Patents by Inventor Maura J. Stafford

Maura J. Stafford 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: 11933326
    Abstract: A drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly replaces an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit. The OE signal accumulator piston is positioned in a bore in a valve body that has an open end and a fluid port. The drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve having open first and second ends and a piston positioned in the sleeve. A spring is positioned in part in the piston and in part extending beyond and end of the piston. A plug is positioned in the bore adjacent the sleeve. The sleeve is positioned in the valve body bore, with the piston, and the spring, and the plug is positioned in the valve body bore to enclose the sleeve, the piston and the spring in the valve body bore. A method for replacing an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a transmission hydraulic circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company
    Inventor: Maura J. Stafford
  • Patent number: 11815176
    Abstract: A drop-in lube boost valve assembly replaces an OE lube boost valve assembly in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit. The OE valve assembly has a valve body with inlet, balancing and outlet ports. The drop-in valve assembly includes a sleeve having inlet and outlet ports, and a bore extending between and fluidically connecting the ports. The drop-in valve ports are spaced from each other. The sleeve includes valve and spring chambers. A valve has a valve face, a sealing portion and a spring stem and is positioned in the sleeve with the sealing portion positioned in the sleeve bore. A spring is positioned on the spring stem. The valve reciprocates in the sleeve between an open state in which the sealing portion does not overlie the sleeve outlet port and a closed state in which the sealing portion overlies and closes off the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company
    Inventors: John Varvayanis, Maura J. Stafford, James A. Dial
  • Publication number: 20230135948
    Abstract: A drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly replaces an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit. The OE signal accumulator piston is positioned in a bore in a valve body that has an open end and a fluid port. The drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve having open first and second ends, one of the first and second ends defining a reduced diameter region, and a piston positioned in the sleeve. A spring is positioned in part in the piston and in part extending beyond and end of the piston. The sleeve is positioned in the valve body bore, with the piston, and the spring. A method for replacing an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a transmission hydraulic circuit is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Maura J. Stafford, Andrew M. Deyo
  • Publication number: 20220154735
    Abstract: A drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly replaces an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit. The OE signal accumulator piston is positioned in a bore in a valve body that has an open end and a fluid port. The drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve having open first and second ends and a piston positioned in the sleeve. A spring is positioned in part in the piston and in part extending beyond and end of the piston. A plug is positioned in the bore adjacent the sleeve. The sleeve is positioned in the valve body bore, with the piston, and the spring, and the plug is positioned in the valve body bore to enclose the sleeve, the piston and the spring in the valve body bore. A method for replacing an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a transmission hydraulic circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Maura J. Stafford
  • Publication number: 20220136598
    Abstract: A drop-in lube boost valve assembly replaces an OE lube boost valve assembly in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit. The OE valve assembly has a valve body with inlet, balancing and outlet ports. The drop-in valve assembly includes a sleeve having inlet and outlet ports, and a bore extending between and fluidically connecting the ports. The drop-in valve ports are spaced from each other. The sleeve includes valve and spring chambers. A valve has a valve face, a sealing portion and a spring stem and is positioned in the sleeve with the sealing portion positioned in the sleeve bore. A spring is positioned on the spring stem. The valve reciprocates in the sleeve between an open state in which the sealing portion does not overlie the sleeve outlet port and a closed state in which the sealing portion overlies and closes off the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: John Varvayanis, Maura J. Stafford, James A. Dial
  • Publication number: 20220010877
    Abstract: A pressure regulator valve assembly for an automatic transmission includes a valve body, a valve chamber within the valve body, a valve piston disposed within the valve chamber, the valve piston having a valve channel, and a check valve disposed within the valve channel, the check valve is operable to permit fluid flow in the valve channel in a first direction and substantially prevent fluid flow in the valve channel in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An automatic transmission may include the pressure regulator valve assembly between a hydraulic pump and a torque converter, the pressure regulator valve assembly configured to control fluid flow between the hydraulic pump and the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: John Varvayanis, Maura J. Stafford, James A. Dial
  • Patent number: 9746089
    Abstract: Valve assemblies and associated methods are disclosed that may include a spool valve and one or more stationary inserts. In some examples, the stationary inserts may be configured to be fixed within a valve bore of a valve body to provide a fluid seal between an outer surface of the insert and the valve bore. Embodiments may also include valve assembly repair kits that may include a spool valve and a stationary insert for repairing a malfunctioning spool valve and methods for installing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Jackson, Patrick A. Keller, Maura J. Stafford, Eric W. Streed, Robert C. Warnke
  • Patent number: 9447871
