Steven G Goddard

US Patent:

6371500, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Aug 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/649087

Inventors:

Steven Gray Goddard - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Spicer Technology, Inc. - Fort Wayne IN

International Classification:

B60G 702

US Classification:

280 86754, 280 86756

Abstract:

An adjustable mounting assembly for a steerable wheel assembly. A cam member is rotatably disposed within a recess formed in the lower arm of a yoke assembly. An eccentric cylinder of the cam member extends within a vertically oriented slot formed in a ball joint forging which is in turn adjustable secured to the lower arm of the yoke. By simply rotating the cam member, the eccentric cylinder engages the slot and moves the ball joint forging in a horizontal direction to adjust the caster of the wheel assembly. The vertical slot in the ball joint forging prevents vertical movement to facilitate adjustment of the caster without affecting a camber setting, the distance between the upper and lower ball joints, or ball joint pre-loading. Horizontal slots are formed in the lower arm to align with boltholes formed in the ball joint forging to allow the forging to be bolted to the lower arm over a range of horizontal positions. A method of adjusting the camber of the wheel assembly is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6408973, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Oct 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/696175

Inventors:

Peter Alfred Beesley - Fort Wayne IN
Steven G. Goddard - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Spicer Technology, Inc. - Fort Wayne IN

International Classification:

B60K 1734

US Classification:

180253, 180245

Abstract:

An integrated wheel end system for a vehicle including a clutch adapted to provide driving engagement/disengagement of a wheel to convert between driven and non-driven modes of wheel movement. A vehicle is provided with both 4Ã2 and 4Ã4 capabilities and, when 4Ã4 capability is required, a negative pressure is applied to a vacuum cavity thus causing a piston, shift fork and spline collar to move inboard. The spline collar is splined to the constant velocity joint and as it moves inboard it locks on the spline plate locking the wheelend to the axle shaft. The invention also provides a default 4Ã4 embodiment, the spline collar is splined to the joint and as the piston fork and spline collar move inboard, they unlock the wheelend from the axle shaft. A selectively activated actuator is provided for moving the clutch member between its driving and non-driving positions.

US Patent:

60532904, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/100549

Inventors:

Steven Goddard - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16D 6512

US Classification:

188218XL

Abstract:

A disc brake rotor for motor vehicles, having a dual web structural support for connecting a pair of brake discs to a rotor hub that is positioned centrally within the brake rotor without lateral offset. The dual web structural support creates a fanning effect that draws a flow of cooling air between the brake discs. Air flow is further promoted by providing connective ribs located between the brake discs with a shape that produces a pressure drop across the discs and thereby draws cooling air between the discs.

US Patent:

60593741, May 9, 2000

Filed:

Jul 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/110718

Inventors:

Steven G. Goddard - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B60B 1900

US Classification:

301 61

Abstract:

A hub flange and rotor assembly, both having cut out openings or scallops, wherein the scallops aid in accessing the outward facing bolt heads of the bearing flange to knuckle bolts. This configuration allows the rotor to be machined after it is installed on the hub, prior to installation of the unified assembly into the steering knuckle.

US Patent:

63184923, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Dec 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/222124

Inventors:

Steven G. Goddard - Fort Wayne IN
James A. Krisher - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B60K 17354

US Classification:

180247

Abstract:

An improved wheel end assembly integrates into the steering knuckle a feature for providing driving engagement/disengagement of a wheel to convert between driven and non-driven modes of wheel movement. Such a wheel end assembly receives drive torque from a half shaft through a constant velocity ("CV") joint. The wheel end assembly has the steering knuckle, which is coupled to the vehicle and which integrally houses a hub lock actuator assembly. A bearing assembly mounted to the knuckle allows for free rotation of a cylindrical wheel hub mounted thereon about a central axis of the hub. The wheel hub has a flange for mounting the wheel at an outboard end thereof and a drive flange at an inboard end thereof, an outer circumference of the flange having a plurality of external teeth spaced evenly therearound. A stub shaft has an outboard end thereof rotatingly supported in the wheel hub and an inboard end thereof defining a housing for the CV joint, the housing having a plurality of external teeth identical in size and number to the teeth on the drive flange. The housing and the flange are axially adjacent to each other.