Patents by Inventor Thomas Braford

Thomas Braford 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).

  • Publication number: 20070281518
    Abstract: A spline connector is provided which includes a first spline connector member. A second spline connector member is provided having backlash between spline teeth of the spline connector members. A spring is provided which biases the teeth of the spline connector members to engage with one another to counter separation resultant from negative torque oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Braford
  • Publication number: 20070205070
    Abstract: A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Hans-Jurgen Hauck, Thomas Braford, Till Ebner
  • Publication number: 20070034476
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for use in a transmission of a motor vehicle is provided including, a stationary frame, a non-rotating apply piston mounted with the frame, a clutch hub torsionally connected with a portion of a friction pack, a clutch housing torsionally connected with another portion of a friction pack, the housing having a stop for the friction pack, an apply bearing with a first race operatively associated with an apply member and a second race operatively associated with the piston, and a reaction bearing with an outer race operatively associated with the frame and an inner race associated with the clutch housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Braford
  • Publication number: 20060086586
    Abstract: A dual clutch mechanism includes an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The input shaft is axially spaced from the first and second output shafts, which can allow for a decreased diameter of the dual clutch mechanism. Axially spacing the input shaft from the first and second output shafts also can allow for an increased diameter of the first and second output shafts without necessitating a corresponding increase in the diameter of the dual clutch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Braford
  • Publication number: 20060005647
    Abstract: An integrated control module for a dual clutch transmission that includes a valve body having an inlet, a plurality of outlets with a plurality of internal hydraulic passages disposed therebetween, and a hydraulic control assembly mounted to the valve body. The hydraulic control assembly is adapted to operatively control the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the inlet through the plurality of internal hydraulic passages to the plurality of outlets. The hydraulic control assembly includes at least one assembly from a group including, a shift actuation control assembly adapted to actuate the synchronizers of the transmission, a clutch actuation control assembly adapted to allow the selective and independent engagement and disengagement of each clutch, and a clutch cooling fluid control assembly adapted to control the cooling fluid provided to the clutches of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Braford, Brian Stefina
  • Publication number: 20050082136
    Abstract: A hydraulic double clutch for a transmission with two coaxially arranged input shafts, a driven clutch housing and two hydraulically actuated clutches with friction disks and annular actuating pistons. The first clutch connects the clutch housing to the first input shaft and the second clutch engages/disengages the clutch housing with/from the second input shaft. Both clutches have a common inner disk carrier that penetrates one actuating piston of the actuating pistons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Braford, Karl-Heinz Bauer
  • Publication number: 20050067251
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fluid management system for dual and other multiple clutch assemblies having fluid-operated pistons and fluid operated balance chambers offsetting the undesired pressures exerted by fluids within the piston chamber induced by centrifugal forces. Among other improvements, the system provides an effective and cost efficient arrangement of fluid supply channels and supply openings capable of maintaining desired fluid levels in the balance chambers under low, otherwise insufficient, flow rate conditions. In another aspect, the system provides a reservoir for the balance chambers under conditions where the fluid flow is stopped or interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Braford, Martin Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20030034217
    Abstract: A reversible one-way clutch (90) is positioned in parallel with a friction pack (62, 72) to drive a planetary transmission (10) in low gear and reverse. The clutch (90) has a biasing plate (96) secured to its surface to bias the clutch (90) in a direction so that the transmission (10) operates in either low gear or reverse gear. The biasing plate (96) is hydraulically actuated to bias the clutch (90) between low gear, neutral, and reverse gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: BorgWarner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Costin, Thomas Braford
  • Patent number: 6210300
    Abstract: A reversible one-way clutch (90) is positioned in parallel with a friction pack (62, 72) to drive a planetary transmission (10) in low gear and reverse. The clutch (90) has a biasing plate (96) secured to its surface to bias the clutch (90) in a direction so that the transmission (10) operates in either low gear or reverse gear. The biasing plate (96) is hydraulically actuated to bias the clutch (90) between low gear, neutral, and reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Costin, Thomas Braford