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided for a multiple pressure ratio valve assembly that can be used in a plurality of systems requiring different operating pressures. In one embodiment, a multi-pressure ratio valve is provided, the valve having a fluid bypass portion and being configurable into a plurality of pressure ratio configurations by selectively blocking a portion of the fluid bypass such that the pressure ratio of the valve assembly may be varied. Embodiments of the invention may also include a valve sleeve configured for use in a plurality of transmissions, the multi-pressure ratio valve being configured to be slidably disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd V. Mangiagli, Maura J. Stafford, Donald G. Parrott
  • Publication number: 20150292634
    Abstract: Valve assemblies and associated methods are disclosed that may include a spool valve and one or more stationary inserts. In some examples, the stationary inserts may be configured to be fixed within a valve bore of a valve body to provide a fluid seal between an outer surface of the insert and the valve bore. Embodiments may also include valve assembly repair kits that may include a spool valve and a stationary insert for repairing a malfunctioning spool valve and methods for installing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Scott C. Jackson, Patrick A. Keller, Maura J. Stafford, Eric W. Streed, Robert C. Warnke
  • Publication number: 20150152959
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided for a multiple pressure ratio valve assembly that can be used in a plurality of systems requiring different operating pressures. In one embodiment, a multi-pressure ratio valve is provided, the valve having a fluid bypass portion and being configurable into a plurality of pressure ratio configurations by selectively blocking a portion of the fluid bypass such that the pressure ratio of the valve assembly may be varied. Embodiments of the invention may also include a valve sleeve configured for use in a plurality of transmissions, the multi-pressure ratio valve being configured to be slidably disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Todd V. Mangiagli, Maura J. Stafford, Donald G. Parrott
  • Patent number: 8955533
    Abstract: A multiple pressure ratio valve assembly is provided that may be used in a plurality of systems requiring different operating pressures. In one embodiment, a valve assembly and a plurality of interchangeable valves is provided, the interchangeable valves being configured to be installed within the same valve bore diameter, and the valves having different surface areas such that a pressure ratio of the valve assembly may be varied depending on which of the plurality of valves is installed. In some embodiments, the valves may have one or more fluid bypass portions. Embodiments of the invention may also include one or more shims that may be used to further adjust the pressure ratio of the valve assembly. Methods of repairing a valve assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura J. Stafford
  • Patent number: 8919381
    Abstract: There is provided a fluid rerouting system for valve bodies that use hydraulic pressure, via a balance pressure line, to move spools. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a valve sleeve having a plurality of ports that are substantially aligned with a plurality of fluid connections in the mating bore, except that no valve sleeve port aligns with the balance pressure line. The system also includes a spool having a plurality of lands that are sized and configured to fit slidably in said valve sleeve. The combination of the valve sleeve and at least one of the lands form a chamber, fluid access to which is via an aperture traversing the land. Means for blocking the access of said balance pressure line to said valve sleeve are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Maura J. Stafford, Robert C. Warnke
  • Publication number: 20140360589
    Abstract: A multiple pressure ratio valve assembly is provided that may be used in a plurality of systems requiring different operating pressures. In one embodiment, a valve assembly and a plurality of interchangeable valves is provided, the interchangeable valves being configured to be installed within the same valve bore diameter, and the valves having different surface areas such that a pressure ratio of the valve assembly may be varied depending on which of the plurality of valves is installed. In some embodiments, the valves may have one or more fluid bypass portions. Embodiments of the invention may also include one or more shims that may be used to further adjust the pressure ratio of the valve assembly. Methods of repairing a valve assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Maura J. Stafford
  • Publication number: 20130098465
    Abstract: There is provided a fluid rerouting system for valve bodies that use hydraulic pressure, via a balance pressure line, to move spools. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a valve sleeve having a plurality of ports that are substantially aligned with a plurality of fluid connections in the mating bore, except that no valve sleeve port aligns with the balance pressure line. The system also includes a spool having a plurality of lands that are sized and configured to fit slidably in said valve sleeve. The combination of the valve sleeve and at least one of the lands form a chamber, fluid access to which is via an aperture traversing the land. Means for blocking the access of said balance pressure line to said valve sleeve are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SONNAX INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Maura J. Stafford, Robert C. Warnke
  • Patent number: 8024859
    Abstract: A replacement oil pump plate for attachment to an original equipment manufacture oil pump within a transfer case for elimination of mechanical wear by replacing the abrasive aluminum tabs formed on the oil pump with low-friction plastic tabs is disclosed. The present plastic tab design redistributes the surface-to-surface contact between the magnesium transfer case and the aluminum pump tabs away from the original wear points so that any necessary weld repairs to the transfer case will not be disturbed. The present replacement pump plate is provided in a kit format including a pump plate, machine screws, plastic tabs, and installation instructions. The present invention also describes a method of installing the pump plate kit on the original equipment manufacture oil pump subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Maura J. Stafford, Gregg A. Nader