Patents by Inventor Jonathan Charles Wheals
Jonathan Charles Wheals has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9803692Abstract: A bearing has a circular element normally fixed with respect to ground. The circular element associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements are preferably provided between inner and outer races of a bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20170159704Abstract: A bearing assembly (12) for a rotating element (13) has one race (15) adapted to be fixed relative to ground (11) and to selectively be free for arcuate movement relative to ground. In a preferred embodiment a selective locking device (18) is provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventor: Jonathan Charles WHEALS
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Patent number: 9556901Abstract: A bearing assembly (12) for a rotating element (13) has one race (15) adapted to be fixed relative to ground (11) and to selectively be free for arcuate movement relative to ground. A selective locking device (18) can be provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20150275975Abstract: A bearing has a circular element normally fixed with respect to ground. The circular element associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements are preferably provided between inner and outer races of a bearing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Patent number: 9068592Abstract: A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Pierre Marc Guern
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Patent number: 9062660Abstract: A bearing has a circular element (12) normally fixed with respect to ground (111). The circular element (12) associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements (113) are preferably provided between inner and outer races (112, 115) of a bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Patent number: 8844697Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed having a driving plate arranged in communication with a thermal transfer medium for use in cooling the driving plate. The disclosed thermal transfer medium can include at least one conductive brush that is mounted with the driving plate and arranged between the driving plate and a separate cooled part of the clutch assembly for cooling the driving plate. The brush may also be resiliently biased for contact with the cooled part of the clutch assembly so that it brushes against it.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Ricardo UK LtdInventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Lee Sykes
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Publication number: 20140050435Abstract: A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: RICARDO UK LTD.Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Pierre Marc Guern
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Publication number: 20130042617Abstract: An energy storage apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (12) having at least one input. According to an aspect, the flywheel input is arranged, in use, to supply energy to the flywheel, wherein that energy has been recovered from engine exhaust gas. According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising a charge boosting device arranged, in use, to provide inlet pressure boost to an engine. The apparatus further comprises a flywheel wherein said flywheel is arranged to supply energy to drive operation of the charge boosting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: RICARDO UK LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Farquhar Atkins, Jonathan Charles Wheals, Simon Timothy David Shepherd, Joshua Jonathan Dalby, Brian Gorman Cooper, John Stokes
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Patent number: 8333272Abstract: A dual clutch transmission has a driving plate defining concentric engagement surfaces, concentric friction plates, concentric pressure plates, and first and second clutch springs for operation of the pressure plates in clamping the friction plates against their respective engagement surface on the driving plate. The driving plate has a top hat type configuration, whereby the engagement surfaces are axially off set from one another. Cooling passages may be provided in the driving plate. The dct is preferably nested, wherein the outer pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially inner portion of the driving plate, the inner pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially outer portion of the driving plate, and the friction plates are arranged in axial alignment with one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Ricardo UK LtdInventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Lee Sykes
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Publication number: 20120237152Abstract: A bearing assembly (12) for a rotating element (13) has one race (15) adapted to be fixed relative to ground (11) and to selectively be free for arcuate movement relative to ground. A selective locking device (18) can be provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: RICARDO UK LTD.Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20110235953Abstract: A bearing has a circular element (12) normally fixed with respect to ground (111). The circular element (12) associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements (113) are preferably provided between inner and outer races (112, 115) of a bearing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20110100779Abstract: In clutch or brake cooling, a conductive brush (104) is arranged between a plate (102) and a separate cooled component (106), in order to reduce the temperature of the plate. The applied pressure from said conductive element may be responsive to the temperature of the plate. For example, the brush may be operable to move to an active, rubbing position from a non-rubbing position under predetermined temperature conditions. Similar brushes can be incorporated into bearing assemblies for clutches and brakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20100219034Abstract: A control assembly (10) for controlling the actuation of two clutch packs (50, 52) includes a motor (12) for driving an annular gear wheel (24). Radial pins (30) project from the gear wheel to engage concentric pistons (34, 36) arranged for linear movement relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the gear wheel. Each piston includes slots (40) which define cam surfaces for engagement by the drive pins. Rotation of the gear wheel in first direction causes the pins to drive against cam surfaces on the inner piston, to drive the inner piston towards the inner clutch. Rotation of the gear wheel in the opposite direction causes the pins to drive against cam surfaces on the outer piston, to drive the outer piston towards the outer clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2006Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Ricardo UK Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Nicholas Jackson
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Publication number: 20100206127Abstract: An axle differential (200) for a vehicle includes a differential gear cluster (206) arranged in communication with a torque biasing gear cluster (208), wherein the torque biasing gear cluster is configured for varying the proportion of drive torque between the two outputs (204). A first drive path provides input (201) to the differential gear cluster and a second drive path provides input (202) to the torque biasing gear cluster, either independently of the first drive path or by diverting torque from the first drive path. A pivot turn axle differential is also provided, wherein even and odd epicyclic gear trains can be selected to cause rotation of the axle outputs in the same or opposite directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: RICARDO UK LTDInventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Patent number: 7708665Abstract: Various embodiments of a torque biasing device for a rotating transmission are operable to vary the proportion of the output torque transmitted to one or more output shafts. Multiple planetary gear sets are provided for speeding-up or slowing-down of one shaft with respect to another, under the control of a computer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Ricardo UK, Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Publication number: 20100044178Abstract: A dual clutch transmission has a driving plate defining concentric engagement surfaces, concentric friction plates, concentric pressure plates, and first and second clutch springs for operation of the pressure plates in clamping the friction plates against their respective engagement surface on the driving plate. The driving plate has a top hat type configuration, whereby the engagement surfaces are axially off set from one another. Cooling passages may be provided in the driving plate. The dct is preferably nested, wherein the outer pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially inner portion of the driving plate, the inner pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially outer portion of the driving plate, and the friction plates are arranged in axial alignment with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: RICARDO UK LTD.Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Lee Sykes
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Publication number: 20100038203Abstract: A wrap spring moves from a relaxed state to an energised state for braking rotation of the output shaft in a vehicle transmission. The wrap spring may constrict for engagement on the shaft or expand for engagement with an adjacent ground member. Two wrap springs, concentric or axially spaced, provide bi-directional braking. A split ring energises both wrap springs, e.g. using an epicyclic differential arrangement to move opposing ring portions in opposite directions The wrap spring may be mounted in a relaxed state for rotation with the shaft, with a mechanism for inducing drag torque to energise the spring for a braking operation. Means is provided preventing an actuator from energising the wrap spring, e.g. if the shaft is rotating above a predetermined speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Ricardo UK LtdInventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals
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Patent number: 7509194Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one driver input, a supervisor and at least one sub-system controlled by the supervisor. The supervisor assesses the driver input to establish actual driver demand and controls the sub-systems accordingly. As a result intuitive driver demand is identified and met.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Ricardo UK LimitedInventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Mark Ramsbotton
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Publication number: 20080306665Abstract: A vehicle powertrain modelling system includes a powertrain model (20), a vehicle model (30), a seat model (55), a driver model (60) and a correlation element (50) comprising a neural network. As a result vehicle development is enhanced, using the neural network (50) to correlate modelled shift aspects with previous subjectively obtained ratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: RICARDO UK LIMITEDInventor: Jonathan Charles Wheals