Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Foster

Thomas J. Foster 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: 11541861
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission housing and a countershaft having no less than two gears, with the gears defining a plurality of gear ratios. The transmission system also includes a module housing, a first output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft, and a second output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes a first clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the first output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system also includes a second clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the second output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes an electric machine configured to deliver rotational power to at least one of the first and second output shafts to deliver rotational power to the countershaft. The countershaft is rotatably coupled to either of the first and second output shafts for all of the gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Maguire, R. Keith Martin, Christopher Spangler, Keith Van Maanen, Thomas J. Foster, Mark Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20210172519
    Abstract: A shifting system for a vehicle transmission includes an input member and a clutch rotatably coupled to the input member. The shifting system also includes a disconnect coupled to the input member and movable between first and second disconnect positions, and an output member selectively rotatable with the input member. The shifting system further includes a shifting assembly for selectively rotatably coupling the input and output members. The shifting assembly includes an input hub coupled to the input member, with the input hub having a disconnectable component engageable with the disconnect and having a clutch engagement component. The shifting assembly also includes clutch plates coupled to the clutch engagement component and are movable between engaged and disengaged positions. The shifting assembly further includes a clutch plate carrier coupled to the clutch plates and output member to transmit torque from the clutch engagement component to the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: R. Keith Martin, Thomas J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20200346631
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission housing and a countershaft having no less than two gears, with the gears defining a plurality of gear ratios. The transmission system also includes a module housing, a first output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft, and a second output shaft rotatably coupled to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes a first clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the first output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system also includes a second clutch configured to selectively rotatably couple the second output shaft to the countershaft. The transmission system further includes an electric machine configured to deliver rotational power to at least one of the first and second output shafts to deliver rotational power to the countershaft. The countershaft is rotatably coupled to either of the first and second output shafts for all of the gear ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Joel MAGUIRE, Keith MARTIN, Christopher SPANGLER, Keith VAN MAANEN, Thomas J. FOSTER, Mark BUCHANAN
  • Patent number: 10443719
    Abstract: A product may include a rotating sheave that may have a first sheave half and a second sheave half. A distance between the first and second sheave halves may be variable. A screw actuator may have a screw that may engage the first sheave half. A motor may be connected with the screw and may be operable to move the first sheave half to vary the distance through the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20170261102
    Abstract: A product may include a rotating sheave that may have a first sheave half and a second sheave half. A distance between the first and second sheave halves may be variable. A screw actuator may have a screw that may engage the first sheave half. A motor may be connected with the screw and may be operable to move the first sheave half to vary the distance through the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Larry A. PRITCHARD, Thomas J. FOSTER
  • Patent number: 8223393
    Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of microprint contained within a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising identifying one or two pixel lines or both and reassigning their digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Foster, John F. Crichton
  • Publication number: 20100080626
    Abstract: A method and system for printing documents using a variety of gear arrangements and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for printing image elements within a document to minimize print artifacts by reducing sensitivity to gear train drive non-uniformity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas J. Foster
  • Patent number: 7602510
    Abstract: A method of printing an image utilizing a printer having print nonuniformities, the method comprising the steps of converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information comprises defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of one or more edge pixels or interior pixels to lower values independently in order to reduce toner consumption. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Foster
  • Patent number: 7602529
    Abstract: A method of altering the appearance of an input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, and wherein the pixels comprise Text/Line pixels and halftone pixels, the method comprising the steps of changing the value of halftone pixels using a custom tone transfer function that anticipates the effect of the reassigned pixel values on halftone appearance; rasterizing the digital image; reassigning the digital values of all pixels; and, printing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
  • Patent number: 7602530
    Abstract: A method of controlling a printer to print of an image, the printer having a predetermined marking material printed dot size, the method comprising the steps of rasterizing the image and defining halftone super pixels within the image, calculating the average density of the marking material within the super pixels, selecting a pattern for marking the pixels within the super pixels as a function of the printed dot size so as to expand the distribution of printed densities printable by the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
