James Wesley Downs

US Patent:

7207409, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Mar 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/797717

Inventors:

James P. Downs - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 17/34

US Classification:

180248, 180233

Abstract:

A two speed drive system for an all wheel drive vehicle includes a double planetary gear front differential and a power take-off unit transferring drive torque to a front wheel set and a rear wheel set of the vehicle. A rear differential connects the power take-off unit and the rear wheel set providing the drive torque to the rear wheel set. A two speed drive unit is positioned between the power take-off unit and the rear differential. The drive unit shifts between a high range drive operation and a low range drive operation. The drive unit may be mounted directly to either the power take-off unit or the rear differential.

US Patent:

7234715, Jun 26, 2007

Filed:

Jan 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/029960

Inventors:

James Downs - South Lyon MI, US
Herb Adams - Waterford MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60G 3/04

US Classification:

280124134, 280 93511

Abstract:

A wheel suspension assembly for a vehicle is operable to travel across a ground surface. The wheel suspension assembly includes a first suspension member, a second suspension member, a wheel rotatably coupled to the first suspension member and a ball stud interconnecting the first and second suspension members. The ball stud includes a ball and a tapered shaft. The tapered shaft extends along a longitudinal axis. One of the first and second suspension members includes a ball socket in receipt of the ball. The other of the first and second suspension members includes a tapered bore in the receipt of the tapered shaft. The longitudinal axis of the tapered shaft is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface.

US Patent:

7347785, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/089263

Inventors:

James P. Downs - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/223

US Classification:

464143, 464906

Abstract:

A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.

US Patent:

7363995, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

May 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/415483

Inventors:

James P. Downs - South Lyon MI, US
Robert J. Degowske - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 17/356

US Classification:

180 651, 180 656, 180292

Abstract:

A suspension module with a suspension component, wheel hubs coupled to the suspension component, and a drive system. The drive system has a pair of units that selectively provide drive torque to an associated one of the wheel hubs. Each unit includes a motor, a first reduction gearset and an overrunning clutch. The first reduction gearset is disposed between the motor and its wheel hub and multiplies torque output from the motor. The clutch disconnects the motor from the associated wheel hub so that an output shaft of the motor is not drivingly coupled to the associated wheel hub when a rotational speed of the first portion does not exceed a rotational speed of the second portion. The clutch can be selectively operated to drivingly couple the motor to its wheel hub to permit the motor to be back-driven. A method for operating a hybrid power train is also provided.

US Patent:

7416505, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Nov 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/602766

Inventors:

James P Downs - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 37/08

US Classification:

475204

Abstract:

A drive train for a vehicle having an axle and a multi-speed drive unit. The axle includes a housing and a differential with an input pinion. The drive unit includes a planetary transmission, a drive unit housing and a dog clutch that is employed to selectively operate the planetary transmission in different speed ratios.

US Patent:

7506883, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Sep 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/522249

Inventors:

James Downs - South Lyon MI, US
Herb Adams - Waterford MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60G 3/04

US Classification:

280124134, 280 93511

Abstract:

A wheel suspension assembly for a vehicle is operable to travel across a ground surface. The wheel suspension assembly includes a first suspension member, a second suspension member, a wheel rotatably coupled to the first suspension member and a ball stud interconnecting the first and second suspension members. The ball stud includes a ball and a tapered shaft. The tapered shaft extends along a longitudinal axis. One of the first and second suspension members includes a ball socket in receipt of the ball. The other of the first and second suspension members includes a tapered bore in the receipt of the tapered shaft. The longitudinal axis of the tapered shaft is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface.

US Patent:

7507161, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Jan 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/011598

Inventors:

James P. Downs - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/227

US Classification:

464146, 464182, 464906

Abstract:

A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.

US Patent:

7771283, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Mar 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/407227

Inventors:

James P. Downs - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/227

US Classification:

464146, 464182, 464906

Abstract:

A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.