Patents by Inventor Steven A. Frait

Steven A. Frait 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).

  • Methods and system for operating a driveline
    Patent number: 10876617
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes a dual clutch transmission are described. In one example, clutches of the dual clutch transmission may be cooled via activating and adjusting a flow rate of an electric pump. Further, driveline operating modes may be entered or exited in response to clutch operating conditions so that driveline robustness may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jeffrey Doering, Matthew John Shelton, Steven A. Frait, Walter J. Ortmann
  • Modular hybrid electric vehicle rotor hub
    Patent number: 10731741
    Abstract: A method for forming a rotor hub that includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A DRIVELINE
    Publication number: 20180259058
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes a dual clutch transmission are described. In one example, clutches of the dual clutch transmission may be cooled via activating and adjusting a flow rate of an electric pump. Further, driveline operating modes may be entered or exited in response to clutch operating conditions so that driveline robustness may be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jeffrey Doering, Matthew John Shelton, Steven A. Frait, Walter J. Ortmann
  • MODULAR HYBRID ELEXTRIC VEHICLE ROTOR HUB
    Publication number: 20170122421
    Abstract: A method for forming a rotor hub that includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Pneumatic venting of modular hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9593761
    Abstract: A system for venting a hybrid electric powertrain includes a module defining a first volume containing a clutch and an electric machine, a housing defining a second volume containing an automatic transmission, and lines producing mutual pneumatic connections among the first volume, the second volume and ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick
  • Modular powertrain component for hybrid electric vehicles
    Patent number: 9579965
    Abstract: A powertrain module includes an input, first bulkhead supporting the input for rotation, a hub, an electric machine including a stator connected to the first bulkhead and a rotor connected to the hub, a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the input and the rotor, and a second bulkhead supporting the input for rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Modular hybrid electric vehicle rotor hub
    Patent number: 9581210
    Abstract: A rotor hub includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Modular powertrain component for hybrid electric vehicles
    Patent number: 9421857
    Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter including a casing supported for rotation about an axis, a rotor hub secured to the torque converter casing for rotation about the axis, a leg member secured to and supporting the rotor hub for rotation about the axis, and an electric machine including a rotor secured to the rotor hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Disconnect clutch for modular hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9416826
    Abstract: An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven A. Frait
  • Torsion damper for hybrid electric transmission
    Patent number: 9365103
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, a torsion damper connected to the engine, a torque converter, a housing enclosing a clutch, a motor and gearing, and a drive shell surrounding the torque converter, including an input connected to the damper, an output connected to the clutch, the clutch and the motor located between the torque converter and the gearing, the torsion damper located between the engine and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Motor support for a hybrid electric transmission
    Patent number: 9263924
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a motor of a vehicle powertrain includes a housing, a stator secured to the housing, a bearing having a radial position established by the housing, a member contacting the bearing, and a rotor secured to the member and including a radial outer surface spaced radially from the stator by an air gap established by contact between the bearing and the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Dual drive plate damper for hybrid electric vehicles
    Patent number: 9243672
    Abstract: An assembly includes an engine output concentric with an axis, an input, a starting gear, a first drive plate secured to the engine output, including a rim supporting the starting gear, and arms extending radially outward from the axis, and a second drive plate rotatably secured to the input, and secured to the first drive plate at a location spaced radially outward from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Brevick, Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Torque converter flex plate for hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9243669
    Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis and including a casing, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine, a coupler connected to the rotor hub, and a flex plate coupled for elastic displacement between the coupler and a surface of the casing that faces away from the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Auxiliary oil pump integrated with a vehicle transmission
    Patent number: 9206895
    Abstract: An assembly for an automotive vehicle transmission includes a case containing a fluid sump and valve body, a pump supported on the case, a passage formed in the case for carrying fluid from the pump to a transmission control element, and a second passage formed in the case for carrying fluid from the oil sump to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Laurence A. Deutsch, Senthil Prabhu
  • Shift-by-wire system for actuating a vehicle park brake
    Patent number: 9193336
    Abstract: A vehicle park-brake system includes a park brake, a solenoid; a first pressure source; a servo for disengaging the park-brake using the first pressure source, and for disengaging the park-brake using a force produced by the solenoid that actuates first and second pistons; and a second pressure source applied to the servo causing hydraulic pressure to vent from the servo, the pistons to detach mutually, and the servo to engage the park brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven A. Frait
  • Torque converter having integrated flex plate for hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9157495
    Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine and selectively to an engine through a disconnect clutch, a coupler located between the rotor hub and torque converter, providing a rotational connection and an axial connection between the coupler and the rotor hub, and a flex plate providing second rotational and axial connections between the coupler and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Hydraulic pump configuration for automatic transmission
    Patent number: 9145966
    Abstract: An automatic transmission pump assembly includes a torque converter housing and pinion that rotate about a first axis, an idler engaged with the pinion, a gear engaged with the idler, shaft secured to the gear, and a pump rotor secured to the shaft and that rotates about a second axis offset from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Larry A. Deutsch, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Shift-by-wire actuation of a transmission park brake
    Patent number: 9114790
    Abstract: A transmission park-brake system includes a transmission park brake, a solenoid, first, second and third pressure sources, and a servo valve for disengaging the park-brake using the first and second pressure sources, holding the park-brake disengaged using a force produced by the solenoid and one of the first and second pressure sources, and engaging the park-brake using the third pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Kinch, Steven A. Frait
  • TORQUE CONVERTER HAVING INTEGRATED FLEX PLATE FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150114779
    Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine and selectively to an engine through a disconnect clutch, a coupler located between the rotor hub and torque converter, providing a rotational connection and an axial connection between the coupler and the rotor hub, and a flex plate providing second rotational and axial connections between the coupler and the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux
  • TORQUE CONVERTER FLEX PLATE FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150114780
    Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis and including a casing, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine, a coupler connected to the rotor hub, and a flex plate coupled for elastic displacement between the coupler and a surface of the casing that faces away from the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick, Keith A. Devereaux