Patents by Inventor Steven W. Creek
Steven W. Creek 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: 20240383539Abstract: A skid shield cover for a differential housing includes a differential cover and a skid shield fixedly connected directly to the differential cover. The skid shield is configured to cover a bottom surface of the differential housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2023Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Steven W. CREEK, Michael Andrew Gutierrez, David Schankin
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Patent number: 10272775Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission housing having an output shaft flange including a central passage. An output shaft extends through the central passage. The output shaft defines a shaft axis and including an axial end portion. A vibration dampener is mounted to the axial end portion of the output shaft, and a mechanical fastener is received by the axial end portion of the output shaft. The mechanical fastener operatively connects the vibration dampener to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, James P. Dupre, William C. Hayes
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Patent number: 10240638Abstract: A bearing assembly for a vehicle includes an inner race having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an outer race having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a first sealing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race, the first sealing member having a sealing surface adjacent to the interior surface of the outer race, and a second sealing member disposed radially inward of the first sealing member and adjacent to a shoulder surface of the outer race, wherein the first sealing member permits grease bleed-off from the bearing prior to the first sealing member setting against the second sealing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Larry C. Williams, John M. Lopez
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Publication number: 20190032719Abstract: A bearing assembly for a vehicle includes an inner race having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an outer race having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a first sealing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race, the first sealing member having a sealing surface adjacent to the interior surface of the outer race, and a second sealing member disposed radially inward of the first sealing member and adjacent to a shoulder surface of the outer race, wherein the first sealing member permits grease bleed-off from the bearing prior to the first sealing member setting against the second sealing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Steven W. Creek, Larry C. Williams, John M. Lopez
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Publication number: 20190024725Abstract: A shaft assembly includes a first shaft, a second shaft and a constant-velocity joint secured to the second shaft. The constant-velocity joint includes an outer can secured to the second shaft and an inner race located at least partially in an outer can pocket. The first shaft is coupled to the inner race. The shaft assembly further includes a seal assembly including an outer boot having an outer boot first end secured to the first shaft and an outer boot second end secured to the outer can.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Steven W. Creek, Keith W. Noser, Sahar Nasif, Soundararajan Vijayanarayanasamy
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Patent number: 10151352Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises a first shaft and a second shaft that includes an opening configured to receive the first shaft. A shaft retention apparatus comprises a support component extending axially and along the outer contour of the outer surface of the first shaft and the outer surface of the second shaft, to bridge the two shafts at an intersection thereof. A first clip portion extends from the support component and engages a groove in the outer surface of first shaft and a second axially spaced clip portion extends from the support component and engages a groove in the outer surface of the second shaft, preventing prevent axial movement therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Christopher M. Jones
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Publication number: 20180043771Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission housing having an output shaft flange including a central passage. An output shaft extends through the central passage. The output shaft defines a shaft axis and including an axial end portion. A vibration dampener is mounted to the axial end portion of the output shaft, and a mechanical fastener is received by the axial end portion of the output shaft. The mechanical fastener operatively connects the vibration dampener to the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Steven W. Creek, James P. Dupre, William C. Hayes
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Publication number: 20170146070Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises a first shaft and a second shaft that includes an opening configured to receive the first shaft. A shaft retention apparatus comprises a support component extending axially and along the outer contour of the outer surface of the first shaft and the outer surface of the second shaft, to bridge the two shafts at an intersection thereof. A first clip portion extends from the support component and engages a groove in the outer surface of first shaft and a second axially spaced clip portion extends from the support component and engages a groove in the outer surface of the second shaft, preventing prevent axial movement therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Steven W. Creek, Christopher M. Jones
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Publication number: 20170089422Abstract: A prop-shaft assembly comprises a hollow shaft having a center portion and end portions, an axially extending inner chamber, defined by an inner wall extending between the end portions, and a foam layer applied on the inner wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Steven W. Creek, David P. Schankin, Edralin S. Diaz
