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).

  • Patent number: 10030711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Craig M. Mathie, Shailesh S. Kozarekar, James G. Buvalic, Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 9915301
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20160258495
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: NORMAN J. BIRD
  • Patent number: 9366298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 9260000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler
  • Publication number: 20150111678
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler
  • Publication number: 20150075941
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: STEVEN A. FRAIT, THOMAS G. LEONE, NORMAN J. BIRD, MATTHEW T. TRENT, JOHN E. BREVICK
  • Patent number: 8978838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 8925705
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Wys, Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 8881516
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. Bird, Dennis N. Wys, John S. Kozar, Kenneth W. May
  • Publication number: 20140193194
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Craig M. Mathie, Shailesh S. Kozarekar, James G. Buvalic, Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20130319810
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20130319812
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLBOAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Wys, Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20130213027
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. Bird, Dennis N. Wys, John S. Kozar, Kenneth W. May
  • Patent number: 8418825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 8403123
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. Bird, Gregory D. Gardner, David A. Janson, Matthew T. Trent
  • Publication number: 20120103745
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20120103747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20120103746
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20110290608
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Norman J. Bird, Gregory D. Gardner, David A. Janson, Matthew T. Trent