Patents by Inventor Todd J. Kearney

Todd J. Kearney 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).

  • Producing and maintaining a desired bearing preload in a differential mechanism
    Patent number: 7485065
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a preload in a differential mechanism includes a housing formed with a first screw thread, a component located in the housing and for supported in revolution about a first axis on the housing by a bearing. A nut includes a second screw thread engaged with the first screw thread, recesses distributed about the first axis, and a preloaded surface that contacts the bearing with a force produced by applying torque tending to engage the first and second screw threads. A lock tab, secured against rotation relative to the nut, includes a surface that overlaps at least one of the recesses and by which the lock tab is secured to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Kearney
  • Producing and maintaining a desired bearing preload in a differential mechanism
    Publication number: 20080020888
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a preload in a differential mechanism includes a housing formed with a first screw thread, a component located in the housing and for supported in revolution about a first axis on the housing by a bearing. A nut includes a second screw thread engaged with the first screw thread, recesses distributed about the first axis, and a preloaded surface that contacts the bearing with a force produced by applying torque tending to engage the first and second screw threads. A lock tab, secured against rotation relative to the nut, includes a surface that overlaps at least one of the recesses and by which the lock tab is secured to the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Todd J. Kearney