Patents by Inventor Steven G. Thomas

Steven G. Thomas 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: 9328779
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes first, second and third clutches, a housing including a first projection to which the first clutch selectively produces a connection, a second projection to which the second and third clutches selectively produce connections, clutch-apply circuits each circuit corresponding to one of the clutches, and a balance volume circuit for supplying fluid to each of the clutches, and a shaft rotatably supporting the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160069398
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes first, second and third clutches, a housing including a first projection to which the first clutch selectively produces a connection, a second projection to which the second and third clutches selectively produce connections, clutch-apply circuits each circuit corresponding to one of the clutches, and a balance volume circuit for supplying fluid to each of the clutches, and a shaft rotatably supporting the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: GREGORY D. GOLESKI, JEFFREY E. MAURER, STEVEN G. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 9273774
    Abstract: A system producing force reactions in a transmission includes a case including front and rear surfaces, a reaction component, a gearset including a ring gear and a sun gear that transmits a forward force to the front surface, a first path for transmitting a rearward force from the ring gear to the rear surface, a second path for transmitting a forward force from the ring gear to the reaction component, and a third path for transmitting a rearward force from the sun gear to the reaction component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Gregory D. Goleski, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9222526
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes first, second and third clutches, a housing including a first projection to which the first clutch selectively produces a connection, a second projection to which the second and third clutches selectively produce connections, clutch-apply circuits each circuit corresponding to one of the clutches, and a balance volume circuit for supplying fluid to each of the clutches, and a shaft rotatably supporting the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9194482
    Abstract: A system for supplying fluid to transmission control elements includes a body producing clutch-apply pressures and a lube source, clutches, each clutch including a servo and a balance volume, a shaft including passages, a support including paths communicating each of the clutch-apply pressures and the lube source to a respective passage, and a clutch hub communicating clutch-apply pressure from each of the passages to a respective servo, and communicating the lube source to the balance volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Patent number: 9188197
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes first, second, third and fourth meshing gear-pinion pairs. The transmission produces a first speed ratio through a power path that includes first and second input shafts, a gear coupler and the first, second and third gear-pinion pairs. The transmission also produces a second speed ratio through a power path that includes the second input shaft, the gear coupler and the second, third and fourth gear-pinion pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9022894
    Abstract: A transmission includes gearsets each including rotating members, a support held against rotation, brake servos located in the support, brakes each actuated by one of the brake servos for producing a connection between the support and a respective gearset member, a housing, clutch servos located in the housing, and clutches each actuated by one of the clutch servos for producing a drive connection between the housing and a respective gearset member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Patent number: 8931611
    Abstract: An assembly of transmission components includes a first shaft including first and second surfaces, and axial cutting-spline teeth on the second surface, a second shaft connected by a press fit to first shaft, and a clutch hub connected by a press fit to the second shaft and engaged with the cutting-spline teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Patent number: 8882635
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle on an uphill incline includes automatically shifting a transmission to first gear, automatically stopping the engine, using wheel torque to maintain a one-way clutch engaged and to hold a transmission component against rotation, preventing vehicle rollback by automatically engaging a target gear and tying-up the transmission automatically restarting the engine, and automatically reengaging first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Davor D. Hrovat, Steven G. Thomas, Alex O. Gibson, Roger L. Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 8851861
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8834033
    Abstract: A bearing includes a first race including first and second segments, forming aligned pairs of first surfaces, spaced angularly about an axis; a second race including second surfaces, each second surface aligned with one of the pairs of first surfaces; balls, each ball contacting the surfaces of the first and second races; and a cage retaining each ball and engaging the first and second segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
  • Patent number: 8834310
    Abstract: An assembly including an input including first, second, third and fourth passages, a shaft surrounding the input, a housing including a hub surrounding the shaft, a first path connecting the first passage to a first servo cylinder, a second path connecting the second passage to a second servo cylinder, a third path connecting the third passage to balance volumes, and a fourth path connecting the fourth passage to a third servo cylinder, bypassing the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140251831
    Abstract: Detecting a leak from a site in a sealed system with a source of pressurized gas which is capable of passing through the site, a composition of matter which adheres to the surfaces of the system and which is capable of showing the presence of the gas escaping from the site. The method includes: injecting gas into the system to a pressure in excess of the surrounding pressure, and covering the external surface with the composition to identify the location of the site by the interaction of the escaping gas with the composition. The composition is foam that includes a surfactant which forms a least one bubble in the presence of escaping gas and an indicator which changes color in the presence of the escaping gas. The leak is an opening down to at least the size of a hole 0.001? in diameter. A gas detector may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Ley, Neal R. Pederson, Steven G. Thoma, Bernie C. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140251046
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes first, second, third and fourth meshing gear-pinion pairs. The transmission produces a first speed ratio through a power path that includes first and second input shafts, a gear coupler and the first, second and third gear-pinion pairs. The transmission also produces a second speed ratio through a power path that includes the second input shaft, the gear coupler and the second, third and fourth gear-pinion pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8763485
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes first, second, third and fourth meshing gear-pinion pairs. The transmission produces a first speed ratio through a power path that includes first and second input shafts, a gear coupler and the first, second and third gear-pinion pairs. The transmission also produces a second speed ratio through a power path that includes the second input shaft, the gear coupler and the second, third and fourth gear-pinion pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8758180
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140119685
    Abstract: A bearing includes a first race including first and second segments, forming aligned pairs of first surfaces, spaced angularly about an axis; a second race including second surfaces, each second surface aligned with one of the pairs of first surfaces; balls, each ball contacting the surfaces of the first and second races; and a cage retaining each ball and engaging the first and second segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Michael Tekletsion Berhan
  • Publication number: 20140110215
    Abstract: An assembly of transmission components includes a first shaft including first and second surfaces, and axial cutting-spline teeth on the second surface, a second shaft connected by a press fit to first shaft, and a clutch hub connected by a press fit to the second shaft and engaged with the cutting-spline teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Publication number: 20140113762
    Abstract: A transmission includes gearsets each including rotating members, a support held against rotation, brake servos located in the support, brakes each actuated by one of the brake servos for producing a connection between the support and a respective gearset member, a housing, clutch servos located in the housing, and clutches each actuated by one of the clutch servos for producing a drive connection between the housing and a respective gearset member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer