Patents by Inventor Reid A. Baldwin

Reid A. Baldwin 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: 8795129
    Abstract: A transmission includes epicyclic gearing including first, second, third and fourth gearsets, each gearset including first, second and third members; a first member of the first gearset and a first member of the second gearset being secured against rotation; and clutches, each clutch selectively opening and closing a drive connection between members of the gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130324349
    Abstract: A power transmission includes an input; an output; a first gearset including an output having a lower speed than a speed of the input; a second gearset having first, second, and third rotating elements; a second gearset having fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rotating elements; four clutches; and two brakes. The brakes and clutches are engaged in combinations of three to produce up to eleven forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald W. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8591377
    Abstract: A power transmission includes an input; an output; a first gearset including an output having a lower speed than a speed of the input; a second gearset having first, second, and third rotating elements; a second gearset having fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rotating elements; four clutches; and two brakes. The brakes and clutches are engaged in combinations of three to produce up to eleven forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8475317
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a first power path wherein an engine drives an accessory and a starter-alternator at relatively low speed, a second power path wherein the engine drives the accessory and a starter-alternator at relatively high speed, a third power path wherein the starter-alternator drives the accessory while the engine is off, and a fourth power path wherein the starter-alternator cranks the engine before an engine restart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, John E. Brevick, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130035193
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a first power path wherein an engine drives an accessory and a starter-alternator at relatively low speed, a second power path wherein the engine drives the accessory and a starter-alternator at relatively high speed, a third power path wherein the starter-alternator drives the accessory while the engine is off, and a fourth power path wherein the starter-alternator cranks the engine before an engine restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, John E. Brevick, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20120309580
    Abstract: A transmission includes epicyclic gearing including first, second, third and fourth gearsets, each gearset including first, second and third members; a first member of the first gearset and a first member of the second gearset being secured against rotation; and clutches, each clutch selectively opening and closing a drive connection between members of the gearsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7779714
    Abstract: A method for launching a vehicle having an engine shaft, first and second transmission input shafts, first and second input clutches, a coupler, a power path, and an output, the method including engaging the coupler to connect the first input shaft and the first output shaft through the power path, engaging the second input clutch to connect the engine shaft and the second input shaft mutually, using a speed of the second input shaft to determine a desired clutch torque capacity of the first input clutch, and actuating the first input clutch to produce the desired clutch torque capacity of the first input clutch and to complete a drive connection between the first input shaft and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7686730
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input and output; a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets, each gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and pinions supported on the carrier and meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear; a first epicyclic gearing assembly including the first gear set, the second gear set, a first clutch, a first brake, a second brake, and first, second, third and fourth rotating members, said first clutch being operable to couple said first rotating member to the input, said first brake being operable to hold said fourth rotating member against rotation, and said second brake being operable to hold said second rotating member against rotation; and a second epicyclic gearing assembly including the third gear set, the fourth gear set, a second clutch, a third clutch, a third brake, and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotating members, the third rotating member being secured to the eighth rotating member, said second control clutch being operable to coupl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7597020
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifts in a multiple speed power transmission for a vehicle that includes a first clutch for transmitting power through a first power path producing a reverse gear, and a second clutch for transmitting power through a second power path producing a forward gear. The method includes selecting a reverse range in which the transmission is to operate, preparing the transmission to transmit power alternately through the first power path and second power path; engaging the first clutch and transmitting power through the first power path in the reverse gear, selecting a forward range in which the transmission is to operate, disengaging the first clutch and engaging the second clutch, and transmitting power through the second power path in the forward gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7537534
    Abstract: A system for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an engine or another prime mover, a transmission for transmitting rotary power to and from the engine, an electric machine, a clutch driveably connected to an output of the transmission; and a gearset driveably connected to the electric machine, the transmission output and the clutch, for transmitting rotary power between the electric machine and at least one of the transmission output and the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20090118088
    Abstract: A method for launching a vehicle having an engine shaft, first and second transmission input shafts, first and second input clutches, a coupler, a power path, and an output, the method including engaging the coupler to connect the first input shaft and the first output shaft through the power path, engaging the second input clutch to connect the engine shaft and the second input shaft mutually, using a speed of the second input shaft to determine a desired clutch torque capacity of the first input clutch, and actuating the first input clutch to produce the desired clutch torque capacity of the first input clutch and to complete a drive connection between the first input shaft and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7469609
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission includes an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches for releasably coupling the input to the input shafts, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20080113844
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input and output; a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets, each gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and pinions supported on the carrier and meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear; a first epicyclic gearing assembly including the first gear set, the second gear set, a first clutch, a first brake, a second brake, and first, second, third and fourth rotating members, said first clutch being operable to couple said first rotating member to the input, said first brake being operable to hold said fourth rotating member against rotation, and said second brake being operable to hold said second rotating member against rotation; and a second epicyclic gearing assembly including the third gear set, the fourth gear set, a second clutch, a third clutch, a third brake, and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotating members, the third rotating member being secured to the eighth rotating member, said second control clutch being operable to coupl
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20080000311
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission includes an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches for releasably coupling the input to the input shafts, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: RE43259
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for an automotive vehicle includes an input and an output, a planetary gear system comprising first, second and third planetary gear units, each gear unit including a sun gear, a ring gear, planet pinions meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, and a carrier rotatably supporting the planet pinions. A forward clutch releasably connects the carrier of the second gear unit and the carrier of the third gear unit. A second clutch releasably connects the carrier of the first gear unit to the ring gear of the second gear unit. A third clutch releasably connects the ring gear of the third gear unit to the carrier of the second gear unit. First brake releasably holds the carrier of the third gear unit against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Reid A. Baldwin