Rudolf R Beim

US Patent:

59317604, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Sep 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/939643

Inventors:

Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI
Daniel Warren McCarrick - Canton MI
Barry John Melhorn - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 3700

US Classification:

475211

Abstract:

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continuously variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an input shaft and an output sheave assembly supported on an intermediate shaft. A planetary gearset has a sun gear fixed to the input shaft, and a carrier fixed to an output shaft. A first fixed ratio drive mechanism is in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and a ring gear of the gearset. A second fixed drive mechanism is in the form of a chain drive located in a torque delivery path between the output shaft and a front drive shaft. A transfer clutch is provided for connecting and releasing the output sheave of the variable drive mechanism and sprocket wheel which is fixed to that shaft. A forward brake and reverse brake are provided for holding alternately the ring gears of the gearset, and a clutch for selectively driveably connecting the output of the second fixed drive mechanism to the front drive shaft.

US Patent:

57325944, Mar 31, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/741997

Inventors:

David A. Janson - Plymouth MI
Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 3087

US Classification:

74333

Abstract:

A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft parallel the input shaft and a sleeve shaft rotatably supported by the input shaft. A clutch is provided to selectively engage one the input shaft and the sleeve shaft. The input shaft is releasably engageable with the sleeve shaft. Multiple forward gear and pinion pairs are provided wherein one gear of each of the gear and pinion pairs is supported by the sleeve shaft and the second of each gear of the gear and pinion pairs is supported by the output shaft. A transfer gear is rotatably supported by the output shaft and drivably connected to the input shaft. The transfer gear is selectively drivably connected to the sleeve shaft and the output shaft.

US Patent:

58686444, Feb 9, 1999

Filed:

Dec 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/992278

Inventors:

Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 362

US Classification:

475271

Abstract:

A multiple-speed epicyclic transmission produces speed ratios in response to movement of a brake band among components of the gearset and subsequent engagement with the gearset component that corresponds to the desired gear ratio. The brake band is biased into engagement with a corresponding gearset component by a spring and is released from that engagement using a hydraulic or electric actuator. A cartridge moves the band to the gearset component that must be held fixed against rotation to produce the desired gear ratio. Engagement of the brake band with a brake drum or ring gear holds the corresponding gearset component against rotation on the transmission housing.

US Patent:

54295572, Jul 4, 1995

Filed:

Mar 21, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/215141

Inventors:

Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 5710

US Classification:

475283

Abstract:

An automatic transmission for a motor vehicle includes a layshaft gearset (38, 40), a planetary gearset (96), two concentrically arranged planetary gear units (44, 54), certain elements of which are continually interconnected, friction clutches (76, 78), brake band (46), friction brakes (92, 106), and overrunning coupling (80). The input shaft of the transmission is adapted to drive elements of the planetary gear units through the layshaft gearset and planetary gearset. A single gear wheel (57) is formed with the ring gear (48) of the first gear unit and the sun gear (56) of the second gear unit. Carriers (50, 60) of the gear units are connected to an output shaft (64), which drives output gearing (66, 68) and a differential mechanism (70).

US Patent:

59417897, Aug 24, 1999

Filed:

Mar 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/044492

Inventors:

Daniel Warren McCarrick - Canton MI
Barry John Melhorn - Ann Arbor MI
Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 3702

US Classification:

475214

Abstract:

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, a low speed gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, a reverse gearset, a reverse brake, and a clutch for selectively driveably connecting the output of the fixed drive mechanism and a front output shaft.

US Patent:

56929889, Dec 2, 1997

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653181

Inventors:

Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI
Daniel W. McCarrick - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 362

US Classification:

475281

Abstract:

A kinematic arrangement of a multiple-speed automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a simple planetary gear unit and a compound planetary gear unit, hydraulically actuated clutches and brakes applied and released selectively, and an overrunning clutch that produces a one-way drive connection between the carrier of the first gear unit and a nonrotating member such as the transmission casing. The simple planetary gear unit includes a sun gear, a ring gear surrounding the sun gear, a carrier, and a set of planet pinions in continuous meshing engagement with the sun gear and ring gear and rotatably supported on the carrier. The compound gear unit includes a sun gear, a ring gear surrounding the sun gear, a carrier, a first set of planet pinions in continuous driving engagement with the sun gear, and a second set of planet pinions in continuous engagement with the ring gear and the first set of planet pinions.

US Patent:

59160535, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Mar 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/044336

Inventors:

Daniel Warren McCarrick - Canton MI
Barry John Melhorn - Ann Arbor MI
Rudolf Beim - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 3702

US Classification:

475211

Abstract:

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, and a reverse brake.

US Patent:

52679136, Dec 7, 1993

Filed:

Dec 4, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/985428

Inventors:

Rudolf Beim - Southfield MI
George E. Lemieux - Livonia MI
Richard D. Moan - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16H 5710

US Classification:

475218

Abstract:

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes first and second simple planetary gear units, certain of whose elements are continually interconnected and certain others are releasably connected through operation of friction elements and one-way couplings. The input shaft of the transmission is adapted to drive elements of the planetary gear units through an underdrive gearset and an overdrive gearset. The various speed ratios result by either underdriving or overdriving an element of the planetary gear unit or both underdriving one element and overdriving another element. Several parallel torque delivery paths include a series arrangement of the overrunning coupling in parallel with a friction element. This arrangement permits engine braking during coast conditions when the coupling overruns. The overdrive gearset is available to produce a speed ratio without involving the planetary gear units.