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).

  • Publication number: 20140110213
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140110209
    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: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8696518
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140090944
    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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Publication number: 20140087910
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Gregory D. Goleski, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Patent number: 8649952
    Abstract: A method for controlling a backing vehicle includes if a back-up sensor indicates that an obstacle is present behind the vehicle and a gear selector is moved to a reverse position, delaying reverse gear engagement and producing a warning signal, and producing a transmission tie-up if brakes are applied insufficiently to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8647225
    Abstract: A motor vehicle powertrain includes a multiple speed transmission including a first lube circuit that supplies hydraulic lubricant to components of the transmission, a first oil sump, and a first pump driveably connected to an engine for supplying oil at a first pressure to the lube circuit, a transfer case including a first output, a second oil sump located in the transfer case, a second pump located in the transfer case and driveably connected to the first output, and a check valve for alternately opening and closing a connection between the first pump and the lube circuit and for opening and closing a connection between the second pump and the lube circuit in response to differential pressure between an outlet of the first pump and an outlet of the second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew D. Hammond, Steven A. Frait, Monica R. DeGraffenreid, Gregory D. Goleski, Chip Hartinger, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Publication number: 20130338892
    Abstract: A method for controlling a backing vehicle includes if a back-up sensor indicates that an obstacle is present behind the vehicle and a gear selector is moved to a reverse position, delaying reverse gear engagement and producing a warning signal, and producing a transmission tie-up if brakes are applied insufficiently to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8545355
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130133478
    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: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Thomas
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8372177
    Abstract: A method to synthesize tungsten nanoparticles has been developed that enables synthesis of nanometer-scale, monodisperse particles that can be stabilized only by tetrahydrofuran. The method can be used at room temperature, is scalable, and the product concentrated by standard means. Since no additives or stabilizing surfactants are required, this method is particularly well suited for producing tungsten nanoparticles for dispersion in polymers. If complete dispersion is achieved due to the size of the nanoparticles, then the optical properties of the polymer can be largely maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Steven G. Thoma, Travis M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120316029
    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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Davor D. Hrovat, Steven G. Thomas, Alex O. Gibson, Roger L. Huffmaster