James L Forrest

US Patent:

6582336, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Mar 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/090666

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN
Robert Leeper - Fort Wayne IN
James P. Scott - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4822

US Classification:

475150

Abstract:

A differential assembly including a rotatable casing, first and second axially moveable side gears disposed within the casing, at least one pinion gear disposed within the casing and intermeshed with the side gears, a cone clutch operatively coupled to the first side gear, the cone clutch being frictionally coupled to the casing in response to being exposed to a magnetic field, and a disc clutch having at least one clutch disc operatively coupled to the second side gear in response to axial movement of the second side gear.

US Patent:

6719662, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

May 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/154198

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN
Robert Leeper - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4820

US Classification:

475231, 475150

Abstract:

A differential assembly including a rotatable casing having an axis of rotation, a selectively energized electromagnet proximal the casing, and a rotatable first clutch disposed within the casing, the first clutch placed in operative engagement with the casing in response to the electromagnet being energized. Relative rotation between the first clutch and the casing is slowed by their being in operative engagement. A rotatable clutch hub and a second clutch are disposed within the casing, and the casing and the clutch hub are rotatably coupled through engagement of the second clutch, which is operatively engaged in response to relative rotation between the first clutch and the casing being slowed. At least one rotatable pinion gear is disposed within the casing and revolves about the axis of rotation. At least one side gear engaged with the pinion gear and rotatable about the axis of rotation is disposed within the casing, and is rotatably coupled to the casing through the second clutch during engagement of the second clutch.

US Patent:

20120031212, Feb 9, 2012

Filed:

May 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/103163

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN, US

Assignee:

AUBURN GEAR, INC. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 57/00

US Classification:

74412 R

Abstract:

A drive unit disconnect mechanism is operable to transmit or disconnect power from a vehicle power source to a driven unit, and can be disengaged by multiple methods depending on how much force is required to separate the internal components of the mechanism. In a first, relatively quicker method, a handle is pulled axially away from the hub to withdraw and internal gear from splined engagement with a corresponding driven gear. In a second, relatively slower method, the handle is rotated to threadably withdraw the entire disconnect mechanism from the hub, which in turn withdraws the internal gear from splined engagement with the driven gear. The quicker method is desirable in most instances, but the slower method allows disconnection of the driven unit from the vehicle power source when gear pressure prevents or impedes the quicker method.

US Patent:

62545051, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/447410

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4808
F16H 4830

US Classification:

475230

Abstract:

A differential assembly including a casing which rotates about a first axis, the casing having an internal cavity; an elongate cylindrical cross pin which rotates with the casing about the first axis, the cross pin extending along a second axis through the cavity, the second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; at least one pinion gear disposed within the cavity and about the cross pin, the pinion gear rotatable about the second axis; and a pair of side gears disposed within the cavity and in meshed engagement with the pinion gear, the side gears rotatable about the first axis. A cross pin retention element is disposed about the cross pin. The cross pin and the retention element are fixed against substantial relative movement therebetween along the second axis, and the retention element is disposed adjacent the pinion gear. The movement of the retention element relative to the casing along the second axis is restricted, whereby the cross pin is retained in the casing.

US Patent:

60196947, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Feb 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/257281

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN
Robert Leeper - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4822

US Classification:

475150

Abstract:

A controllable differential having a rotatable casing, differential gearing disposed within the rotatable casing and linking the casing with an output element disposed therein, a clutch disposed within the rotatable casing and clutch adapted to transfer torque between the rotatable casing and the output element, and an electromagnet arranged to generate a generally toroidal magnetic flux path encircling the electromagnet and magnetically forcing the clutch into engagement with the rotatable casing, the casing including a nonmagnetic portion adjacent the electromagnet, said flux path surrounding the nonmagnetic casing portion.

US Patent:

59514264, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Feb 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/030603

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4806

US Classification:

475 88

Abstract:

A hydraulically actuated limited slip differential which transfers a predetermined amount of clutch torque each time the clutch mechanism is triggered. The differential includes a hydraulic pump mechanism comprising a plurality of fluid supply passages disposed in a side gear and in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the side gear and the clutch mechanism. The hydraulic pump mechanism transfers fluid into the cavity in response to meshing rotation between the pinion gears and the side gears. Sufficiently high differentiation between the output shafts increases the pressure in the cavity to trigger the frictional clutch mechanism with the differential casing to provide braking action between the side gears and the differential casing. The clutch mechanism includes a cone clutch element having a frusto-conical engagement surface which frictionally engages an insert having a complementary frusto-conical engagement surface. The hydraulic trigger and cam separation produce a predetermined amount of axial movement by the cone clutch element and the insert to provide a predetermined amount of clutch torque.

US Patent:

63093200, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

Jan 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/484967

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN
Robert Leeper - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4822

US Classification:

475150

Abstract:

An electrically actuated limited slip axle assembly for transferring torque including a housing, a clutch, a casing and an electromagnet fixedly mounted to the housing. The casing is rotatably supported on bearings within the housing. The clutch is activated in response to energization of the electromagnet to transfer torque. In a first embodiment the electromagnet is coupled to a cup portion of the bearing, whereby the electromagnet is fixedly mounted to the housing via the bearing. In a second embodiment of the axle assembly includes a bearing spacer providing the fixed mount between the housing and the electromagnet.

US Patent:

59891475, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Feb 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/030602

Inventors:

James L. Forrest - Ashley IN
Robert Leeper - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Auburn Gear, Inc. - Auburn IN

International Classification:

F16H 4822

US Classification:

475231

Abstract:

A controllable differential having a clutch mechanism which transfers a predetermined amount of torque between a rotatable differential casing and a side gear when an initiating force is applied by an electronic actuator. A pair of sensors provide inputs to the electronic actuator which, in turn, actuates an electromagnet. A clutch mechanism is actuated by the electromagnet and applies an initiating force to the clutch mechanism to initially actuate the clutch mechanism when a predetermined relative rotational condition of the side gears is sensed. The application of the initiating force in combination with the interaction between engagement surfaces and between camming portions fully engages a clutch mechanism to transfer a predetermined controllable amount of torque.