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).
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Patent number: 8961357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Publication number: 20140155216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 8647233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Patent number: 8591377Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 8574110Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 8475316Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Patent number: 8382631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Patent number: 8376889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Publication number: 20120149528Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Publication number: 20110165988Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Publication number: 20110165987Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Publication number: 20110165985Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Publication number: 20110165982Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
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Patent number: 7766785Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
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Publication number: 20100125017Abstract: 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 againstType: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
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Patent number: 7670249Abstract: 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 rotType: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
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Publication number: 20080242470Abstract: 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 rotType: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
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Publication number: 20080182704Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski
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Patent number: 7294089Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve G. Thomas, Gregory D. Goleski, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 7235032Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve G. Thomas, Donald E. Hoffman, Gregory D. Goleski