Patents by Inventor Duane Allan Lewis
Duane Allan Lewis 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: 11390154Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric motor-generator in a vehicle are provided. In one example, an electric motor-generator is provided that includes an engine interface configured to rotationally couple to a first engine, a transmission interface configured to rotationally couple to a first transmission of the first engine, and a rotor with a plurality of magnets at least partially surrounding a stator including a plurality of coils. The rotor is rotationally coupled to the engine interface and the transmission interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Jason Michael Sanderson, Brandon David Lint, James Trent, Brian Richard Light, Eric Pavlov
-
Publication number: 20210170854Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric motor-generator in a vehicle are provided. In one example, an electric motor-generator is provided that includes an engine interface configured to rotationally couple to a first engine, a transmission interface configured to rotationally couple to a first transmission of the first engine, and a rotor with a plurality of magnets at least partially surrounding a stator including a plurality of coils. The rotor is rotationally coupled to the engine interface and the transmission interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Jason Michael Sanderson, Brandon David Lint, James Trent, Brian Richard Light, Eric Pavlov
-
Patent number: 10926620Abstract: This disclosure details transmission systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary transmission systems may include a crankshaft integrated starter-generator. The crankshaft integrated starter-generator may include an electric machine and an integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly. The integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly is configured to support the electric machine and provide an interface for mounting the crankshaft integrated starter-generator relative to a torque converter. The torque converter may be mounted to a flange of the integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly that is inside the diameter of a rotor of the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas McBride, Megan Gould, Duane Allan Lewis, Gregory Montie, Jason Michael Sanderson
-
Publication number: 20200369278Abstract: This disclosure details transmission systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary transmission systems may include a crankshaft integrated starter-generator. The crankshaft integrated starter-generator may include an electric machine and an integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly. The integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly is configured to support the electric machine and provide an interface for mounting the crankshaft integrated starter-generator relative to a torque converter. The torque converter may be mounted to a flange of the integrated rotor carrier/input shaft assembly that is inside the diameter of a rotor of the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Thomas MCBRIDE, Megan GOULD, Duane Allan LEWIS, Gregory MONTIE, Jason Michael SANDERSON
-
Patent number: 10197104Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Bradley W. Doner, Rakesh Sharma, Duane Allan Lewis, Brian John Brown
-
Patent number: 10036428Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley W. Doner, Chris Peter Nicholas, Duane Allan Lewis, Rakesh Sharma, Brian John Brown
-
Publication number: 20180066714Abstract: A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Bradley W. DONER, Rakesh SHARMA, Duane Allan LEWIS, Brian John BROWN
-
Publication number: 20180045250Abstract: A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Bradley W. DONER, Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Duane Allan LEWIS, Rakesh SHARMA, Brian John BROWN
-
Publication number: 20180031043Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Brian John BROWN, Duane Allan LEWIS, Bradley W. DONER, Edward Steven LANIVICH, Rakesh SHARMA
-
Patent number: 9879728Abstract: A center-bearing assembly includes an annular housing having a circumferential wall with a lip extending radially inward and includes a flange outboard of the circumferential wall. A roller bearing is sized to encircle a vehicle driveshaft and is disposed within the housing between the lip and the flange. An annular retainer is connected to the flange and includes an annular notch configured to shear in response to impact to the driveshaft allowing the bearing to release from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Brian John Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Bradley W. Doner, Edward Steven Lanivich, Rakesh Sharma
-
Patent number: 9657782Abstract: A drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a driveshaft that are joined together by a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that has a plurality of pre-assembled bolts. The driveshaft flange defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses and the bolts are secured to the driveshaft flange by a bolt retainer disposed in each of the countersink recesses between the transmission flange and the driveshaft flange. A method is disclosed for assembling a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses. A bolt is assembled into each of the holes and countersink recesses and a bolt retainer is attached to each of the bolts and nested inside the countersink recesses to retain the bolts on the driveshaft flange. The bolts on the driveshaft flange are then installed into the threaded holes of the transmission flange.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Christopher Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, Brian John Brown, Duane Allan Lewis
-
Patent number: 9488231Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, John Robert Saieg, Brian Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Tony Paskus
-
Publication number: 20160319877Abstract: A drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a driveshaft that are joined together by a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that has a plurality of pre-assembled bolts. The driveshaft flange defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses and the bolts are secured to the driveshaft flange by a bolt retainer disposed in each of the countersink recesses between the transmission flange and the driveshaft flange. A method is disclosed for assembling a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses. A bolt is assembled into each of the holes and countersink recesses and a bolt retainer is attached to each of the bolts and nested inside the countersink recesses to retain the bolts on the driveshaft flange. The bolts on the driveshaft flange are then installed into the threaded holes of the transmission flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Christopher Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, Brian John Brown, Duane Allan Lewis
-
Publication number: 20150275979Abstract: An cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Scott Wilson, John Robert Saieg, Brian Brown, Duane Allan Lewis, Tony Paskus