Patents by Inventor Steven Anatole Frait

Steven Anatole 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).

  • Publication number: 20250123310
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid level in a power unit relies on a neural network model. The model is used to predict lateral acceleration during air ingestion events. These predictions are compared to measured values of lateral acceleration. When the measured values and the predicted values are not well correlated, a controller takes corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Yijing Zhang, Ankit Saini, Benjamin J. Graves, Hossein Gholizadeh, Deepthi Antony, Zhengyu Dai, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Patent number: 12135062
    Abstract: A shaft coupler having first and second spindles adapted to be secured to a first and second output shafts of first and second motors, respectively. A locker ring is assembled to the first spindle, and a locker carrier is assembled to the second spindle. A coil is carried by the locker carrier and switches between an energized state wherein the coil shifts the locker ring to slide into engagement with the second spindle to lock the first and second output shafts together, and a deenergized state wherein a spring biases the locker ring out of engagement with the second spindle to unlock the first and second output shafts from each other. A first set of locking teeth are disengaged from a second set of locking teeth when the coil is deenergized, and are engaged when the coil is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoduan Tang, David Allen Janson, Steven Anatole Frait, Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • Patent number: 12072020
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a valve bore and an annulus. The valve bore is configured to receive a valve. The annulus is in fluid communication with the valve bore. The annulus defines an outer portion having an outer diameter and an innermost portion located at an interface between the valve bore and the valve. The outer portion having a first axial length and the innermost portion having a second axial length. The first axial length is greater than the second axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Ram Sudarsan Devendran, Frank Hanson
  • Publication number: 20240271667
    Abstract: A shaft coupler having first and second spindles adapted to be secured to a first and second output shafts of first and second motors, respectively. A locker ring is assembled to the first spindle, and a locker carrier is assembled to the second spindle. A coil is carried by the locker carrier and switches between an energized state wherein the coil shifts the locker ring to slide into engagement with the second spindle to lock the first and second output shafts together, and a deenergized state wherein a spring biases the locker ring out of engagement with the second spindle to unlock the first and second output shafts from each other. A first set of locking teeth are disengaged from a second set of locking teeth when the coil is deenergized, and are engaged when the coil is energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaoduan TANG, David Allen JANSON, Steven Anatole FRAIT, Gregory Daniel GOLESKI
  • Patent number: 12060898
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of first hydraulic passages, a second hydraulic passage and a plurality of orifices. The second hydraulic passage extending through the unitized valve body and configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of valve bores. Each orifice disposed within the unitized valve body and fluidly connecting the second hydraulic passage to a respective first hydraulic passage of the plurality of first hydraulic passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Patent number: 12044307
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of first hydraulic passages, a second hydraulic passage and a plurality of orifices. The second hydraulic passage extending through the unitized valve body and configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of valve bores. Each orifice disposed within the unitized valve body and fluidly connecting the second hydraulic passage to a respective first hydraulic passage of the plurality of first hydraulic passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Publication number: 20240059274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrically driven transmission fluid pump may be deactivated in response to an engine pull-up request so that a driveline disconnect clutch may provide more consistent torque transfer capacity during closing of the driveline disconnect clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Maruthi Ravichandran, Rajit Johri, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Publication number: 20230243436
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of valve bores and a plurality of hydraulic passages. Each valve bore is configured to receive a valve. The plurality of hydraulic passages are in fluid communication with the valve bores. The plurality of valve bores are arranged above and below the hydraulic passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230184267
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of first hydraulic passages, a second hydraulic passage and a plurality of orifices. The second hydraulic passage extending through the unitized valve body and configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of valve bores. Each orifice disposed within the unitized valve body and fluidly connecting the second hydraulic passage to a respective first hydraulic passage of the plurality of first hydraulic passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230184364
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a valve bore and an annulus. The valve bore is configured to receive a valve. The annulus is in fluid communication with the valve bore. The annulus defines an outer portion having an outer diameter and an innermost portion located at an interface between the valve bore and the valve. The outer portion having a first axial length and the innermost portion having a second axial length. The first axial length is greater than the second axial length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Ram Sudarsan Devendran, Frank Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230184323
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of first hydraulic passages, a second hydraulic passage and a plurality of orifices. The second hydraulic passage extending through the unitized valve body and configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of valve bores. Each orifice disposed within the unitized valve body and fluidly connecting the second hydraulic passage to a respective first hydraulic passage of the plurality of first hydraulic passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Patent number: 11644116
