Patents by Inventor Todd Curtis Spaulding
Todd Curtis Spaulding 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: 10995855Abstract: A vehicle park lock assembly includes a park valve that moves in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moves in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position. The assembly includes a support block that limits movement of the park valve in the first direction. The assembly includes a biasing device coupled to the support block and the park valve. The biasing device biases the park valve to the first position. A method of supporting components of a vehicle park lock assembly includes moving a park valve in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moving the park valve in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zheng Liang, Emad Al-Regib, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Susan Wyatt
-
Publication number: 20200362964Abstract: A vehicle park lock assembly includes a park valve that moves in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moves in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position. The assembly includes a support block that limits movement of the park valve in the first direction. The assembly includes a biasing device coupled to the support block and the park valve. The biasing device biases the park valve to the first position. A method of supporting components of a vehicle park lock assembly includes moving a park valve in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moving the park valve in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Zheng Liang, Emad Al-Regib, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Susan Wyatt
-
Patent number: 10598281Abstract: An override mechanism for a shift-by-wire transmission includes a housing having a first pin aperture and a shaft extending into the housing. The override mechanism further includes a reel plate having a second pin aperture. The reel plate is rotatably fixed to the shaft and rotatable within the housing. The override mechanism further includes a spring biasing the reel plate to a first angular position, and a pull-pin removably disposable within the first and second pin apertures to retain the reel plate in a second angular position.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Craig Matthew Renneker, Bryant L. Poynter, Susan Wyatt
-
Patent number: 10377353Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a park lock system for an automatic transmission. In one example, a park lock system may include a slideable element coupled to a park rod, a lock slot formed by the slideable element, a cam coupled to an end of a shaft, the shaft positioned within a solenoid and moveable by energization of the solenoid, and a pivotable pawl adapted to couple with the lock slot. In one example, the pivotable pawl is coupled to the lock slot by energization of the solenoid, and a position of the slideable element is locked.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Emad Al-Regib, Salim Sandakli
-
Publication number: 20190072179Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Mihir M. PAI, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Cecil Michael PAIS, Brian J. DEURLOO
-
Patent number: 10221946Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mihir M. Pai, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Cecil Michael Pais, Brian J. Deurloo
-
Patent number: 10189451Abstract: A parking mechanism in a vehicle is controlled to rotate, which engages and disengages a pawl with a spoke or gear of a wheel to selectively hold the wheel against rotation in park. A spring is connected to the parking mechanism at a first end, and is connected to the transmission housing or a stop block at a second end. The first end of the spring is a closed loop, such as a helix shape that extends over 360 degrees over a loop axis. The second end of the spring is open-ended, such as a hook. After attaching the first end of the spring to the park mechanism, but prior to attaching the second end, a valve assembly can be mounted as well as the stop block. After those components are assembled in place, the second end of the spring can simply hook into place.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Susan Wyatt, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Zheng Liang
-
Patent number: 10018271Abstract: A transmission diagnostic system includes a pivotable member and an actuator. The actuator has a notch with a first side, a second side, and an opening between the two sides. The width of the opening is greater than a width of the pivotable member. The pivotable member is retained within the notch, and the actuator is configured to selectively pivot the pivotable member between an engaged position, corresponding to a PARK gear, and a disengaged position, corresponding to a gear other than PARK. The transmission diagnostic system also includes a biasing spring configured to exert a biasing torque on the pivotable member to bias the pivotable member toward the first side of the notch. The transmission diagnostic system further includes a controller configured to generate at least one diagnostic signal in response to the pivotable member not being in contact with the first side of the notch.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding
-
Publication number: 20180156333Abstract: An override mechanism for a shift-by-wire transmission includes a housing having a first pin aperture and a shaft extending into the housing. The override mechanism further includes a reel plate having a second pin aperture. The reel plate is rotatably fixed to the shaft and rotatable within the housing. The override mechanism further includes a spring biasing the reel plate to a first angular position, and a pull-pin removably disposable within the first and second pin apertures to retain the reel plate in a second angular position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Emad AL-REGIB, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Craig Matthew RENNEKER, Bryant L. POYNTER, Susan WYATT
-
Patent number: 9976616Abstract: A pawl return spring includes a surface contacting portion adapted to contact a transmission housing. The surface contacting portion includes a first connection region and a second connection region opposite the first connection region. The pawl return spring includes an active coil region connected to the first connection region and disposed about a central longitudinal axis to provide torsional effort to the system. The pawl return spring also includes an inactive coil region connected to the second connection region and disposed about the central longitudinal axis that does not provide torsional effort to the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Susan Wyatt, Mihir M. Pai
-
Publication number: 20180050668Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a park lock system for an automatic transmission. In one example, a park lock system may include a slideable element coupled to a park rod, a lock slot formed by the slideable element, a cam coupled to an end of a shaft, the shaft positioned within a solenoid and moveable by energization of the solenoid, and a pivotable pawl adapted to couple with the lock slot. In one example, the pivotable pawl is coupled to the lock slot by energization of the solenoid, and a position of the slideable element is locked.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Emad Al-Regib, Salim Sandakli
-
Publication number: 20180023650Abstract: A pawl return spring includes a surface contacting portion adapted to contact a transmission housing. The surface contacting portion includes a first connection region and a second connection region opposite the first connection region. The pawl return spring includes an active coil region connected to the first connection region and disposed about a central longitudinal axis to provide torsional effort to the system. The pawl return spring also includes an inactive coil region connected to the second connection region and disposed about the central longitudinal axis that does not provide torsional effort to the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Susan WYATT, Mihir M. PAI
-
Patent number: 9855930Abstract: A transaxle and a parking actuator assembly are provided. The parking actuator assembly may include an actuator, a rack, and the biasing member. The actuator may include a pin biased towards an extended position. The rack may be configured to carry a parking rod and may define first and second ramped recesses each configured to receive the pin. The biasing member may be coupled with the rack and may be configured to bias the parking rod towards engagement with a parking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Matthew Stephen Eiszler, Gerard Patrick Kuchta, Brian Richard Light, Eric S. Richardson, Ronald Gaw
-
Publication number: 20170203738Abstract: A parking mechanism in a vehicle is controlled to rotate, which engages and disengages a pawl with a spoke or gear of a wheel to selectively hold the wheel against rotation in park. A spring is connected to the parking mechanism at a first end, and is connected to the transmission housing or a stop block at a second end. The first end of the spring is a closed loop, such as a helix shape that extends over 360 degrees over a loop axis. The second end of the spring is open-ended, such as a hook. After attaching the first end of the spring to the park mechanism, but prior to attaching the second end, a valve assembly can be mounted as well as the stop block. After those components are assembled in place, the second end of the spring can simply hook into place.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Susan WYATT, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Zheng LIANG
-
Publication number: 20170001604Abstract: A transaxle and a parking actuator assembly are provided. The parking actuator assembly may include an actuator, a rack, and the biasing member. The actuator may include a pin biased towards an extended position. The rack may be configured to carry a parking rod and may define first and second ramped recesses each configured to receive the pin. The biasing member may be coupled with the rack and may be configured to bias the parking rod towards engagement with a parking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: EMAD AL-REGIB, TODD CURTIS SPAULDING, MATTHEW STEPHEN EISZLER, GERARD PATRICK KUCHTA, BRIAN RICHARD LIGHT, ERIC S. RICHARDSON, RONALD GAW
-
Patent number: 9371903Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Derek Kinch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Todd Curtis Spaulding
-
Publication number: 20160053890Abstract: A transmission diagnostic system includes a pivotable member and an actuator. The actuator has a notch with a first side, a second side, and an opening between the two sides. The width of the opening is greater than a width of the pivotable member. The pivotable member is retained within the notch, and the actuator is configured to selectively pivot the pivotable member between an engaged position, corresponding to a PARK gear, and a disengaged position, corresponding to a gear other than PARK. The transmission diagnostic system also includes a biasing spring configured to exert a biasing torque on the pivotable member to bias the pivotable member toward the first side of the notch. The transmission diagnostic system further includes a controller configured to generate at least one diagnostic signal in response to the pivotable member not being in contact with the first side of the notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Richard Reynolds HATHAWAY, Jeffrey James TUMAVITCH, Brian J. DEURLOO, Todd Curtis SPAULDING
-
Patent number: 9233666Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Derek Kinch, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
-
Publication number: 20150344004Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Emad Al-Regib, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Derek Kinch, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
-
Publication number: 20150316143Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian J. DEURLOO, Jeffrey James TUMAVITCH, Derek KINCH, Richard Reynolds HATHAWAY, Todd Curtis SPAULDING