Patents by Inventor Bradley Ronald Heuver
Bradley Ronald Heuver 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).
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Patent number: 11283312Abstract: A stator system for an electric vehicle motor may include a stator having a torque key extending axially from a first stator end, a case configured to surround the stator and defining a case opening to receive the torque key, the case defining a keyway between the torque key and the case opening, a torque key mechanism arranged within the keyway, wherein the torque key mechanism includes a pair of reciprocally aligned wedges defining a channel through at least one of the wedges, and a bolt insertable at the channel and configured to engage the channel to move at least one wedge and create an interference fit of the torque key mechanism within the keyway to attach the stator to the case.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 11121601Abstract: A stator system for an electric vehicle motor may include a stator forming a back iron and a plurality of teeth extending inwardly therefrom, the stator including a plurality of attachment points protruding radially outwardly from the back iron, and a case configured to house the stator and defining a plurality of case openings, each configured to receive one of the attachment points, wherein each attachment point defines at least one T-slot configured to receive a nut that cooperates with a bolt extending through the case to connect the case to the stator.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Publication number: 20210066977Abstract: A stator system for an electric vehicle motor may include a stator having a torque key extending axially from a first stator end, a case configured to surround the stator and defining a case opening to receive the torque key, the case defining a keyway between the torque key and the case opening, a torque key mechanism arranged within the keyway, wherein the torque key mechanism includes a pair of reciprocally aligned wedges defining a channel through at least one of the wedges, and a bolt insertable at the channel and configured to engage the channel to move at least one wedge and create an interference fit of the torque key mechanism within the keyway to attach the stator to the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventor: Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Publication number: 20200313500Abstract: A stator system for an electric vehicle motor may include a stator forming a back iron and a plurality of teeth extending inwardly therefrom, the stator including a plurality of attachment points protruding radially outwardly from the back iron, and a case configured to house the stator and defining a plurality of case openings, each configured to receive one of the attachment points, wherein each attachment point defines at least one T-slot configured to receive a nut that cooperates with a bolt extending through the case to connect the case to the stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventor: Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Patent number: 10697502Abstract: A transmission includes a case defining a bore and a piston disposed within the bore. The piston and the case define a fluid chamber in fluid communication with a fluid source. The piston includes an annular piston body defining a plurality of auxiliary bores angularly spaced along the annular piston body about a central axis of the annular piston body. The piston further includes a plurality of auxiliary pistons disposed within the auxiliary bores. The piston body and the auxiliary pistons have rear surfaces in communication with the fluid chamber. The transmission further includes a clutch pack disposed opposite the piston from the fluid chamber. The clutch pack includes at least one friction plate, at least one separator plate, and at least one separator spring. The transmission further includes a return spring adapted to bias the annular piston body in a direction away from the clutch pack.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 10563712Abstract: A transmission includes at least one shift element for which both the apply pressure and the release pressure are actively controlled. A controller adjusts the torque capacity of the shift element by varying the apply pressure and the release pressure in a coordinated fashion. During particular events, such as a shift event with the shift element as oncoming element or holding element, both the apply pressure and the release pressure are monotonically increased, mitigating the effect of hysteresis.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph F. Kucharski, Diego Campos Venegas, Kimberly Ann Meehan, Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 10533616Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Bradley Ronald Heuver, Marv Young, Carl Garbacik
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Publication number: 20190032777Abstract: A transmission includes at least one shift element for which both the apply pressure and the release pressure are actively controlled. A controller adjusts the torque capacity of the shift element by varying the apply pressure and the release pressure in a coordinated fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Joseph F. KUCHARSKI, Diego Campos VENEGAS, Kimberly Ann MEEHAN, Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Publication number: 20190017556Abstract: A transmission includes a case defining a bore and a piston disposed within the bore. The piston and the case define a fluid chamber in fluid communication with a fluid source. The piston includes an annular piston body defining a plurality of auxiliary bores angularly spaced along the annular piston body about a central axis of the annular piston body. The piston further includes a plurality of auxiliary pistons disposed within the auxiliary bores. The piston body and the auxiliary pistons have rear surfaces in communication with the fluid chamber. The transmission further includes a clutch pack disposed opposite the piston from the fluid chamber. The clutch pack includes at least one friction plate, at least one separator plate, and at least one separator spring. The transmission further includes a return spring adapted to bias the annular piston body in a direction away from the clutch pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Patent number: 10161426Abstract: A transmission includes a case, a clutch pack, a piston. The case defines a bore that transitions