Donald Wayne Dine

US Patent:

6817950, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Nov 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/294197

Inventors:

Donald W. Dine - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3224

US Classification:

464145, 464906

Abstract:

A high angle constant velocity joint for use in a vehicle. The high angle constant velocity joint includes an outer race having a bore therethrough. The outer race also includes a plurality of tracks on an inside surface of the outer race. The constant velocity joint includes a cage arranged within the bore of the outer race without contacting the outer race. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race arranged within the cage, the inner race having a plurality of tracks on an outer surface with one half of the tracks open in a direction opposite of another one half of the tracks on the inner race. The constant velocity joint also includes a plurality of large diameter balls arranged within the cage and tracks of the inner and outer race. The constant velocity joint has a shaft connected to the inner race and a pliable boot arranged between the outer race and the shaft. The constant velocity joint also includes a cap contacting the outer race.

US Patent:

6986713, Jan 17, 2006

Filed:

Aug 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/644442

Inventors:

Donald W. Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
Craig A. Campbell - West Bloomfield MI, US

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16C 3/02

US Classification:

464181, 464183

Abstract:

A propeller shaft assembly includes a thin-walled tubular member, a connecting member fixed to each end of the tubular member, and a support member fixed within the tubular member. The support member includes a plurality of radial elements extending a first length (L) within the tubular member and engaging an interior surface of the tubular member to increase the bending frequency of the propeller shaft assembly. In one example, the support member includes a central hub coaxially located within the tubular member and the radial elements extend from the central hub to the interior surface of the tubular member. The radial elements can include enlarged end portions for engaging the interior surface of the tubular member. The radial elements, at their ends, can also include either axial or circumferential grooves which act as an adhesive reservoir.

US Patent:

6988950, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Dec 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/729516

Inventors:

Ramon Kuczera - Clarkston MI, US
Michael Miller - White Lake MI, US
Donald Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
James Lyon - Northampton, GB

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/205

US Classification:

464111, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint with an outer part having innerly a normal range, an extended range, and a plurality of outer bores circumferentially spaced between a plurality of longitudinally extending tracks, Each track having a bottom spaced between two oppositely disposed sidetracks. An inner part is disposed within said outer joint part, having a plurality of sides circumferentially spaced between a plurality of trunions, each trunion having a top and an inner race. Also, a plurality of rollers each having an inner bore are mounted on said inner race of each trunion, whereby angular and axial displacement occur between the inner joint and the outer joint. Wherein at least one energy absorption surfaces is located in the extended range on the outer part. The energy absorption surface interferes with at least one of the rollers when the joint is operated beyond said normal range.

US Patent:

7008327, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733690

Inventors:

Ramon Kuczera - Clarkston MI, US
Michael Miller - White Lake MI, US
Donald Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
James Lyon - Northampton, GB

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/227

US Classification:

464146, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint has an outer part, an inner part, a plurality of torque transmitting balls, and a cage having windows for retaining the balls in the ball tracks of the outer and inner parts. The balls are retained in a constant velocity plane by the cage and guided by corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks. The cage has an outer spherical face guided in contact by an inner bore of the outer part and inner concave face rotatably guided in contact by the convex face of the inner part. The outer part having a normal axial range, an extended axial range, and at least one energy absorption surfaces located in the extended axial range. Wherein the energy absorption surface interferes with at least one of the torque transmitting balls when the joint is operated beyond said normal axial range.

US Patent:

7040991, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734765

Inventors:

Ramon Kuczera - Clarkston MI, US
Michael Miller - White Lake MI, US
Donald Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
James Lyon - Northampton, GB

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/227

US Classification:

464144, 464167, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint has an outer part, an inner part, a plurality of torque transmitting balls, and a cage having windows for retaining the balls in the ball tracks of the outer and inner parts. The balls are retained in a plane by the cage and guided by corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks. The outer and inner ball tracks form angles of intersection with respect to an axis where the angles are identical in size but set in opposite directions to one another. The outer part and the inner part operate in a normal axial range, there being at least one energy absorption surfaces located in the outer extended axial range or the inner extended axial range. The energy absorption surface interferes with at least one of the torque transmitting balls when the joint is operated beyond said normal axial range.

US Patent:

7040992, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Jan 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/768802

Inventors:

Donald W. Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
Frederick J. Uchman - Clarkston MI, US

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/84

US Classification:

464170, 464145, 464177

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint for use in a prop shaft of an automotive vehicle includes an outer race. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race arranged within the outer race and a rolling element arranged between the outer race and inner race. A cage is arranged between the outer race and inner race such that the cage positions the rolling element therebetween. The constant velocity joint also includes a flange contacting the outer race. Torque is transmitted through the use of a face spline. A collar contacts the flange and outer race and secures the flange and outer race to one another in an axial direction.

US Patent:

7077753, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Dec 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/729273

Inventors:

Ramon Kuczera - Clarkston MI, US
Michael Miller - White Lake MI, US
Donald Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US
James Lyon - Northampton, GB

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/227

US Classification:

464144, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint has an outer part, an inner part, a plurality of balls, and a cage having windows for retaining the balls in the ball tracks of the outer and inner parts. The cage retains the balls in a plane. Corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks guide the balls. Corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks that are axially straight alternate with corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks forming angles of intersection with respect to an axis. The outer part and the inner part operate in a normal axial range, there being at least one energy absorption surfaces located in the outer extended axial range or the inner extended axial range of either part. The energy absorption surface interferes with at least one of the balls when the joint is operated beyond the normal axial range.

US Patent:

7090583, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Oct 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/970106

Inventors:

Donald W. Dine - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GKN Driveline North America, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16D 3/224

US Classification:

464145, 464906

Abstract:

A constant velocity joint is provided that includes an outer race having a bore with an inside surface, a cage arranged within the bore of the outer race, an inner race having an outer surface; and a plurality of balls arranged within the cage. A shaft is connected to the inner race. The cage remains in a non-contacting state with said outer race through a zero angle and a high angle position of the shaft.