Patents by Inventor Thomas Eugene Kathman, JR.

Thomas Eugene Kathman, JR. 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).

  • Wheel end disconnect system and method
    Patent number: 11105380
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for locking a half shaft to a wheel hub to engage four wheel drive are disclosed. In one example, a wheel hub is locked to a half shaft via a radially expanding engagement mechanism. The radially expanding engagement mechanism is without grease and without springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Kathman, Jr., Gregory D. Gardner, Norman Jerry Bird, Diana Barbara Placha, Xiaoyong Lu
  • WHEEL END DISCONNECT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20210025460
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for locking a half shaft to a wheel hub to engage four wheel drive are disclosed. In one example, a wheel hub is locked to a half shaft via a radially expanding engagement mechanism. The radially expanding engagement mechanism is without grease and without springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Kathman, JR., Gregory D. Gardner, Norman Jerry Bird, Diana Barbara Placha, Xiaoyong Lu