Patents by Inventor Thomas E Braford

Thomas E Braford 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: 20090137358
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems is disclosed that has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford
  • Patent number: 7534171
    Abstract: A spline connector is provided which includes a first spline connector member. A second spline connector member is provided having backlash between spline teeth of the spline connector members. A spring is provided which biases the teeth of the spline connector members to engage with one another to counter separation resultant from negative torque oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7497312
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for use in a transmission of a motor vehicle is provided including, a stationary frame, a non-rotating apply piston mounted with the frame, a clutch hub torsionally connected with a portion of a friction pack, a clutch housing torsionally connected with another portion of a friction pack, the housing having a stop for the friction pack, an apply bearing with a first race operatively associated with an apply member and a second race operatively associated with the piston, and a reaction bearing with an outer race operatively associated with the frame and an inner race associated with the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070181397
    Abstract: A synchronizer for first and second drives is provided which includes a first drive having a first fluid passage, a hub affixed with the first drive having a second fluid passage connected with the first fluid passage, a piston mounted on the hub forming a control volume between the piston and the hub, the control volume intersecting the second passage, the piston being responsive to fluid pressure within the control volume, a friction member rotated with the hub being moved by the piston and a friction surface rotating with the second drive member for engagement with the friction member to synchronize the first and second drives together, first teeth rotating with the hub being moved by the piston, and second teeth rotating with said second drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford
  • Patent number: 7246692
    Abstract: A dual clutch mechanism includes an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The input shaft is axially spaced from the first and second output shafts, which can allow for a decreased diameter of the dual clutch mechanism. Axially spacing the input shaft from the first and second output shafts also can allow for an increased diameter of the first and second output shafts without necessitating a corresponding increase in the diameter of the dual clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford
  • Patent number: 7127961
    Abstract: An integrated control module for a dual clutch transmission that includes a valve body having an inlet, a plurality of outlets with a plurality of internal hydraulic passages disposed therebetween, and a hydraulic control assembly mounted to the valve body. The hydraulic control assembly is adapted to operatively control the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the inlet through the plurality of internal hydraulic passages to the plurality of outlets. The hydraulic control assembly includes at least one assembly from a group including, a shift actuation control assembly adapted to actuate the synchronizers of the transmission, a clutch actuation control assembly adapted to allow the selective and independent engagement and disengagement of each clutch, and a clutch cooling fluid control assembly adapted to control the cooling fluid provided to the clutches of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Braford, Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 7121392
    Abstract: A hydraulic double clutch for a transmission with two coaxially arranged input shafts, a driven clutch housing and two hydraulically actuated clutches with friction disks and annular actuating pistons. The first clutch connects the clutch housing to the first input shaft and the second clutch engages/disengages the clutch housing with/from the second input shaft. Both clutches have a common inner disk carrier that penetrates one actuating piston of the actuating pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E Braford, Karl-Heinz Bauer
  • Patent number: 6868949
    Abstract: A start-up clutch assembly (10) for translating torque between a prime mover and a transmission includes a drive member (16) and a clutch pack (30) is supported between the drive (16) and driven members (24). The clutch pack (30) is operable to move between a closed pack mode and an open pack mode to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members (16, 24) to selectively transfer and interrupt torque translation therebetween. A torque apply piston assembly (54) is operable to move between a disengaged position to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members and to provide a constant biasing force so that the clutch pack (30) normally operates in the closed pack mode to translate torque between the drive and driven members (16, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6854580
    Abstract: A torsional damper (10) rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission including a torque input member (12) that is operatively connected for rotation with the power take-off of a prime mover, an output member (14) operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping elements (16) interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members (16) act to translate torque between the input and output members and to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A bypass clutch (40) acts to translate torque directly between the input and output members thereby providing a path for partial torque translation that bypasses the damping elements at low rotational speeds of the input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6840363
    Abstract: A friction device (10, 110) having a drive member (12, 112) and a driven member (14, 114) which define a clutch housing (16, 116) therebetween. A clutch pack (24, 124) is interposed between the drive and driven members and is operable to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A control valve (74, 174) is supported in the clutch housing (16, 116) and is moveable between open and closed positions. The control valve (74, 174) is operable to control the flow of cooling fluid from the source to the clutch pack (24, 124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Braford, Jr., Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040154893
    Abstract: A start-up clutch assembly (10) for translating torque between a prime mover and a transmission includes a drive member (16) and a clutch pack (30) is supported between the drive (16) and driven members (24). The clutch pack (30) is operable to move between a closed pack mode and an open pack mode to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members (16, 24) to selectively transfer and interrupt torque translation therebetween. A torque apply piston assembly (54) is operable to move between a disengaged position to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members and to provide a constant biasing force so that the clutch pack (30) normally operates in the closed pack mode to translate torque between the drive and driven members (16, 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford
  • Publication number: 20040154896
    Abstract: A torsional damper (10) rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission including a torque input member (12) that is operatively connected for rotation with the power take-off of a prime mover, an output member (14) operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping elements (16) interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members (16) act to translate torque between the input and output members and to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A bypass clutch (40) acts to translate torque directly between the input and output members thereby providing a path for partial torque translation that bypasses the damping elements at low rotational speeds of the input and output members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford
  • Publication number: 20040154894
    Abstract: A friction device (10, 110) having a drive member (12, 112) and a driven member (14, 114) which define a clutch housing (16, 116) therebetween. A clutch pack (24, 124) is interposed between the drive and driven members and is operable to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A control valve (74, 174) is supported in the clutch housing (16, 116) and is moveable between open and closed positions. The control valve (74, 174) is operable to control the flow of cooling fluid from the source to the clutch pack (24, 124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas E. Braford, Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6227340
    Abstract: A fluid pressure operated friction coupling comprising a multiple friction disc assembly having a single piston actuator and having first and second springs operatively configured and arranged in response to pressurization of the piston actuator to selectively engage first and second sets plates and friction components for varying the gain of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6213272
    Abstract: A friction device includes nested clutch housings one of which has a preassembled clutch pack therein and a retention surface thereon that hold a clutch packs in place within the other housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6209695
    Abstract: An electronically controlled transmission has microprocessor and a clutch housing including an integrated solenoid controlled valve; the clutch housing including a valve track operatively receiving a valve element connected for operation by the integrated solenoid controlled valve; and a friction disc pack within the clutch housing having a piston actuator pressurized by fluid flow regulated by operation of the integrated solenoid controlled valve in response to electronic control signals from the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6202814
    Abstract: A friction device includes a fixed housing and a driven member which ise rotatable about a common axis. The assembly also includes a friction disc pack operable to connect and disconnect the driven member for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston assembly is supported in the clutch housing and defines an expandable chamber. The piston assembly is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the pack to connect and disconnect the driven member. The pack is disposed within a grounded housing that includes a sealed circumferentially arranged opening defining a coolant chamber for supplying convergent flow cooling to the pack from the OD to the ID thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6155395
    Abstract: A transfer case includes a double overrunning or two-way clutch and torque limited centrifugal cone clutch disposed in mechanical parallel between a primary and secondary output of the transfer case. The double overrunning clutch includes a plurality of rollers disposed between concentrically arranged drive and driven members. The centrifugal cone clutch includes a preload or preset biasing spring which sets a minimal torque throughput, a plurality of weights which adjust the clutch force and thus torque throughput dependent upon the speed and stops which limit motion of the weights and thus determine the maximum clutch compressive force and torque throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.