Patents by Inventor Fraser J. Macdonald

Fraser J. Macdonald 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).

  • Publication number: 20070199787
    Abstract: A coupling device operatively arranged between a drive unit and a rotary driven unit including a housing having first and second housing shells, a flange and a clutch assembly arranged to controllably engage a damper. The clutch assembly and damper are positioned within the housing, and the clutch assembly is arranged to directly frictionally engage the flange and first and second housing shells. The damper includes ends bearing against a portion of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Mark Graf, Fraser J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5383540
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller cover and a bypass clutch located within the impeller cover. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which is connected by a spline to a ring, which is riveted to a clutch piston rotatably supported on a turbine rotor hub. A drive ring is driveably connected to the ring and a pump shaft by a connection that permits axial movement of the piston-clutch plate assembly relative to the pump shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Fraser J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5209330
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller housing and a bypass clutch located within the impeller housing. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which is connected by a splined connection to a clutch piston rotatably supported on a turbine rotor. A drive ring carries friction surfaces adjacent the clutch piston and clutch plate. The drive ring extends axially into engagement with a helical spring carried in a damper assembly arranged in series with the damper between the impeller cover and the input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Fraser J. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 5056631
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch assembly comprising an impeller housing and a clutch construction situated within the housing comprising a clutch plate in the form of a piston having formed thereon an annular friction surface, a friction disc located between the friction surface on the clutch plate and an adjacent wall of the impeller housing and having an inner margin secured to the impeller housing at a location radially inward of the friction surface, friction material formed on the friction disc and flow passages for establishing a circuitous cooling oil flow path across the dynamic friction surfaces of the clutch to establish cooling and for eliminating wear as the pressure in the clutch control pressure chamber is modulated to effect a continuous slipping of the clutch surfaces during operation of the converter, the friction disc providing a shield that minimizes heat transfer to the impeller housing and for providing maximum compliance of the face of the friction surface with respect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Fraser J. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 4969543
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch assembly comprising an impeller housing and a clutch construction situated within the housing comprising a clutch plate in the form of a piston having formed thereon an annular friction surface, a friction disc located between the friction surface on the clutch plate and an adjacent wall of the impeller housing and having an inner margin secured to the impeller housing at a location radially inward of the friction surface, friction material formed on the friction disc and flow passage means for establishing a circuitous cooling oil flow path across the dynamic friction surfaces of the clutch to establish cooling and for eliminating wear as the pressure in the clutch control pressure chamber is modulated to effect a continuous slipping of the clutch surfaces during operation of the converter, the friction disc providing a shield that minimizes heat transfer to the impeller housing and for providing maximum compliance of the face of the friction surface with res
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Co.
    Inventor: Fraser J. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 4867290
    Abstract: A long travel damper having variable friction lag comprising a torque input cover plate and a torque output driven plate, a plurality of springs arranged on a circular spring guide for cushioning torque delivery between the cover plate and the driven plate, the springs having a large L/D ratio, and a friction lag clutch adapted to be actuated by cam plates connected respectively to the cover plate and the driven plate whereby the clutch is applied with a variable force that depends upon relative angular displacement of the cam plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Fraser J. Macdonald, Malcolm E. Kirkwood