Patents by Inventor Michael Tekletsion Berhan
Michael Tekletsion Berhan 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).
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Patent number: 12107475Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine. The electric machine is configured to propel the vehicle. The electric machine has a stator, a rotor, and a labyrinth seal. The stator is secured to a housing. The rotor is secured to a shaft and is configured to transfer rotational power generated by the electric machine to at least one drive wheel via the shaft. The labyrinth seal is disposed between the shaft and the housing. The labyrinth seal comprises inner and outer rings secured to the shaft and housing, respectively. The inner and outer rings have interleaved protrusions defining a tortuous channel extending axially between first and second ends of the labyrinth seal. A conductive grease is disposed within the tortuous channel. The inner ring, outer ring, and conductive grease are configured to direct electrical currents induced in the shaft to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20230361643Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine. The electric machine is configured to propel the vehicle. The electric machine has a stator, a rotor, and a labyrinth seal. The stator is secured to a housing. The rotor is secured to a shaft and is configured to transfer rotational power generated by the electric machine to at least one drive wheel via the shaft. The labyrinth seal is disposed between the shaft and the housing. The labyrinth seal comprises inner and outer rings secured to the shaft and housing, respectively. The inner and outer rings have interleaved protrusions defining a tortuous channel extending axially between first and second ends of the labyrinth seal. A conductive grease is disposed within the tortuous channel. The inner ring, outer ring, and conductive grease are configured to direct electrical currents induced in the shaft to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 11440395Abstract: An electrified vehicle torque transfer system includes, among other things, an engine having an engine shaft, an electric machine having an electric machine shaft, a first clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the engine can drive rotation of the electric machine, and a second clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the electric machine can drive rotation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Guopeng Hu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20210252964Abstract: An electrified vehicle torque transfer system includes, among other things, an engine having an engine shaft, an electric machine having an electric machine shaft, a first clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the engine can drive rotation of the electric machine, and a second clutch that is selectively engaged to rotatably couple together the engine shaft and the electric machine shaft such that the electric machine can drive rotation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Guopeng Hu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 9644735Abstract: A speed sensor is integrated with a bearing of a transmission. The speed sensor may sense rotation of a bearing cage using a proximity sensor or may sense passage of the rolling elements themselves using an acceleration sensor. The speed of the shaft supported by the bearing is calculated from the speed sensor reading. The shaft speed may be used to control a slipping clutch during a shift event. When the transmission is in a fixed gear ratio, inconsistent speed sensor reading may indicate a preload issue.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20160146339Abstract: A speed sensor is integrated with a bearing of a transmission. The speed sensor may sense rotation of a bearing cage using a proximity sensor or may sense passage of the rolling elements themselves using an acceleration sensor. The speed of the shaft supported by the bearing is calculated from the speed sensor reading. The shaft speed may be used to control a slipping clutch during a shift event. When the transmission is in a fixed gear ratio, inconsistent speed sensor reading may indicate a preload issue.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 9322292Abstract: A bearing is provided which includes a first set of rolling elements, a second set of rolling elements spaced away from the first set of rollers, a race at least partially enclosing the first and second sets of rolling elements, and a pre-loading element in the race between two outer sections of the race applying pre-load forces to the first and second set of rolling elements. In this way, a simplified bearing structure is achieved while better maintaining pre-load forces.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20140298941Abstract: A herringbone gear assembly, includes: a first gear segment having a first set of teeth; a second gear segment having a second set of teeth, wherein the second set of teeth have a different configuration than the first set of teeth; and a series of compatible locators on the first and second gear segments configured to assist with gear segment alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 8834033Abstract: A bearing includes a first race including first and second segments, forming aligned pairs of first surfaces, spaced angularly about an axis; a second race including second surfaces, each second surface aligned with one of the pairs of first surfaces; balls, each ball contacting the surfaces of the first and second races; and a cage retaining each ball and engaging the first and second segments.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven G. Thomas, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20140234071Abstract: A bearing is provided which includes a first set of rolling elements, a second set of rolling elements spaced away from the first set of rollers, a race at least partially enclosing the first and second sets of rolling elements, and a pre-loading element in the race between two outer sections of the race applying pre-load forces to the first and second set of rolling elements. In this way, a simplified bearing structure is achieved while better maintaining pre-load forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20140119685Abstract: A bearing includes a first race including first and second segments, forming aligned pairs of first surfaces, spaced angularly about an axis; a second race including second surfaces, each second surface aligned with one of the pairs of first surfaces; balls, each ball contacting the surfaces of the first and second races; and a cage retaining each ball and engaging the first and second segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven G. Thomas, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 8093770Abstract: Cooling of the end windings on a stator of the electric motor can be made more uniform if a physically-compliant, thermally-conductive cap is placed over the end windings. In one embodiment, a liquid coolant is sprayed on the outside of the cap. The cap serves to make the temperature more uniform in the end windings. In an alternative embodiment, a cover is placed over the cap with a coolant jacket formed between the cap and the cover. A coolant, such as transmission fluid or engine coolant, can be circulated in the coolant jacket.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 7699737Abstract: A drive unit for transmitting power to wheels of a motor vehicle includes an input driveably connectable to a first power source, a final drive gear set driveably connectable to the wheels, a motor/generator including a stator and a rotor arranged about an axis, the rotor being able to rotate about the axis and to move along the axis relative to the stator, a gear unit arranged about the axis and driveably connected to the gear set for driving the gear set at a speed that is less than a speed of the rotor, and a coupler secured to the rotor for alternately coupling the rotor and the gear unit mutually and transmitting power therebetween and decoupling the rotor and the gear unit mutually.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20090197730Abstract: A drive unit for transmitting power to wheels of a motor vehicle includes an input driveably connectable to a first power source, a final drive gear set driveably connectable to the wheels, a motor/generator including a stator and a rotor arranged about an axis, the rotor being able to rotate about the axis and to move along the axis relative to the stator, a gear unit arranged about the axis and driveably connected to the gear set for driving the gear set at a speed that is less than a speed of the rotor, and a coupler secured to the rotor for alternately coupling the rotor and the gear unit mutually and transmitting power therebetween and decoupling the rotor and the gear unit mutually.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Patent number: 6720696Abstract: A starter/generator assembly 10 which is adapted for use within a vehicle of the type having a crankshaft 12 and a torque converter 14. The assembly 10 includes a stator 18 and a rotor 20 which is isolated from the torque converter 14.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
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Publication number: 20030080637Abstract: A starter/generator assembly 10 which is adapted for use within a vehicle of the type having a crankshaft 12 and a torque converter 14. The assembly 10 includes a stator 18 and a rotor 20 which is isolated from the torque converter 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan