Patents by Inventor Norman J. Bird
Norman J. Bird 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: 10030711Abstract: A mechanical connection includes first and second components supported for rotation, the first component formed with first spline teeth, the second component formed with second spline teeth meshing with the first spline teeth, and a damper fitted in a groove formed in one of the first and second components, including an extension secured to the damper, contacting and extending between at least some of the first and second spline teeth.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Craig M. Mathie, Shailesh S. Kozarekar, James G. Buvalic, Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 9915301Abstract: A one-way diode includes a first plate including a coil and cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets and a second coil, and struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil and the second coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20160258495Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that drivably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that drivably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventor: NORMAN J. BIRD
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Patent number: 9366298Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that driveably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that driveably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 9260000Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler
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Publication number: 20150111678Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler
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Publication number: 20150075941Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: STEVEN A. FRAIT, THOMAS G. LEONE, NORMAN J. BIRD, MATTHEW T. TRENT, JOHN E. BREVICK
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Patent number: 8978838Abstract: A drive device includes a first one-way coupling including a cam plate, pocket plate and struts, a second one-way coupling including a second cam plate driveably connected to the pocket plate, second pocket plate extending in a partial circular arc and secured to the cam plate, and second struts for opening and closing a drive connection between said second plates, and electromagnets for causing the second struts to close said drive connection.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 8925705Abstract: A one-way coupling includes a cam plate including cams, a pocket plate including pockets, struts, each strut located in one of the pockets, and an electromagnet for engaging one of the struts with one of the cams, including a coil, a core and poles that extend from the coil to said strut, a gap between the poles and the pocket plate exceeding a gap between the poles and said strut.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis N. Wys, Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 8881516Abstract: A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a member fixed against rotation and including engagement surfaces spaced mutually about an axis, a stator formed with pockets spaced about the axis, rockers, each rocker located in a pocket, able to pivot toward and away from engagement with the engagement surfaces, and springs, each spring urging a rocker toward engagement with the engagement surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Norman J. Bird, Dennis N. Wys, John S. Kozar, Kenneth W. May
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Publication number: 20140193194Abstract: A mechanical connection includes first and second components supported for rotation, the first component formed with first spline teeth, the second component formed with second spline teeth meshing with the first spline teeth, and a damper fitted in a groove formed in one of the first and second components, including an extension secured to the damper, contacting and extending between at least some of the first and second spline teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Craig M. Mathie, Shailesh S. Kozarekar, James G. Buvalic, Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20130319810Abstract: A drive device includes a first one-way coupling including a cam plate, pocket plate and struts, a second one-way coupling including a second cam plate driveably connected to the pocket plate, second pocket plate extending in a partial 5 circular arc and secured to the cam plate, and second struts for opening and closing a drive connection between said second plates, and electromagnets for causing the second struts to close said drive connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20130319812Abstract: A one-way coupling includes a cam plate including cams, a pocket plate including pockets, struts, each strut located in one of the pockets, and an electromagnet for engaging one of the struts with one of the cams, including a coil, a core and poles that extend from the coil to said strut, a gap between the poles and the pocket plate exceeding a gap between the poles and said strut.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: FORD GLBOAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dennis N. Wys, Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20130213027Abstract: A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a member fixed against rotation and including engagement surfaces spaced mutually about an axis, a stator formed with pockets spaced about the axis, rockers, each rocker located in a pocket, able to pivot toward and away from engagement with the engagement surfaces, and springs, each spring urging a rocker toward engagement with the engagement surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Norman J. Bird, Dennis N. Wys, John S. Kozar, Kenneth W. May
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Patent number: 8418825Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first plate including cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets, a coil located in one of the plates, struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil, and springs urging the struts to pivot opposite a pivot direction caused by energizing the coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 8403123Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first race secured against rotation and fitted with a coil, a second race supported for rotation, a coil carried by one of the races, and struts supported by one of the races, each strut driveably connecting and disconnecting the races in response to a magnetic field induced by current in the coil.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Norman J. Bird, Gregory D. Gardner, David A. Janson, Matthew T. Trent
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Publication number: 20120103745Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first plate including cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets, a coil located in one of the plates, struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil, and springs urging the struts to pivot opposite a pivot direction caused by energizing the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20120103747Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that driveably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that driveably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20120103746Abstract: A one-way diode includes a first plate including a coil and cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets and a second coil, and struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil and the second coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Publication number: 20110290608Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first race secured against rotation and fitted with a coil, a second race supported for rotation, a coil carried by one of the races, and struts supported by one of the races, each strut driveably connecting and disconnecting the races in response to a magnetic field induced by current in the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Norman J. Bird, Gregory D. Gardner, David A. Janson, Matthew T. Trent