Patents by Inventor Alan Baldwin

Alan Baldwin 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: 20140080657
    Abstract: A family of transmissions has four planetary gear sets, five controllable clutches and brake, and a passive one way brake. Selective engagement of the brakes and clutches in combinations of three produces eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The passive one way brake is engaged in the first forward speed ratio and overruns in the second through fifth forward speed ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20140024488
    Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of four shift elements. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and at least six shift elements. One of the shift elements may be a dog clutch. Optional passive one way brakes simplify the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130316870
    Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of three or four shift elements. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six shift elements. Two of the shift elements can be brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130291670
    Abstract: A dual clutch transaxle provides eight forward gear ratios and two reverse gear ratios. The gears are arranged in seven gear planes. Four coupler assemblies are arranged to selectively sequentially engage each adjacent pair of the eight forward gear ratios to permit shifting among the eight forward gear ratios with continuous transmission of torque through the transaxle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8565990
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Brandon R. Masterson, Reid Alan Baldwin, Andrew John Silveri, Francis T. Connolly, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Publication number: 20130260946
    Abstract: Four planetary gear sets, three rotating clutches, and two brakes can be arranged to produce eight forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. The first and fourth gear sets can be substantially coplanar with each other, and the second and third gear sets can be substantially coplanar with each other. The lowest forward speed ratio could be suitable for use as a special purpose low range ratio, while the remaining seven forward ratios can provide adequate span for normal driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8545362
    Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of three or four clutches. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six clutches. Two of the clutches can be brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8535203
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is disclosed providing eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio wherein the first forward ratio is selected by engaging exactly one friction brake using an electro-mechanical actuator. An operating method is disclosed for a vehicle having a transmission with this characteristic. The disclosed operating method permits the engine to be shut off to save fuel while the vehicle is stationary and then to start moving before an engine driven pump creates hydraulic pressure to engage the clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8527161
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control circuit for a vehicle transmission cooling system having a controller configured to control an air compressor to selectively pressurize a transmission clutch housing and provide air to an alternative vehicle subsystem (or subsystems).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reid Alan Baldwin, John Edward Brevick
  • Publication number: 20120209483
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is disclosed providing eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio wherein the first forward ratio is selected by engaging exactly one friction brake using an electro-mechanical actuator. An operating method is disclosed for a vehicle having a transmission with this characteristic. The disclosed operating method permits the engine to be shut off to save fuel while the vehicle is stationary and then to start moving before an engine driven pump creates hydraulic pressure to engage the clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20120191306
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control circuit for a vehicle transmission cooling system having a controller configured to control an air compressor to selectively pressurize a transmission clutch housing and provide air to an alternative vehicle subsystem (or subsystems).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Reid Alan Baldwin, John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 8187139
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission, comprising: a gearbox input shaft; an output shaft; and a collection of gears, friction clutches, and passive couplers capable of transmitting power from the gearbox input shaft to the output shaft with eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio wherein the first forward speed ratio is selected by engaging friction brakes using electromechanical actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8177674
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input and output; a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets, each gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and pinions supported on the carrier and meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear; a first epicyclic gearing assembly including the first gear set, the second gear set, a first clutch, a second clutch, a first brake, and first, second, third and fourth rotating members, said first clutch being operable to couple said first rotating member to the input, said second clutch being operable to couple said second rotating member to the input, and said first brake being operable to hold said fourth rotating member against rotation; and a second epicyclic gearing assembly including the third gear set, the fourth gear set, a third clutch, a second brake, a third brake, and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotating members, the third rotating member being secured to the eighth rotating member, said third clutch being operable to couple said sev
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8172715
    Abstract: A gear actuation mechanism for an automatic transmission, comprising: a motor; first and second gear actuation shafts; means of selecting one power path from each of two sets of power paths in response to rotation of the first and second actuation shafts, respectively; and means of alternately driveably connecting the motor to either the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8113982
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprising: four epicylic gearing assemblies each having first, second, and third rotating elements with specified interconnections, an input shaft, an output shaft, three clutches, and two brakes. Clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of three to produce eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20110118915
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Brandon R. Masterson, Reid Alan Baldwin, Andrew John Silveri, Francis T. Connolly, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 7841960
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprising: four epicyclic gearing assemblies each having first, second, and third rotating elements with specified interconnections, an input shaft connected to one of the rotating elements, an output shaft, two rotating clutches releasably connecting the input shaft to rotating elements, and four brakes selectively holding rotating elements against rotation. Clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of two to produce eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20100248890
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprising: four epicylic gearing assemblies each having first, second, and third rotating elements with specified interconnections, an input shaft, an output shaft, three clutches, and two brakes. Clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of three to produce eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20100203997
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission, comprising: a gearbox input shaft; an output shaft; and a collection of gears, friction clutches, and passive couplers capable of transmitting power from the gearbox input shaft to the output shaft with eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio wherein the first forward speed ratio is selected by engaging friction brakes using electromechanical actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20100192718
    Abstract: A gear actuation mechanism for an automatic transmission, comprising: a motor; first and second gear actuation shafts; means of selecting one power path from each of two sets of power paths in response to rotation of the first and second actuation shafts, respectively; and means of alternately driveably connecting the motor to either the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin