Frederick Franz Zink

US Patent:

6802793, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Feb 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/368173

Inventors:

Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI
Joseph M. Endreszl - Westland MI

Assignee:

American Axle Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 4806

US Classification:

475230

Abstract:

An arrangement for securely retaining a cross pin within a differential assembly includes a cross pin having a groove positioned proximate a recess formed in a differential housing. The recess and the groove define a retention passageway at least partially filled with molten resin. Solidified resin material positioned within the retention passageway retains the cross pin in the differential housing. Another embodiment cross pin retention system includes a pair of locking clips coupled to the cross pin. Each of the pinion gears of the differential assembly is retained between one of the locking clips and the differential housing.

US Patent:

6817961, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358704

Inventors:

Jason E. Moore - Clarkston MI
Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI

Assignee:

American Axle Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 4826

US Classification:

475 85, 475231, 475150

Abstract:

A differential system includes a case, a pair of pinion gears, a pair of side gears and an electrically operable coupling including a magnetically responsive fluid. The coupling selectively drivingly interconnects one of the side gears and the case. In one instance, the present invention includes a rotor having a plurality of outwardly extending blades positioned in communication with a magneto-rheological fluid. An electromagnet is selectively actuated to change the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. In this manner, the differential may function as an âopenâ differential, a âlockedâ differential or a differential accommodating a limited-slip condition.

US Patent:

6991576, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Nov 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/989943

Inventors:

Jason E. Moore - Clarkston MI, US
Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 48/06
F16D 27/00

US Classification:

475231, 192 215

Abstract:

A differential assembly includes a case, a gearset having a pair of pinion gears and a pair of side gears, and an electrically operable coupling including a magnetically responsive fluid. The coupling is operable to selectively interconnect one of the side gears to the case. In one instance, the present invention includes a rotor having a plurality of outwardly extending blades positioned in communication with a magneto-rheological fluid. An electromagnet is selectively actuated to change the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. In this manner, the differential may function as an “open” differential, a “locked” differential or a differential accommodating a limited-slip condition.

US Patent:

7188699, Mar 13, 2007

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776925

Inventors:

Jason E. Moore - Clarkston MI, US
Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 17/00

US Classification:

180339, 180378, 475161

Abstract:

An axle assembly with a cooling pump. The cooling pump includes a disk-shaped wheel with a plurality of radially-spaced ducts formed therein. The wheel is positioned in proximity to the axle assembly and rotated, allowing the ducts to draw air therethrough and direct the air to the axle assembly.

US Patent:

7775928, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Sep 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/859348

Inventors:

Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 48/06

US Classification:

475230

Abstract:

An axle assembly with an axle housing with a pair of bearing journals, a differential assembly disposed between the bearing journals, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of hollow adjusters that can be threaded into the bearing journals to preload the differential bearings and control gear lash between a pinion and a ring gear. Retaining members can be non-rotatably engage to the hollow adjusters and can be press-fit into counterbores in the outboard sides of the bearing journals. The axle housing can include an unitarily formed differential housing with a body and an axle tube structure, and a first axle tube that can be discretely formed and coupled to the body.

US Patent:

7931557, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Jul 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/839652

Inventors:

Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B21D 53/28

US Classification:

475246, 298931, 298932

Abstract:

A method that includes positioning a differential assembly between a pair of journals in a differential housing, threading hollow adjusters into the journals, installing a retaining member over each of the hollow adjusters such that the retainer engages a non-circular feature on a respective one of the hollow adjusters, and pressing each of the retaining members into a counterbore formed on an assocated one of the journals such that the retaining members engage the differential housing in via an interference fit to inhibit relative rotation between the retaining members and the differential housing.

US Patent:

7998012, Aug 16, 2011

Filed:

Feb 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/028667

Inventors:

Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B21D 53/28

US Classification:

475246, 298931, 298932

Abstract:

A torque transmitting component that includes a hollow adjuster that is employed to preload and/or position a bearing that supports a differential assembly relative to a housing. One of the housing and the adjuster includes a first engagement feature and the other one of the housing and the adjuster includes a second engagement feature. A retaining member is press-fit to the first engagement feature and is non-rotatably coupled to the second engagement feature to inhibit rotation of the adjuster relative to the housing. A method is also provided.

US Patent:

8092132, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Dec 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/315846

Inventors:

Frederick E. Zink - Capac MI, US
James Moore - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Jeffrey L. Gerstenberger - Grand Blanc MI, US

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16B 39/04

US Classification:

411221, 411198

Abstract:

A fastener with a threaded nut, a clip, a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. The nut has front and rear surfaces and a first lock structure that is disposed between the front and rear surfaces. The clip has a body, which defines an aperture, a second lock structure and an engagement member. The second lock structure is coupled to the body and engages the first lock structure to axially retain the clip to the nut. The engagement member extends into the aperture in the body. The first engagement feature is coupled to either the nut or the clip and comprises at least one tooth. The second engagement feature is associated with the other one of the nut and the clip and is engaged with the first engagement feature to inhibit rotation between the nut and the clip.

Address:

14346 Imlay City Rd, Mussey, MI 48014

Phone:

8103952819

VIN:

5Y2SL65847Z426684

Make:

PONTIAC

Model:

VIBE

Year:

2007