Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Gansenhuber

Thomas E. Gansenhuber 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: 10113627
    Abstract: A differential assembly can include a case, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first pinion gear, a second pinion gear, a third pinion gear, and a cross-pin assembly. The case can be adapted to be supported for rotation about an output axis. The first and second side gears can be disposed within the case and rotatable about the output axis relative to the case. The first, second, and third pinion gears can be disposed within the case and meshingly engaged with the first and second side gears. The cross-pin assembly can include a spider, first, second, and third pins. The proximal end of the first pin can define a first bore that can receive a post of the spider to couple the first pin to the spider. Each pinion gear can be supported by one of the pins for rotation relative to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Balenda, II, Thomas E. Gansenhuber
  • Publication number: 20180216714
    Abstract: A differential assembly can include a case, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first pinion gear, a second pinion gear, a third pinion gear, and a cross-pin assembly. The case can be adapted to be supported for rotation about an output axis. The first and second side gears can be disposed within the case and rotatable about the output axis relative to the case. The first, second, and third pinion gears can be disposed within the case and meshingly engaged with the first and second side gears. The cross-pin assembly can include a spider, first, second, and third pins. The proximal end of the first pin can define a first bore that can receive a post of the spider to couple the first pin to the spider. Each pinion gear can be supported by one of the pins for rotation relative to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph S. Balenda, II, Thomas E. Gansenhuber
  • Patent number: 9958047
    Abstract: A differential includes a cross-pin assembly. The case can rotate about an output axis. First and second side gears can be rotatable about the output axis relative to the case. First, second, and third pinion gears can be meshingly engaged with the first and second side gears. The cross-pin assembly can include first, second, and third pin members, each having a cylindrical body and a finger fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the corresponding cylindrical body. The first, second, and third pinion gears can be rotatably disposed about the corresponding first, second, or third cylindrical body. The first, second, and third fingers can overlap along the output axis to non-rotatably couple the first, second, and third pin members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Balenda, II, Ryan Ettenhofer, Thomas E. Gansenhuber
  • Patent number: 7887072
    Abstract: A disconnectable link may include a first link member having a generally tubular portion, a first ball joint disposed on the first link member and adapted to engage a first suspension member; a second link member slidably receivable within the first link member; a second ball joint disposed on the second link member and adapted to engage a second suspension member; a lock shaft engaged with the second link member; and a lock element disposed within an aperture in the second link member. Movement of the lock shaft into a first position may cause the lock element to engage the first link member to prevent relative axial movement between the first and second link members, and movement of the lock shaft into a second position may cause the lock element to disengage the first link member to allow relative axial movement between the first and second link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Hauser, Thomas E. Gansenhuber, Jeffrey L. Kincaid
  • Publication number: 20100090432
    Abstract: A disconnectable link may include a first link member having a generally tubular portion, a first ball joint disposed on the first link member and adapted to engage a first suspension member; a second link member slidably receivable within the first link member; a second ball joint disposed on the second link member and adapted to engage a second suspension member; a lock shaft engaged with the second link member; and a lock element disposed within an aperture in the second link member. Movement of the lock shaft into a first position may cause the lock element to engage the first link member to prevent relative axial movement between the first and second link members, and movement of the lock shaft into a second position may cause the lock element to disengage the first link member to allow relative axial movement between the first and second link members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt Hauser, Thomas E. Gansenhuber, Jeffrey L. Kincaid
  • Patent number: 6561715
    Abstract: A connection system to interconnect members of a vehicular steering linkage system has a first steering module and a second steering member adapted to receive the first steering module. A clearance exists between the first steering module and the second steering member. The first steering module includes a first steering member and a fastener. The fastener is adapted to secure the first and second steering members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil A. Wasylewski, Joseph S. Balenda, II, Thomas E. Gansenhuber, Jeffrey L. Kincaid
  • Publication number: 20030053853
    Abstract: A connection system to interconnect members of a vehicular steering linkage system has a first steering module and a second steering member adapted to receive the first steering module. A clearance exists between the first steering module and the second steering member. The first steering module includes a first steering member and a fastener. The fastener is adapted to secure the first and second steering members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Neil A. Wasylewski, Joseph S. Balenda, Thomas E. Gansenhuber, Jeffrey L. Kincaid