Patents by Inventor Ricardo Humberto Espinosa

Ricardo Humberto Espinosa 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).

  • Electro-mechanical one-way-clutch and method of operation
    Patent number: 9546729
    Abstract: A transmission utilizes an electro-magnetically actuated selectable one-way-clutch. The one-way-clutch prevents rotation of a transmission member in both directions when a current exceeds a threshold and permits rotation in only one direction otherwise. To prevent un-intended engagement, a switch interrupts the current unless a second current exceeds a threshold. In order to engage the one-way-clutch, both currents are set above their respective thresholds by a controller. In the event of a single fault such as a short circuit, the system continues to function normally. The controller may periodically test for a fault by intentionally setting one current above its threshold and the other below its threshold and determining the state of the one-way-clutch by measuring speeds of transmission elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ricardo Humberto Espinosa
  • Electro-Mechanical One-Way-Clutch and Method of Operation
    Publication number: 20160356377
    Abstract: A transmission utilizes an electro-magnetically actuated selectable one-way-clutch. The one-way-clutch prevents rotation of a transmission member in both directions when a current exceeds a threshold and permits rotation in only one direction otherwise. To prevent un-intended engagement, a switch interrupts the current unless a second current exceeds a threshold. In order to engage the one-way-clutch, both currents are set above their respective thresholds by a controller. In the event of a single fault such as a short circuit, the system continues to function normally. The controller may periodically test for a fault by intentionally setting one current above its threshold and the other below its threshold and determining the state of the one-way-clutch by measuring speeds of transmission elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Norman Jerry Bird, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ricardo Humberto Espinosa