Scott D Robb

US Patent:

6883967, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Apr 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/407917

Inventors:

Scott B. Robb - Toledo OH, US
James A. Duggan - Temperance MI, US

Assignee:

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Holland OH

International Classification:

F16C027/06
B60K005/12

US Classification:

384536, 384 99, 26714012

Abstract:

A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.

US Patent:

6960024, Nov 1, 2005

Filed:

Apr 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/407918

Inventors:

Scott B. Robb - Toledo OH, US
James A. Duggan - Temperance MI, US

Assignee:

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Maumee OH

International Classification:

F16C027/06

US Classification:

384536, 267153

Abstract:

A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.

US Patent:

7052398, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Aug 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/224957

Inventors:

Scott B. Robb - Toledo OH, US

Assignee:

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Maumee OH

International Classification:

F16N 11/04

US Classification:

464 16, 464 7, 184 95

Abstract:

A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly. The pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A pressure plate is disposed within the housing of the pressure regulator assembly and is supported for sliding movement relative thereto. A spring urges the pressure plate toward the open end of the housing and the lubricant chamber. As a result, the pressure plate maintains a positive pressure situation within the lubricant chamber, thereby deterring contaminants from passing through the seal assembly into the region of the cooperating splines.

US Patent:

59317388, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Oct 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/955055

Inventors:

Scott B. Robb - Toledo OH

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16D 384

US Classification:

464140

Abstract:

A half shaft assembly includes a half shaft having inboard and outboard ends with constant velocity universal joint inner races secured thereto. A universal joint cage and ball assembly encircles each inner race. An outer race encircles each cage and ball assembly. A protective elastomeric convoluted semi-hyperbolic boot is provided. The boot has divergent inboard and outboard ends and a convergent center. The convergent center has an inner diameter sized to fit snugly around the half shaft. The divergent inboard and outboard ends are secured to their respective inboard and outboard constant velocity universal joint outer races by a separate clamp.

US Patent:

60821906, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Jul 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/119933

Inventors:

Kevin J. Breidenbach - Perrysburg OH
Scott B. Robb - Toledo OH

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

731182

Abstract:

An adapter for facilitating the measurement of the angular inclination of components having yokes secured thereto in a vehicular drive train system. The adapter includes a cylindrical shaft portion having an end portion connected to one end thereof. The shaft portion is sized to correspond to the diameter of the opposed bearing cup openings, whether cylindrical as found in a full round end yoke or semi-cylindrical as found in a half round end yoke. The end portion extends perpendicular to the cylindrical shaft and provides a surface upon which an inclinometer may be disposed to measure the relative angular orientation of the yoke. If desired, a slot may be formed in the surface of the shaft portion to accommodate one or more nibs formed on the half round end yoke.