Patents by Inventor Mark Steward

Mark Steward 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: 10385960
    Abstract: A transmission assembly including a housing, an electric motor, and a baffle is provided. The housing may include first and second drainage channels. The electric motor may be disposed within the housing adjacent the drainage channels and a torque converter. The baffle may be disposed within the housing upon a housing inner surface, and may define an opening to the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may include a baffle flange sized for positioning adjacent the torque converter to minimize contact of oil within the housing to the torque converter. The housing may define first and second partition walls each partially extending over one of the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may further include first and second seal features each disposed at one of two baffle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Mark Steward, William Riley, Brian Richard Light
  • Patent number: 10309519
    Abstract: A baffle for a transmission of a vehicle is provided. The transmission includes a gearbox that outputs torque to a differential, which distributes the torque to the wheels. A chain transfers the torque from the transmission to the differential. A baffle is provided adjacent to, but spaced from, the chain to contain and direct at least some of the lubricating fluid that the chain comes in contact with. The baffle has a base with a planar side surface. A flange extends from the base, and extends radially about part of the transmission output and the differential input to follow the path of the chain. One end of the flange is provided with an opening to direct fluid through the opening, out of the baffle and into other regions of the transmission such as the transmission sump. This inhibits buildup of fluid in the sump of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Mark Steward, Lisa Jamieson
  • Patent number: 10309520
    Abstract: A snubber for an automotive transmission includes a generally flat surface configured to limit radially-outward movement of a drive member that transfers torque from a transmission gearbox output to a differential input. A mouth of the snubber is fluidly coupled to an internal cavity that capturing transmission fluid as the fluid is moved around due to movement of the drive member. A wing of the snubber extends from the generally flat surface toward the drive member. The wing has a hollow interior fluidly coupled to the internal cavity. A concave outer surface is located outside of and adjacent to the mouth. The concave surface deflects a portion of the fluid, preventing that portion from entering the mouth. This increases the flow of fluid away from the drive member which can lead to drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Simon Boerema, Vijay Kumar Chimakurthy, Mark Steward, Dengfu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190048991
    Abstract: A transmission assembly including a housing, an electric motor, and a baffle is provided. The housing may include first and second drainage channels. The electric motor may be disposed within the housing adjacent the drainage channels and a torque converter. The baffle may be disposed within the housing upon a housing inner surface, and may define an opening to the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may include a baffle flange sized for positioning adjacent the torque converter to minimize contact of oil within the housing to the torque converter. The housing may define first and second partition walls each partially extending over one of the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may further include first and second seal features each disposed at one of two baffle ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Mark Steward, William Riley, Brian Richard Light
  • Publication number: 20180238435
    Abstract: A snubber for an automotive transmission includes a generally flat surface configured to limit radially-outward movement of a drive member that transfers torque from a transmission gearbox output to a differential input. A mouth of the snubber is fluidly coupled to an internal cavity that capturing transmission fluid as the fluid is moved around due to movement of the drive member. A wing of the snubber extends from the generally flat surface toward the drive member. The wing has a hollow interior fluidly coupled to the internal cavity. A concave outer surface is located outside of and adjacent to the mouth. The concave surface deflects a portion of the fluid, preventing that portion from entering the mouth. This increases the flow of fluid away from the drive member which can lead to drag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Simon BOEREMA, Vijay Kumar CHIMAKURTHY, Mark STEWARD, Dengfu ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20180238434
    Abstract: A baffle for a transmission of a vehicle is provided. The transmission includes a gearbox that outputs torque to a differential, which distributes the torque to the wheels. A chain transfers the torque from the transmission to the differential. A baffle is provided adjacent to, but spaced from, the chain to contain and direct at least some of the lubricating fluid that the chain comes in contact with. The baffle has a base with a planar side surface. A flange extends from the base, and extends radially about part of the transmission output and the differential input to follow the path of the chain. One end of the flange is provided with an opening to direct fluid through the opening, out of the baffle and into other regions of the transmission such as the transmission sump. This inhibits buildup of fluid in the sump of the baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Dengfu ZHANG, Mark STEWARD, Lisa JAMIESON
  • Patent number: 9976543
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Brian Orr, Mark Marchie, William Riley
  • Patent number: 9810311
    Abstract: A vehicle axle includes a housing defining a sump, a gear assembly and a baffle. The gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the housing. The ring gear is configured to pump fluid throughout the housing. A pinion gear is meshed with the ring gear. The baffle is disposed within the sump and connected to the housing. The baffle has a first part being configured to control fluid flow across the ring gear and a second part attached to the first part. The second part is configured to control fluid flow across the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Michael Carter, Mark Steward, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9638313
    Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FOrd Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Jayesh Patel, Yanhua Li, Matthew S. Eiszler, Srinivas Venkata Arcota, David Aeschliman, Chintan Ved, William Riley, Jason Bardallis
  • Patent number: 9631715
    Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle has a case adapted to retain a transaxle oil. A chain transfers torque between transaxle gears, and a snubber is disposed along the tension side of the chain. The snubber comprises a molded base plate with a pair of mounting inserts extending transverse to the base plate to mount the snubber to a case of the transaxle. A snubber plate is integrally molded with the base plate and extends substantially transversely from a longitudinal side of the base plate to frame an edge of the chain. A ramp plate is integrally molded with the base plate and extends substantially transversely from the base plate and obliquely with respect to the snubber plate. A scoop is integrally molded with the base plate and extends from the ramp plate configured to transversely deflect a flow of transaxle oil directed to the scoop by the ramp plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Srinivas V. Arcota, Vladimir Yasnogorodskiy, Bradley R. Heuver
  • Publication number: 20170108111
    Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle has a case adapted to retain a transaxle oil. A chain transfers torque between transaxle gears, and a snubber is disposed along the tension side of the chain. The snubber comprises a molded base plate with a pair of mounting inserts extending transverse to the base plate to mount the snubber to a case of the transaxle. A snubber plate is integrally molded with the base plate and extends substantially transversely from a longitudinal side of the base plate to frame an edge of the chain. A ramp plate is integrally molded with the base plate and extends substantially transversely from the base plate and obliquely with respect to the snubber plate. A scoop is integrally molded with the base plate and extends from the ramp plate configured to transversely deflect a flow of transaxle oil directed to the scoop by the ramp plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: MARK STEWARD, SRINIVAS V. ARCOTA, VLADIMIR YASNOGORODSKIY, BRADLEY R. HEUVER
  • Publication number: 20150337947
    Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark STEWARD, Jayesh PATEL, Yanhua LI, Matthew S. EISZLER, Srinivas Venkata ARCOTA, David AESCHLIMAN, Chintan VED, William RILEY, Jason BARDALLIS
  • Publication number: 20150316142
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Brian Orr, Mark Marchie, William Riley
  • Publication number: 20030215328
    Abstract: A gas turbine having a metallic outer shroud and a ceramic inner shroud. The ceramic inner shroud being secured to the outer shroud by hooks carried on the outer shroud. The hooks on the outer shroud being coated with TBC. A pin and spring system being provided to hold the ceramic inner shroud against the forward hook of the outer shroud. An anti-rotation pin being provided to trap the aft bend of the ceramic inner shroud against the aft hook of the outer shroud. The gas turbine further including a damping spring and pin system, disposed between a heat shield, within the outer shroud, and the ceramic inner shroud, to provide damping of the inner shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Edward Lee McGrath, Gregory S. Corman, Anthony J. Dean, Mark Steward Schroder, Chris Basil Jiomacas, Thomas Raymond Farrell, Kenneth Lorenzo Parks