Patents by Inventor Steven Frait

Steven 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).

  • MODULAR POWERTRAIN COMPONENT FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130192946
    Abstract: A powertrain module includes an input, a 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, a servo for actuating the clutch and supported on the input, and a second bulkhead supporting the hub for rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • POWERTRAIN HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130192949
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle powertrain includes a module including a clutch, an electric machine and a first sump, a transmission including a line pressure source and a second sump, and a pump that supplies fluid from the first sump to the line pressure source when the source of line pressure is unavailable, and supplies fluid from the first sump to the second sump when fluid volume in the second sump is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • MODULAR POWERTRAIN COMPONENT FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130192945
    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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • MODULAR POWERTRAIN COMPONENT FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130192947
    Abstract: A powertrain module includes an input, a bulkhead supporting the input, a rotor support, a torque converter casing driveably connected to the rotor support, an electric machine including a stator supported on the bulkhead and a rotor connected to the rotor support, a clutch hub driveably connected to the input, and a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the clutch hub and the rotor support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Transmission having a low launch gear
    Patent number: 8474343
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a pinion secured to an input shaft, a gear meshing with the pinion, an idler secured to the gear, a reverse gear meshing with the idler and secured to a second idler, a low gear supported on a layshaft and meshing with the second idler, and a coupler connecting the low gear to the layshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Steven A. Frait, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Transmission having a low launch gear
    Patent number: 8474342
    Abstract: Gearing for a vehicle transmission includes meshing forward gears and an idler, a reverse gear engaging the idler, a low gear engaging the reverse gear, a final drive, and a low gear drive path including the idler, the forward, reverse and low gears and the final drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Steven A. Frait, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • MOTOR SUPPORT FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20130088109
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • SUPPORT FOR A STATOR OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20130088105
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a motor of a vehicle powertrain includes a casing covering transmission gearing including an opening and a mounting surface surrounding the opening, a stator secured to the casing, including a reference surface spaced from an axis, and a terminal assembly seated on the mounting surface and secured to the casing, including a terminal electrically connected to the stator through a current conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • TORSION DAMPER FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20130086897
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20130086798
    Abstract: A method for assembling a powertrain includes installing transmission gearing and an input shaft in a housing, installing a bearing in a pump housing and securing the pump housing to a pump plate, piloting on the housing the pump plate into position, seating a stator shaft on the pump housing over the input shaft, and installing over the stator shaft a rotor shaft, a rotor hub engaging the bearing and a clutch hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20130087225
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a vehicle powertrain includes a first line for carrying fluid to a torque converter, a second line for carrying fluid from the torque converter, a third line for carrying fluid to a balance dam and an electric motor, and a fourth line for supplying actuating pressure to a clutch, said lines being coaxial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Power transfer unit drive disconnect system
    Patent number: 8376887
    Abstract: A drive system includes a rotating power source, a planetary differential including a ring gear engaged with the power source, a sun gear secured to a first shaft and a carrier secured to a second shaft, a member secured to an output shaft, and a coupler alternately connecting and disconnecting the member and the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew D. Hammond, Laurence A. Deutsch, Steven A. Frait
  • HYDRAULIC CONTROLS FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20120216883
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission fluid circuit includes a lube circuit, a source of control pressure, a first valve for engaging and disengaging a control element whose engagement produces desired forward gears, and a control valve, responsive to control pressure, that alternately connects the lube circuit to a sump and disconnects fluid feed to the first valve, and disconnects the lube circuit from the sump and feeds fluid to the first valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven A. Frait
  • MOTOR-PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY
    Publication number: 20120219435
    Abstract: A pumping system for an automatic transmission includes a valve body containing transmission fluid having an upper level, a hydraulic pump mounted on a wall of the valve body, and an electric motor driveably connected to the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven A. Frait
  • Carrying Fluid to Balance Dams in a Servo Piston Support
    Publication number: 20120217119
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a clutch support formed with first and second cylinders, spaced mutually and spaced from a longitudinal axis, first and second balance volumes, and a passage formed in the support for carrying fluid from a fluid source into the balance volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Steven A. Frait
  • Hydraulic Control for Powershift Transmission
    Publication number: 20120079905
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using signals of first solenoids to control first and second clutches, servos of first gears and servos of second gears, using signals of a second solenoid to establish a flow rate to cool the clutches and to actuate the servo that is associated with a selected gear, and using signals of a third solenoid to direct the flow rate to one of the clutches and to engage the selected gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Auxiliary Oil Pump Integrated with a Vehicle Transmission
    Publication number: 20120011961
    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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Laurence A. Deutsch, Senthil Prabhu
  • Power Transfer Unit Drive Disconnect System
    Publication number: 20120015770
    Abstract: A drive system includes a rotating power source, a planetary differential including a ring gear engaged with the power source, a sun gear secured to a first shaft and a carrier secured to a second shaft, a member secured to an output shaft, and a coupler alternately connecting and disconnecting the member and the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew D. Hammond, Laurence A. Deutsch, Steven A. Frait
  • Transmission Having a Low Launch Gear
    Publication number: 20110314962
    Abstract: Gearing for a vehicle transmission includes meshing forward gears and an idler, a reverse gear engaging the idler, a low gear engaging the reverse gear, a final drive, and a low gear drive path including the idler, the forward, reverse and low gears and the final drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Steven A. Frait, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Variable Gain of a Transmission Control Element
    Publication number: 20110319226
    Abstract: A multiple gain producing device includes a control element having variable torque capacity, a source of control pressure, and a spring applying to the control element a first force due to said pressure and a variable second force opposing the control pressure, producing a first gain when control pressure is relatively low, and a second gain greater than the first gain when control pressure is relatively high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Brevick, Steven G. Thomas, Steven A. Frait