Patents by Inventor Travis J. Wentz

Travis J. Wentz 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: 11104225
    Abstract: A transfer case with an actuator for operating a two-speed transmission (i.e., range mechanism) and a clutch (i.e., mode mechanism). The actuator employs a motor-driven cam structure that coordinates the movement of a first fork, which is associated with the range mechanism, and a second fork that is associated with the mode mechanism. A resilient coupling is employed to provide compliance between the motor and the cam structure in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the range mechanism from changing from a high-range mode and a low range mode or tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the mode mechanism from changing between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. A sensor target and sensor are employed to identify the rotational positioning of the cam structure placement, which is indicative of the modes in which the transmission and the clutch are operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Christopher A. Chirco, Ryo Takagi
  • Patent number: 11021057
    Abstract: A transfer case with an actuator for operating a two-speed transmission (i.e., range mechanism) and a clutch (i.e., mode mechanism). The actuator employs a motor-driven cam structure that coordinates the movement of a first fork, which is associated with the range mechanism, and a second fork that is associated with the mode mechanism. A resilient coupling is employed to provide compliance between the motor and the cam structure in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the range mechanism from changing from a high-range mode and a low range mode. Compliance is provided between the cam structure and the second fork in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the mode mechanism from changing from a 2WD mode to a 4WD mode. A sensor system identifies the placement of the first and second forks in various positions and responsively generates associated sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Abhinav Jain, Stephen D. Tucker, Travis J. Wentz
  • Patent number: 10830309
    Abstract: A chain drive system having chain links, guide links disposed on opposite lateral sides of the chain links, and pivot pins that extend through the chain links and are fixedly coupled to the guide links. Mating anti-rotation features are employed between each pivot pin and a corresponding one of the guide links to resist rotation between the pivot pin and the guide link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Bruce A. Churchill
  • Publication number: 20200003275
    Abstract: A chain drive system having chain links, guide links disposed on opposite lateral sides of the chain links, and pivot pins that extend through the chain links and are fixedly coupled to the guide links. Mating anti-rotation features are employed between each pivot pin and a corresponding one of the guide links to resist rotation between the pivot pin and the guide link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Travis J. WENTZ, Bruce A. CHURCHILL
  • Patent number: 10500952
    Abstract: A transfer case having an actuator assembly with a plastic actuator structure and a cam follower. The actuator structure defines a sleeve structure, a fork structure and a follower mount. The sleeve structure defines a shaft aperture that extends longitudinally along an actuation axis. The fork structure extends radially outwardly from the sleeve structure and defines a U-shaped fork member having a pair of tines that are disposed about an engagement axis that is parallel to and radially offset from the actuation axis. The follower mount extends radially outwardly from the sleeve structure. The cam follower is formed of metal and is partly encapsulated in the plastic material of the actuator structure. The cam follower extends from the follower mount along a follower axis that is parallel to the actuation axis. The follower axis is rotated about the actuation axis relative to the engagement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Jagdish Daphal
  • Publication number: 20190308499
    Abstract: A transfer case with an actuator for operating a two-speed transmission (i.e., range mechanism) and a clutch (i.e., mode mechanism). The actuator employs a motor-driven cam structure that coordinates the movement of a first fork, which is associated with the range mechanism, and a second fork that is associated with the mode mechanism. A resilient coupling is employed to provide compliance between the motor and the cam structure in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the range mechanism from changing from a high-range mode and a low range mode or tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the mode mechanism from changing between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. A sensor target and sensor are employed to identify the rotational positioning of the cam structure placement, which is indicative of the modes in which the transmission and the clutch are operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Travis J. WENTZ, Christopher A. CHIRCO, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20190308500
    Abstract: A transfer case with an actuator for operating a two-speed transmission (i.e., range mechanism) and a clutch (i.e., mode mechanism). The actuator employs a motor-driven cam structure that coordinates the movement of a first fork, which is associated with the range mechanism, and a second fork that is associated with the mode mechanism. A resilient coupling is employed to provide compliance between the motor and the cam structure in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the range mechanism from changing from a high-range mode and a low range mode. Compliance is provided between the cam structure and the second fork in the event that tooth-on-tooth contact inhibits the mode mechanism from changing from a 2WD mode to a 4WD mode. A sensor system identifies the placement of the first and second forks in various positions and responsively generates associated sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Abhinav JAIN, Stephen D. TUCKER, Travis J. WENTZ
  • Publication number: 20190152316
    Abstract: A transfer case having an actuator assembly with a plastic actuator structure and a cam follower. The actuator structure defines a sleeve structure, a fork structure and a follower mount. The sleeve structure defines a shaft aperture that extends longitudinally along an actuation axis. The fork structure extends radially outwardly from the sleeve structure and defines a U-shaped fork member having a pair of tines that are disposed about an engagement axis that is parallel to and radially offset from the actuation axis. The follower mount extends radially outwardly from the sleeve structure. The cam follower is formed of metal and is partly encapsulated in the plastic material of the actuator structure. The cam follower extends from the follower mount along a follower axis that is parallel to the actuation axis. The follower axis is rotated about the actuation axis relative to the engagement axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Jagdish Daphal
  • Publication number: 20180335127
    Abstract: A torque transfer device for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a shaft, a pump, and an actuator. The shaft transfers torque from a drive source to a wheel of the vehicle. The pump includes a rotary component and a housing that surround the shaft. The rotary component is selectively coupleable to the shaft to be rotated thereby to operate the pump. The actuator includes a cam mechanism that selectively couples the rotary component to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Blake R. Hedges
  • Patent number: 9964160
    Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and an actuator. The primary output shaft is coupled to the input shaft with a gear reduction mechanism. The secondary output shaft is selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuator includes a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism, and a driver gear assembly. The first actuation mechanism is configured to operate the gear reduction mechanism. The second actuation mechanism is configured to operate the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The drive gear assembly includes a gear plate member, a sense plate member configured to engage the first actuation mechanism, and a hub member configured to engage the second actuation. The sense plate member and the hub member are independently coupled to the gear plate member to rotate in unison with the gear plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Christopher Anthony Chirco, Travis J. Wentz, Paul Matthew Riggs
  • Publication number: 20170234373
    Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and an actuator. The primary output shaft is coupled to the input shaft with a gear reduction mechanism. The secondary output shaft is selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuator includes a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism, and a driver gear assembly. The first actuation mechanism is configured to operate the gear reduction mechanism. The second actuation mechanism is configured to operate the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The drive gear assembly includes a gear plate member, a sense plate member configured to engage the first actuation mechanism, and a hub member configured to engage the second actuation. The sense plate member and the hub member are independently coupled to the gear plate member to rotate in unison with the gear plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, Christopher Anthony Chirco, Travis J. Wentz, Paul Matthew Riggs