Patents by Inventor Steven Gerald Thomas
Steven Gerald 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).
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Patent number: 10132404Abstract: A transmission includes a simple planetary gear set and several clutches. A first clutch selectively couples the carrier of the planetary gear set to a first shell. The housing of the first clutch is integrated with the planetary carrier. A piston return spring extends axially to occupy space between the planet gears. A second and third clutch share a common housing that is fixedly coupled to the ring gear. The second clutch selectively couples the ring gear to the sun gear. The third clutch selectively couples the ring gear to a second shell. The planetary gear set is axially located between the two clutch housings.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Patent number: 9945428Abstract: A transmission utilizes a three clutch module. The clutch module may be pre-assembled before it is assembled into the transmission. All three clutch packs are splined to a common shell at their outer diameter. One of the clutch pistons passes through openings in the clutch pack of one of the other clutches. The common shell is fixedly coupled to a hollow shaft through which the transmission input shaft protrudes. Pressurized fluid to engage the three clutches is routed through axial passageways in the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas, Jeffrey Edward Maurer
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Patent number: 9512901Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six elements. Two of the arrangements feature planetary gear sets that are separated radially and are particularly suited to applications that require reduced axial length.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Patent number: 9435404Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces nine forward and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of various combinations of three clutches or brakes. Each transmission gearing arrangement includes a front shiftable gearing arrangement configured to establish a variety of speed ratios between an intermediate shaft and an input shaft. These speed ratios include a reverse speed ratio, a zero speed ratio, two underdrive ratios, and a direct ratio. Each transmission also includes a rear shiftable gearing arrangement configured to selectively establish particular speed relationships among the input shaft, the intermediate shaft, and an output shaft. Engagement of a clutch in the rear shiftable gearing arrangement establishes an underdrive ratio between the output shaft and the intermediate shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Publication number: 20150316128Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six elements. Two of the arrangements feature planetary gear sets that are separated radially and are particularly suited to applications that require reduced axial length.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Patent number: 9151364Abstract: A family of transmissions has four planetary gear sets, five controllable clutches and brake, and a passive one way brake. Selective engagement of the brakes and clutches in combinations of three produces eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The passive one way brake is engaged in the first forward speed ratio and overruns in the second through fifth forward speed ratios.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Patent number: 9127755Abstract: A multiple clutch module for an automatic transmission integrates at least two multi-plate wet clutches into a single module. Each of the clutches includes a set of separator plates interleaved with at least one friction plate and a piston configured to compress the separators plates and friction plates. The separator plates of the first clutch are splined to a housing along their inner diameter whereas the separator plates of the second clutch are splined to the housing along their outer diameter. Each piston is associated with an apply chamber and a balance chamber radially inside the respective separator plates and friction plates. The housing rotates about a central shaft. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the clutches from the shaft. The first and second balance chambers are connected by a passageway within the housing such that they can be supplied with fluid from a common orifice in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Patent number: 9109668Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six elements. Two of the arrangements feature planetary gear sets that are separated radially and are particularly suited to applications that require reduced axial length.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Patent number: 9086126Abstract: The disconnect clutch and motor of a parallel type hybrid electric vehicle are repositioned within the wet zone of an automatic transmission to compactly and efficiently reconfigure a drive line using a motor and transmission assembly. A drive shell is provided interposed between the engine output and the disconnect clutch input which surrounds the torque converter enabling the torque converter to move independent to the engine output shaft. The resulting structure is compact and provides good structural support and cooling for the disconnect clutch and motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Patent number: 9073504Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
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Patent number: 9068630Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three couplers in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six couplers. Three of the couplers may be brakes. Three of the couplers may selectively couple planetary elements to the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Patent number: 8919520Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eli Avny, Matthew John Shelton, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Patent number: 8920280Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about an input axis while two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about a second axis. Power is transferred from the input axis to the second axis by two pairs of axis transfer gears. The output element is located on the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Publication number: 20140378265Abstract: A transmission includes a simple planetary gear set and several clutches. A first clutch selectively couples the carrier of the planetary gear set to a first shell. The housing of the first clutch is integrated with the planetary carrier. A piston return spring extends axially to occupy space between the planet gears. A second and third clutch share a common housing that is fixedly coupled to the ring gear. The second clutch selectively couples the ring gear to the sun gear. The third clutch selectively couples the ring gear to a second shell. The planetary gear set is axially located between the two clutch housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Publication number: 20140371024Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about an input axis while two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about a second axis. Power is transferred from the input axis to the second axis by two pairs of axis transfer gears. The output element is located on the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Publication number: 20140371027Abstract: A multiple clutch module for an automatic transmission integrates at least two multi-plate wet clutches into a single module. Each of the clutches includes a set of separator plates interleaved with at least one friction plate and a piston configured to compress the separators plates and friction plates. The separator plates of the first clutch are splined to a housing along their inner diameter whereas the separator plates of the second clutch are splined to the housing along their outer diameter. Each piston is associated with an apply chamber and a balance chamber radially inside the respective separator plates and friction plates. The housing rotates about a central shaft. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the clutches from the shaft. The first and second balance chambers are connected by a passageway within the housing such that they can be supplied with fluid from a common orifice in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Steven Gerald Thomas
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Publication number: 20140335993Abstract: A family of transmissions has four planetary gear sets, five controllable clutches and brake, and a passive one way brake. Selective engagement of the brakes and clutches in combinations of three produces eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The passive one way brake is engaged in the first forward speed ratio and overruns in the second through fifth forward speed ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: GREGORY DANIEL GOLESKI, STEVEN GERALD THOMAS, REID ALAN BALDWIN
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Publication number: 20140277973Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
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Patent number: 8834313Abstract: A family of transmissions has four planetary gear sets, five controllable clutches and brake, and a passive one way brake. Selective engagement of the brakes and clutches in combinations of three produces eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The passive one way brake is engaged in the first forward speed ratio and overruns in the second through fifth forward speed ratios.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
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Publication number: 20140221148Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six elements. Two of the arrangements feature planetary gear sets that are separated radially and are particularly suited to applications that require reduced axial length.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin