Patents by Inventor Walter L. Dissett

Walter L. Dissett 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: 7874954
    Abstract: A locking differential includes a pair of clutch members that are biased together by a resilient disc and friction pack assembly toward a cross pin that extends diametrically across the central chamber of a cylindrical housing driven by the drive shaft of a vehicle, thereby to drive a pair of side gears and the output shafts splined thereto. The cross-pin extends within operating cam grooves contained in the adjacent faces of the clutch members, such that when the rotational velocity of one output shaft exceeds that of the other by a predetermined amount, the friction pack assembly of the faster shaft is operated to a non-compressed condition, thereby to disengage the over-running output shaft from the drive shaft. The resilient disc devices may be annular wave springs, or resilient disc springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Steven J. Cochren
  • Publication number: 20080190240
    Abstract: A locking differential includes a pair of clutch members that are biased together by a resilient disc and friction pack assembly toward a cross pin that extends diametrically across the central chamber of a cylindrical housing driven by the drive shaft of a vehicle, thereby to drive a pair of side gears and the output shafts splined thereto. The cross-pin extends within operating cam grooves contained in the adjacent faces of the clutch members, such that when the rotational velocity of one output shaft exceeds that of the other by a predetermined amount, the friction pack assembly of the faster shaft is operated to a non-compressed condition, thereby to disengage the over-running output shaft from the drive shaft. The resilient disc devices may be annular wave springs, or resilient disc springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Steven J. Cochren
  • Patent number: 7311632
    Abstract: A gearless locking differential includes clutch housings containing V-shaped slots that cooperate with a cross pin to disconnect from the differential drive shaft an overrunning driven shaft, characterized in that the wall surfaces that define the V-slots extend parallel with the axis of rotation of the differential housing, and the cross pin has tapered convergent end portions. The frictions packs that releasably connect the side gears to the clutch members include annular friction plates that are arranged between pairs of reaction plates and include polygonal internal surfaces that slidably and non-rotatably engage a corresponding polygonal circumferential surface on the associated side gear. The locking lug and locking slot that cooperate to provided limited angular relative displacement between the clutch housings each have parallel side walls. As a consequence of the invention, the machining and finishing of the components of the differential are achieved in a simplified cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tractech Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Jeffrey P. Lane
  • Patent number: 6688194
    Abstract: A locking differential includes a pair of annular coaxially-arranged axially-spaced clutch members having adjacent faces that contain cam groove that receive a driving cross pin, cooperating locking lugs and grooves being provided on the adjacent faces of the clutch members for preventing relative rotation therebetween. The cross pin extends diametrically across a supporting sleeve that is non-rotatably mounted concentrically within the central chamber of the cylindrical housing of the differential, thereby permitting the differential to be retrofit into various differential casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tractech Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20030066386
    Abstract: A locking differential includes a pair of annular coaxially-arranged axially-spaced clutch members having adjacent faces that contain cam groove that receive a driving cross pin, cooperating locking lugs and grooves being provided on the adjacent faces of the clutch members for preventing relative rotation therebetween. The cross pin extends diametrically across a supporting sleeve that is non-rotatably mounted concentrically within the central chamber of the cylindrical housing of the differential, thereby permitting the differential to be retrofit into various differential casings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Tractech Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 5885181
    Abstract: A helical gear differential includes lubrication passages for circulating lubricating oil to the helical pinion counter bores and the side gear counter bores, thereby to increase the operating life of, and to reduce the operating noise level of, the differential. Openings contained in one of the housing and cover sections introduces lubricating oil into the ends of the associated pinion bores to lubricate the ends of the adjacent pinions, and the oil flows through the housing openings to lubricate the remote ends of the pinions. The adjacent ends of the other pinions are lubricated via second housing openings contained in the walls of housing relieved portions. An improved retaining means including a plate and a split snap ring serve to retain the cross pin spacer member within a transverse bore contained in the housing body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tractech Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 5715733
    Abstract: A locking differential includes a plurality of spring biasing assemblies each consisting solely of a helical spring having a spring cap member mounted on one end thereof for isolating the spring from the associated locking pin that extends at one end within the oversized spring bore. The spring cap member has a disc portion the outer diameter of which is at least as great as the outer diameter of the helical spring, and a central plug portion that extends within the spring, whereby the spring bears at one end solely against the cap disc portion and is isolated thereby from the locking pin. The diameter of the cap disc portion is also less than the width of a radially extending access opening that communicates with the oversized spring bore contained in a clutch member, thereby to permit introduction of the spring with the cap mounted thereon into the spring bore via the spring access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Tractech Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 5664656
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for a transport refrigeration system including an engine and a compressor is characterized by an improved drive connection between the clutch and the compressor. The clutch includes a rotor assembly connected with the engine, a housing centrifugally activated for rotation with the rotor assembly, and a coupling adaptor for transmitting rotation of the housing to a drive shaft of the compressor. The rotor assembly, housing coupling adaptor, and drive shaft are all coaxially arranged. The housing contains a plurality of radial rubber bushings for receiving drive pins which pass through radial openings in the coupling adaptor and which extend parallel to the axis of the adaptor. The drive pins and bushings minimize noise and vibrations within the clutch and prevent radial forces from being delivered to the compressor drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Dyneer Corporation
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 5582557
    Abstract: A hydraulically-operable locking differential includes a friction-pack arrangement for locking an output shaft and associated side gear with the differential housing, use being made of a piston-cylinder motor the axis of which is colinear with the output shaft. The advantage is afforded that the locking operation may be effected while the drive and output shafts are rotating without stopping the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Titan Wheel International, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 5524509
    Abstract: An improved differential mechanism of the holdout ring type, characterized by the provision of a pair of annular thrust blocks engaged by sets of Belleville disc-spring washers which bias a pair of side gears axially outwardly apart against a pair of annular thrust washers, respectively, non-rotatably supported by the differential housing. By loading the side gears in the axial direction, the side gear radial freedom of movement is restricted, whereby the differential chatter and noise level during operation are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Titan Wheel International, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 5221238
