Patents by Inventor Steve A. Frait

Steve A. Frait 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).

  • Patent number: 8182238
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow rates in a transmission includes a pump having variable displacement and providing a pressurized fluid source, a regulating valve communicating with the fluid source and a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor producing a variable control signal whose magnitude represents a degree to which fluid flow requirements of the transmission are being provided by the fluid source, and an actuating valve producing a pressure that changes the pump displacement in response to the magnitude of the control pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steve A. Frait
  • Patent number: 8092330
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission includes a gear selector, a manual valve for connecting a pressure source alternately to Drive and Reverse lines in response to movement of the gear selector between selected Drive and Reverse positions, first and second solenoid-actuated valves, the first valve connecting the pressure source to a first control element, the second valve connecting the Reverse line to a second control element when the Reverse position is selected, a third solenoid-actuated valve connecting the Drive line to a third control element when the Drive position is selected, and a control valve through which pressure in the first control element is vented when the Drive position is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steve A. Frait
  • Patent number: 7976419
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chip Hartinger, Steve A. Frait, James T. Gooden
  • Publication number: 20110067516
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission includes a gear selector, a manual valve for connecting a pressure source alternately to Drive and Reverse lines in response to movement of the gear selector between selected Drive and Reverse positions, first and second solenoid-actuated valves, the first valve connecting the pressure source to a first control element, the second valve connecting the Reverse line to a second control element when the Reverse position is selected, a third solenoid-actuated valve connecting the Drive line to a third control element when the Drive position is selected, and a control valve through which pressure in the first control element is vented when the Drive position is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Steve A. Frait
  • Publication number: 20100254828
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow rates in a transmission includes a pump having variable displacement and providing a pressurized fluid source, a regulating valve communicating with the fluid source and a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor producing a variable control signal whose magnitude represents a degree to which fluid flow requirements of the transmission are being provided by the fluid source, and an actuating valve producing a pressure that changes the pump displacement in response to the magnitude of the control pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Steve A. Frait
  • Publication number: 20100151981
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Chip Hartinger, Steve A. Frait, James T. Gooden