Patents by Inventor Ralph S. Walker

Ralph S. Walker 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: 9631681
    Abstract: A gear mechanism for motor vehicles includes a double clutch gear mechanism with two part gear mechanisms and a double clutch which transmits torque from the engine optionally to one of the two part gear mechanisms, with a central disk connected to a drive disk, two outer pressure application plates which are also connected to the drive disk and are moveable in the axial direction relative to the central disk, and friction disks arranged between the central disk and the pressure application plates, wherein the friction disks consist of two support carrier disks arranged parallel to each other and moveably in relation to each other, between which leaf-like spring segments are provided. To eliminate vibration problems which can occur on start-up from standstill, on load-change processes and during the gear change, the leaf-like spring segments have different spring characteristic curves with which a multistage spring characteristic is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Walker, Andreas Tissot, Shawn A. Holland, Johann Kirchhoffer
  • Publication number: 20140048372
    Abstract: A gear mechanism for motor vehicles includes a double clutch gear mechanism with two part gear mechanisms and a double clutch which transmits torque from the engine optionally to one of the two part gear mechanisms, with a central disk connected to a drive disk, two outer pressure application plates which are also connected to the drive disk and are moveable in the axial direction relative to the central disk, and friction disks arranged between the central disk and the pressure application plates, wherein the friction disks consist of two support carrier disks arranged parallel to each other and moveably in relation to each other, between which leaf-like spring segments are provided. To eliminate vibration problems which can occur on start-up from standstill, on load-change processes and during the gear change, the leaf-like spring segments have different spring characteristic curves with which a multistage spring characteristic is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Walker, Andreas Tissot, Shawn A. Holland, Johann Kirchhoffer
  • Patent number: 8308609
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power-off downshift in a powershift transmission includes disengaging the current gear, synchronizing engine speed and a speed of the target gear layshaft by increasing a torque capacity of the target gear clutch, disengaging the clutch, engaging the target gear, and reengaging the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn A. Holland, Ralph S. Walker, George Herr, Jeffrey J. Tumavitch, Bradley D. Riedle, Steven C. Meisner, Hong Jiang, Matthew J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 8292785
    Abstract: A method for controlling a torque direction transition in a dual clutch transmission includes decreasing a torque capacity of a transmission input clutch when clutch slip reaches a target slip during a power-off condition, producing a subsequent power-on condition, and increasing torque capacity of said clutch when clutch slip reaches a second target slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Walker, Shawn A. Holland, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Publication number: 20110306464
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power-off downshift in a powershift transmission includes disengaging the current gear, synchronizing engine speed and a speed of the target gear layshaft by increasing a torque capacity of the target gear clutch, disengaging the clutch, engaging the target gear, and reengaging the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn A. Holland, Ralph S. Walker, George Herr, Jeffrey J. Tumavitch, Bradley D. Riedle, Steven C. Meisner, Hong Jiang, Matthew J. Shelton
  • Publication number: 20110300991
    Abstract: A method for controlling a torque direction transition in a dual clutch transmission includes decreasing a torque capacity of a transmission input clutch when clutch slip reaches a target slip during a power-off condition, producing a subsequent power-on condition, and increasing torque capacity of said clutch when clutch slip reaches a second target slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Walker, Shawn A. Holland, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle
  • Patent number: 4407280
    Abstract: A disposable hood of unitary one-piece construction for maintaining a desired gas atmosphere about the head of a patient incorporates a novel attachment means for connecting a flexible conduit or hose to the hood. The hood itself is a generally bubble-shaped chamber molded of a transparent material with the top and sidewalls being joined in arcuate contours so that there are no sharp corners. Flat extension means extend from the bottom of the hood so as to lie flatwise on the bed, and an arcuate ballast member is adapted to fit closely around the hood and on the flat extension means to hold the hood in position on the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Inventors: W. Edgar Trammell, James E. Young, James R. Chidester, Ralph S. Walker
  • Patent number: 4337770
    Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. A cylindrical, hollow extension extends from the outlet means coaxially within and to about the midsection of the flexible conduit. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventors: James E. Young, Ralph S. Walker, James R. Chidester
  • Patent number: 4278083
    Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. A cylindrical, hollow extension extends from the outlet means coaxially within and to about the midsection of the flexible conduit. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventors: James E. Young, Ralph S. Walker, James R. Chidester
  • Patent number: 4192303
    Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released. A second passage in the control member connects the inlet and outlet means, and in combination with flow restriction means therein, provides the continuous, regulated flow of fluid to the catheter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Inventors: James E. Young, Ralph S. Walker
  • Patent number: D273612
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventors: Wallace E. Trammell, James E. Young, James R. Chidester, Ralph S. Walker