Patents by Inventor Norman Jerry Bird
Norman Jerry 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: 11697344Abstract: A wheel end disconnect assembly includes a housing, a shift ring, a shift fork and an actuator. The shift ring is supported for axial translation relative to the housing between a connected position in which the shift ring couples an input member to a wheel hub for rotation therewith and a disconnected position in which the input member and the wheel hub are rotatable relative to each other. The shift fork includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and an input portion extending from a junction of the first and second arm portions. The shift fork is pivotably coupled to the housing at the junction of the first and second arm portions. The actuator is configured to move the input portion to pivot the first and second arm portions such that the first and second arm portions translate the shift ring between the connected and disconnected positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Steven Adam Hermann
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Publication number: 20220340004Abstract: A wheel end disconnect assembly includes a housing, a shift ring, a shift fork and an actuator. The shift ring is supported for axial translation relative to the housing between a connected position in which the shift ring couples an input member to a wheel hub for rotation therewith and a disconnected position in which the input member and the wheel hub are rotatable relative to each other. The shift fork includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and an input portion extending from a junction of the first and second arm portions. The shift fork is pivotably coupled to the housing at the junction of the first and second arm portions. The actuator is configured to move the input portion to pivot the first and second arm portions such that the first and second arm portions translate the shift ring between the connected and disconnected positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Steven Adam Hermann
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Patent number: 11390160Abstract: A wheel disconnect clutch includes a housing attachable to a knuckle and a clutch sleeve slidably supported for axial movement within the housing and having first teeth configured to couple with a wheel hub and second teeth configured to couple with a half shaft. The clutch sleeve is slidable between an engaged position in which the first teeth are coupled to the wheel hub and a disengaged position in which the first teeth are decoupled from the wheel hub. A drive ring is connected to the clutch sleeve and supported within the housing to be axially slidable and rotationally fixed relative to the housing. An actuator ring is disposed adjacent to the drive ring, supported for rotation within the housing, and axially fixed relative to the housing. The driver ring moves the clutch sleeve between engaged and disengaged positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Norman Jerry Bird, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Diana Barbara Placha
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Publication number: 20220176813Abstract: A wheel disconnect clutch includes a housing attachable to a knuckle and a clutch sleeve slidably supported for axial movement within the housing and having first teeth configured to couple with a wheel hub and second teeth configured to couple with a half shaft. The clutch sleeve is slidable between an engaged position in which the first teeth are coupled to the wheel hub and a disengaged position in which the first teeth are decoupled from the wheel hub. A drive ring is connected to the clutch sleeve and supported within the housing to be axially slidable and rotationally fixed relative to the housing. An actuator ring is disposed adjacent to the drive ring, supported for rotation within the housing, and axially fixed relative to the housing. The driver ring moves the clutch sleeve between engaged and disengaged positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Thomas Russell McBride, Norman Jerry Bird, Megan Mackenzie Gould, Diana Barbara Placha
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Patent number: 11209053Abstract: A wheel end disconnect system includes an inner race connected to one of an axle half shaft and a wheel hub, an outer race connected to the other of the axle half shaft and the wheel hub, and a plurality of radially actuatable pawls, circumferentially spaced apart, oriented between the inner and outer races, and movable between an outboard locked position and an inboard unlocked position to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the axle half shaft. The system further includes a plurality of pins attached to an actuator ring. The actuator ring is axially shift-able between a locked and unlocked position. The system also includes one or more permanent magnets forming a permanent magnet ring attached to the actuator ring, with axially spaced apart north and south poles, and an annular tri-pole electromagnet having two counter-wound axially spaced apart coils concentric with the annular permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis Neil Wys, Norman Jerry Bird
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Patent number: 11104215Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes a permanent magnet rotor which is selectively held against rotation by a one-way-clutch. The one-way-clutch utilizes a pocket plate having a plurality of pawls which engages with an inner race in response to energizing a magnetic coil. The pocket plate is fixed to the rotor shaft and restrains the laminates axially, eliminating the need for one of the end plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Raunak Singh Bindra
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Patent number: 11105380Abstract: Methods and system are provided for locking a half shaft to a wheel hub to engage four wheel drive are disclosed. In one example, a wheel hub is locked to a half shaft via a radially expanding engagement mechanism. The radially expanding engagement mechanism is without grease and without springs.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Eugene Kathman, Jr., Gregory D. Gardner, Norman Jerry Bird, Diana Barbara Placha, Xiaoyong Lu
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Publication number: 20210207663Abstract: A wheel end disconnect system includes an inner race connected to one of an axle half shaft and a wheel hub, an outer race connected to the other of the axle half shaft and the wheel hub, and a plurality of radially actuatable pawls, circumferentially spaced apart, oriented between the inner and outer races, and movable between an outboard locked position and an inboard unlocked position to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the axle half shaft. The system further includes a plurality of pins attached to an actuator ring. The actuator ring is axially shifi-able between a locked and unlocked position. The system also includes one or more permanent magnets forming a permanent magnet ring attached to the actuator ring, with axially spaced apart north and south poles, and an annular tri-pole electromagnet having two counter-wound axially spaced apart coils concentric with the annular permanent magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Dennis Neil Wys, Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20210025460Abstract: Methods and system are provided for locking a half shaft to a wheel hub to engage four wheel drive are disclosed. In one example, a wheel hub is locked to a half shaft via a radially expanding engagement mechanism. The radially expanding engagement mechanism is without grease and without springs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Thomas Eugene Kathman, JR., Gregory D. Gardner, Norman Jerry Bird, Diana Barbara Placha, Xiaoyong Lu
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Patent number: 10801560Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided. The one-way clutch may include an inner race and an outer race that may be provided with a pocket defining a leading edge and a trailing edge that may define a fluid passage. The one-way clutch may also include a rocker. The rocker may be disposed between the inner and outer races and include first and second ends. The first end may define first cross-sectional area and the second end, and the leading edge may define a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dengfu Zhang, Norman Jerry Bird
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Patent number: 10724582Abstract: An electro-magnetically actuated pawl clutch is adapted to establish a fixed overdrive ratio in a powersplit type hybrid gearing arrangement. In a first embodiment, the pawl clutch holds a member against rotation in one direction when engaged and permits rotation in the other direction. In a second embodiment, the pawl clutch prevents relative rotation between two rotatable members in one direction when engaged and permits relative rotation in the other direction. In either embodiment, the coil is stationary.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacob Klaser, Norman Jerry Bird
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Patent number: 10703190Abstract: A powersplit hybrid powertrain includes an electrically actuated brake that selectively engages a ring gear attached to a flywheel. The ring gear may be, for example, a starter ring gear. Engagement of the brake while the engine is stopped permits use of both electric machines to provide torque to vehicle wheels, thereby increasing the electric torque capacity of the powertrain. The position of the brake is more space efficient than conventional input shaft brakes.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Raunak Singh Bindra, Mark Gerard Czapski, Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20200156457Abstract: A powersplit hybrid powertrain includes an electrically actuated brake that selectively engages a ring gear attached to a flywheel. The ring gear may be, for example, a starter ring gear. Engagement of the brake while the engine is stopped permits use of both electric machines to provide torque to vehicle wheels, thereby increasing the electric torque capacity of the powertrain. The position of the brake is more space efficient than conventional input shaft brakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Raunak Singh Bindra, Mark Gerard Czapski, Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20200096059Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided. The one-way clutch may include an inner race and an outer race that may be provided with a pocket defining a leading edge and a trailing edge that may define a fluid passage. The one-way clutch may also include a rocker. The rocker may be disposed between the inner and outer races and include first and second ends. The first end may define first cross-sectional area and the second end, and the leading edge may define a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Dengfu ZHANG, Norman Jerry BIRD
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Patent number: 10507718Abstract: A power-split hybrid transmission includes a direction reversing mechanism between the transmission input and a power-splitting planetary gear set. The transmission input is driven by an internal combustion engine. Engaging the direction reversing mechanism to drive the carrier in a direction opposite of engine rotation permits the transaxle to achieve higher output torque in reverse when using predominantly engine power. The direction reversing mechanism may also be used to hold the carrier stationary, providing a torque reaction to propel the vehicle with a generator, thus increasing the output torque in both directions when operating under only battery power.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20190345991Abstract: An electro-magnetically actuated pawl clutch is adapted to establish a fixed overdrive ratio in a powersplit type hybrid gearing arrangement. In a first embodiment, the pawl clutch holds a member against rotation in one direction when engaged and permits rotation in the other direction. In a second embodiment, the pawl clutch prevents relative rotation between two rotatable members in one direction when engaged and permits relative rotation in the other direction. In either embodiment, the coil is stationary.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Jacob Klaser, Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20190031012Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes a permanent magnet rotor which is selectively held against rotation by a one-way-clutch. The one-way-clutch utilizes a pocket plate having a plurality of pawls which engages with an inner race in response to energizing a magnetic coil. The pocket plate is fixed to the rotor shaft and restrains the laminates axially, eliminating the need for one of the end plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Raunak Singh Bindra
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Patent number: 10118624Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter with both a variable pitch stator and a bypass clutch. These are controlled in two modes to maintain a target slip speed. In a first mode, the bypass clutch is fully released and slip is controlled by varying the pitch of the stator blades. In a second mode, the stator is held in the tightest position and slip is controlled by varying the torque capacity of the bypass clutch. The target slip is calculated based on a variety of different input signals depending on what type of vehicle maneuver is being performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Edward Brevick, Steven Anatole Frait, Vincent Patrick LaVoie, Norman Jerry Bird
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Publication number: 20180229596Abstract: A power-split hybrid transmission includes a direction reversing mechanism between the transmission input and a power-splitting planetary gear set. The transmission input is driven by an internal combustion engine. Engaging the direction reversing mechanism to drive the carrier in a direction opposite of engine rotation permits the transaxle to achieve higher output torque in reverse when using predominantly engine power. The direction reversing mechanism may also be used to hold the carrier stationary, providing a torque reaction to propel the vehicle with a generator, thus increasing the output torque in both directions when operating under only battery power.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventor: Norman Jerry Bird
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Patent number: 10036433Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a first shaft driveably connected to a power-plant and having a first pair of sheave disks, and a second shaft having a second pair of sheave disks. A tension member is connected to the first and second pairs of disks such that power is transmittable between the first and second shafts. A third shaft is selectively driveably connected to the second shaft via a clutch. The clutch includes an inner race fixed to one of the second and third shafts, and an outer race fixed to a gear and having an inner surface circumscribing the inner race. At least one pawl is biased to couple the races in a fixed relationship for common rotation. The clutch further includes an electric coil and an armature configured to engage the pawl to decouple the races in response to current being supplied to the electric coil.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Trent, Norman Jerry Bird, Matthew Thomas Trent