Patents by Inventor Curtis Lee Tyson

Curtis Lee Tyson 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).

  • Wheel-end and center axle disconnects for an electric or HEV
    Patent number: 6793034
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system to disconnect drive wheels from the powertrain of any electric powered vehicle. A vehicle controller monitors input from, for example, an inertia switch and electric motor generator conditions and can disconnect the output shaft from the drive wheels in predetermined vehicle conditions such as during a rear-end collision, or abnormal electric motor conditions such as over-torque, over-temperature, or over-current. The invention can be configured to monitor and respond to driver demand for four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, and neutral tow. The disconnect device can comprise a disconnect actuator and joint attached to an axle disconnect. The axle disconnect can be electric or vacuum powered and positioned as a center disconnect or a wheel-end disconnect. The invention can be configured for conventional or limited slip axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abbas Raftari, Curtis Lee Tyson, John O'Rear, Joanne Theresa Woestman, Vijay K Garg
  • Wheel-end and center axle disconnects for an electric or HEV
    Publication number: 20030136597
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system to disconnect drive wheels from the powertrain of any electric powered vehicle. A vehicle controller monitors input from, for example, an inertia switch and electric motor generator conditions and can disconnect the output shaft from the drive wheels in predetermined vehicle conditions such as during a rear-end collision, or abnormal electric motor conditions such as over-torque, over-temperature, or over-current. The invention can be configured to monitor and respond to driver demand for four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, and neutral tow. The disconnect device can comprise a disconnect actuator and joint attached to an axle disconnect. The axle disconnect can be electric or vacuum powered and positioned as a center disconnect or a wheel-end disconnect. The invention can be configured for conventional or limited slip axles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Abbas Raftari, Curtis Lee Tyson, John O'Rear, Joanne Theresa Woestman, Vijay K. Garg