Patents by Inventor William Tobler

William Tobler 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: 20060135316
    Abstract: A gear ratio shift control and control method controls gear ratio upshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle. Pressure actuated friction elements establish torque flow paths in transmission gearing as they are selectively engaged and released. A net torque reduction at a transmission torque output shaft during an upshift event is reduced by increasing transmission input torque prior to the start of the inertia phase of the upshift event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Kraska, Gregory Pietron, William Tobler, Walter Ortmann, Bradley Riedle, Ronald Cowan, Davorin Hrovat
  • Publication number: 20050126272
    Abstract: A method of testing a friction component for a transmission that has first and second parts. The first part of the friction component is attached to a drive shaft and the second part is attached to a grounding element. The first part of the friction component is rotated until the drive shaft and the first part of the friction component rotate at a target sliding speed Vtarget. An actuation force is applied to the friction component at a time t0. Operation of the motor drive is continued to maintain the speed of rotation of the drive shaft at Vtarget until a predetermined level of engagement torque Tth is obtained. The motor torque is then reduced to a predetermined level Tm. The sliding speed of the drive shaft is then decreased and the test is terminated when the sliding speed falls to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicants: Ford Motor Company, Link Engineering Company
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Ted Snyder, Gregory Pietron, William Tobler