Patents by Inventor Todd Sturgin

Todd Sturgin 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: 11608890
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical park lock actuator includes a shaft and a circuit board. The shaft is arranged for connecting to a transmission park pawl. The circuit board includes a first non-contact inductive position sensor integrated circuit, a first trace electrically connected to the first non-contact inductive position sensor integrated circuit for determining an angular position of the shaft, and an electrical connector for connecting the circuit board to an external master controller. In some example embodiments, the electro-mechanical park lock actuator includes an electric motor drivingly connected to the shaft, and a transmission arranged in a torque path between the electric motor and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Angad Boralkar, Todd Sturgin, Chris Luipold
  • Patent number: 11578626
    Abstract: A phasing mechanism for an internal combustion is provided. The phasing mechanism includes a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, a first plurality of rolling elements configured to engage and move the rotor in a first rotational direction, a second plurality of rolling elements configured to engage and move the rotor in a second rotational direction, and a piston configured to be hydraulically actuated in: i) a first axial direction to move the rotor in the first rotational direction, and ii) a second axial direction to move the rotor in the second rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Jeffrey Hemphill, Chris Luipold, Joshua Hixenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20230023207
    Abstract: A phase adjuster is disclosed herein that has improvements for a number of features thereby improving the functionality of the phase adjuster and/or simplifying the manufacturing or assembly process for the phase adjuster. The phase adjuster includes an input gear and an input shaft connected to the input gear such that the input shaft is rotationally connected to the input gear and configured to be axially displaced. A piston plate is integrally formed with the input shaft. An output gear hub is operatively connected to the input shaft via the piston plate, and an output gear ring is connected to the output gear hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co .KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Hrusch, Jonathan Jameson, Todd Sturgin
  • Patent number: 11560890
    Abstract: A gerotor pump includes an inner gerotor, a wobble cancellation element, and an outer gerotor disposed radially between the inner gerotor and the wobble cancellation element. The inner gerotor includes a first outer peripheral surface with n first lobes equally spaced from one another in a circumferential direction, and n first depressions, each disposed between an adjacent pair of first lobes. The inner gerotor and the wobble cancellation element are coaxial. The wobble cancellation element includes a first inner peripheral surface with n+1 second lobes equally spaced from one another in the circumferential direction, and n+1 arcuate surfaces, each arranged between an adjacent pair of second lobes. The outer gerotor includes a second outer peripheral surface including n+1 outer depressions complementary to and arranged to engage the second lobes, and a second inner peripheral surface comprising n+1 inner depressions complementary to and arranged to engage the first lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle DeHoff, Joshua Hixenbaugh, Jeffrey Hemphill, Todd Sturgin
  • Patent number: 11407336
    Abstract: A vehicle seat rotates in response to activation of an electric motor. The electric motor is part of a non-back-drivable mechanism such that it acts to lock the seat in position. The seat mechanism is assembled from stamped components for efficient manufacturing. A bracket includes integrally formed gear teeth which mesh with gear teeth driven by the electric motor. The bracket is held between two stamped parts using four-point angular contact ball bearings. The races of the ball bearings are stamped into the respective stamped parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franklin Tibbits, Christopher Shamie, Robert Mallon, Cameron Gibson, Todd Sturgin, Chris Luipold
  • Patent number: 11396843
    Abstract: A phase adjuster assembly is disclosed herein that is configured to adjust a phase between a driving component and driven component of an internal combustion engine. The phase adjuster assembly includes an input gear configured to be driven by the driving component and an output gear configured to drive the driven component. A piston plate assembly is configured to adjust a phase between the driving component and the driven component via axial displacement of the piston plate assembly. A hydraulic fluid system is configured to selectively provide hydraulic fluid to a first piston control chamber on a first side of the piston plate assembly and to a second piston control chamber on a second side of the piston plate assembly to axially displace the piston plate assembly such that the phase between the driving component and the driven component is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Hrusch, Todd Sturgin, Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20210396161
    Abstract: A phasing mechanism for an internal combustion is provided. The phasing mechanism includes a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, a first plurality of rolling elements configured to engage and move the rotor in a first rotational direction, a second plurality of rolling elements configured to engage and move the rotor in a second rotational direction, and a piston configured to be hydraulically actuated in: i) a first axial direction to move the rotor in the first rotational direction, and ii) a second axial direction to move the rotor in the second rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Jeffrey Hemphill, Chris Luipold, Joshua Hixenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20210363917
    Abstract: A phase adjuster assembly is disclosed herein that is configured to adjust a phase between a driving component and driven component of an internal combustion engine. The phase adjuster assembly includes an input gear configured to be driven by the driving component and an output gear configured to drive the driven component. A piston plate assembly is configured to adjust a phase between the driving component and the driven component via axial displacement of the piston plate assembly. A hydraulic fluid system is configured to selectively provide hydraulic fluid to a first piston control chamber on a first side of the piston plate assembly and to a second piston control chamber on a second side of the piston plate assembly to axially displace the piston plate assembly such that the phase between the driving component and the driven component is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Hrusch, Todd Sturgin, Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20210048022
    Abstract: A gerotor pump includes an inner gerotor, a wobble cancellation element, and an outer gerotor disposed radially between the inner gerotor and the wobble cancellation element. The inner gerotor includes a first outer peripheral surface with n first lobes equally spaced from one another in a circumferential direction, and n first depressions, each disposed between an adjacent pair of first lobes. The inner gerotor and the wobble cancellation element are coaxial. The wobble cancellation element includes a first inner peripheral surface with n+1 second lobes equally spaced from one another in the circumferential direction, and n+1 arcuate surfaces, each arranged between an adjacent pair of second lobes. The outer gerotor includes a second outer peripheral surface including n+1 outer depressions complementary to and arranged to engage the second lobes, and a second inner peripheral surface comprising n+1 inner depressions complementary to and arranged to engage the first lobes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle DeHoff, Joshua Hixenbaugh, Jeffrey Hemphill, Todd Sturgin
  • Patent number: 10683901
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a rotational component including a hub configured to rotate relative to a mounted component; and a clutch configured to selectively transmit rotational input from the mounted component to the hub. The clutch includes a first ring including a first surface; a second ring including a second surface; a cage defining a plurality of pockets which are bounded by the first surface and the second surface; and a plurality of rollers each positioned in a respective one of the plurality of pockets. The first ring includes a pair of ramps in each pocket. The second ring rotates relative to the first ring when the plurality of rollers are in a neutral position between the pair of ramps, and the second ring rotates with the first ring when the plurality of rollers are positioned on either of the ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Nicholas Hrusch
  • Patent number: 10641348
    Abstract: An arrangement for a multi-clutch assembly including a popoff valve is disclosed. The arrangement also includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a spool valve assembly. Depending on the mode, the popoff valve either provides a flowpath for residual hydraulic fluid from a latching chamber of the spool valve assembly to a vent of the popoff valve, or provides a flowpath for supplying hydraulic fluid to the latching chamber of the spool valve assembly via a fluid connection from a supply inlet to a latch port of the popoff valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Larry Haines, Todd Sturgin, Joshua Hixenbaugh
  • Patent number: 10508698
    Abstract: A slip clutch, including: an output hub; a first hub; a second hub non-rotatably connected to the output hub; an input hub arranged to receive rotational torque. The input hub includes: a first plurality of balls; a first plurality of springs urging the first plurality of balls radially outwardly into contact with the first hub; a second plurality of balls; and a second plurality of springs urging the second plurality of balls radially outwardly into contact with the second hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin
  • Publication number: 20190366882
    Abstract: A vehicle seat rotates in response to activation of an electric motor. The electric motor is part of a non-back-drivable mechanism such that it acts to lock the seat in position. The seat mechanism is assembled from stamped components for efficient manufacturing. A bracket includes integrally formed gear teeth which mesh with gear teeth driven by the electric motor. The bracket is held between two stamped parts using four-point angular contact ball bearings. The races of the ball bearings are stamped into the respective stamped parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franklin Tibbits, Christopher Shamie, Robert Mallon, Cameron Gibson, Todd Sturgin, Chris Luipold
  • Publication number: 20190338853
