Steven A Thomas

US Patent:

6360864, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Feb 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/515565

Inventors:

Steven Gerald Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI
Eli Avny - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Tech., Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16D 1372

US Classification:

192107R, 192 7012, 19211334

Abstract:

A clutch divider plate having a pair of outer plates and a pair of inner rings or members. Rings or members include several notches which allow cooling fluid or oil to pass through the plate , thereby cooling plate.

US Patent:

6382382, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Oct 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/696124

Inventors:

Eli Avny - Ann Arbor MI
Steven Gerald Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI
Ronald Thomas Cowan - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16D 2510

US Classification:

192106F, 192 85 AA, 192 8711

Abstract:

A rotary clutch assembly for a geared power transmission mechanism comprising a friction disc clutch with driving and driven friction clutch plates, the driving plates being connected to a torque input element of the clutch assembly and the driven plates being connected to a torque output element of the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly providing a torque flow path to multiple-ratio gearing, a pressure actuator comprising first and second annular cylinder members and a movable piston member located in one of the cylinder members and cooperating with each member to define a pressure release chamber and a pressure apply chamber, the second clutch member being held axially fast on a torque input shaft for the transmission, the geometry of the cylinder members and the movable piston being sized to effect a centrifugal balance so that the clutch gain is essentially determined by the clutch commanded pressure to produce a relatively speed-independent net clutch-apply force, regardless of clutch cylinder speed.

US Patent:

6834225, Dec 21, 2004

Filed:

Feb 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/775018

Inventors:

Hong Jiang - Canton MI
Bal Sankpal - Canton MI
Steven Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI
Timothy Allen - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 770

US Classification:

701 67, 701 69, 701 89, 701 90, 180197, 180248, 74665, 74333

Abstract:

In a motor vehicle driveline including a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, operating partially engaged, responds to a control signal to change the degree of clutch engagement, whereby a second output is connected driveably to the first output. A digital computer, repetitively executing a computer readable program code algorithm for operating the clutch partially engaged, continually selects a desired magnitude of clutch engagement with reference to functions indexed by vehicle speed and either engine throttle position or engine throttle rate. The computer repetitively updates at frequent intervals the desired degree of clutch engagement, and issues a command clutch duty cycle to a solenoid-controlled valve, which signal changes the degree of clutch engagement in response to the command signal.

US Patent:

6955627, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Mar 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/797868

Inventors:

Steven Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Matthew Hammond - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H003/44

US Classification:

475283, 475269, 475275, 475276, 475277, 475278, 475282, 475288, 475311, 192 51

Abstract:

A multiple speed transmission capable of producing five underdrive gear ratios, one direct drive ratio, four overdrive ratios, and four reverse ratios includes four interconnected planetary gearsets, multi-plate clutches and brakes controlling the gearset elements, and a coupler that changes between forward drive and reverse drive by holding and releasing alternate gearset components against rotation on the transmission case. The transmission in combination with a single-speed transfer case having either an on-demand transfer clutch, or a full-time all-wheel drive system, are formed in an integrated package.

US Patent:

6994650, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Nov 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/706126

Inventors:

Timothy Allen - Livonia MI, US
Steven Thomas - Bloomfield MI, US
Juliette McCoy - Macomb Township MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 37/06

US Classification:

475295, 475900

Abstract:

In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case, a park gear, continually driveably connected through a planetary gear set to the drive wheels of the vehicle, is alternately fixed against rotation on the transfer case or released to rotate freely in response to movement of a gear selector having a park position. When the gear selector is moved to the park position, a pawl holds the drive wheels against rotation. When the gear selector is moved from the park position, the drive wheels are free to rotate without restraint of the park mechanism.

US Patent:

7083537, Aug 1, 2006

Filed:

Dec 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/738531

Inventors:

Shaun Knowles - Canton MI, US
Jeffrey Maurer - Commerce MI, US
Steven Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 31/00

US Classification:

475116, 475146, 192 488, 192 8711

Abstract:

A multiple speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes a speed reduction gear set driveably connected to an input shaft, a planetary gear set having elements selectively driveably connected to the speed reduction gear set and input shaft, a first clutch and a second clutch, each clutch connected through the speed reduction gear set to the input shaft, a source of hydraulic fluid, and a first servo having a first fluid path connecting the fluid source and the first clutch, and a second fluid path connecting the fluid source and the second clutch, and a third fluid path connecting the lubrication fluid source and the lubrication circuit.

US Patent:

7188017, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Feb 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/774866

Inventors:

Ashok Rodrigues - Farmington Hills MI, US
Timothy Allen - Livonia MI, US
Steven Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 67, 701 68, 701 82

Abstract:

In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, selectively engaged in response to a control signal, driveably connects a second output to the first output. A digital computer continually monitors the occurrence of a change of clutch slip, input torque and a torque rate change to control the torque transmitted by the clutch to the second output. The control causes the clutch to transmit torque to the second output having a constant fraction of the input clutch torque and another portion that is proportional to the clutch slip. This result simulates the torque slip characteristics produced by transfer case having both a center differential mechanism and a viscous clutch.

US Patent:

7258183, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Sep 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/605350

Inventors:

Franco Leonardi - Dearborn Heights MI, US
David J. Berels - Plymouth MI, US
John M. Miller - Cedar MI, US
Ronald D. Brost - Dearborn MI, US
Steven G. Thomas - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60L 11/02
B60K 6/04

US Classification:

180 651, 180 652, 903930, 903942, 903943

Abstract:

A stabilized electric distribution system for use in a vehicle having electric assist. The system electrically couples an electric assist bus to an accessory load bus while protecting the first electrical bus from electric assist and regenerative braking induced voltage variations. An energy management controller selectively controls each of a electric motor/generator, a DC/DC converter, and an alternator to affect electric energy distribution within the system. Preferably, the electric energy distribution is controlled to maintain the first electrical bus voltage within a predefined voltage range.