Patents by Inventor Tom Tibbles

Tom Tibbles 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).

  • Transmission fluid heating using engine exhaust
    Patent number: 7077776
    Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into the transmission oil pan transfers heat from post-catalyst exhaust gases to the transmission oil. Inlet and outlet ducts route exhaust gas between the heat exchanger and an exhaust pipe located downstream of the catalyst. The exhaust pipe accommodates a control valve that diverts exhaust gas flow to the heat exchanger during the warm-up phase, or to the tailpipe during steady state operation. A control function is provided to monitor transmission oil temperature and engine operating conditions and to control actuation of the valve. The main input parameter to the control function is the transmission oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jagadish Sorab, Tom Tibbles, Michael Schroder, John Glidewell
  • Transmission fluid heating using engine exhaust
    Publication number: 20050202933
    Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into the transmission oil pan transfers heat from post-catalyst exhaust gases to the transmission oil. Inlet and outlet ducts route exhaust gas between the heat exchanger and an exhaust pipe located downstream of the catalyst. The exhaust pipe accommodates a control valve that diverts exhaust gas flow to the heat exchanger during the warm-up phase, or to the tailpipe during steady state operation. A control function is provided to monitor transmission oil temperature and engine operating conditions and to control actuation of the valve. The main input parameter to the control function is the transmission oil temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Jagadish Sorab, Tom Tibbles, Michael Schroder, John Glidewell