The Hilliard Corporation

Medispose, LLC

James E Palmer

David C Ochab

Kelly P Heath

John R Updyke

Howard J Knickerbocker

John Michael Hasson, Jr

William J Coon

J Brendan Brewer

Patrick Thibodaux

Brendan J Brewer

John Michael Hasson

Jr John Michael Hasson

A positive drive differential assembly including a differential with an input pinion configured to operably engage with a drive shaft so as to permit the drive shaft to rotate the pinion. A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly is configured to transmit torque between the pinion and two drive axle segments. A pinion disconnect assembly is provided for controlling transmission of rotation to the pinion and including a rotary coupler. A linear actuator is connected to the rotary coupler and configured to translate the rotary coupler between connected and disconnected positions.

Positive drive differential with pinion disconnect

An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electromagnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward.

Flexible armature plate for an electro-magnetic overrunning clutch

An on-demand four-wheel drive system includes a differential for the rear axle, a differential for the front axle, and a center differential connecting to the front and rear axle differentials. All three of the differentials contain a bi-directional overrunning roller clutch to enable locking of their respective outputs. The clutches provide a superior on-demand four-wheel drive system that distributes power to each drive wheel to propel the vehicle.

Center differential and drive system for four wheel drive

A coupling for connecting an input shaft to an output shaft through a bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly. A portion of the input shaft is located within an internal cavity of the output shaft. The bi-directional roller clutch assembly selectively connects and disconnects the input and output shafts from one another. A drive plate is disposed about and attached to a portion of the input shaft so as to rotate in combination therewith. The drive plate is rotationally connected to a clutch housing of the clutch assembly such that rotation of the input shaft produces corresponding rotation of the clutch housing. A torsion spring is positioned within a spring retainer and engaged with at least one of either the spring retainer or the clutch housing. An engagement control assembly controls the engagement and disengagement of the clutch assembly and a coil housing mounted in the cover and a coil mounted in the coil housing, the coil is connected to a switch for controlling the supply of current to the coil. The coil having an active state for generating magnetic flux when power is sent to the coil, and an inactive state when no power is sent to the coil and no magnetic flux is generated. At least one armature plate is disposed about the output shaft and positioned near the coil.

Power transmitting clutch and disconnect

An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electro-magnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the outer edge and the inner edge.

A front differential for a four wheel drive vehicle including a pinion assembly with first and second pinions that are engaged with a ring gear assembly with first and second ring gears. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are rotatable independent from the second pinion and second ring gear combination, thus permitting one to rotate relative to the other. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are adapted to rotate one driven shaft, and the second pinion and second ring gear combination are adapted to rotate the other driven shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly is engaged with an end of the drive shaft and includes one set of rolls located adjacent to the first pinion shaft, and another set of rolls located adjacent to the second pinion shaft. The clutch assembly control torque transmission between the pinion shafts and the drive shaft.

Twin ratio differential with bi-directional overrunning clutch

A drive train for a four wheel drive vehicle including a front differential engaged with a front drive shaft and front axles through a front differential gear set. The front differential includes a front bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls transmission of torque transfer between the front drive shaft and the front axles. A rear differential is engaged with rear axles and the transmission through a rear differential gear set. The rear differential includes a rear bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls torque transfer between the transmission and the rear axles. The differentials are configured with a gear ratio that is within five percent of a 1:1 gear ratio.

True four wheel drive system for vehicle

A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Bi-directional overrunning clutch having split roll cage and drag mechanism

Bi-directional overrunning clutch having split roll cage

A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.

Engagement control assembly for a bi-directional overrunning clutch

A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and first and second hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A roll cage positions a plurality of rollers in an annular space between each of the hubs and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are adapted to wedgingly engage between the hub and the inner cam for transmitting torque therebetween. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism located on each side of the roll cage includes a roll cage plate attached to the roll cage, an inner hub friction member attached to the hub, a slip disk, and a spring compressed between the slip disk and the inner hub friction member biasing the inner hub friction member into frictional contact with the roll cage plate.

Growing community of inventors

Elmira Heights, NY, United States of America

James E Palmer