  • Patent number: 7330288
    Abstract: A method of printing an image with a printer having magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) toning capability, the method comprising the steps of: converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of one or more edge pixels or interior pixels independently, thereby altering the concentration of magnetizable substances within the image when printed in order to improve the readability of printed characters by reading instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Gregory Rombola
  • Patent number: 7215915
    Abstract: The invention relates to application of a surface treatment to a fuser, typically in a print process. According to various aspects of the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for applying surface treatment to a fuser comprising varying a width of surface treatment application to the fuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael K. Baskin, Richard C. Baughman, Thomas J. Foster, Borden H. Mills, III, Terry N. Morganti
  • Patent number: 7209244
    Abstract: A method of printing multiple images with differing line screen frequencies with a printer is print sensitive to differing line screen frequencies, the method comprising the steps of: converting the images into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; reassigning the digital value of the interior pixels to a fixed interior pixel value; and reassigning the edge pixel values so as to minimize print sensitivity to differing line screen frequencies between images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Foster
  • Patent number: 7172528
    Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle that includes a planetary gear assembly, a clutch pack assembly, and a band and drum assembly that provide an overdrive or underdrive and direct drive in combination with a vehicle transmission. In one embodiment, an input shaft drives an outer ring gear of the planetary gear assembly and is coupled to one set of discs of the clutch assembly. A carrier of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to a rear output shaft, where the carrier supports a plurality of pinion gears. A sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to another set of discs of the clutch assembly that are coupled to the drum. When the clutch assembly is engaged, the ring gear is coupled to the sun gear for direct drive and when the band is engaged, the pinion gears and the ring gear provide underdrive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Yu, Fredric H. Tubbs, Thomas J. Foster
  • Patent number: 7054014
    Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
  • Patent number: 6975411
    Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method for printing an image on a receiver comprising the steps of: operating a primary charger to establish a uniform primary voltage level on an image recording member; developing a control patch on the image recording member, measuring density of the control patch to thereby provide a density measurement signal; converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; rendering the digital bitmap by defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel and reassigning the digital value of one or more of edge pixels or interior pixels independently and as a function of the density measurement signal; modulating electrostatic charge on the image recording member as a function of the digital bitmap after rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Jeffrey C. Blood
  • Patent number: 6837819
    Abstract: A common carrier assembly that is particularly adapted for use in supporting planetary gear sets used in a four-wheel drive vehicle transfer case. The common carrier includes a drive plate, a differential plate, and a reduction plate. The drive plate positioned between the reduction planetary gear set and the differential planetary gear set. The drive plate selectively engages a clutch that operates to position the reduction gear set in various operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20040252344
    Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of the edge pixels or interior pixels independently of one another. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Philip A. Stern, George R. Walgrove, Gregory Rombola, Thomas J. Wetzel, Jeffrey C. Blood
  • Publication number: 20040220009
    Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle that includes a planetary gear assembly, a clutch pack assembly, and a band and drum assembly that provide an overdrive or underdrive and direct drive in combination with a vehicle transmission. In one embodiment, an input shaft drives an outer ring gear of the planetary gear assembly and is coupled to one set of discs of the clutch assembly. A carrier of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to a rear output shaft, where the carrier supports a plurality of pinion gears. A sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to another set of discs of the clutch assembly that are coupled to the drum. When the clutch assembly is engaged, the ring gear is coupled to the sun gear for direct drive and when the band is engaged, the pinion gears and the ring gear provide underdrive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Yu, Frederic H. Tubbs, Thomas J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20040196480
    Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method for printing an image on a receiver comprising the steps of: operating a primary charger to establish a uniform primary voltage level on an image recording member; developing a control patch on the image recording member, measuring density of the control patch to thereby provide a density measurement signal; converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; rendering the digital bitmap by defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel and reassigning the digital value of one or more of edge pixels or interior pixels independently and as a function of the density measurement signal; modulating electrostatic charge on the image recording member as a function of the digital bitmap after rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Jeffrey C. Blood