    Abstract: A differential of the helical gear type is disclosed for vehicles including an improved sectional spacer device having a generally C-shaped outer spacer section for maintaining the side gears in axially spaced relation, and a removable inner core spacer section for maintaining the axle shafts in axially spaced relation and for supporting the leg portions of the outer section against displacement toward each other. Spring devices are non-rotatably mounted in the housing for biasing the side gears axially inwardly toward the outer spacer section, thereby to reduce the clearances between the side gears and the outer spacer section, respectively, whereby differential backlash is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Dyneet Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Bawks, Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 5048657
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch apparatus includes an annular adapter assembly adapted for colinear connection with a rotatable driving member, an independent pulley member connected with a colinearly arranged driven member having an annular portion extending toward the adapter assembly, and centrifugal weight members connected with the adapter assembly for engagement with the inner surface of the annular portion when the rotational velocity of the driving member exceeds a given value, the adapter assembly including at least one vibration dampening device including an annular resilient member connected between annular inner and outer concentrically-arranged portions of the adapter assembly for isolating the centrifugal weight members from the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Dyneer Corporation
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, James R. Bawks, Terry L. Kent
  • Patent number: 4751853
    Abstract: A torque-proportioning differential of the helical pinion type includes a housing having a body section to one end of which is removably connected a cover section, the one body section end being machined to define a central longitudinal bore and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal pinion cavities each having a pair of cavity portions in longitudinal communication with each other and with the central bore, respectively. The pinion cavity portions are of equal depth, thereby to receive corresponding longitudinally offset helical pinions, respectively, each provided with a hub extension that extends longitudinally of the associated pinion bore for engagement with a corresponding end thrust surface on the housing body section or the housing cover section, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 4677876
    Abstract: A gear differential is disclosed for supplying driving torque from an input shaft to a pair of aligned axially spaced output shafts, including a carrier housing driven by the input shaft and having a center section and a pair of end cover sections, a pair of side gears journalled in opposite ends of the center section for splined connection with the output shafts, respectively, and pairs of differential helical pinions having threads of opposite hands, respectively, the helical pinions of each pair being mounted with a running fit in longitudinal bores contained in opposite ends of the center section for threaded engagement with the side gears, respectively, the adjacent ends of the helical pinions being in overlapping enmeshing threaded engagement, characterized by the provision of a spacer cross pin member having a cylindrical shank portion extending transversely between, and for contiguous engagement by, the adjacent ends of the output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 4625585
    Abstract: A torque-proportioning differential of the helical pinion type includes a housing having a body section to one end of which is removably connected a cover section, the one body section end being machined to define a central longitudinal bore and a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of longitudinal pinion cavities in longitudinal communication with each other and with the central bore, respectively. The pinion cavities of each pair are of unequal depth, thereby to receive corresponding longitudinally offset helical pinions, respectively. In order to maintain the pinion of the cavity of greater depth adjacent the bottom wall of the cavity, a hub extension is provided on the other end of that pinion which extends the length of the pinion for engagement at its free end with a thrust surface carried by the housing cover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 4557158
    Abstract: A differential mechanism is disclosed including a pair of holdout rings each of which is angularly displaceable to an operable position for maintaining in a disengaged condition an associated overrunning or underrunning clutch member, characterized by the arrangement of the center cam member concentrically within the center driving member, together with the provision of a rotation limiting stop for limiting the extent of rotation of the holdout ring relative to the central driving member when the holdout ring is rotated from an inoperative condition toward an operative condition. In one embodiment, the stop comprises the side wall of a through slot (2e) contained in the inner periphery of the center driving member (2), which stop is engaged by the lateral surface (30e) of an axial projection (30c) of reduced width on the associated holdout ring lug (30b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, James R. Bawks
  • Patent number: 4524640
    Abstract: An improved differential mechanism of the holdout ring type is disclosed, characterized in that the annular holdout rings are mounted concentrically between the driven clutch members and the associated side gears, respectively, and the device for biasing the driven clutch members toward engagement with the driving spider member arranged therebetween includes a pair of compression springs mounted concentrically between the holdout rings and the side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Neumann, Walter L. Dissett
  • Patent number: 4365524
    Abstract: A differential apparatus is disclosed of the type including pairs of helical differential pinions for transmitting torque from a rotatably driven differential carrier housing to a pair of side gears splined to a pair output shafts, respectively, characterized by the provision of a collapsible and expansible wedge block spacer assembly for maintaining the output shafts in spaced relation and for reacting to axially inwardly directed thrust forces. During assembly of the differential apparatus, the spacer block is introduced, when in a collapsed condition, into the housing via a transverse access opening, to a position between the output shafts, whereupon the wedge block assembly is axially expanded into supporting engagement with the adjacent ends of the output shafts. The housing includes three sections, a pair of end cover sections being arranged on opposite sides of a center section of contoured configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Tractech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter L. Dissett, James R. Bawks
  • Patent number: 3931872
    Abstract: An improved reversible overrunning clutch is disclosed of the type including a central driver member that is axially shiftable by helical spline means between clutch engaged positions relative to axially spaced forward and reverse clutch members, respectively, mounted on an output shaft. Automatic shift control means operable in accordance with the direction of rotation of the rotary input drive means are provided for shifting the central driver member toward a readiness position immediately adjacent the appropriate clutch member, thereby insuring the correct directional operation of the unit. In order to maintain the central driver member in position, friction drag spring means are provided which afford rotational resistance between the central drive member and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: Aspro, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Dissett