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical park lock actuator includes a shaft and a circuit board. The shaft is arranged for connecting to a transmission park pawl. The circuit board includes a first non-contact inductive position sensor integrated circuit, a first trace electrically connected to the first non-contact inductive position sensor integrated circuit for determining an angular position of the shaft, and an electrical connector for connecting the circuit board to an external master controller. In some example embodiments, the electro-mechanical park lock actuator includes an electric motor drivingly connected to the shaft, and a transmission arranged in a torque path between the electric motor and the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Angad Boralkar, Todd Sturgin, Chris Luipold
  • Publication number: 20190186560
    Abstract: An arrangement for a multi-clutch assembly including a popoff valve is disclosed. The arrangement also includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a spool valve assembly. Depending on the mode, the popoff valve either provides a flowpath for residual hydraulic fluid from a latching chamber of the spool valve assembly to a vent of the popoff valve, or provides a flowpath for supplying hydraulic fluid to the latching chamber of the spool valve assembly via a fluid connection from a supply inlet to a latch port of the popoff valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Larry Haines, Todd Sturgin, Joshua Hixenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20190178314
    Abstract: A slip clutch, including: an output hub; a first hub; a second hub non-rotatably connected to the output hub; an input hub arranged to receive rotational torque. The input hub includes: a first plurality of balls; a first plurality of springs urging the first plurality of balls radially outwardly into contact with the first hub; a second plurality of balls; and a second plurality of springs urging the second plurality of balls radially outwardly into contact with the second hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin
  • Publication number: 20190128342
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a rotational component including a hub configured to rotate relative to a mounted component; and a clutch configured to selectively transmit rotational input from the mounted component to the hub. The clutch includes a first ring including a first surface; a second ring including a second surface; a cage defining a plurality of pockets which are bounded by the first surface and the second surface; and a plurality of rollers each positioned in a respective one of the plurality of pockets. The first ring includes a pair of ramps in each pocket. The second ring rotates relative to the first ring when the plurality of rollers are in a neutral position between the pair of ramps, and the second ring rotates with the first ring when the plurality of rollers are positioned on either of the ramps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Nicholas Hrusch
  • Patent number: 9803699
    Abstract: A slip clutch assembly includes a clutch carrier, a one-way clutch assembly, and a preloaded clutch assembly. The one-way clutch assembly has a portion fixed to the clutch carrier. The preloaded clutch assembly has a first clutch plate, a second clutch plate, and a resilient element. The first clutch plate is drivingly engaged with the carrier. The second clutch plate is arranged for driving engagement with a first portion of a transmission. The resilient element is for compressing the first and second clutch plates. In some example embodiments, the one-way clutch assembly has an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of blocking elements. The outer race is fixed to the clutch carrier. The inner race is arranged to engage a second portion of the transmission. The blocking elements are selected from the group of rollers or sprags for selectively locking the outer race to the inner race and are disposed radially between the outer race and inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin
  • Publication number: 20160258494
    Abstract: A one-way clutch configured for decoupling an alternator pulley from an alternator hub in a motor vehicle drive system is provided. The one-way clutch includes a ramp plate for non-rotatable connection with an inner circumferential surface of the pulley and rollers in axial engagement with the ramp plate. The rollers are movable along ramped surfaces of the ramp plate between a first position and a second position. The one-way clutch also includes an elastic assembly forcing the ramp plate and rollers into the axial engagement. The elastic assembly axially forces the rollers to transfer torque from the pulley into the hub when the rollers are in the first position. The hub is rotationally decoupled from the pulley when the rollers are in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Chris Luipold, Jeff Hemphill, Todd Sturgin
  • Publication number: 20160076604
    Abstract: A slip clutch assembly includes a clutch carrier, a one-way clutch assembly, and a preloaded clutch assembly. The one-way clutch assembly has a portion fixed to the clutch carrier. The preloaded clutch assembly has a first clutch plate, a second clutch plate, and a resilient element. The first clutch plate is drivingly engaged with the carrier. The second clutch plate is arranged for driving engagement with a first portion of a transmission. The resilient element is for compressing the first and second clutch plates. In some example embodiments, the one-way clutch assembly has an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of blocking elements. The outer race is fixed to the clutch carrier. The inner race is arranged to engage a second portion of the transmission. The blocking elements are selected from the group of rollers or sprags for selectively locking the outer race to the inner race and are disposed radially between the outer race and inner race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin