Patents by Inventor Romas B. Spokas

Romas B. Spokas 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: 5470285
    Abstract: A compact arrangement for a continuously variable transmission and power train system is provided to be used in rear wheel drive vehicles. In one arrangement, the input shaft is in-line with the output shaft. In this arrangement, the input shaft, having a hydraulic pump, is connected to an engine by a torque converter. A first transfer gear assembly transfers power from the input shaft to the adjustable input pulley of a continuously variable transmission assembly. The adjustable input pulley transfers power to an adjustable output pulley through a belt. A second transfer gear assembly transfers power from the adjustable output pulley to an output shaft in-line with the input shaft. A forward and reverse gear system having a compound planetary gear set and clutch on the output shaft provides forward, neutral, and reverse gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Schneider, Stanley K. Dembosky, Donn K. Fairbank, Romas B. Spokas, Bradley L. Keeney
  • Patent number: 5122099
    Abstract: A planetary friction roller drive (30, 66, 84, 26) adapted particularly for use in driving automotive accessories such as an alternator wherein provision is made for delivering engine torque to the ring roller element (26) of the planetary friction drive and for connecting drivably the sun roller element (30) of the friction drive to a driven accessory such as an alternator and wherein a torque flow path characterized by two speed ratios is effected by a compound planetary carrier assembly (50) as a preload at the friction drive contact locations between the planetary rollers (66, 84) and the ring roller element (30) and between the planetary rollers (66, 84) and the sun roller element (30) of the planetary assembly is established by a preload spring (134) actng in a tangential direction, the reaction torque for the planetary friction drive being established by a selectively engageable brake (136) acting on the sun roller element (30) thus effecting a ratio transition from unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Boedo, Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4947700
    Abstract: This invention relates to a unique transmission system for applying torque from an engine flywheel to the drive train of an automotive vehicle including a long travel viscous damped torsional damper driven by the flywheel and coupled to a continuously variable transmission which in turn is coupled to a wet drive clutch, the output of which is connected to an output counter shaft for the automotive drive train. An important part of the unique combination is the long travel viscous damped torsional damper of the invention which includes an enclosed, effectively sealed housing contains input and output members coupled through a plurality of series parallel spring sets and immersed in a viscous medium to provide effective viscous damping matched to the effective spring rate of the mechanical damping system to accommodate both transient and steady-state vibrational torques. The damper is especially useful with the continuously variable transmission but is useful in other applications as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kern, Donald E. Freyburger, Karl F. Schneider, Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4674609
    Abstract: The transmission of torsional vibrations from a rotating driving shaft, at the output of an internal combustion engine, to a driven shaft, at the input of a manual transmission, are reduced or eliminated by employing a normally-engaged, oil-cooled wet clutch to interconnect the two shafts, the clutch being controlled to introduce a desired amount of slippage. Slipping the wet clutch to a relatively small extent allows the necessary torque to be transmitted, but any torque fluctuations in the driving shaft will be effectively absorbed and prevented from causing torsional vibrations in the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Fred D. Sturges, Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4489680
    Abstract: The operating temperature of an internal combustion engine is maintained within desired limits by employing a single coolant temperature sensor for controlling and coordinating the operation of three different temperature control devices for the engine coolant. When the sensed coolant temperature is in a relatively low range a flow control valve controls the amount of coolant diverted from the engine jacket to a radiator to dissipate heat absorbed by the coolant from the engine. If the coolant temperature exceeds that low range, even though the control valve is fully open and all of the coolant is circulated through the radiator, the sensor then effects the opening of radiator shutters to cause ram air to impinge on the radiator to increase the cooling of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Romas B. Spokas, Fred D. Sturges
  • Patent number: 4474082
    Abstract: A control system for a power shifted transmission includes an electrical signal processing system, incorporating a digital processor, which provides output signals to regulate operation of the directional clutch and the range clutches through a plurality of spool valves. A hydraulic stabilizer is connected to a common line supplying the directional clutch, to provide a predetermined amount of fluid with each change in direction, with the remainder of the fluid being provided through a forward-reverse modulating valve. A neutral bleed valve is connected to reduce the measured amount of fluid in the stabilizer when the clutch is being shifted from the neutral position, instead of a full directional change. To improve range shifts, the directional clutch is slipped while the range change is made, and the directional clutch is then re-applied. A horsepower indicator provides the vehicle operator with an instantaneous indication of the vehicle operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Romas B. Spokas, Fred D. Sturges, Alan L. Miller, Robert A. Fox
  • Patent number: 4238017
    Abstract: A temperature responsive drive mechanism for an engine accessory adapted to be connected to the oil pressure supply line for an engine and including a fluid circuit which is temperature responsive and requires only two fluid passages to provide for lubrication of the device, return of fluid to the oil sump, and the actuating pressure supply for the clutch mechanism included in the device. A rotatable driven housing is provided including therein a rotatable driving clutch drum and a non-rotating actuator mechanism adapted to move the drum into engagement with a complimentary surface on the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4142619
    Abstract: A dump valve mechanism for a wet clutch wherein the clutch includes a plurality of friction elements supplied with lubricating and cooling oil when the clutch is engaged and including a fluid pumping means as a part of a release mechanism, the release mechanism being axially movable to a position engaging a brake for a transmission input shaft. The dump valve is defined by a pair of annular surfaces which are opened and separated when the brake is engaged due to relative movement between parts of the release mechanism to divert the lubricant and cooling fluid from the clutch discs as the brake is applied to prevent viscous drag from providing unwanted drive between the friction elements when the clutch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Romas B. Spokas
  • Patent number: 4086995
    Abstract: An improved arrangement of locking apparatus for securing the fulcrum ring of a clutch in adjusted position includes a rotatable cam operable from a readily accessible location for forcing a locking bar radially into engagement with a slotted fulcrum ring; a wedge shaped nose on the locking bar is preferred for taking up clearance between the bar and slot in order to eliminate hammering or chucking; the nose of the locking bar may have compound inclination for exerting wedging action both radially and parallel to the axis; the wedging and securing of the locking bar is facilitated by the provision of coaxial hexagonal drive lugs adapted for engagement by wrenches. In addition, an improved interlocking drive connection is provided between the finger of a belleville spring and a release sleeve assuring that the sleeve rotates with the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Romas B. Spokas