Patents by Inventor Thomas Wilkins
Thomas Wilkins 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: 10295044Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marc Thomas Wilkins, Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Brian Christian Orr, Andrew Brian Lovatt, William David Guarino
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Patent number: 10132400Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine having a first locking feature defining first mating surfaces, and a differential coupled to a transfer case via a driveshaft. The differential includes a second locking feature defining second mating surfaces. The first and second locking features are engaged such that the first and second mating surfaces are disposed against each other connecting the engine and the differential. A fastener is disposed within the engine and the differential.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Darren Sipila, Mathew Leonard Hintzen, Charles Raymond Kvasnicka, Charles Krysztof, David Krenk, Marc Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 10047800Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Marc Thomas Wilkins
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Publication number: 20180100574Abstract: A powertrain includes a transmission case, a transfer case, a front axle housing, and a webbed brace. The transfer case and front axle housing are directly fastened to the transmission case. The webbed brace is directly fastened to the transmission case, the transfer case, and the front axle housing to form a powerplant system. The webbed brace is configured such that a bending frequency of the powerplant system falls within a predefined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Marc Thomas WILKINS, Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Brian Christian ORR, Andrew Brian LOVATT, William David GUARINO
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Patent number: 9810311Abstract: A vehicle axle includes a housing defining a sump, a gear assembly and a baffle. The gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the housing. The ring gear is configured to pump fluid throughout the housing. A pinion gear is meshed with the ring gear. The baffle is disposed within the sump and connected to the housing. The baffle has a first part being configured to control fluid flow across the ring gear and a second part attached to the first part. The second part is configured to control fluid flow across the pinion gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Michael Carter, Mark Steward, Marc Thomas Wilkins
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Publication number: 20170276181Abstract: A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Chris Peter NICHOLAS, Anthony PASKUS, Marc Thomas WILKINS
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Publication number: 20170204961Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle powertrain includes an engine having a first locking feature defining first mating surfaces, and a differential coupled to a transfer case via a driveshaft. The differential includes a second locking feature defining second mating surfaces. The first and second locking features are engaged such that the first and second mating surfaces are disposed against each other connecting the engine and the differential. A fastener is disposed within the engine and the differential.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Darren Sipila, Mathew Leonard Hintzen, Charles Raymond Kvasnicka, Charles Krysztof, David Krenk, Marc Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 8272780Abstract: A system for testing electrical devices under varying thermal conditions is disclosed. The system includes a fixture that comprises two vertically arranged rails, into which horizontally arranged electrical devices are inserted. The rails are in contact with two thermal plates whose temperatures are controlled by controller or controllers. Target temperatures for the two thermal plates are communicated to the controller or controllers, and the electrical output of the electrical devices under test are monitored under varying thermal conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Rantec Power Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Wilkins
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Publication number: 20080046892Abstract: A method and structure for determining a listing of host processors on a network to perform a parallel application, including determining a listing of all possible hosts on the network for performing the parallel application, determining for each of the possible hosts a current capacity and a current utilization, calculating for each of the possible hosts a difference between the current capacity and the current utilization, and selecting from the listing of all possible hosts a listing of hosts based on sorting the calculated differences.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary Ditlow, Daria Dooling, David Moran, Thomas Wilkins, Ralph Williams
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Publication number: 20080046887Abstract: A method and structure for determining a listing of host processors on a network to perform a parallel application, including determining a listing of all possible hosts on the network for performing the parallel application, determining for each of the possible hosts a current capacity and a current utilization, calculating for each of the possible hosts a difference between the current capacity and the current utilization, and selecting from the listing of all possible hosts a listing of hosts based on sorting the calculated differences.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gary Ditlow, Daria Dooling, David Moran, Thomas Wilkins, Ralph Williams
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Patent number: 6924565Abstract: Real and reactive power control for wind turbine generator systems. The technique described herein provides the potential to utilize the total capacity of a wind turbine generator system (e.g., a wind farm) to provide dynamic VAR (reactive power support). The VAR support provided by individual wind turbine generators in a system can be dynamically varied to suit application parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Wilkins, Nagwa M. Elkachouty, Reigh A. Walling, James P. Lyons, Robert W. Delmerico, Sumit Bose, Nicholas Wright Miller
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Publication number: 20050040655Abstract: Real and reactive power control for wind turbine generator systems. The technique described herein provides the potential to utilize the total capacity of a wind turbine generator system (e.g., a wind farm) to provide dynamic VAR (reactive power support). The VAR support provided by individual wind turbine generators in a system can be dynamically varied to suit application parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Thomas Wilkins, Nagwa Elkachouty, Reigh Walling, James Lyons, Robert Delmerico, Sumit Bose, Nicholas Miller
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Patent number: 6494929Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Stimvak LimitedInventor: John Thomas Wilkins
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Publication number: 20010050001Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2001Publication date: December 13, 2001Inventor: John Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 4118819Abstract: A floor treating machine of the single rotary brush type having a handle and a motor both laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the brush in a direction to impart a tilting couple opposed to that arising from operator forces counteracting the reaction couple on the handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1977Date of Patent: October 10, 1978Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company LimitedInventors: Sidney Gordon, John Thomas Wilkins, Haydn Frank Mayo
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Patent number: 4114711Abstract: A floor treating machine, particularly for scrubbing or polishing a floor is provided with a recording and replay device for the power supply to the traction motors so that it may be programmed to repeat a pattern of movement automatically. In order to provide constant and periodic checks on the accuracy of the repetition over long straight runs, there is provided a distance check device for comparing the distance run in operation with the distance run on recording, and means for correcting the path should discrepancies arise.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1977Date of Patent: September 19, 1978Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company LimitedInventor: John Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 4094034Abstract: A floor treatment machine of the rotary brush type in which, in operation, the weight of the machine is, to at least a significant extent, supported by the rotary brush or brushes, in which a brush mounting member is flexibly suspended between resilient elements for limited universal movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1977Date of Patent: June 13, 1978Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company LimitedInventors: John Thomas Wilkins, Haydn Frank Mayo
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Patent number: 4044848Abstract: This invention relates to floor treatment machines, e.g. for scrubbing and polishing floors comprising a pair of driving wheels with independent speed control, a pair of independently movable manually operable control members mounted side-by-side on the machine, with each of said control members being operably connected to an individual electrical component forming part of the speed control for one of the driving wheels, whereby synchronized movement of the control members provides equal adjustment of the wheel speeds, whereas differential movement of the control members provides a steering effect. When operated by a walking operator, such machines have been found to exhibit a tendency to hunt for a selected speed, and in order to avoid this damping means is provided between the operator's control and the electrical components to reduce the sensitivity of the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1976Date of Patent: August 30, 1977Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company LimitedInventor: John Thomas Wilkins
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Patent number: 3952361Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a floor treating machine having laterally spaced drive wheels driven by separate electric traction motors under electronic control so as to be driven by separate train of pulses, comprising means for recording the trains of pulses to the traction motors and means for replaying the record to reproduce the trains of pulses whereby the machine will repeat the operation. When replaying the record it is normally necessary to provide course correction by means of sensing devices for sensing the presence of a wall or other physical obstruction and further sensing devices for sensing the presence of unscrubbed floor, and means for providing overriding control by signals from the sensing devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1974Date of Patent: April 27, 1976Assignee: R. G. Dixon & Company LimitedInventor: John Thomas Wilkins