Patents by Inventor Brian J. Deurloo
Brian J. Deurloo 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: 10309517Abstract: An off-axis transmission pump is driven via an idler gear. To reduce the transmission of gear noise, the idler gear is supported by a plastic cover. The plastic cover includes a molded-in metal insert to harden the cover in the vicinity of the idler gear. The metal insert may include inner and outer sleeves which may be connected by radially extending arms. The plastic cover is located relative to a front cover by at least two locating features.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Leon Nowaczyk, Brian J. Deurloo, Brian Robert Black, Tammy Miller
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Publication number: 20190072179Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Mihir M. PAI, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Cecil Michael PAIS, Brian J. DEURLOO
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Patent number: 10221946Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mihir M. Pai, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Cecil Michael Pais, Brian J. Deurloo
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Patent number: 10018271Abstract: A transmission diagnostic system includes a pivotable member and an actuator. The actuator has a notch with a first side, a second side, and an opening between the two sides. The width of the opening is greater than a width of the pivotable member. The pivotable member is retained within the notch, and the actuator is configured to selectively pivot the pivotable member between an engaged position, corresponding to a PARK gear, and a disengaged position, corresponding to a gear other than PARK. The transmission diagnostic system also includes a biasing spring configured to exert a biasing torque on the pivotable member to bias the pivotable member toward the first side of the notch. The transmission diagnostic system further includes a controller configured to generate at least one diagnostic signal in response to the pivotable member not being in contact with the first side of the notch.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding
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Patent number: 9371903Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Derek Kinch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Todd Curtis Spaulding
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Patent number: 9328819Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20160053890Abstract: A transmission diagnostic system includes a pivotable member and an actuator. The actuator has a notch with a first side, a second side, and an opening between the two sides. The width of the opening is greater than a width of the pivotable member. The pivotable member is retained within the notch, and the actuator is configured to selectively pivot the pivotable member between an engaged position, corresponding to a PARK gear, and a disengaged position, corresponding to a gear other than PARK. The transmission diagnostic system also includes a biasing spring configured to exert a biasing torque on the pivotable member to bias the pivotable member toward the first side of the notch. The transmission diagnostic system further includes a controller configured to generate at least one diagnostic signal in response to the pivotable member not being in contact with the first side of the notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Richard Reynolds HATHAWAY, Jeffrey James TUMAVITCH, Brian J. DEURLOO, Todd Curtis SPAULDING
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Patent number: 9233666Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Derek Kinch, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
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Publication number: 20150344004Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Derek Kinch, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
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Patent number: 9200707Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using actuation of a button of a shift module to produce a signal representing a desired gear, using the signal and a second signal commanding a park range to determining a priority range, using a shift mechanism to attempt engagement of the transmission in the priority range, and if the priority range is park and park is not engaged, engaging a park brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Todd C. Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark E. Zyskowski, Christopher L. Danks, Matthew L. Fyie, Charles C. Poon, William R. Goodwin, Richard R. Hathaway
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Publication number: 20150316143Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian J. DEURLOO, Jeffrey James TUMAVITCH, Derek KINCH, Richard Reynolds HATHAWAY, Todd Curtis SPAULDING
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Publication number: 20150308571Abstract: A shift-by-wire transmission includes a gear set having a gear, a shiftable member that is selectively engageable with the gear to put the vehicle in PARK, and a first intermediate member that is coupled with the shiftable member. The first intermediate member has an engaged position, with the shiftable member engaged with the gear and a disengaged position, with the shiftable member disengaged from the gear, and is biased toward the engaged position. An actuator is coupled with the first intermediate member. The transmission includes a second intermediate member with a nominal position and an override position. In the nominal position the second intermediate member does not move in response to the first intermediate member moving between the engaged position and disengaged position. Moving the second intermediate member from the nominal position to the override position moves the first intermediate member from the engaged position to the disengaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Susan M. WYATT, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Emad AL-REGIB, Louis Aaron NAGY, Brian J. DEURLOO
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Patent number: 9103436Abstract: Emergency shifting is performed in a shift-by-wire (SBW) vehicle during a power failure of a main electrical supply that includes a battery. A shift actuator is configured to mechanically couple to the transmission in order to execute shift events between a plurality of shift positions (including park and neutral) using the main voltage from the main supply during normal conditions. A human-powered generator is provided for converting a manually-imparted motion to an electrical output during the power failure. A storage device (e.g., capacitor) receives the electrical output to store a power reserve to apply to the shift actuator to execute an emergency shift event in the absence of main power in response to a manual command. The generator and storage device are configured such that a maximum power reserve stored from the generator can achieve only one emergency shift event at a time.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Todd C. Spaulding, Mark E. Zyskowski, Brian J. Deurloo
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Publication number: 20150192202Abstract: Emergency shifting is performed in a shift-by-wire (SBW) vehicle during a power failure of a main electrical supply that includes a battery. A shift actuator is configured to mechanically couple to the transmission in order to execute shift events between a plurality of shift positions (including park and neutral) using the main voltage from the main supply during normal conditions. A human-powered generator is provided for converting a manually-imparted motion to an electrical output during the power failure. A storage device (e.g., capacitor) receives the electrical output to store a power reserve to apply to the shift actuator to execute an emergency shift event in the absence of main power in response to a manual command. The generator and storage device are configured such that a maximum power reserve stored from the generator can achieve only one emergency shift event at a time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Todd C. Spaulding, Mark E. Zyskowski, Brian J. Deurloo
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Patent number: 8897978Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Publication number: 20140209429Abstract: A park mechanism includes a cam pivotal between Park and not-Park ranges, including a radial outer surface formed with angularly spaced lobes, a roller urged by a spring into contact with the outer surface, a park spring urging the cam toward the Park-range, a power source for pivoting the cam, and a pawl actuated by cam movement into a Park state and a not-Park state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. Tumavitch, Brian J. Deurloo, Richard R. Hathaway
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Publication number: 20140136060Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8688339Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Charles C Poon, William Russell Goodwin, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
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Patent number: 8671745Abstract: A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Tehnologies, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, William R. Goodwin, Christopher L. Danks, Louis A. Nagy
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Patent number: 8648689Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C Poon