Keith Allen Kozlowski

US Patent:

6406034, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Oct 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/428225

Inventors:

Avissai Alcantara - Chih, MX
Keith Allen Kozlowski - El Paso TX

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16J 300

US Classification:

277634, 277635, 277549, 277561, 285 23, 138 89, 138 90

Abstract:

A joint for a shaft assembly includes a housing fitted with a boot seal that encircles and seals about a stub end of a shaft extending into the housing. The boot seal has a collar-like neck portion whose inner surface is formed with an annular wiper rib. Prior to assembly with the shaft, a shipping plus is disposed in the neck of the seal to guard against the escape of grease and the ingress of contaminants. The wiper rib of the seal is operative to engage and wipe grease from the inserted shank of the shipping plug upon its removal to prevent the grease from accumulating in the neck region and impairing the performance of the seal.

US Patent:

7347786, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Dec 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/730309

Inventors:

Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra - Cuautitlan Izcalli, MX
Keith A. Kozlowski - El Paso TX, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/00

US Classification:

464144, 464906

Abstract:

The present invention provides a stroking ball-type constant velocity joint including a plurality of straight grooves and a plurality of cross grooves. The straight and cross grooves can be disposed along the interior of the joint in alternating fashion. For example, a cross groove passageway can be positioned between two straight groove passageways. The inner joint member can include helical grooves extending in a right-hand direction and in a left-hand direction. The helical grooves can be disposed in alternating fashion such that a left-handed groove is disposed between two right-handed grooves.

US Patent:

7371181, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Jul 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/901710

Inventors:

Keith A. Kozlowski - El Paso TX, US
Federico Villalobos - Chihuahua, MX
Sergio Molinar - Chihuahua, MX
Dennis R. Hansen - Freeland MI, US
Jerry L. Eaton - Hemlock MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/84

US Classification:

464175

Abstract:

An apparatus and method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. In a first aspect, a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In a second aspect, a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft. In a third aspect, a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint.

US Patent:

7478969, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/341766

Inventors:

Keith A. Kozlowski - Saginaw MI, US
Leland N. Olgren - Frankenmuth MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16C 3/00

US Classification:

4033596, 4033592, 4033595

Abstract:

A rotatable combination that includes first and second members respectively having first and second longitudinally extending pluralities of splines. The second plurality of splines extend substantially parallel to the rotational axis. The first plurality of splines includes first and second longitudinally extending sections having different orientations with the second longitudinal section defining an angle with the rotational axis. The first longitudinal section engages the second plurality of splines before the second longitudinal section during assembly of the two members. Engagement of the second longitudinal section with the second plurality of splines generates a greater resistance to longitudinal movement than engagement of the first longitudinal section with the second plurality of splines. Engagement of the second longitudinal section with the second plurality of splines rotationally couples the first and second members in a backlash-free engagement and may be advantageously employed with a constant velocity joint.

US Patent:

7717793, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Jul 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/827127

Inventors:

Keith A. Kozlowski - Saginaw MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/223

US Classification:

464144, 464906

Abstract:

A fixed-center constant velocity joint has a race located concentrically to a rotational first axis, and a ring-shaped cage located concentrically to a rotational second axis. Both the race and the cage are centered to a common center point lying on the first and second axes regardless of the angular state of the joint. A spherical surface carried by the race radially opposes a spherical face carried by the cage for angular movement with respect to the center point. The surface and face are in close or contacting relationship to prevent telescoping movement with respect to the first and second axes.

US Patent:

7887423, Feb 15, 2011

Filed:

Dec 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/958056

Inventors:

Eduardo Mondragon - Saginaw MI, US
Keith A. Kozlowski - Saginaw MI, US

International Classification:

F16D 3/24

US Classification:

464141

Abstract:

A universal joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality of grooves within the opening extending along a longitudinal axis. An inner member is disposed within the opening and includes a plurality of pockets opposing the grooves. A drive ball is disposed within each pocket and engages the opposing groove. Each of the pockets and each of the grooves opposing the pockets include a central axis passing through a ball center of the drive balls. The drive balls are supported by the pockets and define a pocket contact angle. The drive balls are also supported by the grooves and define a groove contact angle. The pocket contact angle is less than the groove contact angle to urge the drive balls upward against the grooves.

US Patent:

7950669, May 31, 2011

Filed:

Mar 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/080111

Inventors:

Keith A. Kozlowski - El Paso TX, US
Federico Villalobos - Chihuahua, MX
Sergio Molinar - Chihuahua, MX
Dennis R. Hansen - Freeland MI, US
Jerry L. Eaton - Hemlock MI, US

International Classification:

F16J 15/52
F16D 3/84

US Classification:

277315, 277636, 464175

Abstract:

The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft.

US Patent:

8235829, Aug 7, 2012

Filed:

Mar 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/715863

Inventors:

Keith A. Kozlowski - Lynn Haven FL, US

Assignee:

Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/221

US Classification:

464141, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket portion, the pocket portion having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket portion with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, the distal end of the pocket portion having a convex surface configured to provide a predetermined a range of angular movement.