Patents by Inventor Steven A. Whitaker

Steven A. Whitaker 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).

  • Ball ramp actuator
    Patent number: 9377060
    Abstract: A first ball ramp half includes a first ball ramp plate grounded within a housing against translation that defines first portions of respective one or more ramped ball receiving recesses. A second ball ramp half includes a gear plate supported within the housing for rotation relative to the first ball ramp plate and grounded within the housing against translation relative to the first ball ramp plate that has gear teeth, a second ball ramp plate supported within the housing for rotation relative to the first ball ramp plate that defines complementary second portions of the respective one or more ramped ball receiving recesses, and a joint coupling the gear plate to the second ball ramp plate. The joint imparts rotation of the gear plate to the second ball ramp plate, and is permissive of translation of the second ball ramp plate relative to the first ball ramp plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Steven A. Whitaker