Patents by Inventor Warren J. Williams
Warren J. Williams 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).
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Patent number: 11629762Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
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Patent number: 11598403Abstract: In an aspect, an isolation device is provided for a belt and a component shaft in an engine. The device includes a hub, a pulley, an isolation spring and a damping member that is fixed rotationally relative to the hub and is engageable frictionally with the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring below a selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils of the spring that is sufficiently small that the spring avoids pressing the damping member against the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring above the selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils that is sufficiently large that the isolation spring applies a radial force to press the damping member against the pulley so as to generate frictional damping.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Warren J. Williams, Marek Frankowski, Jun Xu
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Publication number: 20210088120Abstract: In an aspect, an isolation device is provided for a belt and a component shaft in an engine. The device includes a hub, a pulley, an isolation spring and a damping member that is fixed rotationally relative to the hub and is engageable frictionally with the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring below a selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils of the spring that is sufficiently small that the spring avoids pressing the damping member against the pulley. Torque transmission through the spring above the selected non-zero torque, irrespective of hub load on the pulley, drives a change in radius of the helical coils that is sufficiently large that the isolation spring applies a radial force to press the damping member against the pulley so as to generate frictional damping.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Warren J. Williams, Marek Frankowski, Jun Xu
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Publication number: 20200166084Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
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Patent number: 10663008Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams, James W. Dell
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Patent number: 10655689Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, including a hub, a pulley and a roller clutch. The roller clutch includes at least one roller and a cage. The roller is engageable with a first engagement surface operatively associated with the hub and is engageable with a second engagement surface operatively associated with the pulley. The cage is movable between a first position in which torque is transferrable from one of the hub and the pulley to the other of the hub and the pulley through the roller clutch and the isolation spring. The other of the hub and the pulley is permitted to overrun said one of the hub and the pulley, and a second position in which torque is transferred from said other of the hub and the pulley to the one of the hub and the pulley through the roller clutch.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Warren J. Williams
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Patent number: 10590994Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to 5 couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member 10 positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
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Patent number: 10415649Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
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Patent number: 10393190Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first stop feature for the spring; a second spring driver mounted about the hub and not fixed to the pulley, and having a second stop feature for the spring, a driving clutch shaft mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch shaft mounted concentrically with the driving clutch shaft and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutch shafts, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutch shafts, and an axial biasing member acting between one of (i) the pulley and the driving clutch shaft and (ii) the hub and driven clutch shaft, to urge the driving and driven clutch shafts together.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Warren J. Williams
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Patent number: 10378620Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, including a hub, a pulley and a hub drive clutch. The hub defines an axis and is connectable to a rotatable shaft of a rotary device. The pulley is rotatable relative to the hub and is engageable with an endless drive member. The hub drive clutch is a wrap spring clutch and is controllable to operatively connect the pulley to the hub for driving the hub in a first rotational direction. An isolation spring is provided and operatively connects the hub to the pulley when the hub drives the pulley in the first rotational direction. Optionally, a pulley overrun clutch is provided and permits the pulley to overrun the hub in the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Hao Q. Tran, Jason R. Desouza-Coelho, Warren J. Williams, Andrew M. Boyes
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Patent number: 10060502Abstract: An isolator includes a driver that is connectable with a shaft of a device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with an endless drive member; and a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first and second isolation springs are positioned such that during rotation of the driver in a first direction torque is transferred from the driver to the first rotary drive member through the first isolation spring and not through the second isolation spring, and such that during rotation of the first rotary drive member in the first direction torque is transferred from the first rotary drive member to the driver through the second isolation spring and not through the first isolation spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Andrew M. Boyes, Warren J. Williams, Gary J. Spicer
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Publication number: 20180142738Abstract: A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Warren J. WILLIAMS, James W. DELL
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Patent number: 9927000Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, comprising a hub defining an axis, a pulley, a one way clutch and an isolation spring that act in series, a damping member that frictionally engages a friction surface the pulley or the hub, and a biasing member that urges the damping member into the friction surface. The biasing member has a mounting portion having an axially extending first mounting surface that is fixedly engaged with a second axially extending mounting surface on the other of the pulley and hub and an engagement portion resiliently connected to the mounting portion by a transition portion having at least one bend that urges the engagement portion into engagement with the damping member with a selected force. The at least one bend resiliently permits axial movement of the damping member engagement portion independent of the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Warren J. Williams, Ron Lapos, Gerald J. Hamers
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Publication number: 20170261046Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first stop feature for the spring; a second spring driver mounted about the hub and not fixed to the pulley, and having a second stop feature for the spring, a driving clutch shaft mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch shaft mounted concentrically with the driving clutch shaft and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutch shafts, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutch shafts, and an axial biasing member acting between one of (i) the pulley and the driving clutch shaft and (ii) the hub and driven clutch shaft, to urge the driving and driven clutch shafts together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventor: Warren J. Williams
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Publication number: 20170254366Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to 5 couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member 10 positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
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Patent number: 9689486Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring having a plurality of coils including first and second end coils, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first spring driver surface and a first end coil support surface; a second spring driver not fixed to the pulley, and having a second spring driver surface and a second end coil support surface, a driving clutch member mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch member mounted concentrically with the driving clutch member and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutchmembers, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutchmembers.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventor: Warren J. Williams
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Patent number: 9651099Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a clutched device (such as, for example, a decoupler) that includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch has an overrun locking member thereon that is engageable with an overrun locking aperture in the output member so as to maintain a face at the helical end of the wrap spring clutch in engagement with a output member clutch drive face on the clutch output member.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams
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Patent number: 9638270Abstract: In one aspect, a decoupler comprises an input member, an output member, and a torsional isolation spring, a carrier, and a wrap spring clutch configured to operate in a first mode in which rotary power is transmitted in a first rotational direction from the input member to the output member serially through the wrap spring clutch, the carrier, and the isolation spring, and a second mode in which the output member overruns the input member in the first rotational direction. The carrier has a carrier clutch drive face that receives a first vector force from an end of the wrap spring clutch, and an isolation spring drive face that receives a second vector force from an end of the isolation spring. The wrap spring clutch and isolation spring drive faces are arranged so as to direct the second vector force to intersect with the first vector force substantially at the carrier clutch drive face.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: John R. Antchak, Warren J. Williams
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Publication number: 20170045091Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
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Patent number: RE47143Abstract: A decoupler assembly that includes a hub, a pulley and a mechanism for transmitting rotary power between the hub and the pulley. The mechanism includes a torsion spring and a one-way clutch. The torsion spring is configured to dampen vibration in the rotary power that is transmitted from the pulley to the hub. The one-way clutch has a wrap spring that is smaller in diameter than the torsion spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: Pierre A. Mevissen, Warren J. Williams