Patents by Inventor Rolf Lequis

Rolf Lequis 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).

  • Power split transaxle for producing stepless reverse, forward and geared neutral speed ratios
    Patent number: 7048667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power split drive train that includes a variable speed ratio path and a fixed speed ratio path. An epicyclic gearset, driven at two inputs, one input continually connected to the variable path, combines the power from the fixed path and variable path. A coupler driveably connects one of the gearset inputs alternately to the fixed path and the variable path. With the coupler connecting the fixed path and the gearset input, the speed ratio of the variable speed ratio path varies over a range that produces a stepless range of reverse speed ratios, geared neutral and a stepless range of forward speed ratios. With the coupler connecting the variable path and a gearset input, the speed ratio of the variable speed ratio path varies over a range that produces higher speed ratios in forward drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ernie DeVincent, Rolf Lequis
  • Power split transaxle for producing stepless reverse, forward and geared neural speed ratios
    Publication number: 20050176548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power split drive train that includes a variable speed ratio path and a fixed speed ratio path. An epicyclic gearset, driven at two inputs, one input continually connected to the variable path, combines the power from the fixed path and variable path. A coupler driveably connects one of the gearset inputs alternately to the fixed path and the variable path. With the coupler connecting the fixed path and the gearset input, the speed ratio of the variable speed ratio path varies over a range that produces a stepless range of reverse speed ratios, geared neutral and a stepless range of forward speed ratios. With the coupler connecting the variable path and a gearset input, the speed ratio of the variable speed ratio path varies over a range that produces higher speed ratios in forward drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Ernie DeVincent, Rolf Lequis
  • Change-speed gearbox for motor vehicles with a front mounted transverse drive unit
    Patent number: 5609072
    Abstract: In a change-speed gearbox or motor vehicles with a front molted transverse drive unit comprising a change-speed gearbox in line with an engine and a final drive (10) which is driven by the output gearwheel (9) of the change-speed gearbox and has its main axle mounted in the gearbox housings 1, 2, the final drive (10) is a bevel gear right-angle drive consisting of a crown wheel (11) and a pinion (12) and the crown wheel (11) is arranged on an axle member (13) consisting of the same material as the gearbox housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rolf Lequis, Gerd Adams, Hartmut Deidewig