Warn Industries, Inc.

Other

Fred L Ewer

Kip E Clohessy

Bryan M Averill

Randy C Karambelas

Scott J Pugliese

Thomas W Giacomini

Evan R Baker

Mark J Fogelberg

Peter A Lines

Oliver Heravi

Jon A Bigley

Thomas F Dunlap

Michael L McMorris

Philip J Cronin, Ii

John M McCalla

Erik O Roe

Peter J Pugliese

O Lance Scrivens

John R Dupree

John R DuPree

A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold.

Integrated overload and low voltage interrupt module

An interlock mechanism is provided for a wheel end disconnect device. The interlock mechanism is activated by negative pressure for engaging and disengaging a wheel hub from an axle shaft. Vacuum pressure is routed through a wheel bearing for activating the interlock mechanism.

Vacuum actuated wheel hub

A vacuum locking hub system is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle that includes a cartridge-type assembly that allows the vacuum locking hub system to be inserted into the wheel as a cartridge unit for ease of assembly. The vacuum locking hub system has a compact construction allowing it to be substantially received within the wheel hub, thus reducing system mass and unit length.

Vacuum locking hub cartridge for four wheel drive vehicle

An assembly for converting a vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive. The assembly includes a bell form of a constant velocity joint being supported by a bearing mounted to one of the vehicle knuckle and the wheel hub. The bell form further includes a collar that has a connector, and a spindle of the wheel hub has a connector in close proximity to the bell form connector. A clutch ring actuated by an actuator is moved by the actuator between engagement with one of the connectors and engagement with both of the connectors.

Hub lock for two-wheel/four-wheel drive vehicle

A wheel end assembly including a live spindle secured to a wheel hub at an outboard end. A bearing surrounding the spindle and abutted against a shoulder on the spindle. Said bearing preloaded by a retention structure that slidably engages the bearing to compress the bearing against the shoulder. A clutch ring slidably engages splines associated with the live spindle and with an axle portion to connect and disconnect the axle to the live spindle and accordingly the wheel hub.

Retention mechanism for vehicle wheel assembly

An annular actuator for moving a member axially to couple and un couple a drive member with a driven member of a vehicle drive train. The actuator encircles the drive and driven member. The actuator has a housing to which a diaphragm is mounted. A spring biases the diaphragm to move in one axial direction and withdrawal of air forces the diaphragm to move in the opposite axial direction. A shifting fork coupled to the diaphragm moves a clutch ring in the one axial direction to be coupled with only one of the drive and driven members and is coupled with both the drive and driven members when moved in the opposite direction. The actuator defines a sealed chamber that is totally non-rotatable with relative movement occurring between the shifting fork and the clutch ring.

Pneumatic annular actuator

A hub lock for a vehicle having a hub lock housing assembly that is pre-assembled and then assembled as a unit to the vehicle's axle, spindle and wheel hub. The sub-assembly arrangement is provided by splitting the functions of the vehicle's drive gear mounted on the end of the vehicle's axle. An inner drive gear member (also referred to as a sleeve or spacer) is mounted to the axle end to secure the axle on the spindle. An outer drive gear that slidably fits onto the inner drive gear provides the direct connection to the clutch ring of the hub lock. The inner drive gear is pre-assembled to the axle and the outer drive gear enables the hub lock housing assembly to be pre-assembled and as a unit to slidingly mount onto the vehicle. A dial used to manually retract the clutch ring into engagement against spring resistance is provided with a spring assist that is spring loaded when the dial is rotated to the disengaged position.

Hub lock for vehicle

A hub lock device for converting a vehicle between four-wheel and two-wheel drive, the hub lock being actuated by automatic actuation or manual actuation. A sliding clutch ring that engages and disengages the wheel and axle is trapped in a cage. An extender bar from the cage has a hook end that hooks over the edge of a nut. The nut is moved between inner and outer positions by a manual dial. In the outer position, the nut forces the cage, through engagement of the hook end, to the position whereat the clutch ring is urged to interlock the axle and wheel. In the inner position the nut releases the cage, i.e., the hook can extend between an inner and outer position, to permit automatic actuation. The automatic actuation includes cam actuation wherein the spindle nut provides the cam actuator and brake surface for secondary cam actuation. The spindle nut is locked to the spindle with a lock pin projection extended from a thrust ring that enhances turning of the drive gear on the axle relative to the spindle nut in four-wheel drive.

Growing community of inventors

Clackamas, OR, United States of America

Fred L Ewer