Gregory A Fett

US Patent:

6474873, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Apr 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/842122

Inventors:

James A. Krisher - Fort Wayne IN
Gregory A. Fett - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Spicer Technology, Inc. - Fort Wayne IN

International Classification:

F16C 1936

US Classification:

384563, 384583

Abstract:

An assembly by which to effect incremental adjustments to the end play, or preloading, to a bearing set. Relatively rotatable first and second thrust rings have contiguously juxtaposed and interacting ramp surfaces. Interposed between the first and second thrust rings is an indexing spring that provides incremental adjustment of the first thrust ring with respect to the second thrust ring. A plurality of indexing pawls formed on the indexing spring interacts with a plurality of indexing teeth formed on one of the thrust rings. The second thrust ring is selectively rotatable with respect to the first thrust ring to effect axial translation of the first thrust ring by virtue of the interaction between said opposed, contiguously juxtaposed ramp surfaces. The indexing pawls preclude reverse relative rotation of the thrust plates.

US Patent:

6533699, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883958

Inventors:

Gregory A. Fett - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Holland OH

International Classification:

F16H 4822

US Classification:

475231, 475239

Abstract:

A differential mechanism includes a clutch pack disposed outside said differential case and has a first set of clutch plates splined onto one of said axle shafts and a second set of clutch plates splined onto a housing sleeve, wherein the housing sleeve circumscribes said axle shaft. A control mechanism comprising an actuator actuates the clutch pack. The housing sleeve is splined to a trunnion portion of the differential case. This device simplifies and reduces the cost of the original assembly and/or the optional mounting of a controlling or limiting device associated with a differential mechanism whose output elements are connected to coaxial wheel shafts.

US Patent:

6695739, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jun 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/178574

Inventors:

Gregory Allen Fett - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Holland OH

International Classification:

F16H 4806

US Classification:

475230

Abstract:

An ultra narrow adjustable differential assembly includes a ring gear rotatably supported within a differential housing about a central axis, a set of differential pinion mate gears rotatably mounted to the ring gear, a pair of opposite side gears drivingly engaging the differential pinion mate gears for establishing driving connection between the ring gear and the side gears and allowing differential rotation between the side gears, and an adjustment device for selectively adjusting position of the ring gear relative to the differential housing and proper bearing preload.

US Patent:

20060054411, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Jul 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/184070

Inventors:

Gregory Fett - Toledo OH, US
Timothy Runstadler - Saline MI, US
David Krueger - Fort Wayne IN, US
Michael Dougherty - Rochester Hills MI, US
Assil Matti - Madison Heights MI, US
Patricia McLeish - Rochester MI, US
Robert Alward - Otisville MI, US
Earl Irwin - Fort Wayne IN, US
James Duggan - Temperance MI, US

International Classification:

F01M 5/00

US Classification:

184006220

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of a differential axle assembly. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing with a portion submersed in a reservoir portion of the axle lubricant. Cooling fins are preferably disposed on the heat pipe both in the submersed region of the heat pipe and a portion external the housing. A temperatures sensitive valve provided to inhibit flow of the axle lubricant between a reservoir and the remaining portion of the axle housing.

US Patent:

20060266436, Nov 30, 2006

Filed:

May 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/436564

Inventors:

Gregory Fett - Toledo OH, US

International Classification:

C23C 8/22
C23C 8/04

US Classification:

148213000

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for selectively carburizing (tailored carburizing) a steel gear or similar ferrous metal object. The process of the present invention includes two similar but separate methods. The first method includes the steps of: first, masking the roots of the gear with an appropriate masking material, and conducting a first carburizing operation of the gear. Then, the masking material is removed from the gear roots and a second carburizing operation of the gear is conducted. The resulting carburized gear will have a lighter case with a lower carbon content in the root areas of the gear. The second method includes the steps of: masking the root areas of the gear with a coating material which would inhibit carbon diffusion in the root areas but not completely stop it. Then, carburizing the gear. Finally, the inhibiting agent is removed. The resulting carburized gear will have a lighter case with a lower carbon content in the root areas of the gear.

US Patent:

63088827, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

Sep 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/394040

Inventors:

Mark Shuster - Toledo OH
Gregory Allen Fett - Fort Wayne IN
James Andrew Duggan - Temperance MI
Oscar Mnushkin - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B23K 2012
B23K 3102
B23K 2600

US Classification:

228175

Abstract:

A method for joining ductile iron with steel includes the steps of depositing a metallic material between a first ductile iron component, and a second steel component. The joint formed by the method has an interface disposed between the two components and the first and second components are welded thereto. The interface includes the metallic material. The metallic material preferably includes nickel sprayed to the joint area. The resulting interface material is a weld bead zone that preferably includes nickel at a concentration ranging from about twenty-two percent to about thirty-two percent, most preferably between about thirty percent and about thirty-two percent. The welding step of the present invention preferably includes the use of laser energy to localize fusion of the components and the metallic material.

US Patent:

61231754, Sep 26, 2000

Filed:

Aug 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/136193

Inventors:

Gregory A. Fett - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16N 1706

US Classification:

184 59

Abstract:

Interconnected vents for a motor vehicle axle assembly, transmission or transfer case which interconnects multiple vents at different locations together with another vent positioned at the highest point the lubricant travels. This allows the lubricant to flow out of one vent and return to the other vent without leaking onto the ground. Such an interconnected vent arrangement will minimize the extent of external lubricant leakage due to such factors as foaming of the lubricant, air entrapment in the lubricant, volumetric expansion of the lubricant due to elevated operating temperatures, pumping or splashing of the lubricant by internal rotating or moving parts, flow of the lubricant due to tilting of the motor vehicle, and thus the motor vehicle axle assembly, transmission and transfer case, and/or acceleration or deceleration of the motor vehicle.

US Patent:

49866087, Jan 22, 1991

Filed:

Jul 27, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/224656

Inventors:

Gregory A. Fett - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B60B 3512

US Classification:

301124R

Abstract:

A drive axle shaft for use in a full floating axle assembly includes a spline formed at an inner end thereof and a flange formed at an outer end thereof. A majority of the shaft body between the spline and the flange is of an increased diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of a reduced inner diameter portion of an axle housing through which the drive axle shaft extends. A pair of tapered portions form the transition between the increased diameter portion and the shaft ends to provide an axle shaft of increased torsional yield strength and torsional fatigue life.