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Publication number: 20150246419Abstract: A propshaft includes a tube and a liner. The tube extends along an axis to an end. The tube defines a cavity having a first inner diameter and the end defines an inlet opening having a second inner diameter, less than the first inner diameter. The liner has an outer diameter that is greater than the second inner diameter of the tube. An insertion device is applied to the liner. The insertion device is moved, relative to the tube, such that the liner is caused to axially move along the axis and the outer diameter of the liner is caused to radially compress so as to move through the inlet opening and into the cavity of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Steven W. Creek
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Patent number: 9017175Abstract: A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Steven W. Creek
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Publication number: 20150018105Abstract: A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventor: Steven W. Creek
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Patent number: 8845201Abstract: A bearing includes an inner race and an outer race, which is radially outward from the inner race relative to a bearing axis. A cylindrical sleeve is substantially coaxial with the bearing axis and contacts an outer surface of the inner race. A dust shield is substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical sleeve, and a primary seal is axially interior to the dust shield. The primary seal contacts the cylindrical sleeve and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Edralin S. Diaz
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Publication number: 20140037238Abstract: A bearing includes an inner race and an outer race, which is radially outward from the inner race relative to a bearing axis. A cylindrical sleeve is substantially coaxial with the bearing axis and contacts an outer surface of the inner race. A dust shield is substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical sleeve, and a primary seal is axially interior to the dust shield. The primary seal contacts the cylindrical sleeve and the outer race.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Edralin S. Diaz
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Publication number: 20130252749Abstract: Propshafts and propshaft assemblies for transferring torque in motor vehicles, and methods for fabricating such propshafts are provided. In one example, a propshaft comprises a fiber reinforced composite tube having a channel. The propshaft comprises a fiber reinforced composite tube and a splined female insert. The fiber reinforced composite tube has a channel and comprises a composite wall that is disposed around the channel. The splined female insert comprises a buried wall portion that is disposed in the channel operatively coupled to the composite wall. The buried wall portion has an inner surface and a plurality of internal splines formed along the inner surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: STEVEN W. CREEK, EDRALIN S. DIAZ, MICHAEL A. BRIDE
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Patent number: 8430778Abstract: A drive arrangement connects a drive gear of a vehicle transmission/transfer to a prop shaft that drives a set of wheels, and includes a driven gear journaled for rotation on a housing and having teeth meshing with teeth provided on the drive gear. The driven gear has an axially extending cylindrical central bore. A yoke attached to the prop shaft has a shaft extending into the central bore of the driven gear. An annular inner race has a central bore encircling the yoke and an outer surface. Matching splines provided on the central bore of the inner race and the yoke couple the inner race and the yoke for rotation. A plurality of balls are located between the outer surface of the inner race and the central bore of the driven gear, each of the balls is seated within a longitudinally extending first groove provided on the outer surface of the inner race and a longitudinally extending second groove provided on the central bore of the driven gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Edralin S Diaz
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Publication number: 20120258836Abstract: A drive arrangement connects a drive gear of a vehicle transmission/transfer to a prop shaft that drives a set of wheels, and includes a driven gear journaled for rotation on a housing and having teeth meshing with teeth provided on the drive gear. The driven gear has an axially extending cylindrical central bore. A yoke attached to the prop shaft has a shaft extending into the central bore of the driven gear. An annular inner race has a central bore encircling the yoke and an outer surface. Matching splines provided on the central bore of the inner race and the yoke couple the inner race and the yoke for rotation. A plurality of balls are located between the outer surface of the inner race and the central bore of the driven gear, each of the balls is seated within a longitudinally extending first groove provided on the outer surface of the inner race and a longitudinally extending second groove provided on the central bore of the driven gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Steven W. Creek, Edralin S. Diaz
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Publication number: 20100151949Abstract: A vehicle driveline with a transmission having at least one motor/generator and an output shaft is provided. A driveshaft assembly is rotatably connected to the output shaft. The driveshaft assembly includes an isolator located between the transmission and at least a portion of the driveshaft assembly to electrically isolate the driveshaft assembly from the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Steven W. Creek, James M. Dimond, John Overholt, Kevin M. Ledford, Michael A. Voight