, a wheel end assembly, an electric machine, and a transmission unit. The axle shaft extends along an axle centerline axis between a first axle end and a second axle end. The wheel end assembly is coupled to the first axle end. The electric machine is positioned within the axle housing and includes a rotor shaft, a drive pinion coupled to the rotor shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along a rotor shaft centerline axis that is orientated parallel to the axle centerline axis. The transmission unit is positioned within the axle housing and is configured to transfer torque from the electric machine to the axle shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Vikram CHOPRA, Christopher G. BAILLIE, Shaun MEPHAM
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Patent number: 11318828Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft orientated along a first axis of rotation. A first electric machine is orientated along a second axis of rotation and a second electric machine is spaced from the first electric machine and orientated along a third axis of rotation. A differential gear set is disposed about the first axis of rotation and is coupled to and driven by a common gear reduction to transfer rotational torque from the first and second electric machines to the first and second axle shafts. A speed change mechanism is coupled between the common gear reduction and the differential gear set to change the rotational torque transferred to the first and second axle shafts.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Vikram Chopra, Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
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Publication number: 20220126663Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a suspension frame and drive assemblies coupled to opposing sides of the suspension frame. The electric axle assembly engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a round surface. A drive unit transfers motive force to the wheels through one or more gearsets and axle shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventor: Shaun MEPHAM
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Patent number: 11292332Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The drive unit includes an axle shaft, a wheel end assembly, an electric machine, and a transmission unit. The axle shaft extends along an axle centerline axis between a first axle end and a second axle end. The wheel end assembly is coupled to the first axle end. The electric machine is positioned within the axle housing and includes a rotor shaft, a drive pinion coupled to the rotor shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along a rotor shaft centerline axis that is orientated parallel to the axle centerline axis. The transmission unit is positioned within the axle housing and is configured to transfer torque from the electric machine to the axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Vikram Chopra, Christopher G. Baillie