Patents by Inventor Thad Kopp

Thad Kopp 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: 9694678
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a secondary driveline and method of assembly can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle having a rear driveline module (RDM) for changing drive modes between a two-wheel drive mode and an AWD mode. The disconnect mechanism can include a hydraulically actuated coupling clutch connected to a power take-off unit (PTU) for transferring rotary power from the PTU to the RDM during the AWD mode, a hydraulically actuated first and second rear clutch for rotationally connecting and disconnecting corresponding first and second rear axles drivingly coupled to rear wheels during the AWD mode and two-wheel drive mode, respectively, and a hydraulic actuating assembly including a source of pressurized fluid for actuating the coupling clutch, the first rear clutch, and the second rear clutch, and for synchronizing any speed differential therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp
  • Patent number: 9599215
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system (10) and method of assembly for disconnecting a secondary driveline (27) can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle (14) having a power take-off unit (PTU) (42) for transferring rotary power to the secondary driveline (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp, Keith Feldt, Mark Buchanan, Peizhang Tu
  • Publication number: 20160138940
    Abstract: A rotary sensor (10) includes a rotating portion (12) having an outside surface (28) and a magnetic pattern (16) magnetically printed on the rotating portion (12). One or more hall-effect switches (32) are located adjacent to the magnetic pattern (16) and a magnetic field of at least a portion of the magnetic pattern actuates the switches (32). Rotation of a driveshaft (18) controls electric signals conducted through the switches (32) indicating the angular position of the driveshaft (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher V. Kurmaniak, Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp
  • Publication number: 20150321552
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism (10) for a secondary driveline (12) and method of assembly can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle having a rear driveline module (RDM) (20) for changing drive modes between a two-wheel drive mode and an AWD mode. The disconnect mechanism (10) can include a hydraulically actuated coupling clutch (34) connected to a power take-off unit (PTU) for transferring rotary power from the PTU (36) to the RDM (20) during the AWD mode, a hydraulically actuated first and second rear clutch (30, 32) for rotationally connecting and disconnecting corresponding first and second rear axles (14a, 14b) drivingly coupled to rear wheels (16a, 16b) during the AWD mode and two-wheel drive mode, respectively, and a hydraulic actuating assembly (40) including a source of pressurized fluid (44) for actuating the coupling clutch (34), the first rear clutch (30), and the second rear clutch (32), and for synchronizing any speed differential therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thad KOPP
  • Publication number: 20150321553
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system (10) and method of assembly for disconnecting a secondary driveline (27) can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle (14) having a power take-off unit (PTU) (42) for transferring rotary power to the secondary driveline (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thad KOPP, Keith FELDT, Mark BUCHANAN, Peizhang TU
  • Patent number: 8235198
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch assembly for a motor vehicle driveline is provided. The clutch assembly comprises an input member, and output member and a friction clutch pack operably disposed therebetween for controlling torque transfer. A first fluid circuit contains hydraulic based fluid at a first pressure and is in fluid communication with the friction clutch pack for lubrication thereof. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit for replenishing the second fluid circuit with the hydraulic based fluid at a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The clutch assembly further comprises a motor and a gear train. A first piston is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit for delivering the hydraulic based fluid thereto A second piston is translated by the hydraulic based fluid displaced by the first piston to actuate the friction clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Borgwarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis, Thad Kopp, Tsunlock A. Yu
  • Publication number: 20100122887
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a hydraulic clutch assembly for a motor vehicle driveline is provided. The clutch assembly comprises an input member, and output member and a friction clutch pack operably disposed therebetween for controlling torque transfer. A first fluid circuit contains hydraulic based fluid at a first pressure and is in fluid communication with the friction clutch pack for lubrication thereof. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit for replenishing the second fluid circuit with the hydraulic based fluid at a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The clutch assembly further comprises a motor and a gear train. The gear train has an input force driven by the motor and an output force. A first piston is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit for delivering the hydraulic based fluid thereto and is operatively driven by the output force to displace the hydraulic based fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis, Thad Kopp, Tsunlock A. Yu
  • Patent number: 6112874
    Abstract: A hydraulic coupling is disclosed for use in motor vehicle driveline applications to rotatively couple a pair of rotary members. The hydraulic coupling includes a multi-plate clutch assembly operatively connecting the two rotary members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to and as a function of speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid control system for controlling the fluid pressure supplied to the piston chamber by the hydraulic pump to control the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. The fluid control system includes a pressure relief valve operable for limiting the fluid pressure in the piston chamber to a predetermined maximum pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Thad Kopp, Sankar K. Mohan, Timothy M. Burns