along a step from a first to a second diameter. The piston is disposed within the bore. The piston has first and second seals that engage the case along the first and second diameters, respectively. The piston defines a chamber that is encompassed by the piston, the case, the first seal, and the second seal. The piston is configured to engage a clutch pack when hydraulic fluid is channeled into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 10138955Abstract: A clutch for an automatic transmission includes a tubular housing surrounding a clutch pack and having an end for engaging with a pressure plate. An annular separator spring on the end provides a biasing force against the pressure plate. A plurality of depressible pins are disposed in the housing and are located radially outward from the annular spring for inhibiting radial movement of the separator spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bryant David Grytzelius, Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 10054223Abstract: A friction element assembly for a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a set of plates and friction members. A piston assembly is configured to apply a force to the set of plates and friction members. The friction element assembly also includes a housing with a mounting groove; a pressure plate having first and second edges; and a snap ring positioned in the mounting groove. The snap ring is positioned such that first edge of the pressure plate contacts the snap ring and the second edge of the pressure plate extends across a portion of the snap ring. The snap ring is L-shaped and includes a leg portion that contacts the second edge of the pressure plate when the piston assembly applies a force to the set of plates and friction members.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley Ronald Heuver, Mark William Marchie
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Patent number: 10041591Abstract: A park-by-wire system uses a single spring to bias the system towards park and to permit a ratcheting feature which delays the engagement of park until vehicle speed drops below a threshold. A cam slides with respect to a rod. A stop on the rod limits travel in one direction. The spring biases the cam toward the stop but compresses as necessary to allow the cam to move during ratcheting operation. The spring reacts against the housing. Acting through the cam and the stop, the spring biases the rod toward the park position. The design limits the number of components that move during ratcheting operation. Specifically, the rod and actuator do not oscillate during ratcheting operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Vladimir Yasnogorodskiy, David P. Aeschliman, Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Patent number: 9909630Abstract: A clutch includes a piston, backing plate, spring, and spring retainer. The piston and the backing plate define a balance chamber therebetween. The piston has a protrusion that extends into and defines a pocket in the chamber. The spring is disposed within the pocket and is configured to disengage the piston from a clutch pack. The spring retainer is disposed between the spring and the backing plate. The retainer extends from the backing plate and into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brandon David Lint, Bradley Ronald Heuver
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Publication number: 20180058572Abstract: A multiplexed sensor for determining pressures of two different chambers of a clutches is provided, utilizing real-time pressure of a balance chamber of a clutch to control that clutch. The transmission includes a balance dam fixed with respect to a clutch housing. The clutch is compressible in a direction away from the balance dam by a piston. The balance dam and the piston define a balance chamber therebetween. An apply chamber is located on the opposite side of the balance dam, and is configured to apply or supply pressurized fluid to the clutch pack. A multiplexed pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the balance chamber and the apply chamber. A controller is programmed to control the clutch based on a pressure in the apply chamber and the balance chamber depending on, for example, which pressure is greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventor: Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Publication number: 20180051756Abstract: A clutch includes a piston, backing plate, spring, and spring retainer. The piston and the backing plate define a balance chamber therebetween. The piston has a protrusion that extends into and defines a pocket in the chamber. The spring is disposed within the pocket and is configured to disengage the piston from a clutch pack. The spring retainer is disposed between the spring and the backing plate. The retainer extends from the backing plate and into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Brandon David LINT, Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Publication number: 20180038421Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Bradley Ronald HEUVER, Marv YOUNG, Carl GARBACIK
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Publication number: 20180038427Abstract: A clutch for an automatic transmission includes a tubular housing surrounding a clutch pack and having an end for engaging with a pressure plate. An annular separator spring on the end provides a biasing force against the pressure plate. A plurality of depressible pins are disposed in the housing and are located radially outward from the annular spring for inhibiting radial movement of the separator spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Bryant David GRYTZELIUS, Bradley Ronald HEUVER
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Patent number: 9845832Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley Ronald Heuver, Marv Young, Carl Garbacik
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Patent number: 9810315Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a fluid pump, a high pressure fluid circuit, a low pressure fluid circuit, and an accumulator. The vehicle also includes a controller that is programmed to, in response fluid demand exceeding a capacity of the pump, isolate the low pressure circuit from the pump. The controller is also programmed to, in response to vehicle speed exceeding a threshold while the low the pressure circuit is isolated from the pump, discharge the accumulator into the high pressure circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver