Michael W Kirk

US Patent:

20120083380, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Jul 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/190456

Inventors:

RICHARD G. REED - Royal Oak MI, US
Joseph E. Kubina - Oxford MI, US
Michael P. Kirk - Macomb MI, US
Donald F. Schmanski - Howell MI, US
Kenneth M. Pachucki - Lapeer MI, US
Mircea Gradu - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

F16H 37/08

US Classification:

475205

Abstract:

A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

US Patent:

50107810, Apr 30, 1991

Filed:

May 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/529847

Inventors:

Michael P. Kirk - Utica MI
Blake W. Good - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

F16C 110
F16G 1100

US Classification:

745024

Abstract:

A retaining assembly for retaining a throttle and speed control cable to a cable mounting bracket. The retaining assembly includes a first end fitting on the speed control cable with spaced flanges which allow the first end fitting to slide into an aperture in the cable mounting bracket and prevent longitudinal movement of the first end fitting relative to the cable mounting bracket. The retaining assembly also includes a second end fitting on the throttle control cable with retaining clips which allow the second end fitting to snap into the aperture in the cable mounting bracket to prevent longitudinal movement of the second end fitting relative to the cable mounting bracket. The second end fitting also abuts the first end fitting to prevent the first end fitting from disengaging the cable mounting bracket.

US Patent:

20150202959, Jul 23, 2015

Filed:

Mar 30, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/673123

Inventors:

Joseph E. Kubina - Oxford MI, US
Michael P. Kirk - Macomb MI, US
Donald F. Schmanski - Howell MI, US
Kenneth M. Pachucki - Lapeer MI, US
Mircea Gradu - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

B60K 17/346
B60K 17/35

Abstract:

A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.