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).

  • Publication number: 20150308571
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire transmission includes a gear set having a gear, a shiftable member that is selectively engageable with the gear to put the vehicle in PARK, and a first intermediate member that is coupled with the shiftable member. The first intermediate member has an engaged position, with the shiftable member engaged with the gear and a disengaged position, with the shiftable member disengaged from the gear, and is biased toward the engaged position. An actuator is coupled with the first intermediate member. The transmission includes a second intermediate member with a nominal position and an override position. In the nominal position the second intermediate member does not move in response to the first intermediate member moving between the engaged position and disengaged position. Moving the second intermediate member from the nominal position to the override position moves the first intermediate member from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Susan M. WYATT, Todd Curtis SPAULDING, Emad AL-REGIB, Louis Aaron NAGY, Brian J. DEURLOO
  • Patent number: 8897978
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 8688339
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Charles C Poon, William Russell Goodwin, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 8648689
    Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C Poon
  • Publication number: 20130268171
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an electric park brake, including: receiving shift-command data related to operator shift commands; receiving transmission-operating-gear data related to a transmission mode of operation; comparing shift-command data and transmission-operating-gear data; and actuating an electric park brake when shift-command data fails to match transmission-operating-gear data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Tim Allen Huls, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russel Goodwin, Rich Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Brian J. Deurloo, Todd Curtis Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8515635
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Turnavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
  • Publication number: 20130207773
    Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J. Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C. Poon
  • Publication number: 20130151092
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C. Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
  • Publication number: 20130151095
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C. Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Publication number: 20130151096
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Charles C. Poon, William Russell Goodwin, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 6171211
    Abstract: An electronically controlled automatic transmission hydraulic valve system for an automotive vehicle transmission having multiple forward-drive ratios and a reverse ratio. Clutch and brake means controls motion of gearing elements for establishing forward torque flow paths and a reverse torque flow path, the clutch and brake means including a reverse drive clutch and a forward drive clutch. Each clutch, when engaged, completes a torque flow path from a vehicle engine to torque input elements of the gearing. The forward clutch and reverse clutch each includes friction elements that are frictionally engaged by a pressure-actuated piston. Regulated pressure strokes each piston. An engagement valve system triggers normal forward clutch and reverse clutch operation during torque delivery and for establishing a neutral idle capability in both forward and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Todd Curtis Spaulding