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).
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Patent number: 8795129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20130324349Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Donald W. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 8591377Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 8475317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David A. Janson, John E. Brevick, Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20130035193Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David A. Janson, John E. Brevick, Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20120309580Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7779714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7686730Abstract: 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 couplType: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7597020Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7537534Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David A. Janson, Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20090118088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7469609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20080113844Abstract: 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 couplType: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20080000311Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
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Patent number: RE43259Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David A. Janson, Reid A. Baldwin