Glenn A Gehrke, Age 55648 Alexandria Dr, Collierville, TN 38017

6406187, Jun 18, 2002

Oct 9, 2000

09/685760

Anthony G. Lentini - St. Clair Shores MI
Glenn F. Gehrke - Davisburg MI
Paul Bragan - Clarkston MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

F16C 3378

384486, 384569, 3849051

A grease lock seal with sealing lips angled inwardly towards the internal bearing components is press fit into a bearing cup assembly to prevent grease from being purged due to centrifugal forces introduced during the rotational operation of the system. As the plurality of sealing lips retain grease in the system, the system does not have to be re-greased. If one desires to re-grease the system, the grease lock seal can further include a plurality of grease purge channels which create a path for used grease to be purged. As internal pressure increases during regreasing, the used grease flows through the grease purge channels and out of the system. However, the grease purge channels are small enough so that grease does not escape from the system during normal operation.

7147564, Dec 12, 2006

Jun 23, 2004

10/875062

Glenn F. Gehrke - Davisburg MI, US

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Detroit MI

F16D 3/205

464 89, 464124

A universal joint assembly includes a universal joint and a housing encasing the universal joint. An isolator encases the housing. The isolator includes at least one chamber formed therein. The housing is moveable relative to the isolator by compression of the isolator.

2005023, Oct 27, 2005

Apr 23, 2004

10/831497

Glenn Gehrke - Davisburg MI, US

F16D003/16

464140000

A universal joint includes a first shaft having a first member and a distal end. A first constant velocity joint is fixed to the first member and includes spherical balls to transmit a driving torque. A second shaft has a second member and a distal end. A second constant velocity joint is fixed to the second member, which also includes torque transmission spherical balls. A centering mechanism joins the first and second members and includes a semi-spherical female member connected to the first shaft distal end, and a male member having a semi-spherical portion rotatably received by the female member. The male member connects to the second shaft using a sliding joint and is axially displaceable relative to the second shaft such that universal joint displacement is equally divided between the first and second shafts.

4795404, Jan 3, 1989

Aug 7, 1986

6/894283

Noel W. Sutton - Northville MI
Glenn F. Gehrke - Brighton MI

GKN Automotive Components Inc. - Auburn Heights MI

F16D 330

464111

A self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover for use in a tripod joint assembly that has an irregularly shaped, non-circular tulip body and a shaft mounted spider assembly, the tulip cover having a cylindrical flange that surrounds a portion of the tulip body, interconnecting projections extending from the cylindrical flange that are received in part annular recesses of part cylindrical outer surface portions of the tulip body to secure the tulip cover to the tulip body, the tulip body further having an annular flange that extends radially inwardly from the cylindrical flange to lie in close proximity to the front face of the tulip body and to trap a resilient, annular sealing member therebetween. The tulip body has a longitudinal recess therein and longitudinal tracks that extend radially outwardly from the recess, each such recess slidingly receiving a roller of the spider assembly to permit reciprocation of the spider assembly within the tulip body. The tulip cover also has longitudinally extending projections which extend from the annular flange into the tracks in the tulip body to help prevent relative rotational movement between the tulip cover and the tulip body.

5813916, Sep 29, 1998

May 3, 1995

8/434376

Anthony G. Lentini - St. Clair Shores MI
Glenn F. Gehrke - Davisburg MI
Craig Holt - Harrison Township MI
Patrick L. Kurzeja - White Lake MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC - Troy MI

F16D 316

464128

A universal joint bearing assembly incorporates a thrust washer molded from plastic. The plastic thrust washer eliminates the metal galling and metal debris that have been found in prior art universal joint bearings. A support notch is formed at radially outer surfaces to support an inner end of needle bearings. Resilient members bias the notch against the needle bearings such that the needle bearings are supported on the notch and against a seal at the outer end of the bearing cup. The resilient members are compressed when the universal joint is assembled such that the needle bearings operate properly. A central dome extension on the thrust washer insures that the thrust washer is not improperly mounted within the bearing cup. An outer face of the thrust washer is formed at an angle such that central portion extend further towards the trunnion than radially outer portions. In a method of assembling a bearing according to the present invention, the thrust washer is initially placed within a bearing cup and the needle bearings are then mounted within the bearing cup as is the seal.

4756640, Jul 12, 1988

Aug 19, 1983

6/524750

Glenn F. Gehrke - Brighton MI

GKN Automotive Components Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

F16B 704
F16J 1550

403326

An axial retaining member for retaining a male member and a female member against relative axial motion therebetween. The axial retaining member includes a longitudinally extending main body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a central passageway therethrough for mounting the main body to the male member. Positive interconnection means, such as an inwardly oriented flange, are provided for interconnecting one end of the main body to the male member and a second interconnection means, such as an outwardly oriented radial flange, is provided for interconnecting the opposite end of the main body to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in the main body to separate one end of the main body into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the main body with its associated male or female member.

5735747, Apr 7, 1998

Apr 12, 1996

8/630700

Glenn Gehrke - Davisburg MI
Kevin Baldwin - Rochester Hills MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC

F16D 320

464133

A sealing device for a driveline slip yoke includes a flexible diaphragm and a generally rigid cap that cooperate to provide a fluid-tight seal across one end of the slip yoke. The diaphragm and the cap have outer peripheral edges that are preferably received within a groove on the slip yoke such that the cap maintains the diaphragm in proper sealing engagement with the slip yoke. The flexible diaphragm flexes and extends inwardly and outwardly of the slip yoke in response to varying pressures within the slip yoke caused by the relative axial movement of a splined shaft within the yoke. The cap not only maintains the diaphragm in proper sealing engagement with the slip yoke, but also limits the outward flexing of the diaphragm responsive to the pressure within the slip yoke. A slip yoke sealing device designed according to this invention is especially useful in applications that require that lubricant be maintained within the slip yoke over extensive periods during extensive use.

4813808, Mar 21, 1989

Jan 9, 1987

7/004806

Glenn F. Gehrke - Brighton MI

GKN Automotive Components Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

F16B 2118
F16D 376

403326

A method of retaining a splined male member and a splined female member against relative axial motion therebetween when the splines of the members are in engagement with one another and a unitary axial retaining member for use in the practice of the method. The method includes the steps of mounting a hollow, thermoplastic axial retaining member to the interior surface of the female member and positively interconnecting the other end of the axial retaining member with the male member. The axial retaining member has an inwardly oriented flange for interconnecting one end of the retaining member to the male member and an outwardly oriented radial flange for interconnecting the opposite end of the retaining member to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in one end of the retaining member to separate it into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the retaining member with its associated male or female member. In one version of the axial retaining member, its radial thickness is substantially reduced along a longitudinal line that extends from the unslotted end thereof to one of the longitudinal slots, to facilitate the controlled separation of the axial retaining member along such longitudinal line when it is inserted over the male member, and in such version of the invention, some of the splines on the male member that engage the splines in the female member, are blocked to permit end loads on the joint using such members to be absorbed by the male and female members, without being imposed on the thermoplastic axial retaining member.