    Abstract: A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of valve bores and a plurality of hydraulic passages. Each valve bore is configured to receive a valve. The plurality of hydraulic passages are in fluid communication with the valve bores and arranged parallel to each other. The plurality of valve bores extend normal to the hydraulic passages and are arranged above and below the hydraulic passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Frank Hanson
  • Patent number: 11015689
    Abstract: A gearbox includes an input gear supported for rotation about an input axis and includes first and second idler gears fixedly coupled to each other and supported for rotation about a transfer axis. The first idler gear is fixedly coupled to the input gear. A planetary gear set is supported for rotation about an output axis of the gearbox and has a first component fixedly coupled to the second idler gear. A differential is supported for rotation about the output axis, co-axial with the planetary gear set, and fixedly coupled to a second component of the planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Isaac Klurfeld, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Patent number: 10953865
    Abstract: An assembly includes a front module housing an electric machine and an engine disconnect clutch, a transmission aft of the front module, a torque converter axially between the front module and the transmission, and a baffle radially between the torque converter and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 10933730
    Abstract: A power split powertrain for a hybrid-electric vehicle powertrain has first and second electric machines disposed on opposite sides of a central support wall having a peripheral edge anchored to a transmission housing and a center region rotatably supporting rotors of the two electric machines on opposite sides of the support wall. A power split gearset is disposed adjacent to the first electric machine such that the first electric machine is between the first support wall and the power split gearset. A brake clutch associated with the second electric machine is mounted to the support wall and the support has a hydraulic feed channel supplying the brake clutch. Resolvers associated with the electric machines are mounted to the support wall and electrical connections with the resolvers are integrated with the support wall. A multi-step transmission assembly receiving torque from the power split gearset is also enclosed by the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, James E. Kearns, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Patent number: 10889158
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a climate control system with an accumulator, and a corresponding method. An example motor vehicle includes a powertrain and a climate control system configured to meet a thermal conditioning demand. The climate control system includes an accumulator and a compressor driven by the powertrain. Further, a controller is in electronic communication with the climate control system, and the controller is configured to selectively command the climate control system to charge the accumulator when an amount of energy available to the compressor from the powertrain is in excess of an amount of energy required to meet the thermal conditioning demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ram Sudarsan Devendran, John Edward Brevick, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Publication number: 20200406738
    Abstract: A power split powertrain for a hybrid-electric vehicle powertrain has first and second electric machines disposed on opposite sides of a central support wall having a peripheral edge anchored to a transmission housing and a center region rotatably supporting rotors of the two electric machines on opposite sides of the support wall. A power split gearset is disposed adjacent to the first electric machine such that the first electric machine is between the first support wall and the power split gearset. A brake clutch associated with the second electric machine is mounted to the support wall and the support has a hydraulic feed channel supplying the brake clutch. Resolvers associated with the electric machines are mounted to the support wall and electrical connections with the resolvers are integrated with the support wall. A multi-step transmission assembly receiving torque from the power split gearset is also enclosed by the transmission housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, James E. Kearns, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Patent number: 10780876
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include an accumulator, a pump, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to braking of the vehicle, close a line pressure regulator to isolate the accumulator and pump from a transmission pressure line demand, and operate the pump to charge the accumulator without satisfying any of the demand, and responsive to a tip-in event, open the line pressure regulator and operate the accumulator and pump to satisfy the demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ram Sudarsan Devendran, John Edward Brevick, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Publication number: 20200263770
    Abstract: A gearbox includes an input gear supported for rotation about an input axis and includes first and second idler gears fixedly coupled to each other and supported for rotation about a transfer axis. The first idler gear is fixedly coupled to the input gear. A planetary gear set is supported for rotation about an output axis of the gearbox and has a first component fixedly coupled to the second idler gear. A differential is supported for rotation about the output axis, co-axial with the planetary gear set, and fixedly coupled to a second component of the planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Isaac KLURFELD, Steven Anatole FRAIT
  • Patent number: 10737679
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for entering into a parked state in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a dual clutch transmission. In one example, a driveline operating method comprises in response to a first condition, engaging a first gear and engaging a second gear of a dual clutch transmission in response to a request to enter a vehicle park state where an output of a transmission is held from rotating, and in response to a second condition, engaging a third gear and engaging a fourth gear of a dual clutch transmission in response to a request to enter a vehicle park state. In this way, a park state may be entered into without the use of a park pawl, which may reduce costs associated with the vehicle and which may prevent issues associated with degradation of the park pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Anatole Frait