Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Breen

Timothy W. Breen 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: 7413525
    Abstract: A power compounder, for transmitting rotary power from a transmission to a driveline assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to the transmission. An input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and adapted to be driven by the transmission. The compounder further includes an output shaft adapted to drive the driveline assembly and a gearset. The gearset selectively communicates rotational movement between the input and output shafts. A centralized passageway is formed in the input shaft. A separator insert is disposed in the passageway and is adapted to carry fluid at a first pressure to a first predetermined location and carry fluid at a second pressure to a second predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Breen
  • Patent number: 7231848
    Abstract: A transfer case for use in a motor vehicle to selectively transfer drive torque from a powertrain to first and second pairs of wheels. The transfer case includes an input shaft driven by the powertrain and an output shaft selectively driven by the input shaft. A transfer mechanism is operably disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft to transfer drive torque from the input shaft to the output shaft. The transfer mechanism includes a first chain that is selectively driven by the input shaft and a second chain that is driven by the first chain and that transfers drive torque to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Breen, Randolph E. Beasock
  • Patent number: 7059987
    Abstract: A power compounder, for transmitting rotary power from a transmission to a driveline assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted to the transmission. An input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and adapted to be driven by the transmission. The compounder further includes an output shaft adapted to drive the driveline assembly and a gearset. The gearset selectively communicates rotational movement between the input and output shafts. A centralized passageway is formed in the input shaft. A separator insert is disposed in the passageway and is adapted to carry fluid at a first pressure to a first predetermined location and carry fluid at a second pressure to a second predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Breen
  • Patent number: 6149543
    Abstract: A transmission compounder assembly having a one-way clutch between an input shaft and an output shaft to establish a direct-ratio drive path therebetween. A planetary gearset can be selectively engaged to establish a compound-ratio drive path between the shafts. The planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear fixed to the output shaft, a carrier fixed to the input shaft, and a plurality of planet gears rotatably supported from the carrier and meshed with both the ring gear and the sun gear. A band brake is provided for selectively braking the sun gear. A controllable overrunning clutch is mounted between the carrier and the sun gear and can be selectively shifted between a locked mode and a released mode. The compounder assembly further includes an actuator for controlling actuation of the band brake and the overrunning clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Breen
  • Patent number: 6066065
    Abstract: A transmission compounder assembly comprising an input shaft, an output shaft and a one-way clutch operable to establish a direct-ratio drive path between the shafts. A planetary gearset can be selectively engaged to establish a compound-ratio drive path between the shafts. The planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear fixed to the output shaft, a carrier fixed to the input shaft, and a plurality of planet gears rotatably supported from the carrier and meshed with both the ring gear and the sun gear. A band brake is provided for selectively braking the sun gear. A clutch pack is mounted between the carrier and the sun gear and can be selectively actuated to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The compounder assembly further includes a brake actuator for controlling actuation of the band brake and a clutch actuator for controlling actuation of the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Breen