Mark G Schneider

US Patent:

6857510, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116256

Inventors:

Mark M. Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry W. Bowman - Troy MI, US
Eric B. Ratts - Northville MI, US
Paul R. Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Robert W. Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael E. Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James R. Brichta - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

AxleTech International IP Holdings, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D065/853

US Classification:

188264A, 267 716, 267264 F, 74606 A

Abstract:

A vehicle driveline component temperature control assembly utilizes compressed air or another fluid to cause air flow across an external portion of the driveline component. The airflow facilitates heat transfer or heat dissipation from within the driveline component to assist in maintaining the temperature of the component within an acceptable range. A supply of compressed air or other fluid communicates with at least one discharge device supported on an external housing of the driveline component. The discharge device includes at least one manifold having at least one opening through which the compressed air is delivered to create an airflow across the external surface of the housing. In one example, each discharge device comprises multiple, generally C-shaped manifolds that are secured in place and supported on the external surface of the housing. The inventive arrangement is particularly useful for off-highway vehicle driveline components such as axle and wet disc brake assemblies.

US Patent:

6896108, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116206

Inventors:

Mark M. Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry W. Bowman - Troy MI, US
Eric B. Ratts - Northville MI, US
Paul R. Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Robert W. Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael E. Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James R. Brichta - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

AxleTech International IP Holdings, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D065/78

US Classification:

188264R, 188264 P, 74606 A

Abstract:

A system for controlling the temperature of a vehicle driveline component assembly includes using forced air to cool lubricant within the assembly. As heat builds up during braking applications, for example, a controller determines when additional cooling may be needed. An air source is activated to induce air flow through at least one flow passage supported relative to the housing so that the air flowing through the passage can absorb heat from the lubricant. In one example, the air flow passage is supported within the component housing. In another example, the air flow passage is associated with a heat exchanger supported external to the component housing in a strategic location on the vehicle or the housing, for example. A pump responsible for causing the air flow preferably also causes lubricant flow in a desired manner to facilitate heat dissipation.

US Patent:

8335643, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Aug 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/853961

Inventors:

Karl Douglas Vandivier - Belleville MI, US
Dean T. Wisniewski - Detroit MI, US
Mark Schneider - Northville MI, US
Jennifer L. Brace - Northville MI, US
Paul Aldighieri - Grosse Pointe Farms MI, US
Vilay Patel - Canton MI, US
Charles Michael Broadwater - Orchard Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01C 21/30

US Classification:

701411, 701412, 701418, 701420, 701426, 701438

Abstract:

A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.

US Patent:

8529657, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Aug 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/222244

Inventors:

Jeffrey Lee Kincaid - Clarkston MI, US
Mark Andrew Schneider - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B01D 46/00

US Classification:

553853, 553854, 55505, 74606 A, 454 69, 403 31, 403 38

Abstract:

A vent for an axle housing includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion has a plurality of pores defined therethrough. The first body portion defines a first cavity. The second body portion has a conical portion that extends between a throat and a neck portion that defines an opening. The second body portion defines a second cavity that fluidly connects with the first cavity. The vent permits air to pass from the axle housing, through the plurality of pores in the first body portion, through the first and second cavities, and out the opening of the neck portion while concurrently inhibiting egress of lubricant from the axle housing.

US Patent:

20020108817, Aug 15, 2002

Filed:

Apr 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/115651

Inventors:

Paul Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Mark Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry Bowman - Troy MI, US
Robert Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James Brichta - Highland MI, US
Raji El-Kassouf - St. Priest En-Jarez, FR

International Classification:

F16D055/08

US Classification:

188/072100

Abstract:

A drive axle assembly includes a supplemental brake force assembly that utilizes a variable viscosity fluid. The assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and a drive component mounted for rotation relative to the housing. Rotating plates are mounted for rotation with the drive component and a Theological fluid is enclosed within the housing to surround the rotating plates. A current source generates current within the fluid to vary the viscosity. At higher traveling speeds, no current is applied to the fluid so the viscosity of the fluid is low, which reduces drag against the rotating plate. However, when a braking even occurs, current is applied to the fluid to increase viscosity and generate a supplemental braking force. The assembly is preferably incorporated into a wet disc brake with a plurality of non-rotating plates positioned in an alternating dispersal between the rotating plates. A brake actuator compresses the non-rotating and rotating plates together to generate a primary braking force in addition to the supplemental braking force. Fins are formed on the external surface of the housing to dissipate heat generated during braking.

US Patent:

20030183455, Oct 2, 2003

Filed:

Apr 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/114207

Inventors:

Mark Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry Bowman - Troy MI, US
Eric Ratts - Northville MI, US
Paul Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Robert Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James Brichta - Highland MI, US

International Classification:

F01M001/00
F16N007/26

US Classification:

184/011100

Abstract:

A vehicle drive axle is provided that includes a housing having a longitudinal portion defining a cavity. An axle shaft is supported within the cavity for rotation about an axis. The cavity is at least partially filled with oil. A plurality of spaced apart noncontiguous projections extend from the axle shaft in a direction transverse to the rotational axis. During rotation of the axle shafts, the projections extend into the oil within the cavity and splash the oil onto the upper portion of the axle housing. Increased heat dissipation is achieved by dispersing the oil throughout the cavity, and in particular the upper portion of the axle housing, where it radiates into the surrounding environment.

US Patent:

20030188546, Oct 9, 2003

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116780

Inventors:

Mark Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry Bowman - Troy MI, US
Eric Ratts - Northville MI, US
Paul Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Robert Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James Brichta - Highland MI, US

International Classification:

F28D005/00
F25D023/12

US Classification:

062/304000, 062/259400

Abstract:

A system for cooling vehicle driveline components, such as axles or wet disc brake assemblies utilizes evaporative cooling effects of liquid applied to an exterior surface on the housing. A liquid supply is coupled with an outlet and a controller determines when cooling is needed. Liquid is applied onto the housing from the outlet as cooling is needed. One example includes a plurality of fluid collectors on a portion of the housing exterior to increase the amount of liquid maintained on the housing to increase the evaporative cooling effect.

US Patent:

20030188932, Oct 9, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117578

Inventors:

Mark Schneider - Royal Oak MI, US
Larry Bowman - Troy MI, US
Eric Ratts - Northville MI, US
Paul Sieber - Rochester Hills MI, US
Robert Hildebrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Michael Johnson - Rochester MI, US
James Brichta - Highland MI, US

International Classification:

F16D055/02

US Classification:

188/071600

Abstract:

A temperature controlling assembly includes a thermoelectric device that is supported on or in a selected driveline component, such as an axle assembly or a brake assembly. The thermoelectric device preferably is controlled to operate in a first mode to remove heat from the selected component. In one example, fluid within a wet disc brake assembly is cooled using the thermoelectric device. In another mode of operation, the thermoelectric device provides heat to a selected lubricant. A controller monitors the temperature of the chosen component and causes the thermoelectric device to operate in the appropriate mode to maintain the component temperature within a desired range.