Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Timothy Allmandinger

Earl James Irwin

Edward Eugene Stuart

Sean Karl Hoefer

Gregory James Maser

Parvinder Singh Nanua

Michael Lee Bassett

Mark Charles Barnholt

Brian William Franke

Barry T Adams

Robb Edward Grostefon

Steven J Rynearson

Stephen Thomas Hamm

A cover comprises a substrate and a grease lid. The substrate comprises a main body comprising a branched grease pathway, a locating side comprising a grease supply port, and a lubricating side comprising a plurality of grease ports. The grease lid constrains the branched grease pathway and is configured so that when grease enters the locating side grease supply port, the grease traverses the branched grease pathway and exits the grease ports.

Release bearing cover and washer seal

A driven disc assembly is provided. The backing plates have right angle depression sections that surround mounting holes of a clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.

Clutch backer plate with recessed rivets

A driven disc assembly is provided wherein a clutch disc has enlarged holes for connection of opposing backing plates. The backing plates have semi-pierced sections that are insertable within mounting holes of the clutch disc. The thickness of the backing plates are enlarged from their normal thickness causing a top surface of the backing plates to axially clear heads of conventional rivets. The thickness of the friction buttons on the backing plates can then be reduced to their minimal effective use thickness.

A clutch disc assembly for a friction torque device has a clutch damper assembly which includes a hub defining an axis of rotation and a concentric steel disc. The damper assembly includes a plurality of cushion elements fixed to the steel disc. First and second friction rings are disposed on opposite sides of the cushion elements and are rotatively fixed to the steel disc. First and second friction discs have an equal number of keyhole slots defining an equal number of arms. A friction pad is fixed to each arm, with friction pads on the first friction disc being in substantial alignment with the friction pads on the second friction disc.

Key hole slots for cushioned ceramic driven disc assembly incorporating direct bond cushioned ceramic facings

A rigid drive axle assembly includes a support beam member having a substantially flat central plate section, a differential assembly module secured to the central plate section through at least two threaded studs extending from the central plate section. The differential assembly module includes a differential carrier frame member having two bearing hubs receiving differential bearings. A method for verifying a predetermined bearing preload of the differential assembly module comprises the steps of preloading the differential bearings to the predetermined bearing preload, inserting mounting bores in the bearing hubs of the frame member onto the mounting studs, and determining that the differential bearings are properly preloaded if the mounting studs are received in the mounting bores in the differential carrier frame member without substantial resistance, or determining that the differential bearings are not properly preloaded if the mounting studs may not be received in the mounting bores easily.

Method for verifying predetermined bearing preload of differential assembly module

A drive axle assembly for motor vehicles, includes a support beam member having a substantially flat, enlarged central plate section and two opposite arm sections, a differential assembly module secured to the central plate section and enclosed into a housing formed by a rear cover and a front cover secured to opposite surfaces of the central plate section. A method for assembling the drive axle assembly comprises the steps of securing the front cover to a front mounting surface of the support beam member, fastening the differential assembly module to the central plate section of the support beam member, and fastening the rear cover to the rear mounting surface of the support beam member.

Drive axle for motor vehicles and method for assembling the same

A drive axle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a support beam member, a differential assembly module secured to the support beam member and a cover member fastened to the support beam member to cover at least a portion the differential assembly module. The cover member includes two spaced access openings with adjustable sealing flange devices for sealing an interior cavity within the cover member between the access openings and corresponding axle shaft members. The sealing flange device is positionally adjustable relative to the cover member. A method for adjusting position of the sealing flange device relative to the cover member comprises the steps of securing the cover member to the axle support member, mounting the sealing flange device to the cover member, adjusting the position of the sealing flange device relative to the cover member and securing the sealing flange device to the cover member.

Adjustable flange device for cover member in drive axle assembly

A rigid drive axle assembly for motor vehicles, includes a support beam member having a substantially flat, enlarged central section and two opposite arm sections axially outwardly extending from the central section, a differential assembly secured to the flat central section of the support beam member, and two opposite axle shaft members outwardly extending from the differential assembly and rotatably supported by the arm sections in a spaced relationship with respect to the central section of the support beam member. The differential assembly includes a differential carrier frame member fastened to the central section of the support beam member, and provided for rotatably supporting a differential case and a drive pinion. The differential assembly is enclosed into a housing formed by a rear cover and a front cover secured to opposite surfaces of the central section of the support beam member. The rear cover incorporates two throughholes provided with self-centering seals.

Growing community of inventors

Roanoke, IN, United States of America

Timothy Allmandinger