Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Doud

Stephen C. Doud 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: 11761524
    Abstract: An electronic locking differential that includes a movable electromagnet to selectively operate a dog clutch for locking a side gear to a carrier. The dog clutch includes a dog member having a plurality of legs that extend through leg apertures in the carrier. A cam mechanism is employed on the legs and the carrier to generate and apply a force to the dog member to maintain the dog member in an engaged position when torque is transmitted through the cam mechanism. The carrier is configured with an annular rib that surrounds a pocket. The annular rib has a frustoconical shape that matches that of a pole piece on the electromagnet. The electromagnet is received into the pocket when the electromagnet is operated and the dog member is in its engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Balenda, II, Stephen C. Doud, Joseph C. P. Eickholt
  • Publication number: 20230088870
    Abstract: An electronic locking differential that includes a movable electromagnet to selectively operate a dog clutch for locking a side gear to a carrier. The dog clutch includes a dog member having a plurality of legs that extend through leg apertures in the carrier. A cam mechanism is employed on the legs and the carrier to generate and apply a force to the dog member to maintain the dog member in an engaged position when torque is transmitted through the cam mechanism. The carrier is configured with an annular rib that surrounds a pocket. The annular rib has a frustoconical shape that matches that of a pole piece on the electromagnet. The electromagnet is received into the pocket when the electromagnet is operated and the dog member is in its engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph S. BALENDA, II, Stephen C. DOUD, Joseph C.P. EICKHOLT
  • Patent number: 10612637
    Abstract: A driveline component with a differential having a differential gearset mounted in a differential case. The differential gearset has first and second side gears and one or more pinion gears that are meshed with the first and second side gears. The differential gearset is configured to limit inboard thrusting of the first and second side gears so that backlash will be always be present between the pinion gears and each of first and second side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Chemelli, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, Stephen C. Doud, Derek C. Remillong, Joseph S. Balenda, II, Ramanand R. Shetty
  • Publication number: 20190219142
    Abstract: A driveline component with a differential having a differential gearset mounted in a differential case. The differential gearset has first and second side gears and one or more pinion gears that are meshed with the first and second side gears. The differential gearset is configured to limit inboard thrusting of the first and second side gears so that backlash will be always be present between the pinion gears and each of first and second side gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas J. Chemelli, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, Stephen C. Doud, Derek C. Remillong, Joseph S. Balenda, II, Ramanand R. Shetty
  • Patent number: 8469462
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first member, an insert, and an object. The first member made of a first metal and has a first exterior surface and a first end. A pocket is formed in the exterior surface of the first end. The insert is made of a second, different metal. The insert is connected to the pocket and has a second exterior surface that is flush with the first exterior surface. The object is formed of the second metal and is resistance welded to the insert. The second metal is steel and the first metal is a metal that cannot be resistance welded directly to steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Doud, Blair J. Swanson, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Publication number: 20120019053
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first member, an insert, and an object. The first member made of a first metal and has a first exterior surface and a first end. A pocket is formed in the exterior surface of the first end. The insert is made of a second, different metal. The insert is connected to the pocket and has a second exterior surface that is flush with the first exterior surface. The object is formed of the second metal and is resistance welded to the insert. The second metal is steel and the first metal is a metal that cannot be resistance welded directly to steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Doud, Blair J. Swanson, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Patent number: 7984552
    Abstract: A method of forming a joint includes providing a first member made of cast iron having an exterior surface and a first end. A pocket is formed in the exterior surface of the first end. An insert made of steel is connected to the pocket. A second member made of cast iron is provided with an aperture. The method includes positioning the first end of the first member within the aperture and positioning a plug made of steel in the second member proximate the aperture. The plug is fixedly connected to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Doud, Blair J. Swanson, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Publication number: 20080196233
    Abstract: A method of forming a joint includes providing a first member made of cast iron having an exterior surface and a first end. A pocket is formed in the exterior surface of the first end. An insert made of steel is connected to the pocket. A second member made of cast iron is provided with an aperture. The method includes positioning the first end of the first member within the aperture and positioning a plug made of steel in the second member proximate the aperture. The plug is fixedly connected to the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Doud, Blair J. Swanson, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Patent number: 7377598
    Abstract: An axle housing assembly includes a cast iron tube having a pocket that is formed proximate a first end of the cast iron tube. The pocket is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cast iron tube. The axle housing assembly also includes an insert made of steel connected to the pocket. The steel insert permits the cast iron tube to be coupled to a cast iron carrier housing by welding steel plugs positioned in the carrier housing to the steel inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Doud, Blair J. Swanson, Jeffrey E. Rea