Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Norris

Kevin E. Norris 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: 9764261
    Abstract: A suction filter for an automatic transmission utilizes two different types of filter media: a coarse filter media and a fine filter media. The two types of media are arranged in series within a housing such that fluid flows through only one of the two filter media. A hinge valve is arranged in series with the coarse media. The hinge valve passively opens in response to a pressure differential. The hinge valve defines a non-zero flow area when in the closed position and an increasing flow area as it opens. The flow restriction associated with the hinge valve permits a larger ratio of coarse media area to fine media, thereby decreasing the flow restriction when the oil is cold without decreasing the clean-up rate in normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Norris, Lev Pekarsky
  • Publication number: 20150265950
    Abstract: A suction filter for an automatic transmission utilizes two different types of filter media: a coarse filter media and a fine filter media. The two types of media are arranged in series within a housing such that fluid flows through only one of the two filter media. A hinge valve is arranged in series with the coarse media. The hinge valve passively opens in response to a pressure differential. The hinge valve defines a non-zero flow area when in the closed position and an increasing flow area as it opens. The flow restriction associated with the hinge valve permits a larger ratio of coarse media area to fine media, thereby decreasing the flow restriction when the oil is cold without decreasing the clean-up rate in normal operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: KEVIN E. NORRIS, LEV PEKARSKY
  • Patent number: 5700218
    Abstract: The kinematic arrangement of a multiple-speed automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes three simple planetary units, hydraulically actuated clutches and brakes applied and released selectively, and several overrunning couplings that produce one-way drive connection between the inner and outer races, which are connected to various components of the gear units. Each of the planetary gear units includes a sun gear, a ring gear surrounding the sun gear, a carrier, and a set of planet pinions in continuous meshing engagement with the sun gear and ring gear and rotatably supported on the carrier. At least one of the gear units includes an overrunning clutch that produces a one-way drive connection between its carrier and one of the planet pinions supported on the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. VanSelous, Judith F. Haggerty, Kevin E. Norris