Patents by Inventor Donald E. Hoffman

Donald E. Hoffman 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).

  • Patent number: 8961357
    Abstract: A power transmission includes an input, output, a planetary gearset including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier driveably connected to the input, first pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first sun gear, and second pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first ring gear and first pinions, and a second planetary gearset including a second sun gear, a third sun gear, a second ring gear driveably connected to the output, a second carrier, third pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the second sun gear and second ring gear, and fourth pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the third sun gear and the third pinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140155216
    Abstract: A power transmission includes an input, output, a planetary gearset including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier driveably connected to the input, first pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first sun gear, and second pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first ring gear and first pinions, and a second planetary gearset including a second sun gear, a third sun gear, a second ring gear driveably connected to the output, a second carrier, third pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the second sun gear and second ring gear, and fourth pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the third sun gear and the third pinions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8647233
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system includes driveably connecting an engine to a variator, using a pulley to transmit rotating power from an electric machine through a gearset that increases speed of an input of the variator relative to a speed of the pulley, controlling a speed ratio of the variator, and transmitting power through the gearset and variator to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 8591377
    Abstract: A power transmission includes an input; an output; a first gearset including an output having a lower speed than a speed of the input; a second gearset having first, second, and third rotating elements; a second gearset having fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rotating elements; four clutches; and two brakes. The brakes and clutches are engaged in combinations of three to produce up to eleven forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8574110
    Abstract: A transmission includes a variator including a cone secured to an input, and a second cone driveably connected to the cone, producing a variable speed ratio between the cones, a gearset including a member secured to the second cone, and second and third members, a first clutch opening and closing a connection between the input and the second member, and a second clutch opening and closing a connection between an output and the third member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8475316
    Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator including an input and an output, for varying a ratio of output speed and input speed, and a gearset drivably interconnecting the input, the output, the engine and pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 8382631
    Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator for varying a ratio of an output speed and an input speed, a gearset including a first and second components driveably connected to the engine and pulley, respectively, and a third component connected to the output, and a second gearset for increasing an input speed relative to an pulley speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 8376889
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input, a variator including an output and a ball carrier secured to the input, producing a variable speed ratio between the ball carrier and the output, a gearset including a component connected to the output, and second and third components, a first clutch releaseably connecting the input and the second component, and a second clutch releaseably connecting the component and the third component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20120149528
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input and an output, a first power path including first and second clutches, a second power path including a third clutch, a third power path including a fourth clutch, a planetary gear unit including first, second, third and fourth members, the first clutch coupling the first member to the input through the first power path, the second member secured to the output, the second clutch coupling the fourth member to the input through the first power path, the third clutch coupling the fourth member to the input through the second power path, the fourth clutch coupling the third member to the input through the third power path, a first brake for holding the third member against rotation, and a second brake for holding the fourth member against rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20110165988
    Abstract: A transmission includes a variator including a cone secured to an input, and a second cone driveably connected to the cone, producing a variable speed ratio between the cones, a gearset including a member secured to the second cone, and second and third members, a first clutch opening and closing a connection between the input and the second member, and a second clutch opening and closing a connection between an output and the third member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20110165987
    Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator for varying a ratio of an output speed and an input speed, a gearset including a first and second components driveably connected to the engine and pulley, respectively, and a third component connected to the output, and a second gearset for increasing an input speed relative to an pulley speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20110165985
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input, a variator including an output and a ball carrier secured to the input, producing a variable speed ratio between the ball carrier and the output, a gearset including a component connected to the output, and second and third components, a first clutch releaseably connecting the input and the second component, and a second clutch releaseably connecting the component and the third component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Publication number: 20110165982
    Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator including an input and an output, for varying a ratio of output speed and input speed, and a gearset driveably interconnecting the input, the output, the engine and pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 7766785
    Abstract: A multiple-speed automatic transmission includes an input, output, a first gear unit drivable connected to the input and including a component rotating at the speed of the input and a first gear unit output, the first gear unit producing a gear ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of a first gear unit output, the gear ratio being greater than unity, and a Ravigneaux gear unit for producing multiple ratios of the speed of the input and a speed of the output, the Ravigneaux gear unit being driveably connected to first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth rotating members and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Publication number: 20100125017
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission includes an input, an output, a first gear unit drivable connected to the input and producing a gear ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the first gear unit output, a planetary gear unit including a modified Simpson gearset, the gear unit being secured to first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotating members, the fifth member being secured to the output for rotation therewith, a first clutch being operable to connect the first rotating member and the first gear unit output, a second clutch being operable to connect the second rotating member and the first gear unit output, a third clutch being operable to connect the third rotating member and an element rotating at a speed of the input, a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth rotating member and said element rotating at the speed of the input, a first brake being operable to hold the fourth rotating member against rotation, and a second brake being operable to hold the third rotating member against
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Patent number: 7670249
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission includes an input, an output, a first gear unit drivable connected to the input and including a component rotating at the speed of the input and a first gear unit output, the first gear unit producing a gear ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the first gear unit output, a planetary gear unit including a modified Simpson gearset, the gear unit being secured to first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotating members, the fifth member being secured to the output for rotation therewith, a first clutch being operable to connect the first rotating member and the first gear unit output, a second clutch being operable to connect the second rotating member and the first gear unit output, a third clutch being operable to connect the third rotating member and an element rotating at a speed of the input, a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth rotating member and said element rotating at the speed of the input, a first brake being operable to hold the fourth rot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Publication number: 20080242470
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission includes an input, an output, a first gear unit drivable connected to the input and including a component rotating at the speed of the input and a first gear unit output, the first gear unit producing a gear ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the first gear unit output, a planetary gear unit including a modified Simpson gearset, the gear unit being secured to first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotating members, the fifth member being secured to the output for rotation therewith, a first clutch being operable to connect the first rotating member and the first gear unit output, a second clutch being operable to connect the second rotating member and the first gear unit output, a third clutch being operable to connect the third rotating member and an element rotating at a speed of the input, a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth rotating member and said element rotating at the speed of the input, a first brake being operable to hold the fourth rot
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Publication number: 20080182704
    Abstract: A multiple-speed automatic transmission includes an input, output, a first gear unit drivable connected to the input and including a component rotating at the speed of the input and a first gear unit output, the first gear unit producing a gear ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of a first gear unit output, the gear ratio being greater than unity, and a Ravigneaux gear unit for producing multiple ratios of the speed of the input and a speed of the output, the Ravigneaux gear unit being driveably connected to first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth rotating members and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Patent number: 7294089
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first power path producing a first ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of a first power path output; a second power path producing a second ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the second power path output, the second ratio being is less than the first ratio; a double planetary gear unit including first, second, third and fourth members, the second member being secured to the output; a first clutch being operable to connect the first member to the input through the first power path; a second clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the first power path; a third clutch being operable to connect the third member carrier to the input through the second power path; a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the second power path; a first brake being operable to hold the fourth member against rotation; and a second brake being operable to hold the third member against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve G. Thomas, Gregory D. Goleski, Donald E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7235032
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission includes an input and output, first, second and three planetary gear units, each gear unit including a sun gear, a ring gear, planet pinions meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear, and a carrier rotatably supporting the planet pinions. A first brake alternately holds against rotation and releases the sun gear of the second gear unit and the sun gear of the third gear unit. A second brake alternately holds and releases the carrier of the second gear unit. A first clutch alternately connects and disconnects the carrier of the first gear unit and the ring gear of the third gear unit. A second clutch alternately disconnects and connects the carrier of the first gear unit to the sun gears of the second gear unit and third gear unit. A third clutch alternately releases and connects the input and ring gear of the first gear unit to the carrier of the second gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski