Tom Ignatius

US Patent:

6637757, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Feb 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/086471

Inventors:

Tom V. Ignatius - Waterford MI
Jeffrey L. Kincaid - Clarkston MI
Peter E. Asmaro - Troy MI

Assignee:

American Axle Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60G 1701

US Classification:

280 5511, 280124106, 280124152

Abstract:

Improvements for a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch assembly to provide a vehicle with improved traction. A first improvement concerns a reserve powering apparatus for powering the clutch assembly in the event of an electrical failure that prevents the vehicle power source from transmitting electrical power to the clutch assembly. A second improvement concerns a speed sensing apparatus for inhibiting the operation of the stabilizer bar assembly in a disengaged condition if the speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed threshold. A third improvement concerns a logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a pair of stabilizer bar assemblies.

US Patent:

6428019, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Sep 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663613

Inventors:

Jeffrey Lee Kincad - Clarkston MI
Brian Allen Mattila - Fenton MI
Tom V. Ignatius - Waterford MI

Assignee:

American Axle Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60G 1701

US Classification:

280 5511, 280124106, 280124152

Abstract:

A stabilizer bar assembly for a vehicle having a pair of laterally-spaced wheels. The stabilizer bar assembly includes first and second stabilizer bar members and a clutch assembly. Each of the first and second stabilizer bar members is coupled to one of the pair of laterally-spaced wheels. The clutch assembly is coupled to the first and second stabilizer bar members and is operable in a first condition and a second condition. Operation of the clutch assembly in the first condition permits the first and second stabilizer bar members to rotate independently of one another so as to the stabilizer bar assembly from copying the motion of one of the wheels to the other one of the wheels. Operation of the clutch assembly in a second condition couples the first and second stabilizer bar members for rotation with one another, so as to reduce vehicle body roll.

Address:

120 Hadsell Dr, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Phone:

2483909609

VIN:

4JGBF8GE7CA786736

Make:

MERCEDES-BENZ

Model:

GL-CLASS

Year:

2012