Patents by Inventor Fred D. Lewis

Fred D. 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: 10364937
    Abstract: An automobile transmission hydraulic oil fill system includes a transmission oil pan and a two-piece standpipe system. The two-piece stand-pipe system includes a clinch nut connected to the oil pan and having a threaded bore opening through the oil pan. A stand-pipe is fixed to the clinch nut. The stand-pipe includes a longitudinal bore in fluid communication with the threaded bore. An end cap defining a free end of the stand-pipe prevents entrance of hydraulic oil into the longitudinal bore of the stand-pipe during hydraulic oil fill of the transmission. Multiple ports created in a side wall of the stand-pipe allow entrance of the hydraulic oil into the longitudinal bore and to flow out of the threaded bore of the clinch nut. Each of the ports include an edge. The edges of the ports define a hydraulic oil fill level of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fred D. Lewis, Robert Seungmo/S Lee, Christopher B. Preston
  • Patent number: 10066676
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stamped steel friction clutch hubs or housings for use in automatic motor vehicle transmissions having a sprayed on hard steel or ceramic coating on wear surfaces. The clutch hub or housing is fabricated of steel which is stamped and of unitary construction. The clutch hub or housing is complexly configured and includes a center through opening having an inner surface which is contacted by a pair of resilient, axially spaced apart seals. The housing also includes a larger diameter portion having female splines which engage male splines on the periphery of a portion of the clutch plates. The inner surface which is contacted by the resilient seals includes a thin layer of sprayed steel or ceramic material that is machined after application to a desired diameter and surface finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott William Heitzenrater, Fred D. Lewis, Daniel Richard White
  • Publication number: 20180142836
    Abstract: An automobile transmission hydraulic oil fill system includes a transmission oil pan and a two-piece standpipe system. The two-piece stand-pipe system includes a clinch nut connected to the oil pan and having a threaded bore opening through the oil pan. A stand-pipe is fixed to the clinch nut. The stand-pipe includes a longitudinal bore in fluid communication with the threaded bore. An end cap defining a free end of the stand-pipe prevents entrance of hydraulic oil into the longitudinal bore of the stand-pipe during hydraulic oil fill of the transmission. Multiple ports created in a side wall of the stand-pipe allow entrance of the hydraulic oil into the longitudinal bore and to flow out of the threaded bore of the clinch nut. Each of the ports include an edge. The edges of the ports define a hydraulic oil fill level of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Fred D. Lewis, Robert Seungmo/S Lee, Christopher B. Preston
  • Publication number: 20170016492
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stamped steel friction clutch hubs or housings for use in automatic motor vehicle transmissions having a sprayed on hard steel or ceramic coating on wear surfaces. The clutch hub or housing is fabricated of steel which is stamped and of unitary construction. The clutch hub or housing is complexly configured and includes a center through opening having an inner surface which is contacted by a pair of resilient, axially spaced apart seals. The housing also includes a larger diameter portion having female splines which engage male splines on the periphery of a portion of the clutch plates. The inner surface which is contacted by the resilient seals includes a thin layer of sprayed steel or ceramic material that is machined after application to a desired diameter and surface finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: SCOTT WILLIAM HEITZENRATER, Fred D. Lewis, Daniel Richard White